How much does a Podocarpus bonsai cost per pot? Detailed guide to cultivation methods
The Podocarpus bonsai has a lush, elegant, and graceful tree form, vigorous and ancient-looking, with leaves that stay fresh green through all four seasons, giving a sense of strength and noble purity. If arranged with rocks to create an "eagle claw embracing stone" pose, it becomes even more antique and distinctive; grouped with bamboo and stones it is extremely elegant. If cultivated properly, it can thrive for decades or even a hundred years without decline. Now let us take a look at Podocarpus bonsai prices and cultivation methods!
How much does a Podocarpus bonsai cost per pot?
There are many factors affecting the price of Podocarpus bonsai. Generally, they cost several hundred yuan per pot, while good ones can cost several thousand yuan or even tens of thousands of yuan. The ornamental value of Podocarpus bonsai is very high, with a clear, elegant, and upright charm, carrying a proud, majestic, and vigorous air. Combined with meanings in Chinese culture such as “longevity” and “keeping wealth and good fortune”, owners pursuing high-grade courtyard landscaping often like to keep one or two Podocarpus to add a finishing touch to their own “garden story”.
How to make a Podocarpus bonsai
1. Propagation: Podocarpus sowing can be done in August, usually in an open seedbed, sown as soon as collected, covered with rice straw, with attention to shading and keeping the substrate moist. Cutting propagation can be done in spring and autumn; spring cuttings in mid-March, autumn cuttings in July to August.
2. Potting: Podocarpus is usually potted before spring bud break. The potting soil should be loose-textured, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam. Because Podocarpus has a simple, antique, and elegant posture, it is suitable to use purple clay pots or glazed ceramic pots for cultivation, and the pot shape is determined by the tree shape.
3. Styling: Podocarpus styling is mostly carried out during the dormant period, mainly by wiring and bending, with pruning as a supplement. There are many styles; common forms include curved-trunk style, slanting-trunk style, reclining-cloud style, cliff-hanging style, and exposed-root style, etc. The branches and leaves can be pruned into layered pads or bun shapes.
Cultivation methods for Podocarpus bonsai
1. Location: Household potted Podocarpus should be kept outdoors in a ventilated place all year round and should not be kept indoors for long periods, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and fall off, leading to death. In summer, high temperatures make exposure to full sun unsuitable, so it needs to be kept in a semi-shaded place.
2. Watering: Podocarpus likes moist soil. During the growing season, it should be watered frequently to keep the potting soil moist, but water must not accumulate in the pot. In summer, spray water on the leaves or the ground frequently; in autumn and winter, the water supply can be appropriately reduced.
3. Fertilizing: During the spring and autumn growing seasons, Podocarpus only needs 1 to 2 applications of nitrogen-based topdressing. Once the shape is established, it should not be fertilized too much. During the growing season, apply a fully decomposed, dilute liquid fertilizer once every month, and stop fertilizing after autumn begins.
4. Temperature: Podocarpus can be moved outdoors when the outdoor temperature stabilizes at around 10°C. After summer begins, move it to a semi-shaded place. When the winter temperature drops to 5°C, it should be moved indoors. After moving indoors, control watering, and it can overwinter safely as long as conditions do not freeze.
5. Pruning: Podocarpus should be pruned frequently to maintain the tree shape. When it blooms, it is best to remove the flower buds promptly to avoid consuming nutrients. For bonsai that have already been styled, attention must be paid to pinching and pruning to prevent excessive growth of branches and leaves, so as to maintain the original posture.
6. Pests and diseases: Podocarpus is mainly harmed by leaf spot disease and anthracnose. Spray with 50% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 500 times dilution. Pests include scale insects, red spider mites, and large bagworms, which can be killed by spraying with 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1500 times dilution.
7. Repotting: Podocarpus is generally repotted once every 2 years. Repotting can be done in either spring or autumn. When repotting, be careful to properly cut away excess roots and rotted fibrous roots, and at the same time cut out overly dense branches, and add new culture soil.
Precautions for Podocarpus bonsai
1. Prevent leggy growth: During the growth period of Podocarpus, attention should be paid to pruning and pinching established plants to prevent excessive growth of branches and leaves and to maintain the beautiful posture of the Podocarpus, generally carried out during the spring and autumn growing seasons.
2. Prevent cold injury: In winter, when the outdoor temperature drops to 5°C, Podocarpus should be moved indoors. After moving indoors, control watering and stop fertilizing. If there is continuous severe frost, temporarily move it to a sunny and warm place to prevent the leaf tips from being frostbitten.
3. Prevent pests: Potted Podocarpus should usually be placed on a high platform or stone pedestal. This can reduce ants, earthworms, and other insects crawling into the pot through the drainage hole at the bottom and harming the plant.
4. Prevent root rot: During the growing season, it is better for the potting soil of Podocarpus to be slightly dry. If watered too much, it will cause root rot and yellow leaves, and in severe cases, a large number of leaves will fall off and the plant will eventually die.