How to care for a cypress bonsai so it grows well? With pictures

Cypress is a common evergreen tree in China, widely planted artificially, and also a relatively good landscaping tree. There are many varieties of cypress, including Hinoki cypress, Chinese arborvitae, Chinese juniper, etc. Generally, cypress trees are very tall with luxuriant branches and leaves. Now many people grow them in pots at home, creating bonsai of various shapes to beautify the home and also add a lot of vitality to the household. Below let us take a look at how to care for a cypress bonsai so it grows well? With pictures.

1. Transplanting method

The making of potted cypress is generally done through transplanting. Before transplanting, you must first clean the grass roots and dirty soil on the soil ball, shave off the stones exposed on the surface, seal and coat the cut sections of the thick root system and trunk branches with latex, then spray potassium permanganate or carbendazim, place the landscape stump in the correct position, fill in soil and firm it, then water repeatedly until the clay pot is completely moistened. After watering thoroughly for the first time, scrape off the old bark on the trunk and thick branches together. In this way, pollution, miscellaneous bacteria, and eggs can be removed to prevent unclean matter from polluting the stump landscape, and at the same time it also helps display the beauty of the surface texture and the metabolism of the epidermal tissue.

2. Care environment

Cypress bonsai are best placed in a place with sufficient sunlight and humid air. In winter, they should be placed indoors to overwinter, and in summer, when the sunlight is strong, be sure to provide shade to avoid scorching the leaves under the hot sun.

3. Key points of watering

Cypress bonsai are best kept with sufficient moisture in the pot soil, but there must not be water accumulation, so as to avoid root rot. Usually, water should be sprayed on the branches and leaves frequently, which can promote robust growth and make the leaf color emerald green. Cypress likes sunlight and a dry environment, and cannot tolerate waterlogging, so water according to the moisture level of the pot soil, watering when it is dry, and spraying more water on the leaf surface.

4. Fertilization method

Cypress bonsai generally use thin, well-rotted organic fertilizer or cake fertilizer water, applied two to three times each year from March to May, and in autumn some rotted cake fertilizer crumbs can be placed in the pot. If potted cypress is to grow vigorously, it is best to apply more fertilizer.

5. Proper pruning and bud pinching

Cypress is not tolerant of pruning, but the top tips can be cut off to promote side branches. Generally, when new branches and leaves sprout in spring, trim them short in time to keep the crown dense. Tender shoot tips should not be cut off with scissors; they can be pinched off with fingers to prevent the wounds from turning rusty and affecting the appearance. If large branches need to be trimmed, it is best done during the dormant period.

When the cypress bonsai is growing vigorously, pinching buds and removing leaves can make the branches short and the leaves dense. For Chinese pine and Japanese red pine, removing part of the new shoots in summer can produce new buds within the year.

6. Repotting

Cypress bonsai are generally repotted once every two to three years, preferably in spring around March to April, and autumn is also acceptable. When repotting, properly prune and tidy the root system, remove the old soil, replace it with fertile and loose leaf mold soil, and mix in an appropriate amount of chaff ash (that is, carbonized rice husk ash that has “retained its nature”, appearing black) and sandy soil.

7. Pest and disease control

The main disease of cypress bonsai is rust, and the main pest is spiders, which cause quite serious damage, so timely attention must be paid to prevention and control. Appropriate medication must be used for treatment.

In summary, to care for cypress bonsai properly, one must master the key points of watering, fertilizing, pruning, repotting, and pest and disease control.