A Detailed Guide to the Latest Methods for Making and Caring for Acorus Bonsai
Acorus is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Acorus in the family Araceae, also known as white Acorus, Tibetan Acorus, wild Acorus, stinking Acorus, etc. It is a spiritual herb in traditional Chinese culture that can ward off epidemics and evil spirits. During the Dragon Boat Festival, there is the custom of tying Acorus leaves and mugwort together and inserting them under the eaves. It is a toxic plant included in the China Plant Atlas Database, with the whole plant being toxic, and the rhizome being more toxic. Below, let us take a look at Acorus bonsai making and care!
The Growing Environment of Acorus
Acorus grows by water, in swampy wetlands, or on floating lake islands below 1500-1750 m in altitude. The most suitable growing temperature is 20-25°C, and growth stops below 10°C. In winter, it overwinters by having its underground stems burrow into the mud. It likes cool and humid climates and shady, damp environments, is cold-tolerant, and avoids drought.
Propagation Methods of Acorus
1. Sowing: Clean the collected mature red berries, sow them indoors in autumn, keep the soil moist or in shallow water, and at around 20°C they will gradually germinate in early spring. Then carry out separate cultivation, and when the seedlings grow strong, they can be transplanted and planted out.
2. Division: In early spring or during the growing season, dig out the underground stems with a shovel, wash them clean, remove old roots, stems, dead leaves, and stems, then use a sharp knife to cut the underground stems into several blocks, keeping 3-4 new buds on each block for propagation.
Making Acorus Bonsai
1. Soil mixing: For Acorus cultivation, loam rich in humus is best, and sandy soil also grows well. The potting soil needs to be kept moist regularly. For small pots, a water tray can be placed under the pot to maintain moisture.
2. Planting: The planting depth for Acorus is generally best when the main bud is kept close to the mud surface, while watering 1-3 cm. Potted Acorus should be planted in a pot that does not leak water, with an inner diameter of about 40-50 cm, and sufficient base fertilizer should be applied at the bottom of the pot. Dig a hole in the middle to plant the rhizome, with the growing point exposed above the soil surface, and add 1-3 cm of water.
Acorus Bonsai Care
1. Watering: Acorus likes moisture and avoids drought. Daily watering should be done to keep the potting soil moist, but too much watering can easily cause yellow leaves.
2. Temperature: Acorus likes warmth to high temperatures, with an optimum growing temperature of about 18-28°C.
3. Light: Acorus cultivation sites should be chosen in semi-shade, avoiding direct strong sunlight. If it can receive 50-60% light, growth will naturally be vigorous and the leaf color soft and beautiful. For indoor display, choose a place where light comes in from a window edge. If growth weakens, it should be moved outdoors promptly, and receiving soft sunlight can restore its vitality.
4. Fertilizing: Acorus has strong adaptability during the growing season and can be managed extensively. During the growing period, maintain the water level or moisture, apply topdressing 2-3 times, and combine fertilizing with weeding. In the early stage, nitrogen fertilizer should be the main type; before heading and flowering, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be the main type. Each time you fertilize, be sure to put the fertilizer into the mud (below 5 cm of the mud surface).
5. Division and replanting: Before Acorus overwinters, clean up the dead branches and fallen leaves on the aboveground part, and burn them in a pile or compost them. Open-field cultivation should be renewed every 2-3 years. If it has been planted too long and is overcrowded, it should be forcibly divided, and replanted after changing the soil. Potted plants should be replaced and divided once every 2 years.
6. Pruning: It is commonly agreed that the more Acorus is pruned, the finer the leaves become, but pruning should not be too frequent. Regularly remove rotten leaves and yellow leaves to maintain the best ornamental effect.