How to plant a Vitex negundo (Chinese chaste tree) wild-collected stump so it survives easily

Natural shapes in bonsai are relatively popular. Vitex negundo is a root-viewing bonsai, and it can be found everywhere in rural areas. Many people go up the mountains themselves to dig it up and bring it back to make bonsai. How do you plant a dug-up Vitex negundo wild-collected stump?

How to plant a Vitex negundo wild-collected stump

1. Most dug-up wild-collected stumps already have damaged roots. If conditions allow, plant them in the ground if possible. First choose a piece of soft soil, dig a hole in it, and turn over the soil in it. After that, place the wild-collected stump directly into the hole, fill in soil, and bury it.

2. When planting, do not plant too deep. Also, the cut ends of the branches above the ground should be sealed with sealing wax or plastic film to prevent them from being dried out by wind and damaging the branches.

3. Bury it at the surface with sandy soil; it is enough for the fine roots at the bottom to be just covered by the surface soil. This makes it convenient to raise the roots later; when raising the roots, you only need to remove the surface layer of sandy soil.

4. After burying it, put a bag over it and mist it often to keep it moist. It will not take long for it to survive.

5. If it is not convenient to plant in the ground, you can plant it in a flower pot. Choose a deeper flower pot; using normal soil with a few small stones at the bottom is no big problem. The method is about the same as ground planting: also plant the wild-collected stump into the soil, and put a plastic bag over the pot. Place it in a spot with plenty of sunlight. It will sprout in about two weeks.

6. Vitex negundo wild-collected stumps will sprout in the first year. Some Vitex negundo knots sprout only because the nutrients inside the old stump make them bud, while the root system has not truly come back to life. At this time, pay attention to controlling water and cutting off buds to prevent the branches and leaves from growing excessively. It must overwinter at home for one year, and sprouting again the following year is what counts as truly alive.

Vitex negundo wild-collected stumps are still relatively easy to plant. The main thing is to find a good old stump when digging. Friends who are interested may as well keep an eye out when climbing mountains.