What Is a Native Bonsai? An Analysis of Its Characteristics and Development Potential

Bonsai is a high art, requiring exquisite pots and refined display stands, while the cultivation and shaping of trunk specimens is no work of a single day. This makes many people shy away. Though they love it sincerely, they dare not step in and hesitate outside the garden of bonsai creation, which hinders the development of the bonsai cause. How to remove misgivings, inspire the public's enthusiasm for participating in bonsai creation, promote the commercial production of bonsai, and prosper the bonsai market - these are real problems facing bonsai workers.

In recent years, I have tried out native resources, expressed native scenery, and used native themes to celebrate native culture - native bonsai - and brought it to market, where it has been quite well received. It has also achieved fairly good economic returns.

What Is a Native Bonsai

It means a trunk specimen trained from local wild mountain tree species that the people are familiar with, planted in pots made by oneself from local materials, and displayed on stands made by oneself; from top to bottom (scene, pot, stand) it is entirely genuine local produce, a bonsai work giving off a strong native flavor. I call it native bonsai.

Characteristics of Native Bonsai

1. Distinct local character. The materials are native-grown and have obvious regional features. They grow vigorously, have strong resistance, suffer few pests and diseases, and adapt to local climate conditions. Everyone sees them "not in the morning, but in the evening" - familiar with their temperament, they feel a sense of closeness and their misgivings disappear.

2. Abundant resources, low cost. Using local materials on the spot makes creation convenient, reduces transport costs and market intermediary links. The materials are fresh and the cost is low, so people readily accept it.

3. Simple and fresh, with natural wild charm. Native bonsai does not use precious tree species, rosewood stands or high-grade pots, but adopts locally made pots and stands, and what it expresses is local scenery and local culture, picked up at hand, with wild charm born of nature. It breaks the mystery of bonsai creation and is loved by the broad masses.

4. Cleverness and simplicity used together, enjoyed by both refined and popular tastes. The materials of native bonsai are naive and simple, approachable. The composition emphasizes natural charm and spirit, creating scenery through feeling. Although appreciation levels differ between high and low, refined and rustic, it is plain and natural, understood by all, loved by all. Everyone feels it "seems familiar" and resonates with it. "It looks like one of our villages," "It is a poem," "It is a painting" - it evokes beautiful memories and achieves the goal of being enjoyed by both refined and popular tastes. It stirs people's desire to buy, thereby raising its commercial value.

The Artistic Style of Native Bonsai

Tree species: mainly common miscellaneous trees from local wild mountains, supplemented by nursery cultivation. Such as: red nanmu (Syzygium buxifolium), Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense), crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), holly (Ilex), serissa (Serissa japonica), etc.

Shaping: mostly multi-trunk combined planting (the individual defects of each plant can complement each other and bring out the best in each other), mainly forest style (fast to take shape, easy to produce a scene).

Technique: mainly pruning, with wiring as a supplement.

Processing materials: metal wire is treated to a rust color, close to the bark, convenient for viewing, and also easy to remove later.

Pot and stand matching: to match the trunk specimen, self-made irregular cloud-shaped pots (varying with the scene, applying skills according to the material), so that pot and scene merge into one. Displayed on self-made bamboo or wooden stands, plus one's own carved inscriptions and verses, it can better express the theme and is full of charm.

In summary, the artistic style of native bonsai excels in being plain, natural, concise, fresh, with wild charm born of nature, and enjoyed by both refined and popular tastes.

The Development Potential of Native Bonsai

Native bonsai, rooted in one's own hometown and local soil, has abundant resources, low cost, takes shape quickly, produces a scene easily, requires little investment, shows results early, stays close to life, and covers a wide range of subjects. It can inspire the public's creative enthusiasm and desire to buy; promote the commercial production of bonsai (the complete production set can be finished in a family workshop); and drive the development of the bonsai cause. The scene, pot and stand can all be freely made by oneself, flexible and varied, adapting to market demand. It is plain and unadorned, with a unique personality. This style, which highlights nature and is full of wild charm, is extremely attractive.

Native bonsai has strong vitality, competitiveness and development potential. Native bonsai is worth promoting.

Characteristics of Fruit Tree Bonsai

Fruit tree bonsai is an art that takes various fruiting trees as well as mountain stones, structural components and other materials, and through artistic processing and reasonable layout, vividly condenses the scenery of nature into a pot of a foot or so. It is a clever combination of the principles of fruit tree cultivation with China's traditional potted plant and bonsai art. Fruit tree bonsai technique is the integration and development of fruit tree cultivation skills and traditional Chinese bonsai art. A fine work of fruit tree bonsai has both the beauty of a bountiful harvest of fruit tree cultivation and the artistic beauty of traditional Chinese bonsai, with a distinct style and character of its own.

I. Characteristics of Fruit Tree Bonsai

1. Both form and fruit, dazzling to the eye

Fruit tree bonsai equals shaping plus abundant fruit; that is to say, it must have the shaping arts of roots, trunk, form and spirit, and must also have a sufficient quantity of fruit - neither can be missing. In fruit tree bonsai, fruit is an important part of the form; the number, layout, size and color of the fruit are an important part of composing the art of fruit tree bonsai. Especially the large-fruited bonsai developed in recent years, such as apple, pear, peach, persimmon, hawthorn and citrus among local fruit trees, carry fruit with form and form with fruit, combining form and fruit, full of delightful interest.

2. Rich in the charm of life

The roots, trunk, branches, leaves, flowers, fruit and form of fruit tree bonsai make up an integral whole for viewing. Especially the northern fruit tree bonsai developed in recent years: in spring its flowers are exquisite and graceful; in autumn the fruit is abundant and brightly colored; in winter the branches are sparse and the frame hard, upright and vigorous; while summer is just the period of fruit development, with luxuriant branches and leaves, and within ten days the green branches and jade-green fruit take on a new look - extremely rich in the charm of life and the breath of nature.

3. Abundant resources, convenient for production

China's fruit tree resources are extremely rich. Rootstocks, nursery stock and discarded trees in fruit production can all be used, and the various wild fruit trees and their rootstock resources in the mountains and wilds are rarely developed and utilized, which can especially make up for the defect of poor bonsai resources in northern China, developing native bonsai with local characteristics according to local conditions. There are many kinds and varieties of fruit trees, and the fruit form, size, color and ripening period differ among different tree species and varieties, so they can suit many kinds of shaping. Because local materials are used, all tree species adapt to local ecological conditions, require no special maintenance facilities, and are simple to manage and convenient for production - one can enter the business without much investment.

4. Bold and natural shaping style

Another difference from ordinary foliage-viewing bonsai is that, in cultivating fruit tree bonsai, besides studying shaping, one must also focus on cultivating flowers and fruit. The cultivation of flowers and fruit requires branches with a certain growth vigor and a certain leaf area, that is, certain nutritional conditions. In addition, the flowers and fruit of some fruit trees are exactly at the tips of the branches. All of this determines that fruit tree bonsai cannot, like ordinary foliage-viewing bonsai, be finely wired and delicately pruned at will. The inherent laws of fruit tree bonsai determine a bold and natural style in shaping and pruning. In size, it can be miniaturized, but it is difficult to make it micro; in leaf and branch treatment, it can form layers, but it is difficult to form "pads"; in overall shaping, its basic form can be freely designed, but the fine details are difficult to finely wire and carefully coil; the number of fruits on fruit tree bonsai changes every year, the fruiting position changes every year, and every year one must newly cultivate flowers and nurture fruit - it cannot be done once and for all. Cultivating fruit tree bonsai requires a certain skill, and this is precisely where its charm lies.

5. Unique technique

Fruit tree bonsai technique is different both from ordinary foliage-viewing bonsai and from ordinary fruit tree cultivation technique. In principle, it is the fusion of the two; in skill, it is the development of the two. Different tree species each have their own laws of growth and development. In fruit tree bonsai technique, the use of wild tree stumps and trees discarded in production, the technique of transplanting old fruit trees (stumps) into pots to improve cultivation, overwintering technique, and the promotion and control of growth and development through comprehensive measures such as nutritional management, the early shaping and fruiting through measures such as grafting and pruning, and the expansion of cultivation regions through the control of environmental factors, etc., have all greatly enriched the content of fruit tree cultivation and traditional bonsai art.

II. Growth and Fruiting Characteristics of Potted Fruit Trees

The growth and development of potted fruit trees is different both from ordinary bonsai trees and from field fruit trees.

1. Root system

The root system is both the organ by which a fruit tree anchors itself and absorbs nutrients and water, and the organ that stores and synthesizes organic nutrients. A robust root system is the foundation for the normal growth and fruiting of potted fruit trees.

Under potted conditions, due to the root system's habit of centrifugal growth and the superior soil aeration near the pot wall, the roots mostly grow in a circle along the pot wall and pot bottom, forming a root mat and root ball. After 2-3 years, as the roots elongate and the root mass increases, the root ball fills the pot. This aged root ball reduces the proportion of soil in the pot and directly affects the absorption and transport of nutrients. Therefore, one must promptly repot, prune the root system, and replace with new growing medium. The interval for repotting should be flexibly controlled according to the growth of the root system and the above-ground part, generally 2-3 years.

Compared with the situation of field fruit trees, whose roots are distributed deep and wide, the root ball of a potted tree is greatly reduced in adaptability and resistance to external environmental changes such as temperature and humidity, soil aeration, fertilizer concentration, harmful substances, pests and diseases, etc. Poor environmental conditions and improper management often cause root damage, weakening or even death. When a potted tree grows weak, its leaves darken, yellow and lose their luster, and the fruit develops poorly or even drops, one should first check whether the root system is damaged and promptly take remedial measures.

Introduction to the Characteristics of Fruit Tree Bonsai

        Fruit tree bonsai is an art that takes various fruiting trees as well as mountain stones, structural components and other materials, and through artistic processing and reasonable layout, vividly condenses the scenery of nature into a pot of a foot or so. It is a clever combination of the principles of fruit tree cultivation with China's traditional potted plant and bonsai art. Fruit tree bonsai technique is the integration and development of fruit tree cultivation skills and traditional Chinese bonsai art. A fine work of fruit tree bonsai has both the beauty of a bountiful harvest of fruit tree cultivation and the artistic beauty of traditional Chinese bonsai, with a distinct style and character of its own.
I. Characteristics of Fruit Tree Bonsai
1. Both form and fruit, dazzling to the eye
Fruit tree bonsai equals shaping plus abundant fruit; that is to say, it must have the shaping arts of roots, trunk, form and spirit, and must also have a sufficient quantity of fruit - neither can be missing. In fruit tree bonsai, fruit is an important part of the form; the number, layout, size and color of the fruit are an important part of composing the art of fruit tree bonsai. Especially the large-fruited bonsai developed in recent years, such as apple, pear, peach, persimmon, hawthorn and citrus among local fruit trees, carry fruit with form and form with fruit, combining form and fruit, full of delightful interest.
2. Rich in the charm of life
The roots, trunk, branches, leaves, flowers, fruit and form of fruit tree bonsai make up an integral whole for viewing. Especially the northern fruit tree bonsai developed in recent years: in spring its flowers are exquisite and graceful; in autumn the fruit is abundant and brightly colored; in winter the branches are sparse and the frame hard, upright and vigorous; while summer is just the period of fruit development, with luxuriant branches and leaves, and within ten days the green branches and jade-green fruit take on a new look - extremely rich in the charm of life and the breath of nature.
3. Abundant resources, convenient for production
China's fruit tree resources are extremely rich. Rootstocks, nursery stock and discarded trees in fruit production can all be used, and the various wild fruit trees and their rootstock resources in the mountains and wilds are rarely developed and utilized, which can especially make up for the defect of poor bonsai resources in northern China, developing native bonsai with local characteristics according to local conditions. There are many kinds and varieties of fruit trees, and the fruit form, size, color and ripening period differ among different tree species and varieties, so they can suit many kinds of shaping. Because local materials are used, all tree species adapt to local ecological conditions, require no special maintenance facilities, and are simple to manage and convenient for production - one can enter the business without much investment.
4. Bold and natural shaping style
Another difference from ordinary foliage-viewing bonsai is that, in cultivating fruit tree bonsai, besides studying shaping, one must also focus on cultivating flowers and fruit. The cultivation of flowers and fruit requires branches with a certain growth vigor and a certain leaf area, that is, certain nutritional conditions. In addition, the flowers and fruit of some fruit trees are exactly at the tips of the branches. All of this determines that fruit tree bonsai cannot, like ordinary foliage-viewing bonsai, be finely wired and delicately pruned at will. The inherent laws of fruit tree bonsai determine a bold and natural style in shaping and pruning. In size, it can be miniaturized, but it is difficult to make it micro; in leaf and branch treatment, it can form layers, but it is difficult to form "pads"; in overall shaping, its basic form can be freely designed, but the fine details are difficult to finely wire and carefully coil; the number of fruits on fruit tree bonsai changes every year, the fruiting position changes every year, and every year one must newly cultivate flowers and nurture fruit - it cannot be done once and for all. Cultivating fruit tree bonsai requires a certain skill, and this is precisely where its charm lies.
5. Unique technique
Fruit tree bonsai technique is different both from ordinary foliage-viewing bonsai and from ordinary fruit tree cultivation technique. In principle, it is the fusion of the two; in skill, it is the development of the two. Different tree species each have their own laws of growth and development. In fruit tree bonsai technique, the use of wild tree stumps and trees discarded in production, the technique of transplanting old fruit trees (stumps) into pots to improve cultivation, overwintering technique, and the promotion and control of growth and development through comprehensive measures such as nutritional management, the early shaping and fruiting through measures such as grafting and pruning, and the expansion of cultivation regions through the control of environmental factors, etc., have all greatly enriched the content of fruit tree cultivation and traditional bonsai art.

II. Growth and Fruiting Characteristics of Potted Fruit Trees
The growth and development of potted fruit trees is different both from ordinary bonsai trees and from field fruit trees.
1. Root system
The root system is both the organ by which a fruit tree anchors itself and absorbs nutrients and water, and the organ that stores and synthesizes organic nutrients. A robust root system is the foundation for the normal growth and fruiting of potted fruit trees.
Under potted conditions, due to the root system's habit of centrifugal growth and the superior soil aeration near the pot wall, the roots mostly grow in a circle along the pot wall and pot bottom, forming a root mat and root ball. After 2-3 years, as the roots elongate and the root mass increases, the root ball fills the pot. This aged root ball reduces the proportion of soil in the pot and directly affects the absorption and transport of nutrients. Therefore, one must promptly repot, prune the root system, and replace with new growing medium. The interval for repotting should be flexibly controlled according to the growth of the root system and the above-ground part, generally 2-3 years.
Compared with the situation of field fruit trees, whose roots are distributed deep and wide, the root ball of a potted tree is greatly reduced in adaptability and resistance to external environmental changes such as temperature and humidity, soil aeration, fertilizer concentration, harmful substances, pests and diseases, etc. Poor environmental conditions and improper management often cause root damage, weakening or even death. When a potted tree grows weak, its leaves darken, yellow and lose their luster, and the fruit develops poorly or even drops, one should first check whether the root system is damaged and promptly take remedial measures.
If the root system of a fruit tree has the conditions it needs, it can grow continuously throughout the year, and its growth peaks often alternate with the growth peaks of the canopy, that is, before each new shoot appears or before the rapid growth period of new shoots, there is a peak period of root growth. The state of root development during this period has a direct effect on the growth of the new shoots that appear afterward. The root systems of fruit trees all have strong regenerative capacity; after being cut, a large number of new roots easily grow near the wound. The factors affecting root growth and absorption are as follows.
① Temperature. Generally, the root system of fruit trees begins activity above 0°C, the optimum temperature for growth is 15-25°C, and growth is inhibited when the soil temperature exceeds 30°C. Different tree species have different temperature requirements for their roots. For example, apple roots begin to grow at 1-2°C, with 14-21°C being the optimum temperature for growth; while citrus roots begin to grow at around 12°C, with the optimum temperature around 26°C and the maximum temperature for growth reaching 37°C. After the early spring thaw, the roots of potted trees such as apple, pear, peach and hawthorn begin to grow, and a large number of new roots appear before the rapid growth period of new shoots. Citrus, persimmon, jujube and some southern fruit trees produce new roots later in spring, and root growth is gentler. In winter, the roots of northern deciduous fruit trees are in a dormant state, maintaining only the lowest physiological activity. Likewise, for southern evergreen fruit trees overwintering in a greenhouse, their root activity in winter is also relatively weak. The cold resistance of the root system is related to the genetic nature of the tree species. Within the same tree species, it is related to the level of stored nutrients. The roots of robust perennial trees have strong cold resistance. Under the same overwintering conditions, newly potted young trees are prone to shoot dieback or even freeze to death, and should be carefully protected during cultivation. In summer, for potted trees placed on concrete surfaces such as balconies, rooftops and front steps, due to the scorching local high temperature around them and the heat conduction of the concrete surface, the pot soil temperature is often too high and damages the roots, especially when the canopy is small, the shading of the potted tree is poor, or the soil moisture is on the low side; this situation is even more serious. It can be adjusted by spraying water on the ground and adding moisture-retaining mats under the pots.
② Water. The pot soil water content most suitable for root growth is about 60%-80% of the soil's maximum water-holding capacity.
The drought resistance of roots is much lower than that of leaves. Under drought conditions, the leaves draw a large amount of water from the roots, causing root damage or even death. Due to the limitation of pot soil volume and the large surface area for loss, the rate of water loss in the pot is 4-5 times higher than that of the surface soil of a field orchard. A moment of careless management can easily lead to water loss. The smaller the pot, the larger the canopy, the higher the temperature, the clearer and drier the weather - especially in the dry hot wind season - the faster the water loss, and the more attention should be paid to replenishing water in the pot in time.
③ Aeration. The physical structure of pot soil is composed of soil particles and pores; the small capillary pores are occupied by water, and the large non-capillary pores are occupied by air. The respiration, growth and other physiological activities of the fruit tree root system all require a sufficient supply of oxygen in the pot soil. Under oxygen-deficient conditions in the pot soil, the normal respiration and physiological activities of the fruit tree are blocked and growth stops. At the same time, the accumulation of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases causes root poisoning and leads to root death. The most suitable soil composition for fruit tree growth is that soil pores account for about 50% of the total soil volume, and the water and air in the pores each account for about half.
The aeration and water permeability of potted nutrient soil (referred to as permeability) indicates the proportion of soil pores. When mixing, materials can be obtained according to local conditions and appropriately adjusted according to the tree species and the pot used. For example, the root system of peach has strong respiration and a high oxygen consumption, and requires high permeability of the pot soil; while the root system of jujube is not very strict about oxygen and can also adapt to heavy, sticky growing medium with poor aeration. The pot wall permeability of purple clay or glazed bonsai pots is far inferior to that of unglazed clay pots, so the permeability of the pot soil should be increased. In addition, raw materials differ from place to place, and when mixing nutrient soil one should flexibly adjust according to the physical properties of the raw materials.
④ Nutrition. The growth and development of the root system is related to the supply of soil nutrients and the supply of photosynthates from the above-ground part. "Deep roots" and "luxuriant leaves" are mutually causal and mutually promoting. For example, when a potted tree bears too much fruit and the supply of photosynthates falls short of demand, root growth is markedly weakened, but adopting reasonable fruit-thinning measures to reduce nutrient consumption in the above-ground part can markedly promote root growth. Likewise, for diseased or weak trees, adopting leaf-preservation measures and spraying fertilizer on the leaves to promote leaf function can also promote strong root growth.
⑤ Pot soil pH. The soil pH expressed as pH value directly affects root growth and absorption. In pot soil with higher acidity, the root system's ability to absorb elements such as phosphorus, calcium and magnesium is reduced. In strongly alkaline pot soil, the root system's absorption of manganese, iron and zinc is blocked. Most fruit trees prefer a slightly acidic to neutral to slightly alkaline environment (pH 6.5-7.5). If the pot soil is too acidic or too alkaline, deficiency symptoms may occur, affecting the growth and fruiting of the fruit tree. But different tree species have different requirements for pot soil pH, and this should be noted when mixing soil.
2. Buds
All branches, leaves, flowers and fruit are developed from buds; the bud is the primordium that forms these organs, and when propagating, a grafted bud can form a new plant. Buds have the following types:
According to the position where the bud is borne on the branch, they can be divided into terminal buds and lateral buds. Terminal buds are borne at the tip of the branch, have strong sprouting ability, and generally can all sprout the following year. Lateral buds are borne in the leaf axils of the branch, also called axillary buds, have weaker sprouting ability, and often cannot all sprout the following year.
According to the number of buds borne on the same node, they can be divided into single buds and compound buds. A node bearing only one bud is called a single bud, as in apple, pear and persimmon. A node bearing more than two buds is called a compound bud; for example, the compound buds of peach, plum and apricot often consist of 2-4 buds. In addition, on the side of the lateral buds or at the base of the buds of apple, pear, jujube and hawthorn, there is a lateral bud with a very small bud body that is hard to find, mostly in a dormant state, which can sprout when the main bud is damaged.
According to the nature of the bud, they can be divided into flower buds and leaf buds. Leaf buds can only produce branches and leaves, while flower buds can bloom and bear fruit. In external morphology, flower buds are generally plumper and fuller, with tighter bud scales. Different tree species and varieties have different characteristics of flower buds and lateral buds. Bonsai workers must identify them accurately.
Some fruit trees, such as grape, peach, apricot and plum, have buds formed in the current year that can sprout, called precocious buds. They can cause the branch to grow multiple times and increase the branching order of the whole tree, so fruit trees with precocious buds generally bear fruit earlier.
Due to differences in the environmental conditions and nutritional status during the formation and development of buds, differences arise in bud quality, growth vigor and external characteristics. For example, the buds formed at the base of the branch occur in early spring, when the temperature is low and the tree has few leaves, so the formed buds have a low degree of development and become shriveled buds, and the base of the branch shows a "ring scar" state. Afterward, as the temperature rises and the leaf area increases, the quality of the buds formed in the middle of the branch improves, and the buds are large and full. Likewise, at the junction of the spring and autumn shoots, the buds formed when the autumn shoot has just begun to grow are also in a non-full state; this part is commonly called the "blind node."
The quality and fullness of the buds markedly affect the growth vigor of the new shoots they produce. Full, strong buds and large buds produce strong branches and long branches; weak buds and small buds produce weak branches and short branches. In shaping and pruning, this characteristic of buds is often used to change the branch length of the tree and the ratio of long to short branches, promoting shaping and earlier fruiting.
3. Branches
Branches are an important part of the canopy and tree form; they not only bear leaves and flowers and fruit, transport water and nutrients, but are also an important organ for nutrient storage. A thick trunk and strong branches are an important guarantee for a potted tree to bear fruit year after year.
The branches of some fruit trees can produce adventitious roots under suitable conditions; for example, grape, citrus, lemon, pomegranate and fig are commonly propagated by cuttings of branches.
Branches can be divided into vegetative branches (growth branches) and fruiting branches. Those bearing only leaf buds are vegetative branches. Such branches generally grow robustly, with full buds, and can form the framework of the tree. Those bearing flower buds, or with flower buds and leaf buds regularly mixed, are fruiting branches. The number of fruiting branches determines the yield of the potted tree, so trees that have not yet fruited should be cultivated as quickly as possible to produce enough fruiting branches, and trees that have already fruited should, while growing the fruit well, also cultivate robust fruiting branches to ensure flowering and fruiting the following year.
The branching order has a direct effect on growth and fruiting. Young apple trees with few branching orders grow vegetatively vigorously and find it hard to form flowers. Through pruning and grafting measures, increasing the branching order and moderating growth vigor is an important path to early flowering and early fruiting.
The ability of a bud to sprout into a branch is called sprouting ability. The ability to produce long branches after sprouting is called branching ability. Both the sprouting ability and the branching ability are strong [in some species], and after potting they can form a complete tree form in the same year, while for hawthorn both are weak; within the same tree species, young trees have strong branching ability and old trees have weak branching ability. According to this characteristic, when pruning, for those with strong sprouting ability and branching ability, one should thin out more branches to reduce branches; conversely, one should cut back more to promote branching, thereby regulating tree form and branch quantity.
The apical dominance of branches is shown in that the terminal bud or stem apex often inhibits the sprouting and growth of the lateral buds below it; the branch formed by the sprouting of the terminal bud has the strongest growth vigor, weakening successively downward until it cannot sprout. Removing the terminal bud or tip can promote the sprouting of lateral buds and the growth of lateral branches, but the first lateral bud at the top still maintains apical dominance.
The vertical dominance of branches is shown in that upright branches grow vigorously, while slanting branches weaken in vigor and increase in branching; horizontal or drooping branches have less growth, and their branches become markedly shorter and weaker. In addition, after branch bending, the upward-growing epicormic branches or epicormic buds at the bent part of the branch very easily sprout into water sprouts.
Using apical dominance and vertical dominance, one can rapidly expand the canopy and shape and style with purpose. But the strong branches thus formed often make the tree form of a short potted tree chaotic, and especially for shaped trees and trees that have already fruited, they must be strictly controlled. Measures such as changing the direction and angle of branches, timely pinching, or even thorough thinning can be used to prevent "trees growing on trees" and excessive tree vigor, with only branches and leaves growing and no flowers or fruit.
The relationship between branch growth and fruiting is shown in that trees that have not yet fruited grow vigorously; once they bear fruit, the growth vigor of the branches weakens, and the canopy size is easy to control; with excessive fruiting, branch growth weakens, the proportion of short branches increases, and flower branches decrease.
The relationship between branch growth and rootstock is also very close. For the same variety of the same tree species, grafted onto a vigorous rootstock, there are obvious differences in the growth vigor of new shoots, growth duration, number of branches produced, ratio of long to short branches, and the occurrence of flower buds. Therefore, although the variety is the same, if the rootstock is different, the technical management measures should also differ accordingly.
In addition, branch growth is greatly affected by the pot used. A large pot not only has more nutrients, but also has a large root system, so the branches appear strong and vigorous. Because root growth and above-ground growth maintain a certain balance, reducing the root volume also effectively controls excessive growth. The smaller the pot, the shorter the branch growth, the slower the thickening of the trunk and branches, and the easier the canopy size is to control.
4. Leaves
90% of the dry matter of a fruit tree's branches, buds, flowers and fruit is synthesized by leaf photosynthesis. Without enough photosynthates, it cannot bloom and bear fruit; therefore, the quality of the leaves and the size of the total leaf area are extremely important to the growth and development of a potted tree.
Leaves are second only to roots as nutrient-absorbing organs and can absorb various mineral elements. In potted tree management, the method of spraying fertilizer on the leaves is often used to supplement nutrition to the tree.
Leaf growth is directly affected by fertilizer, water and light. When the water supply is insufficient, the area of a single leaf markedly decreases, the leaf color becomes dull and lusterless, the small leaves yellow and drop prematurely, and in severe cases the large leaves dehydrate and die. The supply of fertilizer governs the size, thickness and efficiency of the leaves. After spraying fertilizer on the leaves, the leaves become thicker, dark green in color, and high in photosynthetic efficiency. Light is an important factor affecting leaf growth and development and the realization of function. When light is insufficient, the leaf color becomes pale, the thickness becomes thinner, and the function decreases. The leaf quality of potted trees is relatively high, which is directly related to their small tree body and good light exposure; this is also an important reason why potted trees bear more fruit and the fruit develops better.
After a long cloudy spell in summer followed by a sudden clearing, the strong sunlight often causes young branches and tender leaves to wilt and scorch. The main reason is that in cloudy or lightly rainy weather the air humidity is high, leaf transpiration is low, and the moist surface of the pot soil conceals the water shortage in the middle and lower parts. After the sudden clearing, transpiration suddenly increases, the contradiction of insufficient water supply from the roots intensifies, and in addition the newly grown branches and leaves are tender and have high transpiration, so they are the first to show symptoms and are quickly damaged. Therefore, when such weather occurs, one should pay attention to watering the pot surface in time, and if necessary spray water on the leaves to preserve them.
5. Flowers and Fruit
Flowers and fruit are an important characteristic of fruit tree bonsai, and also an important part of the shaping and viewing of fruit tree bonsai. Different tree species and varieties differ in the form of their flowers and fruit, the position where they are borne, the methods of promoting flowering, the methods of preserving flowers and fruit, and the laws of flower and fruit development; the technical measures around preserving flowers and fruit differ for each, and this is one of the key techniques of fruit tree bonsai.