Maintenance and management of Pyracantha bonsai

Placement

Pyracantha is a positive tree species and likes sunlight. During the growing season, placing it in direct sunlight can ensure that it blooms and bears more fruit. During the maintenance process, it is important to place it outdoors during the flowering period to attract insects for pollination and ensure that the bonsai blooms and bears fruit.

Watering and fertilizing

Pyracantha has a well-developed root system and prefers large amounts of fertilizer and water, but the amount of fertilizer and water must be kept appropriate. The soil in the pot should be alternately dry and moist, and avoid water accumulation. During the flowering period of Pyracantha, rain should be avoided on the flowers to ensure pollination. Pyracantha requires a lot of fertilizer because of its long growing period, vigorous growth, numerous flowers and fruits. Generally, fertilizers mainly composed of phosphorus and potassium are applied in summer. Continue to use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in autumn to promote fruit ripening and coloring.

Seasonal management

Pyracantha has the characteristics of bearing many fruits, having a long fruiting period, and germinating early, so after hibernation, it is necessary to pick the fruits and apply fertilizer in time. Picking fruit is a necessary condition for abundant flowers and fruits in the coming year.

If the fruit is allowed to remain on the plant, it will remain intact until May or June of the following year, which will not only consume a large amount of nutrients in the plant itself, but will also be detrimental to flowering and fruiting that year. Timely nutrient replenishment is another condition for strong spring buds and vigorous growth. Generally, fertilizers mainly composed of phosphorus and potassium can be applied in time in summer. Better wet than dry.

Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should continue to be applied in autumn to promote fruit ripening and coloring.

It can be viewed indoors in winter, requiring ventilation, not too high a temperature, and plenty of sunlight, otherwise it will shed leaves, sprout winter buds, or die from excessive water loss. It is best to apply solid fertilizer on the surface of the pot. If you overwinter outdoors, you should avoid dry winds that may cause damage. As long as the soil in the pot is properly dry and wet, low temperatures around -10℃ will not cause any harm.

Pruning and shaping

For the finished Pyracantha bonsai, spring is the beginning of another growth cycle, and growth in spring is the basis for ensuring flowering and fruiting. In late spring, early summer and even autumn, pruning and topping are the main tasks. Pruning and topping are mainly to maintain the original plant shape. Autumn is another growth peak, so nitrogen fertilizer is prohibited. It is better to remove the dominant top to avoid the autumn shoots consuming nutrients, which will bring disadvantages to wintering and fruit setting.

Repotting time

Repot once every year in late autumn. When repotting, cut off the old roots around the pot and apply enough base fertilizer. Be careful not to nest the roots. For vegetative plants that do not bear fruit, the pots can be changed all year round.

Pest control

Pyracantha is susceptible to disease and insect pests. The main diseases are black rot and powdery mildew, especially powdery mildew, which is very serious. For prevention and control, fungicides such as carbendazim and thiophanate are mainly used, spraying branches and leaves or irrigating roots. Usually keep it in a ventilated and clean environment with sufficient light and vigorous growth, which can greatly reduce the incidence rate. The most common pests are aphids and red spiders, which can be treated by spraying dichlorvos, emulsified malathion, etc. in time. Generally spray the medicine in the afternoon, once every 3 days, at least three times.