How to grow Chinese arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis)? Mastering these 7 care essentials is key

A friend from the Weibo account Wenwan Jianwen sent me a private message: To better build this "three-dimensional painting" of mine, I consulted a large amount of materials and images and bought dedicated tools. Beyond these, what essential conditions are needed for caring for a Chinese arborvitae bonsai?

1. For the divine branch, try to choose one with many forks, so that the form will be beautiful once finished.

2. Peel the bark to create a water line. Choose a tree with strong vigor. It is best to do this around March to May, because the sap flows actively at this time and the cut heals and swells more easily.

3. Carving is best done in winter when the sap flows slowly, avoiding the hot summer, so as not to affect the tree's vigor. After the operation, spray more water on the leaves and place it in a cool place.

4. Mold occurs mainly because of dampness. Watering or the rainy season will wet the divine branches and the shari deadwood, so special attention must be paid to the light and ventilation of the placement site and the dampness of the topsoil near the shari. Generally speaking, the decay of shari usually begins near the topsoil.

5. Never perform other operations on a bonsai tree that has just been repotted and had its soil changed, because at this time the functions of the Chinese arborvitae have not fully recovered and there is a risk of death.

6. This causes the water in the plant cells to flow back into the soil; you can spray a new high-fat film protective solution to prevent water evaporation.

7. All the old bark on the trunk and thick branches should be scraped off. This can remove dirt, remove bacteria and kill eggs, ensuring the bonsai is clean and hygienic, and it also benefits the metabolism of the epidermal tissue and the display of the surface texture's beauty.

Postscript: In the process of appreciating a Chinese arborvitae bonsai, we will imperceptibly improve our aesthetic ability and artistic cultivation. Without these 7 conditions, it will backfire. Its every move and stance shows the author's inspiration, and one should still sum up experience well and keep innovating.

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