How to make a succulent bonsai? Detailed steps and methods shared
With their cute and beautiful appearance, compact size and easy-care nature, succulents attract more and more urban dwellers who yearn for a green life, long to return to nature, and aspire to spiritual liberation but do not have much time and live in cramped environments, especially the exquisite bonsai made from succulents. Let us take a look below at how to make a succulent bonsai!
Common styles of succulent bonsai
1. Natural style: Natural-style succulent bonsai mostly imitates the shaping of bonsai, and the layout mostly adopts a natural style, without deliberately forming a certain geometric pattern, and according to need it is embellished with ornamental stones or other accessories to highlight the wild charm of nature. The pot can be chosen in rectangular, oval, round, square or other shapes, with ceramic, purple clay pots, porcelain pots and stoneware being preferable; the color and shape should not be too flashy, and it is appropriate if they can express the natural and elegant characteristics of the potted plant.
2. Fun style: Fun-style succulent bonsai focuses on highlighting the plant's own characteristics, showing off its peculiar forms and colors. When making a combination potted plant, pay attention to the staggered heights of the plants and the harmony of colors. For the pot, it is advisable to choose small pots with cartoon shapes, or glass vessels or pots in shell shape, heart shape, bamboo basket shape, peanut shape, watermelon shape, cartoon animals, figures and other relatively unique and interesting shapes, to highlight the fun.
How to make a succulent bonsai?
1. After the succulents arrive, first trim the roots and let them air for two days to let the root wounds heal, and at the same time prepare a suitable flower pot.
2. Use a small shovel to add light stone about 1/3 of the thickness at the bottom of the flower pot as a drainage and breathable layer, to prevent the plant roots from rotting.
3. Add soil to the flower pot until it is 7 or 8 parts full, and plant the plants in according to the combination you like.
4. After planting, you can use tweezers to make appropriate adjustments to the positions of the plants, to achieve the best ornamental effect.
5. Compress the soil and potting mix, and after placing the plants, tap the flower pot so that the soil becomes firmer and leaves no gaps.
6. After completion, use a small shovel to add some decorative stones, and place the previously prepared decorations in the empty positions.
How to grow a succulent bonsai?
1. Temperature: The indoor temperature for succulents is best controlled at around 15-28 degrees; generally indoor temperatures are suitable, the maximum limit being that the lowest must not go below 5 degrees and the highest must not exceed 35 degrees.
2. Light: For succulents, try to choose the place with the longest light duration for placement, and when there is insufficient light, do not casually move the succulents outdoors to grow them.
3. Watering: Spraying water on succulents gives a relatively ideal effect; watering is best done when there is plenty of sunlight, the frequency can be adjusted by yourself, and in places with dry air, take care to water more.
4. Fertilizing: Succulents do not need fertilizing in summer; in winter, if conditions permit, you can fertilize once a month, and the fertilizer can be chosen as decomposed dilute liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer.
5. Pests: Succulents generally do not have many pests; the common ones are red spider mites, scale insects, whiteflies, etc. Often check whether there are insects on them, and after discovering them you can manually remove them yourself.
6. Anti-rot: Excessive watering, air that is too humid, pests and other issues can all cause succulents to rot. At this time, you need to cut off the rotting parts as soon as possible, and it is best to disinfect the tools used, to avoid infecting other plants.