Bamboo bonsai making

Bonsai material selection

There are many varieties of bamboo, and not all of them are suitable for bonsai, so you should choose small bamboos with shorter stalks and slower growth, such as Buddha belly bamboo, Vajra bamboo, Guanyin bamboo, etc.

After choosing the bamboo variety, you need to select the appropriate bamboo for dwarfing. For bamboo to be made into bonsai, on the one hand, you must pay attention to water control. Moderate water control during the growing season can effectively delay its growth. On the other hand, appropriate reduction of fertilizer can effectively control the growth of bamboo. When choosing fertilizer, compost and green manure are preferred, and try not to apply chemical fertilizers. Pay attention to more sunlight to promote its lateral growth. Once the root system is strong and developed, you can start making bonsai.

Bonsai potting

The best soil for bamboo bonsai is loose, fertile, acidic soil. You can use leaf mold and mix it with sand and cake fertilizer to make the culture soil.

Plant in the pot in March-April or August-September, and put a layer of expanded clay at the bottom of the pot to make it breathable and water-permeable. Add potting soil to about 4 cm below the edge of the pot to make it easier to bury the bamboo shoots. Place the potted plant in an area with scattered light. After a month when new branches and buds sprout, you can place it in a sunny place.

Bonsai pruning

Bamboo can be pruned in June and July, trimming leaves and branches that grow too densely or affect the overall shape. For bonsai that require special shaping, the side branches should be pruned to facilitate the sprouting of new branches; new shoots should be removed in time.