Making a Podocarpus Bonsai: Sourcing Seedlings and Pruning and Shaping Techniques

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

The method for making its bonsai is as follows:

I. Seedling SourcesThe small seedlings for 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 crevices between rocks. You can choose to collect those with small stature, quaint old branches and graceful posture.

II. Shaping

1. Potting. Podocarpus is usually potted before it buds in spring; the potting soil should be loose, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam. Because podocarpus has a quaint and elegant posture, it is best to use a purple clay pot or glazed pottery pot for cultivation, and the pot shape is determined by the tree shape.

2. Shaping. The shaping of podocarpus is mostly carried out during the dormant period, mainly by wiring and bending, with pruning as a supplement. Because the branches of podocarpus are soft and easy to bend with wire, and can also be pruned, the shapes are diverse. Common forms include curved-trunk style, slanting-trunk style, reclining-cloud style, cascade style and exposed-root style, etc. The branches and leaves can be pruned into flat pad shapes or bun shapes.

3. Care

(1) Location. In summer, podocarpus should be placed in a warm, humid, well-ventilated 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 there must be no waterlogging 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 been shaped should not be fertilized much. Usually during the growing season, apply a thin, well-rotted liquid fertilizer once every month, and stop fertilizing after early 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 preventing and controlling pests and diseases, especially in summer and hot seasons, with attention to the control of scale insects and red spider mites. Common diseases include sooty mold and leaf spot, which can be controlled with 0.5%-1% Bordeaux mixture, sprayed once every 10 days for 3 consecutive times starting one month before the plum rain season. The main pests include bagworms, red wax scale insects and red spider mites, which can be killed by spraying with a 1200-1500 times dilution of dichlorvos, or with a 1500 times dilution of 40% dimethoate.

Knowledge on Making and Cultivating and Caring for Podocarpus Bonsai

The author mainly introduces the making and cultivation techniques of podocarpus bonsai.

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

I. Seedling Sources and Propagation

The small seedlings for 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 crevices between rocks. You can choose to collect those with small stature, quaint old branches and graceful posture. Propagation methods: the cutting method is commonly used, and the sowing method and grafting method can also be used. 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 seedling bed needs shading. Transplanting is most suitable in March in spring. For sowing, after collecting seeds in late August, sow them immediately, or store them in sand until March of the following year and then sow. Because the rice-leaf podocarpus grows slowly from cuttings, it is best to use large-leaf or small-leaf podocarpus as rootstock; grafting in early March gives a relatively high survival rate.

II. Shaping

1. Potting

Podocarpus is usually potted before it buds in spring; the potting soil should be loose, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam. Because podocarpus has a quaint and elegant posture, it is best to use a purple clay pot or glazed pottery pot for cultivation, and the pot shape is determined by the tree shape.

2. Shaping

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

3. Cultivation and Care

Podocarpus can be planted both in the ground and in pots, and its care 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 fertilizers are not needed. For bonsai that has already been shaped, attention must be paid to pinching and pruning to prevent the branches and leaves from growing excessively, so as to maintain the original posture. Pruning and pinching are best done during the spring and autumn growing periods. Household potted podocarpus should be kept outdoors in a ventilated place for care 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 care. During the growing season, the water can be slightly more; in the hot summer, when the potting soil is dry, water it promptly, and water thoroughly and generously; in autumn and winter, the 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, well-ventilated 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 there must be no waterlogging 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 been shaped should not be fertilized much. Usually during the growing season, apply a thin, well-rotted liquid fertilizer once every month, and stop fertilizing after early 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 preventing and controlling pests and diseases, especially in summer and hot seasons, with attention to the control of scale insects and red spider mites. Common diseases include sooty mold and leaf spot, which can be controlled with 0.5%-1% Bordeaux mixture, sprayed once every 10 days for 3 consecutive times starting one month before the plum rain season. The main pests include bagworms, red wax scale insects and red spider mites, which can be killed by spraying with a 1200-1500 times dilution of dichlorvos, or with a 1500 times dilution of 40% dimethoate.

Making Podocarpus Bonsai and Podocarpus Cultivation Techniques

I. Seedling Sources and Propagation

The small seedlings for 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 crevices between rocks. You can choose to collect those with small stature, quaint old branches and graceful posture. Propagation methods: the cutting method is commonly used, and the sowing method and grafting method can also be used. 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 seedling bed needs shading. Transplanting is most suitable in March in spring. For sowing, after collecting seeds in late August, sow them immediately, or store them in sand until March of the following year and then sow. Because the rice-leaf podocarpus grows slowly from cuttings, it is best to use large-leaf or small-leaf podocarpus as rootstock; grafting in early March gives a relatively high survival rate.

II. Shaping

1. Potting

Podocarpus is usually potted before it buds in spring; the potting soil should be loose, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam. Because podocarpus has a quaint and elegant posture, it is best to use a purple clay pot or glazed pottery pot for cultivation, and the pot shape is determined by the tree shape.

2. Shaping

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

3. Cultivation and Care

Podocarpus can be planted both in the ground and in pots, and its care 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 fertilizers are not needed. For bonsai that has already been shaped, attention must be paid to pinching and pruning to prevent the branches and leaves from growing excessively, so as to maintain the original posture. Pruning and pinching are best done during the spring and autumn growing periods. Household potted podocarpus should be kept outdoors in a ventilated place for care 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 care. During the growing season, the water can be slightly more; in the hot summer, when the potting soil is dry, water it promptly, and water thoroughly and generously; in autumn and winter, the 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, well-ventilated 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 there must be no waterlogging 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 been shaped should not be fertilized much. Usually during the growing season, apply a thin, well-rotted liquid fertilizer once every month, and stop fertilizing after early 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 preventing and controlling pests and diseases, especially in summer and hot seasons, with attention to the control of scale insects and red spider mites. Common diseases include sooty mold and leaf spot, which can be controlled with 0.5%-1% Bordeaux mixture, sprayed once every 10 days for 3 consecutive times starting one month before the plum rain season. The main pests include bagworms, red wax scale insects and red spider mites, which can be killed by spraying with a 1200-1500 times dilution of dichlorvos, or with a 1500 times dilution of 40% dimethoate.