A Detailed Guide to Making and Cultivating Podocarpus Bonsai

The author mainly introduces the making and cultivation techniques of Podocarpus bonsai

Podocarpus is an evergreen small tree of the Podocarpaceae family. It stays green all year round, with narrow, elongated needles, deep green color, and gnarled, vigorous branches; it has a long lifespan and is a commonly used tree species for making bonsai. Among them, the Queshe podocarpus has leaves only 2 cm long and a graceful tree shape, making it a precious tree species for making bonsai. Podocarpus prefers a warm, humid environment, is relatively shade-tolerant, and likes fertile, loose, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam. Its bonsai-making method is as follows:

I. Seedling Sources and Propagation

The small seedlings of Podocarpus bonsai are usually obtained by artificial propagation methods such as sowing and cuttings. There are also wild podocarpus in the mountains and fields, generally growing in rock crevices. You can choose to collect those with short plants, antique-style branches, and graceful postures. Propagation methods: the cutting method is commonly used, and the sowing method and grafting method can also be used for propagation. Cuttings are taken in mid-March in early spring or during the plum rain season in June-July; when taking cuttings, the cuttings must have a heel, and the seedbed needs shading. Transplanting is most suitable in March in spring. For sowing, after collecting seeds in late August, sow them immediately after collection, or store them in sand until March of the following year for sowing. Because Miyelian podocarpus grows slowly from cuttings, it is advisable to use large-leaf or small-leaf podocarpus as rootstock; grafting in early spring in March gives a relatively high survival rate.

II. Styling

1. Potting

Podocarpus is usually potted before it sprouts in spring, and the potting soil should be loose, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam. Because Podocarpus has a simple, antique, and elegant posture, it is advisable to choose purple clay pots or glazed ceramic pots for cultivation, and the pot shape is determined by the tree shape.

2. Styling

Podocarpus is mostly styled during the dormant period, mainly by wiring and bending, with pruning as a supplement. Because Podocarpus branches are soft, easy to wire and bend, and can also be pruned, its styling forms are diverse. Common forms include curved-trunk style, slanting-trunk style, reclining-cloud style, cascade style, and exposed-root style. The branches and leaves can be pruned into pad shapes or bun shapes.

3. Cultivation and Maintenance

Podocarpus can be planted in the ground or in pots, and its maintenance and management requirements are not strict. During the spring and autumn growing seasons, it is enough to apply 1-2 topdressings mainly of nitrogen; excessive phosphorus and potassium fertilizer are not needed. For bonsai that has 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. Pruning and pinching are best carried out during the spring and autumn growing periods. For household potted Podocarpus, it should be kept outdoors in a ventilated place for maintenance all year round, and should not be kept indoors for a long time, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and fall off, leading to death. In summer, high temperatures make exposure to the sun unsuitable, so it needs to be placed in a semi-shaded place for maintenance. During the growing season, the water can be slightly more; in hot summer, when the potting soil is dry, water promptly, and watering should be sufficient and thorough; in autumn and winter, water can be appropriately reduced. In East China, in winter when the temperature drops to 5°C, it should be moved indoors to overwinter, and the amount of watering should be controlled, with the potting soil better kept on the dry side.

(1) Location

In summer, Podocarpus should be placed in a warm, humid, and airy place, and in winter it should be placed indoors at above 5°C. But the temperature should not be too high, so as not to affect its dormancy.

(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, frequently spray water on the leaves or the ground to keep the leaf color bright and beautiful.

(3) Fertilizing

Podocarpus that has already taken shape should not be fertilized too much. Usually during the growing season, apply a dilute, fully decomposed liquid fertilizer once every 1 month, and stop fertilizing after the beginning of autumn.

(4) Pruning

Podocarpus should be pruned frequently to maintain its tree shape. When it blooms, it is best to remove the flower buds promptly to avoid consuming nutrients.

(5) Repotting

Podocarpus is usually repotted once every 2—3 years. This is generally done in March—April.

(6) Pest and Disease Control

Attention should be paid to the prevention and control of pests and diseases, especially in summer and high-temperature seasons, and attention should be paid to the control of scale insects and red spider mites. Common diseases include sooty mold and leaf spot, and 0.5%-1% Bordeaux mixture can be used; one month before the plum rain season, spray once every 10 days for 3 consecutive times to achieve a control effect. The main pests include bagworms, red wax scale insects, red spider mites, etc., which can be killed by spraying with 1200-1500 times diluted dichlorvos solution, or with 1500 times diluted 40% dimethoate solution.

[Bonsai Art] Making and Cultivation Techniques of Podocarpus Bonsai

Making of Podocarpus Bonsai and Podocarpus Cultivation Techniques

I. Seedling Sources and Propagation

The small seedlings of Podocarpus bonsai are usually obtained by artificial propagation methods such as sowing and cuttings. There are also wild podocarpus in the mountains and fields, generally growing in rock crevices. You can choose to collect those with short plants, antique-style branches, and graceful postures. Propagation methods: the cutting method is commonly used, and the sowing method and grafting method can also be used for propagation. Cuttings are taken in mid-March in early spring or during the plum rain season in June-July; when taking cuttings, the cuttings must have a heel, and the seedbed needs shading. Transplanting is most suitable in March in spring. For sowing, after collecting seeds in late August, sow them immediately after collection, or store them in sand until March of the following year for sowing. Because Miyelian podocarpus grows slowly from cuttings, it is advisable to use large-leaf or small-leaf podocarpus as rootstock; grafting in early spring in March gives a relatively high survival rate.

II. Styling

1. Potting

Podocarpus is usually potted before it sprouts in spring, and the potting soil should be loose, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam. Because Podocarpus has a simple, antique, and elegant posture, it is advisable to choose purple clay pots or glazed ceramic pots for cultivation, and the pot shape is determined by the tree shape.

2. Styling

Podocarpus is mostly styled during the dormant period, mainly by wiring and bending, with pruning as a supplement. Because Podocarpus branches are soft, easy to wire and bend, and can also be pruned, its styling forms are diverse. Common forms include curved-trunk style, slanting-trunk style, reclining-cloud style, cascade style, and exposed-root style. The branches and leaves can be pruned into pad shapes or bun shapes.

3. Cultivation and Maintenance

Podocarpus can be planted in the ground or in pots, and its maintenance and management requirements are not strict. During the spring and autumn growing seasons, it is enough to apply 1-2 topdressings mainly of nitrogen; excessive phosphorus and potassium fertilizer are not needed. For bonsai that has 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. Pruning and pinching are best carried out during the spring and autumn growing periods. For household potted Podocarpus, it should be kept outdoors in a ventilated place for maintenance all year round, and should not be kept indoors for a long time, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and fall off, leading to death. In summer, high temperatures make exposure to the sun unsuitable, so it needs to be placed in a semi-shaded place for maintenance. During the growing season, the water can be slightly more; in hot summer, when the potting soil is dry, water promptly, and watering should be sufficient and thorough; in autumn and winter, water can be appropriately reduced. In East China, in winter when the temperature drops to 5°C, it should be moved indoors to overwinter, and the amount of watering should be controlled, with the potting soil better kept on the dry side.

(1) Location

In summer, Podocarpus should be placed in a warm, humid, and airy place, and in winter it should be placed indoors at above 5°C. But the temperature should not be too high, so as not to affect its dormancy.

(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, frequently spray water on the leaves or the ground to keep the leaf color bright and beautiful.

(3) Fertilizing

Podocarpus that has already taken shape should not be fertilized too much. Usually during the growing season, apply a dilute, fully decomposed liquid fertilizer once every 1 month, and stop fertilizing after the beginning of autumn.

(4) Pruning

Podocarpus should be pruned frequently to maintain its tree shape. When it blooms, it is best to remove the flower buds promptly to avoid consuming nutrients.

(5) Repotting

Podocarpus is usually repotted once every 2—3 years. This is generally done in March—April.

(6) Pest and Disease Control

Attention should be paid to the prevention and control of pests and diseases, especially in summer and high-temperature seasons, and attention should be paid to the control of scale insects and red spider mites. Common diseases include sooty mold and leaf spot, and 0.5%-1% Bordeaux mixture can be used; one month before the plum rain season, spray once every 10 days for 3 consecutive times to achieve a control effect. The main pests include bagworms, red wax scale insects, red spider mites, etc., which can be killed by spraying with 1200-1500 times diluted dichlorvos solution, or with 1500 times diluted 40% dimethoate solution.