Immortal Raft Pine Bonsai Image Appreciation: Experience the Charm of Bonsai Art

The natural tree root is carved into the shape of a raft boat, with a painted clay sculpture of waves as its base beneath the raft; holes are left in the waves to insert ivory-carved lotus flowers, lotus leaves, and lotus seed pods. At the head of the raft sits a gilt-bronze four-lobed mallow-petal champlevé enamel basin, planted with a small tourmaline peach tree. In the middle of the raft sits an elderly figure carved from stained ivory, with a long beard reaching his chest, one hand resting on his knee and the other holding a scroll, his expression serene. In front of the elderly figure is a cloisonné round dish filled with grapes, and behind him is a champlevé enamel hexagonal vase holding ivory chrysanthemums and other flowers. Around the tail of the raft twines a gilt-bronze wisteria, curling upward like a dragon's tail and arching over the elderly figure, from which hang a small white jade gourd and cloisonné leaves, delicate and lovely.

The immortal raft originates from mythology and legend. In the Jin dynasty work Bowuzhi by Zhang Hua, it is recorded that a certain person set out on a raft across the sea and drifted away, unexpectedly encountering the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. Later generations attached the story's character to Zhang Qian, saying that he rode a raft to seek the source of the Yellow River. The earliest known craftwork themed on the immortal raft is by the famous Yuan dynasty silversmith Zhu Bishan, whose silver raft has been passed down to this day. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the immortal raft was incorporated into the system of auspicious motifs, similar to themes such as the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, all endowed with the meaning of birthday congratulations; it was greatly treasured by the imperial family and is one of the common themes in Qing dynasty court crafts. This scene has a well-balanced structure, with the elements arranged in pleasing disorder, rich in decorative interest. The carved materials are diverse, the colors rich, and the techniques intricate, making it a classic work among similar pieces.

How to Grow the Immortal Mountain Cactus? Immortal Mountain Bonsai Appreciation

Becausethe ribs of the Immortal Mountain cactus are shortened and irregular, and its stems present a jagged, rock-like appearance resembling grotesque peaks and strange stones, it is used as a decorative bonsai, and can also be used as a rootstock for grafting colorful cactus balls. An Immortal Mountain bonsai placed in a courtyard, hall, study, or balcony is always most fitting.

How to Grow the Immortal Mountain Cactus? Immortal Mountain Bonsai Appreciation
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[Plant Profile]
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Chinese name:Shanyingquan (Cereus cactus)

Scientific name:Cereus sp.f.monst

Other names:Shanying, also known as Immortal Mountain, and some also call it Wanchongshan

Family:Cactaceae

Genus:Cereus

Origin and distribution:Native to Mexico

Morphological characteristics:Its form resembles a mountain yet is not a mountain, resembles stone yet is not stone, but is a living, lush, layered and overlapping, year-round green succulent plant. Because its appearance is rugged and towering, shaped like mountain ridges, it is named Immortal Mountain. It is an irregular cylindrical or rockery-like form, with thick fleshy stems and bristles, spectacular in appearance; it takes 8-9 years of cultivation to bloom.

How to Grow the Immortal Mountain Cactus?
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◆ Growing habits of the Immortal Mountain cactus: It likes sunlight but also tolerates shade, drought, and poor soil. It is best to use a sandy soil with good aeration and drainage, rich in lime. Watering should be less rather than more, once every 3-5 days; keeping the soil slightly dry can make the plant grow slowly, thick and plump, with a beautiful shape. It does not need fertilizing; when repotting each year, place a small amount of crushed bone meal or organic fertilizer at the bottom of the pot as a base fertilizer, or use organic fertilizer such as sesame paste residue to make a liquid fertilizer, diluted and poured onto the potting soil; never use high-concentration chemical fertilizers.

◆ Propagation of the Immortal Mountain cactus: Like other cactus plants, it is very easy to keep alive. It can be propagated by cuttings throughout the year, with April-May being the best; cuttings taken during the plum rain season or the hot summer days have a somewhat lower survival rate. The specific method is: select a small modified stem of the Immortal Mountain cactus, cut it off and let it dry for 1-2 days, and after the cut has dried, insert it into the soil, without watering for the time being, press the soil firm and cover it, and spray some water to keep it moist. Generally, at 14-23°C, it will root in 20 days and can then be transplanted.

◆ Management of the Immortal Mountain cactus: The watering principle is "alternating dry and wet"; watering should be flexibly controlled according to factors such as weather, temperature, light, and ventilation, and there can be no absolute interval. The Immortal Mountain cactus should be restricted in water and fertilizer, otherwise it easily develops root rot, or grows leggy and deformed, showing a "reversion" phenomenon, growing into a columnar shape and losing its ornamental value. When overwintering, move it indoors to a sunny spot, and keep the room temperature between 5-10°C.

◆ Pests and diseases of the Immortal Mountain cactus: It rarely suffers from pests and diseases; under dry, stuffy, and poorly ventilated conditions, it is prone to red spider mite, which can be sprayed with a medicinal solution, or the affected part can be cut out with a knife so that new modified stems grow again, though this will damage the beauty of the original form.

How to Make an Immortal Mountain Bonsai
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◆ To make a medium-sized Immortal Mountain bonsai, 7-9 cuttings of varying lengths are needed. Plant 2-3 longer cuttings and 1-2 shorter cuttings at one end of the pot, and plant the remaining 3-4 cuttings at the other end. The cuttings should have a certain layering, achieving an effect of alternating heights, appropriate density, uneven lengths, and shorter in front with taller behind. A certain open space should be left between the two groups of cuttings, like a patch of grass between two great mountains. To prevent the cuttings from tilting and falling over, several pieces of water-absorbing stone or small bricks should be buried at appropriate positions.

◆ To make an Immortal Mountain bonsai, it is best to choose an oval or rectangular pot about 6cm deep. The size and depth of the pot should be directly proportional to the size and number of Immortal Mountain cacti planted. For making an Immortal Mountain bonsai, "rough-code" Immortal Mountain cacti are preferred, especially the Tiger Head Immortal Mountain. The Tiger Head Immortal Mountain is vigorous and forceful, with many wrinkles, much like the undulating peaks and ridges of nature.

[More Plant Encyclopedia]

[Bonsai Appreciation] Home Bonsai Recommendations, Bonsai Making and Appreciation

Colorful, fragrant, and enchanting flowers and plants can both beautify the environment and cultivate character. After busy work, or over tea and meals, planting a few pots of flowers and plants with your own hands can relieve the stress of a tense life and add charm to life. Today, the editor will take you to appreciate bonsai and learn about bonsai making.


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Home Bonsai Recommendations
      Bonsai appreciation: Bonsai are mostly made by artistically processing some flowers and nursery stock, reshaping them into special forms, planting them in pots, and placing them indoors, in courtyards, on balconies, and other places, to set off a warm family atmosphere. At the same time, placing some flowers and bonsai indoors is also beneficial for keeping indoor air fresh and is especially good for human health. Next, the editor will recommend some home bonsai for everyone.

Bonsai Appreciation_Entryway and windows:
      Suitable for placing water-grown plants or tall-stemmed plants, such as water-grown lucky bamboo, lily turf, money tree, or tall sago palm, Malayan banyan, etc. Because these places generally have wind and relatively large air circulation, keeping some tall plants or aquatic plants is helpful for maintaining the balance of humidity and temperature in the room.
Bonsai Appreciation_Living room:
      Suitable for growing English ivy, fig, pitcher plant, and common aloe. The living room is inherently a place with people coming and going; these plants can not only deal with bacteria and small insects brought in from outside, but can even absorb dust that is difficult for even a vacuum cleaner to capture.
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Bonsai Appreciation_Bedroom:
      Suitable for placing some flowers and plants that can absorb carbon dioxide and other waste gases, such as potted citrus, rosemary, spider plant, zebra plant, etc. Their scent is not strong, so they will not make people dizzy. Plants with large leaves that like water, such as pothos, can also be grown in the bedroom, keeping air humidity at an optimal level.
Bonsai Appreciation_Study:
      The leaves of the ornamental orchid cycle through changes with temperature, from green, white, pink, peach red, and finally back to green; placed beside the owner's desk, it can nurture temperament. In addition, highly ornamental plants such as dawn redwood and orchid grass are also suitable for placement here.

      In addition, different floors are suitable for growing different plants. For residents on lower floors, it is best to grow shade-tolerant plants such as orchids, azaleas, asparagus fern, spider plant, and camellias. For residents on higher floors, because sunlight is too abundant, it is more suitable to grow sun-loving plants, such as bougainvillea, osmanthus, banana shrub, gardenia, jasmine, orange jasmine, cactus, cactus ball, Chinese ixora, variegated hibiscus, etc.
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Bonsai Making and Appreciation
      Bonsai appreciation: Bonsai is a landscaping form themed on trees and stones, and the matching of the pot is meant to make people feel the scene of the potted tree growing in its native environment. The pot is one of the three essential elements of bonsai composition; a beautiful tree, if paired with an inappropriate pot, will inevitably appear poorly presented, lacking stability and harmony, and may even overshadow the main subject. If the selection of the pot and the planting method are appropriate, then a complementary and mutually enhancing effect can be achieved. Therefore, the size, color, shape, planting position of the tree and pot, the proportion of pot diameter to pot length, and the depth of the bonsai are all closely related to the expression of the content.
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Editor's Summary
      Bonsai is an elegant cultural art, full of poetic and pictorial charm, and is thus praised as "silent poetry, three-dimensional painting." In leisure time, if one devotes oneself to bonsai making, one can transcend the mundane; though never leaving home, it is like wandering freely among natural landscapes, able to relieve fatigue and refresh the spirit, finding joy in oneself. Today the editor's introduction to bonsai appreciation ends here; thank you all for reading.