The cultivation methods and precautions of Yalezhiwu

Soil requirements

Depending on the growth situation, repotting should be done once every spring. The potting soil should be loose, fertile, and have good drainage and air permeability. Commonly used materials include 2 parts of leaf mold, 2 parts of coarse sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1 part of garden soil. A small amount of wood ash or bone meal is added as base fertilizer. Mix well before use.

Water and fertilizer maintenance

When watering, remember to "don't water unless the soil is dry, and water thoroughly when you do", avoid waterlogging in the soil and don't let it get wet in the rain for a long time to prevent root rot. During the high temperatures in summer, pay attention to good ventilation to prevent leaf fall and root rot caused by stuffiness and humidity.

During the growing period, apply decomposed thin liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer once every 20 days or so. After fertilizing, pay attention to loosening the soil to increase soil permeability and facilitate root absorption.

Light and temperature requirements

Except for a little shade during the high temperatures in summer, try to get as much sunlight as possible in other seasons. Ventilation should be strengthened in summer to avoid hot and humid environments, otherwise leaves will fall due to root rot. Keep the soil in the pot dry in winter, and it can safely overwinter at around 5℃.

Pruning requirements

During the growing season, branches that affect the tree shape should be cut off at any time (the cut branches can be used as cuttings or grafting materials), and the branches and leaves that sprout on the rootstock of the grafted plants should be wiped off in time. Pruning is carried out once a year in spring. Branches that affect the tree's posture are cut off, overly long branches are shortened, and strong new branches are promoted to make the bonsai beautiful.

Reproduction method

The propagation of Dancing with the Wind usually adopts the method of cutting or grafting. Cuttings are generally carried out during the growing season. The cuttings can be branches pruned during shaping. The length requirement is not strict, but there must be at least 3 to 4 pairs of leaves. Remove the lower leaves before transplanting, let it air dry for 1 to 2 days, and after the wound is dry, insert it into the culture soil. Place it in a place without direct sunlight, keep the soil slightly moist, and it will take root in 2 to 3 weeks. After the seedlings survive, apply thin fertilizer to make them grow vigorously. When the plants grow to a certain size, they can be shaped!

Modeling method

The shaping of the Dancing with Grace bonsai can be achieved by combining coiling and pruning. Common forms include straight trunk, curved trunk, slanted trunk, cliff, and waterside styles. Because it is a fleshy stem, do not let the wire get into its epidermis when winding it, otherwise it will cause the fleshy stem to tear. Its branches are luxuriant, with long branches slightly drooping. The tree crown is mostly natural, unrestrained and elegant, with proper density and is very distinctive. You can also take advantage of the fact that its leaves are small and dense, prune them frequently to promote the growth of small branches, and cultivate the crown into a compact triangle or bun shape. For the Dancing with Graces that have grown through cuttings, you can simply twist and prune them, plant them in a small pot, and pair them with some unusual stones to create a cute, exquisite, and unique miniature bonsai.