The Latest Method for Making a Podocarpus macrophyllus Bonsai and Its Aftercare
Podocarpus macrophyllus has a distinctive shape and upright branches and stems; it stays green all year round and is a plant suitable for growing in pots. Planted in a home environment, it can add greenery to the household, help relax the mood, and also has a certain feng shui effect. Below, the editor brings you the method for making a Podocarpus macrophyllus bonsai and its aftercare.
Bonsai Making Method
1. Tree form
The tree forms of Podocarpus macrophyllus are diverse, including the straight-trunk style, slanting-trunk style, curved-trunk style and cliff-hanging style, each with its own characteristics. The straight-trunk style is vigorous, upright and simple; the slanting-trunk style is sturdy and forceful; the curved-trunk style is crooked and winding like a coiled dragon; the cliff-hanging style resembles a steep high mountain with a dragon poking its head out.
2. Choosing a pot
The specific shape of the pot is not fixed; it can be square or round, and is generally determined by the tree form of the plant, with a rectangular medium-sized pot by default. If the plant's tree form is the cliff-hanging style, choose a deeper tall cylindrical pot; if the tree form is the curved-trunk style, choose a drum-shaped shallow round pot. Pot materials include purple clay pottery and glazed pottery.
3. Choosing soil
It has no strict requirements for soil and adapts to many kinds of soil. A fertile, deep, well-drained slightly acidic soil is suitable, but do not choose saline-alkaline soil for planting.
4. Processing and shaping
When planting Podocarpus macrophyllus into the pot, pay attention to reinforcing its branches and stems. You can bind the roots with metal wire and then thread it through the round hole at the bottom of the pot, but be sure not to damage its roots. Shaping is mainly done by wrapping and tying; select a young sapling, twist its trunk, prune the side branches, and wrap and tie it with metal wire. After the plant grows for one or two years, the metal wire can be removed and the wrapping and tying readjusted, so that after a few years it can be shaped.
Aftercare
Temperature: The suitable temperature for growth is 20-30 degrees. It is not cold-tolerant, and the winter temperature must not be too low, otherwise growth will stagnate.
Light: It likes a semi-shaded environment and fears direct strong light, so in summer it needs shading, otherwise the leaves will become scorched yellow from lack of water.
Water: It likes a humid environment, and during the growing season sufficient water must be maintained, but it fears waterlogging. Too much accumulated water in the pot will cause the roots to be unable to breathe and die. In winter, water less and just keep the soil moist.
Fertilizing: Fertilizing is mainly with nitrogen fertilizer, supplemented by potassium fertilizer. Generally, fertilize once a month.
The above is the method for making a Podocarpus macrophyllus bonsai and its aftercare introduced by the editor. Has everyone learned it? I hope it can be helpful to you.