A Detailed Guide to Cedar Planting Techniques and Management Methods

Pot selection: For cedar, purple clay ceramic pots are suitable, and glazed ceramic pots can also be used. Cedar can use loose-textured, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam soil. Soil: For pot cultivation, commonly used is aged garden soil or leaf mold mixed with sand. Planting: For cedar, spring from March to April is suitable, and after autumn is also acceptable. Cedar seedlings dug from the ground must retain the original soil to help survival. Also thin out and prune dead roots.

Cedar Planting Techniques

1. Pot selection: For cedar, purple clay ceramic pots are suitable, and glazed ceramic pots can also be used. For large bonsai, deep round pots can be used, and various carved stone pots can also be used, but the base of the roots must be secured with metal wire. For medium bonsai, crabapple-shaped or trough-shaped pots are suitable; for small seedlings planted together in a forest style, shallow carved stone pots such as white alum stone or marble can be used.

2. Soil: Cedar can use loose-textured, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam soil. For pot cultivation, commonly used is aged garden soil or leaf mold mixed with sand.

3. Planting: For cedar, spring from March to April is suitable, and after autumn is also acceptable. Cedar seedlings dug from the ground must retain the original soil to help survival. Also thin out and prune dead roots, spread out the fibrous roots, cover with fine soil, gently shake the pot, and press firm with a bamboo stick so that the pot soil and root system are firmly in contact. As for the planting position, it is best for the main trunk to lean to one side.

4. Shaping: The shaping and styling of cedar bonsai is mainly by wiring, supplemented by pruning. Wiring is best done in winter and spring, mostly using palm fiber for wiring. The cedar main trunk stands upright and the side branches spread horizontally, so the side branches are mostly bent into an S shape, while the main trunk is generally not bent, naturally growing upward into a large tree form, with an extremely plain and beautiful posture. You can also take 5 to 7 current-year small seedlings, arranged at varying heights, and plant them together into a forest style, with graceful branches and leaves, possessing a distinctive charm.

5. Tree form: The cedar tree body is tall and upright, with side branches spreading horizontally and drooping. When making bonsai, its natural form must be used; tree forms such as straight trunk style, double trunk style, slanting trunk style, and forest style are good. Through wiring and pruning, the branches and leaves can be made into layered or cloud-like forms; after years of care, they can become fine bonsai specimens that combine strength and softness with an elegant posture.