How to cultivate old Xunzi bonsai and keep it alive (How to maintain Xunzi bonsai and make it survive easily)

Cotoneaster serrata (picture)

First, planting time

Purchasing in the spring when the germination is strong can significantly increase the survival rate. Planting about a month after fruit drop is also very helpful in increasing the survival rate.

When digging up the piles from the mountain, it is recommended that you dig the piles with the soil ball as much as possible to avoid large wounds at the roots.

Second, pile selection

Xunzi is very suitable for small and medium-sized bonsai. When choosing stakes, I usually only choose dwarf stakes, pay attention to the wounds on the roots, and try to avoid large wounds when cutting thick roots.

Choosing some stumps with small root wounds and many fibrous roots can also significantly improve the survival rate.

Third, pile material processing

Take the newly dug downhill piles home and soak them in water for 1 to 2 days. In winter, most places are dry, and the piles themselves grow in the wild and generally lose water slightly. Soaking in clean water can effectively replenish the moisture of the piles.

When digging the stumps, root wounds are inevitable, so before planting, the root wounds need to be treated. Use a utility knife to shave off a thin layer of the root wound. The wound area should be smooth without burrs.

Be careful to retain the fibrous roots when shortening the thick roots. After planting, the fibrous roots can quickly restore the ability to absorb water.

In order to avoid the pile from losing water during the root recovery stage, before planting, you can first examine the pile material and determine the branches that need to be retained. Then trim all unnecessary branches. If you encounter a branch wound that is more than 1 cm, apply a healing agent in time.

Fourth, planting management

① Planting material

When planting Xunzi, I recommend that you use Akadama soil if possible. Considering the cost, I basically use freshwater river sand or mountain sand.

Sand is loose and breathable . It has good drainage and can retain moisture without accumulating water. It absorbs heat quickly and dissipates heat quickly, which can increase the temperature difference between day and night and promote the induction of new roots.

② Planting management

(1) For newly planted Xunzi, it is recommended that you keep it in a location with bright light and good ventilation .

When the root system is injured, the plant needs a period of recovery. Generally, it takes about 15 days for the fibrous roots to recover. In a location where there is light but not direct sunlight, a small amount of photosynthesis can be carried out on the leaves, which can also reduce water evaporation.

(2) After the Xunzi is planted, it needs to be watered with "rooting water" immediately. It is recommended that water should leak out of the bottom seepage holes when watering. After watering once, add some sand and soil, and then water it thoroughly again. The newly planted Xunzi needs to be sprayed several times a day to replenish water to the leaves and increase the humidity of the microenvironment .

(3) Keep the soil dry and wet, with a dry and wet alternation. When the planting material is dry, it is more breathable . We can speed up the repair of root wounds and make the roots breathe more smoothly. Watering can be done by observing the planting material.

When the soil is dry to a depth of about 3 cm, water it thoroughly immediately.

(4) You can move the flower pot of the Xunzi plant to a location with diffused light. It is recommended to spray the leaves 2 to 3 times a day in the morning or evening for 3 to 5 hours. Generally, in about 20 days, new buds will emerge on the original Xunzi branches. This basically means that the plant has survived .