How to grow potted yew? An introduction to the cultivation methods

For yew, loam is the best soil, though a mixed substrate made from peat soil, perlite and other materials combined with loam can also be used. Good water retention, fertilizer retention and aeration are beneficial to the growth of yew. Although clay retains water and fertilizer, it is not airy, which is not conducive to the growth and development of the yew root system. Although sandy soil is airy, it has poor fertilizer and water retention, and is also not conducive to the growth of yew. The best lighting for yew is every day from 7 to 11 a.m., about 4 hours of light per day; in summer the lighting time should be shorter, while in autumn and spring the lighting time can be longer. However, no light at all also affects the photosynthesis and growth of yew.

How to plant potted yew? Cultivation methods for potted yew

Yew is a potted plant with very good ornamental value. Many scholars and literary figures are accustomed to growing yew in their living rooms or studies. So, how do you plant potted yew? Below is an introduction to the cultivation methods for potted yew.

Sunlight in the cultivation methods for potted yew. Yew is a shade-loving plant and is cold-tolerant; it can even grow very tall under dense forest, so potted yew does not need long periods of direct sunlight, nor does it need high temperatures.

Water in the cultivation methods for potted yew. Yew is drought-tolerant and does not need frequent watering; you only need to water it thoroughly after the soil has dried, and after watering thoroughly you must wait until the soil dries out completely again before watering thoroughly once more, and so on.

Soil in the cultivation methods for potted yew. Yew is afraid of waterlogging, so for potted yew you should choose loose and good soil.

Fertilizing in the cultivation methods for potted yew. For a newly purchased potted yew bonsai, you can hold off on fertilizing at first; after some time, dilute nitrogen, potassium and other fertilizers with water and pour them into the pot along the edge of the flower pot, generally fertilizing once a week.

Pruning in the cultivation methods for potted yew. When the yew grows too densely, be careful to prune away the dead leaves and dead branches at the bottom of the potted plant. If the roots are too dense and nutrients cannot reach the branches, prune the roots; if the branches are too dense and the nutrient supply cannot keep up, prune the branches, so as to ensure a balance in the nutrient supply among roots, branches and leaves.

Repotting in the cultivation methods for potted yew. After the yew has grown for some time, its root system becomes too developed, and when the original pot can no longer meet its growth needs, you can change to a slightly larger pot. When repotting, be careful not to directly dig the yew out, as this will damage the roots; you can directly break the flower pot and then transplant it into a larger pot. You can also choose a larger pot from the very beginning, to save yourself the trouble of repotting.

Summary of the cultivation methods for potted yew: in fact, the cultivation methods for potted yew are very simple; as long as we care for it with our hearts, everything is possible.

Further reading:

How to grow and plant yew? What effects, cultivation methods and precautions are there

How to grow potted yew? Cultivation methods and precautions for potted yew

[Common questions]How to grow potted yew?

[Expert answer]Yew is a tree plant of the genus Taxus in the family Taxaceae, and is a tree species unique to China. It is not only a world-recognized natural rare anti-cancer plant, but also an important material for making high-grade bonsai, with extremely high ornamental value. So, how should potted yew be grown? The cultivation methods and precautions for potted yew are introduced below.

Image: Potted yew

I. Cultivation methods for potted yew

1. Light:Yew is a shade-loving and drought-tolerant plant, and should be placed indoors. In summer it should be properly shaded; it must not be placed in a room with western sun exposure, and should not be placed at an air conditioner outlet or next to a heater, as that will increase the evaporation of water from the yew's leaves, causing the branches and leaves to dehydrate, and finally the leaves to curl and dry up. In summer the lighting time should be as short as possible, while in autumn and spring it can be longer.

2. Potting soil:For yew, choose a suitably slightly larger flower pot, and punch several more holes in the lower part of the pot to enhance the pot's water permeability and air permeability. The soil should be loose, rich in humus, fertile, and able to retain water, retain fertilizer and allow air through; the soil should be slightly acidic, with loam being best. Clay is not airy, and sandy soil has poor fertilizer and water retention, so neither is suitable. In addition, a mixed cultivation substrate made from peat soil, perlite and other materials combined with loam can also be used.

3. Water:When a little yellow-white appears on the surface of the potted yew's soil and the leaves curl slightly, there is no need to water; you only need to spray the leaves. When the soil turns white, you should water. Water thoroughly in one go, so that the potting soil fully absorbs enough water. For outdoor placement, water once every 15 to 20 days; indoors, water once every 20 to 25 days. Keep the soil moisture content at around 40%, and note that too much or too frequent watering will cause root rot in yew.

Image: Potted yew

4. Fertilizing:For each potted yew, apply 0.2 jin of organic fertilizer and 0.02 jin of compound fertilizer; you can also add farmyard manure and cake fertilizer (such as cottonseed cake, peanut cake, sesame cake). Fertilizer should be applied as much as possible along the wall of the pot, and must not come close to the yew's roots. Generally, a newly purchased potted yew bonsai contains nutrient soil, so no fertilizing is needed within 3 months; afterward, apply once every 2 to 3 months.

5. Repotting:After about a year, the potted yew sapling gradually grows larger and its root system becomes developed, at which point it needs to be transplanted and repotted. Break the old pot without damaging the original soil ball, move it into a new pot, and water to settle the roots, ensuring that the root system and soil are tightly combined and survival is ensured. If conditions permit, the yew sapling can be transplanted into open fields, where it will grow faster.

6. Shaping:If the lower branches and trunk of the yew bonsai grow too densely, dry, yellow leaves will appear and fall off; you can prune away part of the overly dense lower branches and trunk. During pruning you can shape it freely, into an umbrella shape, pagoda shape, round shape, etc. To keep the yew's crown beautiful, you can moderately remove the terminal buds and some lateral buds.

7. Pests and diseases:Under normal circumstances, yew has very few insect pests. If the yew is found to turn yellow and wither or to have pests and diseases, you can use thiophanate-methyl and monopotassium phosphate to water or spray it. Yew will suffer root rot, stem rot and root rot during the rainy season, especially young trees; at this time you can use dexon to spray and care for it. In high-temperature and dry seasons, leaf blight and red blight easily occur, which can be prevented and controlled by spraying Bordeaux mixture.

Image: Potted yew

II. Precautions for growing potted yew

1. Please do not place the potted yew bonsai at an air conditioner outlet or too close to a heater.

2. Every half month, you can move the potted yew bonsai outdoors or to a balcony for two days of care (preferably choosing cloudy or rainy days), which is more conducive to its natural growth.

3. When the potted yew bonsai sprouts new buds in spring, some metabolism (leaf replacement, leaf drop) will occur.

4. In the north, where there is underfloor heating in winter, the potted yew bonsai should be placed on a suitable pot stand.

5. By no means should you pour tea water into the yew pot or throw garbage into it.

Image: Yew

[Editor's concluding remarks]Yew is shade-loving, drought-tolerant and cold-resistant, and likes a cool and humid climate, so special attention is needed during care. Above, we have introduced the cultivation methods and precautions for potted yew, and hope they can be of help to everyone!