How to make a bonsai with Ming asparagus fern? Shaping it this way makes a better-looking potted plant

Ming asparagus fern (Asparagus retrofractus) is a small ornamental plant with slender branchlets and short pine-needle-like leaves that cluster into tufts, closely resembling five-needle pine needles. Ming asparagus fern is a plant well suited to potted display; its plant form is attractive and its leaves are also very beautiful. Many people want to grow Ming asparagus fern at home, so how should a Ming asparagus fern bonsai be made? How should a potted Ming asparagus fern be shaped to look good?

How to make a Ming asparagus fern bonsai

1. Choosing the pot shape

The specific shape of the pot can be determined by the tree form of the Ming asparagus fern; it can be square or round, but generally we choose a rectangular, medium-shallow pot. If the tree form is the cliff style, generally choose a deeper tall cylindrical pot; for the curved-trunk style, generally choose a drum-shaped shallow round pot. Usually the pot materials chosen for growing Ming asparagus fern include purple clay ceramic, and glazed ceramic can also be used.

2. Choosing the tree form

The tree forms of Ming asparagus fern can be said to be diverse, including the upright-trunk style, slanting-trunk style, curved-trunk style and cliff style, each with its own characteristics. The upright-trunk Ming asparagus fern is tall, straight and vigorous, with an antique flavor; the slanting-trunk style coils as it grows like a crouching dragon; the cliff style is like a steep high mountain with a dragon raising its head, quite spectacular.

3. Choosing the soil

Ming asparagus fern is suited to many soils; choose a deep, loose, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic, but do not choose soil with high salinity and alkalinity. Sandy soil can also be added and mixed in for use.

4. Later processing

If the Ming asparagus fern is planted in a relatively shallow pot, pay attention to reinforcing the branches and trunk; wire can be used to bind at the roots, taking care not to damage the roots, and then passed through the round hole at the bottom of the pot. The later processing of Ming asparagus fern is mainly based on wiring and bending, using metal wire. Select some young saplings, about 2 to 3-year-old young saplings, bend the trunk and branches of the saplings, prune the side branches, and wire and bend them on the Ming asparagus fern, in a horizontal or downward state. After one year of growth, remove the metal wire for adjustment, wire and bend again, and after a few years it can take shape.

How to shape a potted Ming asparagus fern to look good

1. Wiring and shaping

It is recommended to use metal wire for the operation, because their branches are relatively soft. After selecting a suitable plant, the main trunk can be bent slightly, excess branches removed, and the remaining branches kept horizontal to the ground or slightly drooping; after the plant grows and matures, wire and shape it again, and repeat this process, and it can take shape after a few years. Do not intervene too much when wiring and bending.

2. Daily and growing-season pruning

In order to maintain its own vigorous, quaint image, we should prune often to maintain its posture.

The main purpose is to improve the plant's own light penetration and ventilation, cutting off excess and overly dense branches. Especially during the plant's growing season, excess branches and leaves need to be cut off at any time to maintain their well-proportioned posture.

3. How to choose the pot shape for Ming asparagus fern

The specific shape of the pot is determined by the form of your plant itself; the shape should suit local conditions, but if you cannot decide which pot shape to use, a slightly shallow rectangular flower pot is a good choice.

How to grow Ming asparagus fern

1. Ming asparagus fern is generally propagated by division, and can also be grown from seed, but growth in the seedling stage is slow.

2. During the growing season it should be watered thoroughly; after autumn when the temperature drops, watering should be gradually reduced.

3. To make the branches and leaves luxuriant, more nitrogen fertilizer and potassium fertilizer can be applied, with a top dressing about every 15 days.

4. During the spring and summer growing period, sufficient water is needed, but the pot soil must not become waterlogged, otherwise it is prone to root rot and leaf drop.

5. If the pot soil is too dry, the leaves yellow and the leaf edges wither and turn yellow, or they wilt and drop.

Daily care methods for Ming asparagus fern

1. Temperature

The temperature at which Ming asparagus fern can grow is above 15°C, so be careful that the temperature in winter is not too low, otherwise Ming asparagus fern will stop growing; the suitable growing temperature is between 20°C and 30°C.

2. Light

Ming asparagus fern should be grown in a semi-shaded place, and especially in summer direct sunlight should be avoided, otherwise the leaves will lack water and be scorched by the sun. At the same time, pay attention to ventilation.

3. Water

During the vigorous growth period of Ming asparagus fern, sufficient water should be given, but it must not cause waterlogging in the pot, otherwise the roots will lack oxygen and die. In seasons of slow growth such as winter, there is no need to water frequently; just keep the pot soil moist.

4. Fertilizer

Fertilizing should form a pattern of fertilizing once a month; nitrogen and potassium fertilizers are especially suitable and can promote the growth of Ming asparagus fern.

Ming asparagus fern is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant. The plant is upright and likes a warm, humid and semi-shaded environment. It is not cold-tolerant, and is afraid of long periods of strong direct sunlight and high temperatures; it is not tolerant of drought or waterlogging. It grows in clusters, spherical in shape, borne on woody branches, dark green. The flowers are pale red to white, fragrant, and the flowering period is July—August.