How to make a bonsai from the Chinese fringetree? Detailed methods and techniques
There are mainly three methods for making a bonsai from the Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus): the first is the cut-grafting method, the second is the approach-grafting method, and the third is the high-grafting method. Among them, the most suitable is the approach-grafting method. Let us look at how to do it. First, use the stump of the Chinese fringetree as the rootstock, then cut the part of the rootstock to be grafted into a slant
There are mainly three methods for making a bonsai from the Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus): the first is the cut-grafting method, the second is the approach-grafting method, and the third is the high-grafting method. Among them, the most suitable is the approach-grafting method. Let us look at how to do it. First, use the stump of the Chinese fringetree as the rootstock, then cut the part of the rootstock to be grafted into a slant, about 3 to 5 cm long, then take the variety you have chosen for grafting and likewise cut it into a slant. Finally, bring the two cut surfaces close together and secure them with plastic film; the securing must be firm. In this way the Chinese fringetree bonsai is finished.
Grafting a Chinese fringetree bonsai is simple. After grafting, pay attention to the care of the bonsai. Let us also look at its care methods to help everyone better cultivate their own bonsai.
Care of the Chinese fringetree bonsai
1. The Chinese fringetree likes sun; place it as much as possible in a sunny spot, with more light.
2. Ensure a relatively moist growing environment. The Chinese fringetree likes the soil to be watered thoroughly, but it must not become waterlogged.
3. Fertilize reasonably; both excessive fertilizing and insufficient fertilizing will affect its growth.
4. Pay attention to pest prevention.
Based on the above introduction, I believe everyone now has some understanding of the methods for making a Chinese fringetree bonsai. Friends who are interested can try making one themselves; the method is also fairly simple. However, after grafting, pay attention to its care methods, so that the bonsai can grow better.
Chinese fringetree Chionanthus retusus Chinese fringetree illustrated guide: how to grow the Chinese fringetree / how to propagate the Chinese fringetree
Chinese fringetree profileChinese fringetree Chionanthus retusus
Other names: Luobosi flower, Niujinzi, Wujinzi, Chaye tree, April snow
Classification: tree flower
Family and genus: Plantae, Angiosperms, Dicotyledons, Lamiales, Oleaceae, Chionanthus
Full bloom period: spring and summer
Chinese fringetree (scientific name: Chionanthus retusus Lindl.et Paxt.): a plant of the genus Chionanthus in the family Oleaceae; it is a deciduous shrub or tree, with a tall and graceful tree form, luxuriant branches and leaves. In early summer the whole tree is covered with white flowers, like frost and snow, clear and pleasant. It fruits in autumn; the drupe is elliptical and blue-black. Up close, the leaves of the Chinese fringetree are simple and opposite, the leaf blade elliptical or oblong, entire, nearly leathery. It is dioecious, with panicles born at the tips of lateral branches; the corolla is white, deeply 4-cleft, the lobes linear-oblanceolate, male flowers with 2 stamens, female flowers with a 2-cleft stigma. Flowering period June-July, fruiting period September-10...
Cultivation methods and precautions for the Chinese fringetree Introduction to the Chinese fringetree
Chinese fringetree (scientific name: Chionanthus retusus Lindl.et Paxt.): a plant of the genus Chionanthus in the family Oleaceae; it is a deciduous shrub or tree, with a tall and graceful tree form, luxuriant branches and leaves. In early summer the whole tree is covered with white flowers, like frost and snow, clear and pleasant. It fruits in autumn; the drupe is elliptical and blue-black. Up close, the leaves of the Chinese fringetree are simple and opposite, the leaf blade elliptical or oblong, entire, nearly leathery. It is dioecious, with panicles born at the tips of lateral branches; the corolla is white, deeply 4-cleft, the lobes linear-oblanceolate, male flowers with 2 stamens, female flowers with a 2-cleft stigma. Flowering period June-July, fruiting period September-10.
Because the small flowers of the Chinese fringetree, when in bud, resemble glutinous rice in shape, size and color, and the flowers and tender leaves can be brewed as tea, it is also called glutinous rice flower and glutinous rice tea. It is suitable for planting around buildings, or beside ponds and along roadsides in parks. It can be grown in pots and made into stump bonsai. The tender leaves can be used as a substitute for tea leaves to make a beverage. The fruit is rich in oil and can be pressed for oil for industrial use. The wood is hard, heavy and fine-grained and can be used to make utensils. It is also the rootstock for the precious flower golden osmanthus. The buds and leaves of the Chinese fringetree also have medicinal value.
Morphological characteristics of the Chinese fringetree Branches
The Chinese fringetree is a deciduous shrub or tree, up to 20 m tall. The branchlets are grayish brown or blackish gray, cylindrical, spreading, hairless; young branches are pale yellow or brown, sparsely or densely covered with short pubescence.
Leaves
The leaf blade of the Chinese fringetree is leathery or thinly leathery, oblong, elliptical or round, sometimes ovate or obovate to obovate-lanceolate, 3-12 cm long, 2-6.5 cm wide, with a rounded-obtuse apex, sometimes retuse or acute, the base rounded or broadly cuneate to cuneate, rarely shallowly cordate, entire or with small serrations, the leaf margin slightly revolute; when young, the upper surface is covered with long soft hairs along the veins, the lower surface densely or sparsely covered with long soft hairs, the leaf margin ciliate; when old, the upper surface is covered with soft hairs along the veins, the lower surface densely covered with long soft hairs along the veins, rarely sparsely covered with soft hairs, the remaining parts sparsely covered with long soft hairs or nearly hairless; the midrib is sunken on the upper surface and raised on the lower surface, lateral veins 3-5 pairs, slightly raised on both surfaces or slightly sunken on the upper surface, the veinlets often distinctly slightly raised on both surfaces; the petiole is 0.5-2 cm long, densely covered with yellow curled soft hairs.
Flowers
The Chinese fringetree has cymose panicles, 3-12 cm long, terminal at the branch tips, nearly hairless; the bracts are linear, 2-10 mm long, sparsely or densely covered with soft hairs; the flowers are 1.2-2.5 cm long, unisexual and dioecious or bisexual; the pedicel is 0.5-2 cm long, slender, hairless; the calyx is 1-3 mm long, deeply 4-cleft, the lobes acute-triangular or lanceolate, 0.5-2.5 mm long; the corolla is white, deeply 4-cleft, the lobes linear-oblanceolate, (1-)1.5-2.5 cm long, 0.5-3.5 mm wide, the corolla tube short, 1.5-4 mm long; the stamens are concealed within the tube or slightly exserted, the filaments less than 0.5 mm long, the anthers long-ovate, 1.5-2 mm long, the connective prominent; the ovary is ovate, 1.5-2 mm long, the stigma spherical, slightly 2-cleft.
The flowering period of the Chinese fringetree is March-June.
Fruit
The fruit of the Chinese fringetree is elliptical, covered with white powder, 1-1.5 cm long, 6-10 mm in diameter, blue-black or black.
The fruiting period of the Chinese fringetree is June-November.
Ecological habits of the Chinese fringetree
The Chinese fringetree likes light and does not tolerate shade; it is cold-tolerant and drought-tolerant, and dislikes waterlogging. Its growth rate is relatively slow, its lifespan is long, and it tolerates barren soil. It is not strict about soil requirements, but grows best in fertile, well-aerated sandy loam. It has a certain tolerance to saline-alkali soil and can grow normally in mildly saline-alkali soil with a pH of 8.7 and a salt content of 0.2%, with no adverse reactions observed. It likes light but is also relatively shade-tolerant. It likes a warm climate but is also quite cold-tolerant.
The Chinese fringetree likes neutral and slightly acidic soil, tolerates drought and barren soil, and does not tolerate waterlogging. It grows in sparse mixed forests or thickets below 3000 m altitude, or on hillsides and by rivers. It is cultivated in various places.
Cultivation techniques for the Chinese fringetree Seed treatment
The seeds are harvested after they mature in September-October. After harvesting, water selection is carried out. The water selection method is: soak the seeds for 48 hours, while adding 0.1% potassium permanganate to disinfect the seeds. During the soaking process, remove the floating seeds of low maturity and insect-damaged seeds to obtain pure seeds. At the same time, along with the soaking, rub off the brown outer seed coat with your hands to facilitate seed germination.
Seedling-raising methods
Root promotion
Choose a wind-sheltered, sunny place with good drainage, dig a pit 10 cm deep, the length can be determined by the amount of seeds; mix the Chinese fringetree seeds evenly with clean water sand (disinfected and screened clean) at a ratio of 1:2, pour into the pit and distribute evenly, then spread 2 cm of sand on top, water thoroughly, and cover with plastic film to keep moist. A portion of straw bundles can be set upright in the bed for ventilation and air permeability to prevent the seeds from rotting; when the surface dries, water thoroughly. After two months, the roots of the Chinese fringetree seeds have basically all grown, and the root system can reach 4-5 cm; at this point the seeds can be taken out of the bed and the rooted seeds selected for planting. You can also wait until after the new year to take them out and plant them. This method can plant from autumn to the next spring; before the new year there is no busy farming season, saving labor; those planted before the new year come out slowly, and those planted after the new year come out quickly.
Germination promotion
Choose a wind-sheltered, sunny place and make a bed; water thoroughly and after two days evenly scatter the pure seeds in the bed, cover with 0.5 cm of soil, then cover with 0.5 cm of sand, and cover with plastic film on top. Observe frequently and pay attention to the dryness and moisture of the soil; water when dry, pay attention to weeding and loosening the soil, to ensure the seed germination rate. By late March of the next year, the seeds have basically broken through the soil; strengthen management, and by early May when the leaves have grown to 3-4 leaves, plant them directly into the field.
Cuttings
This method is mostly carried out in the rainy season. The method is to select semi-lignified branches of the current year, and sandy loam can be used as the substrate. It is rarely used, for two reasons: first, it can only suit some varieties; second, after cutting, the stability of the original variety is not strongly maintained.
Comparison
The first two methods both show good results in the Chinese fringetree seedling-raising process. Overall experimental comparison shows that after transplanting, the second method is not as good as the first: after the first method, the seedlings grow vigorously. The first method promotes roots; after planting the roots, the seedlings emerge vigorously, while the second method transplants small seedlings, which must go through a certain recovery period. However, the advantage of the second method is a high germination rate and neat emergence; the first method saves land and avoids the busy farming season; the second method uses more land and coincides with the busy farming season.
Planting management
In the field, prepare beds and irrigate by flooding; plant 20000 plants per mu; spacing between plants and rows 30 cm x 10 cm; after 2 years they can be used as rootstock for grafting osmanthus. If cultivating landscaping seedlings, they can be transplanted from among them year by year, transplanting and cultivating large seedlings according to the plant and row spacing. Seedling transplanting is best carried out in spring and autumn; small seedlings and medium seedlings need to be transplanted with native soil, and large seedlings with a soil ball. During planting, if the Chinese fringetree is to be used later as a rootstock, the first method of the seedling-raising methods can be used to cultivate a bonsai. The method is: when planting the roots, because the root system is relatively soft, place the root tip 1 cm into the soil, then turn the remaining root left once, then right once, press it into the soil and pile soil to plant firmly. After 2 years, when the Chinese fringetree seedling is potted for grafting, lift the bent part of the root system out of the soil, and the various strange and oddly shaped forms commonly seen at the base of osmanthus are formed. Depending on the desired shape, the roots can be bent freely when planting, but be careful not to damage the roots. The Chinese fringetree likes fertilizer; in summer it should be cultivated and weeded to keep the soil loose. A 1-year-old seedling can grow to 0.8-1.2 m tall, with a ground diameter of 1 cm; after 3 years of growth it reaches 3-4 cm, for use in landscaping.
Fertilizer and water management
During the cultivation of the Chinese fringetree, especially in the first three years after planting, water and fertilizer management should be strengthened. When planting, apply decomposed and fermented cow and horse manure as base fertilizer; mix the base fertilizer thoroughly with the planting soil, and apply a nitrogen fertilizer once to improve plant growth. In late autumn, along with watering for frost protection, apply leaf mold fertilizer or sesame paste residue once. In early May of the next year apply a nitrogen fertilizer once, in early August apply a phosphorus-potassium fertilizer once, and in late autumn apply a half-decomposed fermented cow and horse manure once. In the third year, fertilize according to the method of the second year. From the fourth year on, simply apply a sufficient amount of cow and horse manure once every late autumn.
The Chinese fringetree likes a moist environment. After planting, water thoroughly at once; five days later water thoroughly a second time; after another five days water thoroughly a third time; thereafter water thoroughly once a month. In North China, July and August are the months of abundant rainfall, so watering can be omitted or reduced, and after heavy rain the accumulated water should be drained promptly. In late autumn, water well for frost protection. In early March of the next year, water promptly for the greening-up period. In the north, spring is dry with little rain, and spring winds are strong and long-lasting, so in early and mid-April water thoroughly once each. In the third year, water according to the method of the second year. After the fourth year, in addition to watering well for freezing and thawing, water promptly when the weather is dry and rainfall is insufficient.
Pruning and shaping
In garden applications, the Chinese fringetree commonly has two tree forms: the single-trunk type and the multi-trunk type.
Single-trunk type
When the young seedling grows to about 1.5 m tall, during winter pruning remove all lateral branches on the trunk, keeping only the trunk, and shorten the trunk. In the second year, select and keep one vigorous new branch below the cut as the trunk extension branch to cultivate, and remove all other new branches. In late autumn continue to shorten the trunk extension branch. In the third spring, below the cut select a vigorous bud whose direction is opposite to the branch kept in the second year as the trunk extension branch to cultivate, and thereafter continue pruning by the previous method until the required height is reached. Then shorten the trunk again, and the next year below the cut select three or four vigorous, evenly distributed branches as the main branches to cultivate. After the main branches grow to a certain length they can be shortened, and lateral branches selected and kept. At this point the tree form is basically formed, and thereafter only redundant branches, diseased and pest-infested branches, drooping branches and dead branches need to be pruned away.
Multi-trunk type
At the nursery stage, select and keep 3-4 vigorous large branches as trunks to cultivate; thereafter on the trunks select and keep branches with good angles and balanced growth as main branches to cultivate. When selecting and keeping the main branches, be sure they do not cross and that each occupies its own side. Subsequent pruning should select upper branches with larger angles as extension branches and shorten them moderately or lightly. The purpose of this is twofold: first, to expand the crown; second, to facilitate ventilation and light penetration in the crown.
Propagation methods of the Chinese fringetree
The Chinese fringetree can be propagated by sowing, cuttings, grafting and other methods. Seed propagation and cutting propagation are simple and easy, and a large number of seedlings can be obtained at one time, so they are the most commonly used.
Seed propagation
From mid-September to early October, the fruit of the Chinese fringetree turns blue-purple; at this time select mother plants with vigorous growth, good tree form and no pests or diseases for seed collection. Select plump seeds of uniform size and soak them in clean water for 2 days, then take them out and dry them in a ventilated, shady place. After 3 days, store them with wet sand, with a sand-to-seed ratio of 3:1, and cover with burlap to keep moist. During seed storage, spray water and turn them over once every half month. The amount of water sprayed should be just enough to moisten the sand; too much water easily causes the seeds to rot.
In mid-March of the next year, when about 40% of the seeds have sprouted white, the beds can be prepared for sowing. The nursery plot should be chosen as a well-drained, deep and fertile plot; generally high-ridge sowing is used, with a ridge spacing of 625px and a ridge height of 375px. Use decomposed and fermented cow and horse manure as base fertilizer, at a rate of 3000 kg per mu, with a sowing furrow depth of 50px and a row spacing of 500px. Evenly sow the pregerminated seeds in the sowing furrows, with a sowing rate of about 20 kg per mu; after sowing cover with fine soil, press lightly and firmly, then irrigate thoroughly once by flooding, and after three days cover with grass to keep moist. About 25 days after sowing, the seedlings begin to emerge. When the seedlings grow to about 250px tall, choose a cloudy day for thinning. When the summer light is strong, build a shade shed promptly for shading, and after heavy rain drain the accumulated water in the nursery promptly. In subsequent management, keep the nursery soil at a mostly moist state, and strengthen cultivation and weeding. Through management, the 1-year-old Chinese fringetree seedling can reach 1-1.2 m tall.
Cutting propagation
Cutting propagation is generally carried out mostly from July to August. Select semi-lignified branches of the current year and cut them into cuttings 300px-375px long, with a flat upper end and a horseshoe-shaped lower end. Use sandy loam as the substrate; disinfect it with quintozene before use, and after disinfection irrigate thoroughly once by flooding. When the substrate is in a mostly moist state, cuttings can be taken. Before cutting, dip the cuttings in ABT rooting agent. The plant and row spacing is 250px x 500px. After cutting, water thoroughly once every 7 days, spray once every morning and evening, and shade from 9 o'clock to 18 o'clock. Before winter, apply cow and horse manure all over the nursery once, water thoroughly for freezing protection, and set up an arched shed with plastic film to help them overwinter safely. In the second year strengthen water and fertilizer management, and in the third spring they can be transplanted.
Disease control of the Chinese fringetree Pest control
The biggest pest and disease problem in raising Chinese fringetree seedlings is the scarab beetle. After seedling raising, when the seedlings have grown, that is in May, it bites off the roots. The commonly used control method is to prepare a solution with phoxim and use it to drench the roots; applying 2 jin per mu mixed with water is enough, or use trichlorfon 1000x liquid sprayed on the leaves to control the adults. For the yellow slug moth, if it occurs, in the early larval stage spray 20% diflubenzuron suspension concentrate 7000x liquid or 25% highly permeable fenoxycarb wettable powder 300x liquid to kill it; adults can be trapped and killed with light.
Disease control
The common disease of the Chinese fringetree is brown spot disease, caused by infection by imperfect fungi; it occurs very easily during periods of high temperature and high humidity. In the early stage of the disease, multiple small brown spots appear on the leaves; as the disease develops, the spots gradually expand and can join together, and finally the entire leaf dries up and falls off. If brown spot disease occurs, in addition to strengthening water and fertilizer management and paying attention to ventilation and light penetration, you can also use 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder 800x liquid or 50% carbendazim wettable powder 500x liquid for control, once every ten days, which can effectively bring the disease under control.
Distribution area of the Chinese fringetree
The Chinese fringetree is produced in Gansu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, and Henan in China and southward to Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangdong, Fujian and Taiwan, and is cultivated in various places.
The Chinese fringetree is also distributed in Korea and Japan.
Garden uses of the Chinese fringetree
The Chinese fringetree has strong adaptability and a long lifespan. The adult tree is tall and graceful with luxuriant branches and leaves; in the flowering period it is like snow pressing down on the tree, and the flower shape is slender, pretty and lovely, with a fragrant scent. It is an excellent ornamental garden tree species, and whether used as an accent, in group planting or in row planting, it has a very good ornamental effect. It can be planted in clusters of several plants in lawns; it is also suitable for scattered planting beside roads, at forest edges, by water and around buildings. The Chinese fringetree grows slowly and has a pleasant scale; cultivated into a single-trunk seedling and used as a street tree for small paths, the effect is also good; it is suitable to use evergreen trees as a background to set it off, for an even better effect. Bonsai enthusiasts can also grow it in pots and make bonsai.
Functions and uses of the Chinese fringetree
The flowers and tender leaves of the Chinese fringetree, when dried in the sun, can substitute for tea and are fragrant; the fruit can be pressed for aromatic oil; the wood can be made into utensils. The tender leaves can be used as a substitute for tea leaves to make a beverage. The fruit is rich in oil and can be pressed for oil for industrial use. The wood is hard, heavy and fine-grained and can be used to make utensils.
Protection level of the Chinese fringetree
The Chinese fringetree is a national second-class protected plant of China.
Cultural background of the Chinese fringetree
In Tuquan Village, Ezhuang Township, Zichuan District, there is a thousand-year-old Chinese fringetree hailed as "the best in Shandong" and "the king of trees in Qilu". According to expert verification, it has a history of more than a thousand years; in terms of the size of the tree form and the age of the tree, it is the first in Shandong. Its tree charm is elegant and noble, and it was named "Qilu Thousand-Year Chinese Fringetree King" by the Shandong Provincial Forestry Department. Every April, flowers bloom in abundance, and the fragrance of the Chinese fringetree can be smelled from three to five li away. Every year around "May 1" International Labor Day is the season when the Chinese fringetree is in full bloom; the flowers bloom like snow, most beautiful to see.
This tree grows in the cracks of mountain rocks, and below the tree there is the Chinese Fringetree Spring; the spring water gurgles, sweet and clear, never ceasing all year round. Local people say that the fragrance of the flowers of this Chinese fringetree differs from that of other Chinese fringetrees, and its remarkable effect of dispersing blood stasis and relieving asthma is unmatched by other Chinese fringetrees. Therefore, people attracted by its fame come continually to seek treatment and to admire it.
It turns out that this Chinese fringetree, famous throughout Qilu, was planted by Duke Huan of Qi himself during the Warring States period. At that time, there was a dense forest of Chinese fringetrees here. After celebrating obtaining the throne, and to celebrate the victory over Duke Zhuang of Lu in the "Battle of Xuanyang Mountain", in 685 BC Duke Huan of Qi feasted all the civil and military officers and men; when the wine had raised his spirits, he planted this tree with his own hands and ordered all the civil and military officers and men to carry over wine jars and use wine instead of water to irrigate it. The tree is dioecious; the female plant bears seeds, while the male plant only flowers and does not fruit. The local villagers revere it as a sacred tree, regard it as a treasure, cherish it greatly, and it is the symbol of Ezhuang Township in Zichuan District.
Around this thousand-year-old Chinese fringetree there is a beautiful story. It is said that during the Spring and Autumn period, internal turmoil broke out in the State of Qi, and the ruler Duke Xiang of Qi was murdered. Duke Xiang had two brothers, one named Prince Jiu, who was then in the State of Lu, and one named Prince Xiaobai, who was then in the State of Ju. When the two princes heard the news that Duke Xiang of Qi had been killed, they both hurried to return to the state to contend for the throne. Duke Zhuang of Lu, the ruler of Lu, sent a large force, accompanied by Guan Zhong, to personally escort Prince Jiu back to Qi. Prince Xiaobai, under the secret planning of Bao Shuya, also asked the ruler of Ju for a troop and eight fast horses, and advanced rapidly toward Qi overnight. When the troop reached the small river at the entrance of Ezhuang Village, it encountered the rapidly arriving Lu army, and a fight broke out. Guan Zhong assisted Prince Jiu in drawing his bow and shooting an arrow, which hit the "belt hook" at Prince Xiaobai's waist. The "belt hook" blocked the arrowhead. Because the forces were unequal, Bao Shuya immediately had Prince Xiaobai pretend to have been hit by the arrow, and at once led the men to protect Prince Xiaobai and flee southeast toward a valley. This valley was surrounded by mountains on all sides, with a murmuring stream; in the valley there was a lonely giant peak towering into the clouds. Behind them Guan Zhong led men in pursuit; with no way back and mountains blocking the way ahead, Bao Shuya protected Prince Xiaobai and miraculously climbed this peak.
Guan Zhong believed that Prince Xiaobai had been hit by the arrow and ordered the soldiers to besiege Prince Xiaobai in the mountains. After Prince Xiaobai fled into the mountains, he unexpectedly discovered a small path behind the mountain leading out of it. Prince Xiaobai used a stratagem to lead his troops quietly along the path behind the mountain, crossing the mountain by a shortcut to hurry back to Qi, and ascended the throne as ruler of Qi, becoming the later Duke Huan of Qi.
Chinese fringetree pictures