How do you grow potted Buddhist pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus)? These cultivation methods you may not know

In the “potted plant history” of our country, pines and cypresses occupy an important place. Besides symbolizing resilience, uprightness and longevity, pines and cypresses are also very beautiful in form. Below we introduce the cultivation methods of potted Buddhist pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus), some little tips you did not know!

1. The price and making of potted Buddhist pine

There are no more than two ways to obtain a potted Buddhist pine: buying a ready-made one or making one yourself, so before learning how to grow it as a potted plant, let us first understand the market price and the making method.

(1) The price of potted Buddhist pine

1. According to a nursery stock website, at present a potted Buddhist pine about 55 cm long is quoted at 500-600 yuan/pot; a Buddhist pine bonsai 1.5 m-2 m long is 2000-10000 yuan/pot.

2. According to a landscaping website, at present a potted Buddhist pine with a height of 300CM, a crown width of 160CM and a ground diameter of 12CM is priced at 3200 yuan/tree.

(2) The making of a Buddhist pine bonsai

1. The material for making a Buddhist pine bonsai can be obtained through seed propagation, digging it up in the wild, or buying small seedlings on the market. Generally the latter two methods are recommended, as they will more quickly give you a bonsai with a beautiful shape. When selecting bonsai material, it is best to choose one with elegant and beautiful branches and trunk; a Buddhist pine like this will be less difficult to shape after being potted.

2. After the bonsai material is selected, you need to choose a suitable container to hold the Buddhist pine. Generally a purple clay pottery pot or a glazed pottery pot is recommended, and the size and shape of the pot should be determined by the size and shape of the Buddhist pine.

3. After the pot and the Buddhist pine are chosen, the most important thing is the choice of soil. Potted Buddhist pine should use loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam, and it is best to add a layer of coarse sandy soil at the bottom of the pot to facilitate water seepage, avoiding root rot caused by overwatering.

4. After the above steps are completed, you can prepare to pot the Buddhist pine. The best time for potting is before it sprouts in spring. Do not remove the original soil on the Buddhist pine; in addition, before planting, cut off its excess and overly long roots and then plant it.

2. The cultivation methods of potted Buddhist pine

1. Buddhist pine likes a warm, humid and sunny environment, so when growing it you should ensure it gets proper light; sufficient photosynthesis can make the branches and leaves more emerald green and tender. When the summer heat is high, promptly move the potted plant to a cool place, or build a shed to shade the Buddhist pine.

2. Although the Buddhist pine is relatively drought-tolerant and the soil in the pot can be kept slightly dry (a dry-to-wet ratio of about seven to three), there is generally no rule saying it must be watered once every few days. In fact, when watering the Buddhist pine, the amount should be determined according to the dryness and wetness of the soil in the pot. If the temperature is high and water evaporates quickly, you can spray some water around it to maintain humidity, while during the growing season of the Buddhist pine you should water thoroughly, and when watering, pour along the edge of the pot.

3. The Buddhist pine is generally fertilized once every ten days to half a month with diluted fertilizer. If you directly apply decomposed fertilizer that has not been mixed with water, remember to irrigate on the second day after fertilizing; this not only dilutes the fertilizer but also promotes the roots' absorption of it. In addition, to make the branches and leaves of the Buddhist pine more verdant, you can apply liquid fertilizer every half a month; spring and autumn each year are the peak growing seasons for the Buddhist pine, when you can apply nitrogen fertilizer and thin liquid fertilizer several times.

4. Pruning a Buddhist pine bonsai is very important. The best time for pruning and pinching back is spring and autumn, and the shape can be chosen according to personal preference.

The above is the introduction to the making of a Buddhist pine bonsai and the later cultivation methods for the potted plant. We hope these methods you did not know can help you grow a verdant Buddhist pine.