Vitex bonsai pictures to admire, and feel the beauty of bonsai styling

Chinese name: Vitex negundo

Alternative names: Wuzhigan, Wuzhifeng, Bujing

Latin scientific name: Vitex negundo Linn.

Family and genus: Verbenaceae, Vitex genus, Vitex negundo genus

Place of origin and distribution: areas south of the Yangtze River, north to the Qinling Mountains and Huaihe River, eastern Africa

Vitex negundo is one of the commonly used miscellaneous tree species for making bonsai. Many flower lovers like Vitex negundo bonsai. This article has collected and organized several pictures of Vitex negundo bonsai for flower lovers to enjoy. Vitex negundo is easy to keep alive. Some old stumps sprout relatively late, but as long as the bark is green, they should be watered and managed as usual. When the plum rain season arrives, it will sprout tender green new shoots. After the Vitex negundo stump has survived, it is best to place it in a shaded place for about half a month of care. Then place it in a ventilated, sunny spot, with plenty of water, plenty of fertilizer, and plenty of light to let it grow vigorously.

Vitex negundo bonsai appreciation

  Vitex negundo bonsai appreciation

    Vitex negundo is produced in North China and the provinces south of the Yangtze River basin. Old tree stumps are often used, with twisted trunks and curved branches, quite vigorous and antique.

How to make a Vitex negundo bonsai? Introduction to the making method of Vitex negundo bonsai

Vitex negundo is a deciduous small tree or shrub of the Verbenaceae family, also known as Vitex negundo twig and Wuzhifeng. It is found throughout the barren hills and wild lands of both northern and southern China, especially growing most abundantly in the Yimeng Mountain area of Shandong. Vitex negundo likes light, is cold-resistant, drought-resistant, and tolerant of barren soil, with strong adaptability. The branchlets are four-angled, with palmately compound leaves. Leaflets are five, or as few as four. It bears small purple flowers. Old tree stumps have twisted and sprawling trunks, cracked bark, exposed veins and bones, vigorous and antique. The roots of old tree stumps often * the soil surface, winding like dragons and snakes, with mottled holes that are old but not decayed, suitable for root-viewing and uniquely shaped stump bonsai. Today the editor will introduce to everyone the making method of Vitex negundo bonsai.

1. Collecting stumps

Digging Vitex negundo is generally carried out in spring, in March and April. If the original soil around the roots can be kept intact, it can be dug and planted in spring, summer, and autumn.

2. Planting

Vitex negundo has strong adaptability and is not strict about soil. For potted Vitex negundo, loose-textured, well-draining humus soil is best, and the planting pot should preferably be an earthen pot or cement pot. Before planting, cut off damaged roots and excessively long roots, and cut off steep-growing branches and overly dense branches.

3. Care

Vitex negundo is easy to keep alive. Some old stumps sprout relatively late, but as long as the bark is green, they should be watered and managed as usual. When the plum rain season arrives, it will sprout tender green new shoots. After the Vitex negundo stump has survived, it is best to place it in a shaded place for about half a month of care. Then place it in a ventilated, sunny spot, with plenty of water, plenty of fertilizer, and plenty of light to let it grow vigorously.

4. Styling

Old Vitex negundo stumps are very antique, with natural deadwood, hard ossified surfaces, and are especially eye-catching, but their shortcoming is long internodes and large leaves. In order to maximize strengths and avoid weaknesses, it is necessary to start from the following aspects:

1. Wiring and pruning

The author's styling principle for Vitex negundo bonsai is coarse wiring and fine pruning. Before wiring and pruning, decide on the design according to the different forms of the stump, cut off all useless branches (overlapping branches, crossing branches, front-facing branches, whorled branches, etc.), and wire the retained branches according to different branch directions. When wiring, pay attention to two points: First, do not wait until the branches and trunk grow too thick before wiring, because Vitex negundo branches and trunks that are too thick are brittle and easy to break; Second, when wiring, do not knock off the buds, otherwise in the future there will be missing branches and few leaves, forming a "slippery trunk." After wiring, let the branches grow and thicken. After one to two years, when the thickness of the branches is coordinated with the main trunk, keep one or two branch nodes and make the first cut. The secondary branches and tertiary branches cultivated afterward should gradually vary in thickness, with natural transitions.

2. Reducing leaves

To reduce the leaves of Vitex negundo, three methods can be used:

(1) Leaf picking. Generally carried out in early summer, early autumn, or before exhibitions. When picking leaves, do not leave a single leaf (be careful not to pick off the leaf buds at the base of the petioles). After picking leaves, appropriately strengthen fertilizer and water management. There is no need to shade, and in about half a month, new leaves will emerge. The new leaves are only one-half the size of the original leaves.

(2) Pinching

Pinching means removing the new buds on the main branches and trunk. During the growing period of Vitex negundo bonsai, it is necessary to pinch and remove the growing tips frequently.

(3) Controlling fertilizer and water

The so-called fertilizer control means that a finished Vitex negundo bonsai, before an exhibition or during the viewing period, is given only water, not "soup." At the same time, watering should also be controlled, letting the pot soil be half wet and half dry, preferably on the dry side.

The above measures can make Vitex negundo bonsai have strong branches, small and dense leaves, and a beautiful and pleasing tree shape. Vitex negundo bonsai has relatively few pests and diseases, and occasionally aphids may cause damage, which can be killed with dichlorvos solution.

Summary: The above is an introduction to the making method of Vitex negundo bonsai. I hope it is helpful to everyone.