How to care for a smoke tree bonsai? A full breakdown of the latest tips
About Shaping the Tree
Smoke trees (Cotinus coggygria) generally grow on sunny slopes and semi-shaded slopes, and can withstand sunlight, drought and severe cold, but they are relatively afraid of wet soil. Every year in early spring, when the smoke tree begins to sprout, you can go to the wild to select old smoke tree stumps to make bonsai. After repeated felling and animal gnawing, the old stumps have already taken shape naturally, and with a little pruning and wiring they can be made into an ornamental bonsai.
About Planting and Choosing a Pot
Smoke trees are generally planted before budding, and newly dug old stumps should be grown in loose, fertile sandy soil. The smoke tree has strong adaptability and does not demand much from the soil; using leaf mold with an appropriate amount of sand mixed in evenly is enough. The choice of flower pot can be decided according to the tree shape. In general, for a straight-trunk smoke tree, choose a square or round pot, while for a slanting-trunk or curved-trunk smoke tree, you can choose an oval or rectangular pot.
About Care and Management
1. Choosing a site. They like light, so they should be placed in a spot with plenty of sunlight and good ventilation; generally they can be placed outside. However, in the hot summer or when the temperature is relatively low in winter, they usually need to be moved indoors.
2. Watering and moisture retention. The smoke tree does not tolerate wet conditions, so when watering it you must be careful not to let too much water accumulate in the pot; just keep the soil moist. In addition, note that you must keep the air around the bonsai humid.
3. Points to note about fertilizing. The smoke tree likes nutrients, so as a potted plant it must not be given heavy fertilizer, otherwise it will speed up its growth and affect the visual effect of the display.
4. Shaping and pruning. The smoke tree has strong growth ability, and it needs pruning every year when it sprouts in spring; you must ensure its branches and leaves do not become too lush and dense, and the branches should also be properly wired to ensure the overall beauty of the potted plant.
5. Preventing and controlling pests and diseases. For common pests and diseases of the smoke tree such as damping-off and aphids, you must find them early and treat the pests promptly.