How should a bonsai banyan tree be pruned and shaped so its branches and leaves look beautiful?

Banyan bonsai have graceful shapes and stay evergreen through all four seasons, giving them high ornamental value. The whole bonsai uses the banyan tree as its material, and the aim is generally to appreciate the banyan's peculiar roots and trunk along with its branches and leaves. So how should a banyan bonsai's branches, leaves and trunk be shaped to look better? And in daily care, how should a banyan bonsai's branches and leaves be pruned?

How to shape a banyan bonsai to look beautiful

Shaping methods for banyan bonsai:

1. When shaping a banyan bonsai, the main effort should go into raising the roots, so that they form a suspended-root, exposed-claw look. Branches, trunk and leaves must not be neglected either, because they are an inseparable whole of a single tree.

2. The branches and leaves are usually shaped in a natural style with clearly defined layers. Banyan branches are soft, so the wiring time is longer than for ordinary trees; generally it takes about two years before the wiring can be removed.

3. Because the banyan's branches and trunk are softer than those of other trees and easy to wire into shape, a straight-trunk-style banyan bonsai is rarely seen. Banyan leaves are rather large and its roots are peculiar, and no banyan forest-style bonsai has been seen either. Some bonsai enthusiasts often make use of the banyan's soft branches and trunk, thick and long roots, and strong adaptability to create bonsai in styles such as curved-trunk, slanted-trunk, cascade, tree-on-rock and raised-root.

4. Banyan leaves are generally rather large and not attractive enough, so their growth should be controlled; besides spraying water on the leaves less often, leaf removal can also be used to make the leaves smaller. In the south in March, and in the north in April, cut off the tips of the branches, then cut the leaves off at the petiole, and step up fertilizer and water management; generally after about 25 days new leaves will grow. In July, carry out a second leaf removal. In the north, two leaf removals a year are enough; in the south, because the temperature is higher, a third leaf removal can also be done in September. After several leaf removals, the banyan becomes dense-branched with small leaves.

How to prune the branches and leaves of a banyan bonsai

1. Pinching: this is the way to restrain the banyan from growing tall, to promote side buds to grow out flat; cut off the tender shoot at the tip of the branch.

2. Bud removal: during the growth of a banyan bonsai, many adventitious buds will grow on the branches and trunk; these must be removed at any time, so as to avoid too many shoots sprouting and affecting the appearance.

3. Leaf removal: the banyan's ornamental period is often the period when new leaves sprout; proper pruning of the newly grown leaves helps new leaves sprout several times, and the color of the leaves will also be bright and pleasing, improving the ornamental effect.

4. Branch pruning: a banyan bonsai often grows many new branches; the pruning method should be decided according to the tree shape and your own aesthetic sense. If you feel that the growth of a certain branch hinders the overall shape, you can cut it off.

5. Root pruning: when repotting, prune the roots in good time; if the roots are too long or too dense, they must be trimmed. If the roots have not filled the bottom of the pot, you can use the original pot and there is no need to prune the roots; if the roots have already grown full, change to a slightly larger pot, and thin out the dense roots, remove the old roots, keep a few new roots, and replant.

Points to note when growing a banyan bonsai

1. Banyan pruning and shaping is mostly done during the dormant period. The banyan can be wired in all four seasons; when wiring during the growing period, take care not to damage the bark, so that the sap does not flow out.

2. During the banyan's growing season, keep the pot soil moist at all times, and pay special attention to raising the air humidity.

3. A banyan kept indoors should be placed in a ventilated spot with bright, scattered light. In winter the room temperature should preferably be kept at 5-8°C; prevent the pot soil from becoming too dry or too wet, and once a week wash the leaf surface with warm water close to room temperature, so that the leaves stay clean and bright green. If the winter room temperature is too high, open the windows to let air through.

Methods for preventing and controlling pests and diseases of banyan bonsai

1. The banyan has relatively few pests and diseases; poor ventilation and light, or too much nitrogen fertilizer, may trigger powdery mildew, which can be sprayed with a 500-times solution of 50% carbendazim wettable powder.

2. Among insect pests, scale insects occasionally occur; they can be sprayed with a 1500-times solution of 80% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate. Or bury an appropriate amount of carbofuran granules shallowly in the pot soil, then water thoroughly for quick effect.

Banyan bonsai have unique shapes, strong adaptability, low demands on the growing environment, and tolerate pruning well. So in home growing, in order to give the banyan more harmonious and graceful branches, prune frequently; pruning can achieve the goal of making the banyan's form graceful, and in this way the banyan also grows better.