How to Grow a Firethorn Bonsai? Practical Care Tips Shared
1. Firethorn (Pyracantha) likes moisture and fertilizer, and prefers a climate with ample sunlight, good ventilation, and a warm, humid environment. Firethorn loves fertilizer, so during the growing season we should appropriately add cake fertilizer. Firethorn is cold-tolerant, with temperatures able to drop to 0°C-5°C or even to the roots. Firethorn has a well-developed root system, sprouts shoots quickly, grows rapidly, and tolerates pruning, so its shape can be pruned freely.
2. For firethorn bonsai, garden soil or the surface soil from mountain forests is best; decomposed base fertilizer, fine sand, and potting soil can also be used.
3. Firethorn is best repotted once a year. Choose late autumn or early spring for repotting, that is, after new shoot growth stops or before new shoots begin to grow. For firethorn that has not set fruit, the pot and soil can be changed in all four seasons. No matter when the soil is changed, some of the original soil should be kept, some long roots should be trimmed off, and the potting should be done quickly so as not to affect its normal growth.
After reading the editor's introduction, don't you think the price of firethorn is very affordable and its care is extremely simple? Why not hurry and buy a pot of firethorn and give it a try! I believe you will surely come to love firethorn!
Care of Firethorn Bonsai
The bright red berries of firethorn bonsai greatly enhance its ornamental value. The following explains how the care of firethorn bonsai should be carried out to help the plant increase its fruit yield.
(1) Choosing the plant
Firethorn bonsai should be a relatively sturdy and overall healthy young stump, which generally sets fruit more easily and is also easier to prune.
(2) Soil
Firethorn bonsai does not have high soil requirements; generally, relatively loose, fertile leaf mold and garden soil are used, as these provide better conditions for growth.
(3) Light
Firethorn bonsai is a sun-loving plant and has relatively high light requirements. The firethorn bonsai should always be kept in a location with ample sunlight, especially in autumn and winter when the growing environment is not ideal, as they need light even more.
(4) Pruning
If the fruit is to hang on the bonsai's branches, relatively strong branches are needed to bear it, so pruning must be done to ensure the vigorous growth of the branches.
(5) Fertilizing
During the growth of firethorn bonsai, a certain amount of nutrients is also consumed. In order to have sufficient nutrients for fruiting, correct fertilization should be given. In spring, generally once every 20-30 days; in autumn, once every 15-20 days. The type of fertilizer is mainly organic fertilizers such as phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, but fertilization should be light.
In addition, attention should also be paid to routine pest control work, to prevent the potted plant from being harmed by external factors.
How to Grow Firethorn Bonsai? Firethorn Bonsai Care
How to Grow Firethorn Bonsai? Firethorn Bonsai Care
Firethorn, also known as torch fruit, life-saving grain, Chiyangzi, Doujinliang, and Shuicuizi, belongs to the Rosaceae family, genus Pyracantha. The plant is 1 to 3 m tall, with obovate, bright green leaves, compound corymbose inflorescences, and white flowers. The fruit is round; ripe fruit is bright red and does not wither after frost, hanging red on the branches until it drops in the following spring.
In summer, under the scorching sun, the snow-white flowers bloom in full glory. In a courtyard or a room, the snow-and-jade-like firethorn flowers add a touch of coolness.
In winter, with snow covering everything, the firethorn has green branches and leaves, and berries red as fire, warm and lovely.
The roots, trunk, branches, flowers, and fruit of firethorn all have extremely high ornamental value; it is an excellent plant for viewing flowers in spring and fruit in winter.
Firethorn is distributed in Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and other provinces and regions of China. The genus has 10 species, 7 of which are native to China, and many fine cultivated varieties have been bred abroad.
Methods for making and cultivating firethorn bonsai:
I. Seedling sources.
The seedlings for firethorn bonsai can be propagated by sowing and cuttings. For sowing, seeds can be sown in early spring after sprouting is promoted. For cuttings, in February-March of spring, select sturdy 1-2 year old branches and cut 10-15 cm long sections as cuttings, inserting them as soon as they are cut. Softwood cuttings can also be done during the plum rain season, which makes rooting easier. Seedlings generally need 3-4 years before they set fruit. To make them set fruit and take shape as quickly as possible, hardwood cuttings with fruit can be used; cuttings with fruit are usually done in summer. Use vermiculite, sand, or sawdust as the substrate, and disinfect before inserting.
II. Styling.
Firethorn bonsai should adopt the styling method of coarse wiring and fine pruning, generally carried out in autumn. First, use wire or palm fiber to coarsely bend the main trunk into different forms such as slanting trunk or lying trunk, cultivate for a period, then prune and shape the layers of the stump according to the design, so that the whole tree form has clear layers and spiritual charm.
Great attention is paid to the pot used for firethorn; to set off its red fruit, generally light-colored, cool-colored bonsai pots such as white, light blue, light green, or pale yellow are used.
III. Care.
Firethorn likes moisture and fertilizer, and prefers a climate with ample sunlight, good ventilation, and a warm, humid environment. Firethorn tolerates poor soil, and temperatures can drop to 0°C-5°C or lower. Firethorn has a well-developed root system, sprouts shoots quickly, grows rapidly, and tolerates pruning and wiring.
For firethorn bonsai, the best soil is relatively fertile garden soil or the surface soil from mountain forests; decomposed base fertilizer, fine sand, and potting soil can also be used.
Firethorn is best repotted once a year. Choose late autumn or early spring for repotting, that is, after new shoot growth stops or before new shoots begin to grow. For firethorn that has not set fruit, the pot and soil can be changed in all four seasons. No matter when the soil is changed, some of the original soil should be kept, long roots should be cut off, the roots must not be cramped, and potting should be done quickly to avoid affecting growth.
Firethorn bonsai is especially afraid of drying out and is susceptible to pests and diseases. Diseases mainly come from external invasion or the potting soil, mainly fungal infection, black rot, and powdery mildew, with powdery mildew being especially severe.
Control methods are mainly fungicides such as carbendazim and thiophanate; mainly spray the branches and leaves and drench the roots. Usually keep it in a ventilated, clean environment with ample sunlight; vigorous growth can reduce the incidence of disease.
The most common pest of firethorn is aphids. The control method is to promptly spray trichlorfon, emulsified dimethoate, and so on. Generally spray in the afternoon, at least once every three days; three times or more can achieve a complete cure, and spraying can also be done whenever they are found.
Cultivation and Management of Firethorn Bonsai
Firethorn belongs to the Rosaceae family, genus Pyracantha. It is an evergreen shrub with thorny branches, alternate simple leaves, small white flowers, and red or yellow fruit. It is distributed in the Yangtze River basin and the provinces to its south. Firethorn is loved by bonsai enthusiasts and viewers for its tolerance of poor soil, tolerance of pruning, ease of survival, fast shaping, evergreen foliage in all four seasons, and long fruit-hanging period.
I. Collecting
There are generally three sources of stump material for firethorn bonsai, namely sowing, cuttings, and collecting from the wild. Stump material from sowing and cuttings takes shape relatively slowly, so preparations must be made early; old stumps collected from the wild are rustic, gnarled, natural, and take shape quickly. Here only the method of making bonsai from old stumps collected in the wild is discussed. Firethorn can be collected in all four seasons, with spring being best. When collecting, choose stump material that is short and sturdy, with many bends and variations, good branching, naturally tapering tips from being cut by people and trampled by livestock, and beautiful root claws. Old stumps with grayish-white bark that are not vigorous are not easy to keep alive, so try not to dig them. When collecting, keep as many fibrous roots as possible; vigorous stump material can survive even without soil. The roots and branches of the stump should be left with an extra section on the mountain to prevent the cut surfaces from being damaged in transport, and then cut to the proper position before planting. Stumps collected in dry weather should be kept moist; stumps without soil can also be soaked in clean water for a few hours before planting.
II. Growing the stump.
Before planting, large cut surfaces on the roots and branches of the stump should be smeared with clean yellow mud mixed with auxin. After smearing, the cut ends of the branches should be wrapped with black plastic film to promote wound healing, prevent water evaporation, and prevent cracking when exposed to the sun later. When planting, use slightly acidic, loose, breathable leaf mold or garden soil. Clay pots, purple clay pots, or cement pots can all be used; choose one appropriately larger and deeper, and after it takes shape, transplant it into a suitable ornamental pot. After planting, water thoroughly once to settle the roots. Those collected in summer should be kept in a shaded place for care; those collected in spring, autumn, and winter should be kept in a wind-sheltered, sunny place for care. Cover the stump together with the pot with a transparent plastic bag to retain moisture, and check the potting soil at intervals to ensure it stays moist. On sunny days when the temperature inside the bag is high, shade it appropriately to cool it down, preventing the new buds from being scorched. Wait until the new buds have grown to more than one inch and new buds have emerged wherever new branches are needed, then choose a time with several consecutive days of overcast and rain, uncover the plastic bag to harden the seedlings. If dry sunny days occur, shade them and spray water on the stump to retain moisture, preventing bud shrinkage. After the new stump survives, do not rush to remove the buds; more new buds means more water evaporation, which can promote root growth in the stump. Wait until after autumn when the new stump has completely survived, then remove the excess buds.
III. Pruning and wiring.
For firethorn, in the first two years wiring is primary, and after shaping, pruning is primary. Do not prune the new branches of a new stump in the same year. For branches with especially good growth, to prevent them from breaking during later wiring, they can be bent according to the styling requirements. When pruning the following year, first wire the branch tips according to the styling requirements and then prune. Branches that need to thicken and lengthen should not be pruned after being bent, and should be left to grow for another year. One point to note when retaining branches on a new stump is that a branch with a relatively large cut surface must not have new branches on only one side, to prevent the large branch from gradually dying back and causing branch shrinkage because one side has no branches. The styling of firethorn should take into account the characteristics of the stump and the traits of firethorn; the retained branches must not be too dense, as too dense will not let light through or leave open space. Firethorn takes shape quickly; generally 3-4 years is enough for basic shaping. Firethorn grows new branches in spring, summer, and autumn. To keep the bonsai's crown spread basically unchanged, it must be pruned and have its buds pinched frequently. For plants that have not set fruit, when pruning in autumn, cut off rampant shoots, weak branches, and overly dense branches, keep the branch tips that can flower and fruit, and ensure that the fruiting branches can receive ample sunlight. The tree shape after late autumn pruning is the tree shape that will bear fruit the following year, because as soon as new branches grow the following year, they bloom and set fruit. If you do not prune in autumn, the following year's flowers will bloom on the front-end branch tips, and pruning again would cut off the fruiting branches. New branches that grow after the branch tips have set fruit can be cut off at any time to keep the plant's crown spread unchanged, and the fruit will all hang on the outer layer of the crown spread; after the fruit turns red, the ornamental effect is best.
IV. Care
How can firethorn be made to have green leaves and beautiful fruit with a good ornamental effect? Mastering the growth characteristics of firethorn and caring for it scientifically and carefully is very important.
1. Light: Firethorn is a sun-loving tree species. Whether a firethorn bonsai can be grown well is directly related to the length of time it receives light. Therefore, the plant should be kept in a full-sun location all year round for care, especially in autumn, when sunlight must be ample, so that the plant becomes sturdy and forms flower buds. The care location must not be too damp; a rooftop is a good place for caring for firethorn bonsai.
2. Thinning flowers and fruit: When a plant that has not yet taken shape blooms, the flower buds should be thinned out and it should not be allowed to set fruit; after setting fruit, the plant's growth slows down, which will prolong the time needed for the plant to take shape. When firethorn blooms, it is necessary to prevent attacks by strong wind and torrential rain; after the flower buds are damaged, the number of fruit set will be reduced. If not affected by external factors, generally as many flowers as bloom, so many fruits will set. If too much fruit has set, some fruit should be appropriately thinned to ensure the plant stays sturdy, so that the needed fruit is plump and large.
3. Changing soil: Firethorn grows fast, consumes a lot of water after setting fruit, and is cared for in a location with long sunlight hours, so its roots grow very quickly and the nutrients in the potting soil are consumed quickly as well. If the soil is not changed for a long time, the roots will fill the pot, and the nutrients in the potting soil will be exhausted or one-sided, causing poor growth of the plant. The solution is to change the soil twice every 1-2 years depending on the amount of potting soil and the plant's growth. Choose late spring to early autumn for changing the soil; too early will affect flowering and fruiting, and too late means the plant will not grow many new roots before winter, which will also affect flowering. When changing the soil, the potting soil should not be too wet. After taking out the plant, cut off the roots along the pot rim and pot bottom and any rotten roots, remove two-thirds of the old soil, replace it with loose, breathable, fertile leaf mold or garden soil, and water thoroughly once.
4. Fertilizing: Firethorn blooms abundantly, has a long fruiting period, and bears a lot of fruit, so it consumes nutrients quickly. Starting from sprouting in spring, it should be fertilized once every 15-30 days. In autumn, the fruit gradually ripens and the fertilizer requirement increases. Plants that have not set fruit also need increased fertilization to lay the foundation for fruiting the following year, so the frequency of autumn fertilization should be appropriately increased, applying once every 10-20 days. After autumn, as long as the plant has not stopped growing, it should be appropriately fertilized. The fertilizer should be mainly organic fertilizer containing much phosphorus and potassium, with less inorganic fertilizer applied.
5. Watering: Firethorn tolerates drought but not moisture. When watering, basically follow the method of not watering when not dry, and watering thoroughly when watering. Newly repotted plants have few roots, so the potting soil should be kept moist and not too dry. In summer and autumn, watering depends on the plant's fruiting situation; those with much fruit must not be too dry, as too dry easily causes fruit drop, but it should also be dry-wet alternating. Plants that have not set fruit can be somewhat drier, but do not let it dry to the point that the tender branches wilt; too dry will cause heavy leaf drop, resulting in a poor ornamental effect.
6. Pest and disease control: The pests harmful to firethorn include scale insects, aphids, and so on, and the diseases include powdery mildew, sooty mold, and so on. For scale insects, bury furadan in the potting soil for control; for aphids, spray with 40% omethoate diluted 1000 times; for powdery mildew and sooty mold, use Bordeaux mixture or carbendazim for control.
Fast-Tracking Miniature Firethorn Bonsai
In early summer the white flowers are dense, and in autumn the fruit is red as fire and dazzling, making it a famous fruit-viewing tree and also good material for making bonsai. Generally, making large firethorn bonsai takes a long time, shapes slowly, and costs time and labor. But using fruit-bearing firethorn branches for cuttings to make miniature bonsai saves a great deal of manpower and material resources, and the time is short, requiring only three or four months, with quick results and relatively high economic benefit. The key to the process lies in the cutting propagation of fruit-bearing firethorn branches. The specific operation method is as follows:
I. Mother plant selection: After selecting a good mother plant, do not prune it in winter each year, and strengthen care and management to promote lush growth and abundant flowers and fruit.
II. Cutting time: In June and July, firethorn fruit has already formed. Cutting at this time, with high temperature and high humidity, is easy to manage and easy to root.
III. Cutting selection and cutting: Cut the cuttings according to the shape of the small or miniature bonsai to be made. For example, to make a single-trunk or double-trunk style, use sturdy 2-year-old branches with branches; for a forest style, soft branches of the current year can be used for cuttings; both need to bear fruit. The cuttings are 5-15 cm long; remove 1/3-1/2 of the leaves from the lower part of the branch, and keep all the upper leaves.
IV. Seedbed preparation: Because 2-year-old branches root with more difficulty, they should as far as possible be inserted into a cutting bed equipped with full-sun automatic misting equipment. Because soft branches grow vigorously and have strong healing ability, they root quickly, so the cutting bed is relatively simple; rice chaff ash, clean river sand, or potting soil can all be used.
V. Cutting method: Use a bamboo strip slightly thicker than the cutting to make a hole in advance, to prevent damage to the cortex at the base of the cutting. When inserting, it is appropriate to insert 1/3-1/2 of the cutting's length into the soil, then press it down slightly, and water thoroughly once.
VI. Post-cutting management: Because the temperature is relatively high and the light is ample in June and July, shade frames should be set up at the beginning, and attention should be paid to watering and spraying water on the leaves to increase the humidity of the cutting substrate and the air. The Nanjing area is in the plum rain season, with a long rainy period and excessive rainfall, so plastic film must be added over the cutting bed to prevent excessive rainwater from causing the base of the cuttings to rot. After about half a month, the bamboo curtain can be removed to receive morning and evening sunlight, but it still needs to be covered at noon. After about 40-50 days, the cuttings root, and when the roots are 2-4 cm long, a light liquid fertilizer can be applied once every ten days. During this period the cuttings sprout new shoots, and the tips should be continually pinched and broken off. In early October they can be planted in pots for tying, pruning, and shaping according to one's own requirements. In late October the fruit begins to turn red until it ripens. In this way, a small and exquisite miniature firethorn bonsai with red fruit and green leaves is successfully made. Placed on a palm, a desk, or a stand, it is quite distinctive and truly lovely.
How Firethorn Bonsai Can Safely Overwinter
Firethorn likes light and adapts to heavy fertilizer and heavy water, but dislikes waterlogging. It can overwinter outdoors under temperate and subtropical climate conditions. However, its root system can only withstand low temperatures (below 0°C) for a short time, so in winter the plant is prone to death from roots being frozen. The damage from freezing is not obvious at the time, but after spring begins the new buds wither and the branches shrink, ultimately leading to death.
In winter, because plant growth is in a dormant state, water transpiration is greatly reduced. If watered too much, a large amount of water accumulates in the pot, and as the temperature changes, it easily freezes in the pot, causing the plant to die. Therefore, an acidic sandy soil with good water permeability and air permeability should be chosen, and the amount of watering should be controlled, so that firethorn can safely overwinter.
In winter, never place the firethorn bonsai in a heated room, because under such temperature conditions the plant will sprout early, consume nutrients, and leave the plant without sufficient nourishment to overwinter safely.
If a shallow pot is used, considering overwintering, the method of placing a large pot over a small pot (the shallow pot) can be used, filling the space between the two pots with insulation material or soil, so as to maintain the temperature in the small pot.
In addition, during the autumn growing season, water and fertilizer management should be strengthened to increase the plant's nutrient reserves, make its vitality more vigorous, and improve its cold resistance.
Key Points for Cultivating Firethorn Bonsai
Firethorn bonsai is evergreen in all four seasons, compact in form, and lush in branches and leaves. It can be enjoyed for its leaves and flowers as well as its fruit, and is therefore deeply favored by bonsai enthusiasts. To cultivate firethorn bonsai well, the following key elements must be grasped.
First, one must understand firethorn's physiological characteristics and growing conditions. Firethorn likes moisture and fertilizer, likes ample sunlight, and likes a well-ventilated and warm, humid climate environment. It has a well-developed root system, likes heavy fertilizer and heavy water, sprouts shoots quickly, grows rapidly, and tolerates pruning and wiring; it has abundant flowers and much fruit. The fruit is initially green, then yellow, and red when ripe. The whole red fruit can almost completely cover all the leaves, and it does not drop throughout winter and spring, with a fruit-viewing period as long as half a year. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure proper water and fertilizer, alternating dry and wet, ample sunlight, and good ventilation, so that firethorn bonsai can grow normally.
Second, seasonal management of firethorn bonsai cultivation. After winter dormancy, because of characteristics such as much fruit, a long fruiting period, and early sprouting, the firethorn plant should have its fruit picked and fertilizer supplemented in time. Picking the fruit is a necessary condition for abundant flowers and much fruit the following year. If the fruit is left on the plant, it can even remain until May or June of the year after fruiting without dropping, which both consumes a large amount of the plant's own nutrients and is even more unfavorable for flowering and fruit setting that year. And timely replenishment of nutrients is another condition for sturdy spring buds and vigorous growth.
Generally, in summer, fertilizer mainly of phosphorus and potassium can be applied in a timely manner. Better wet than dry. Even if it dries out once and the branches and leaves lose water severely, it will cause the plant to die and all previous efforts to be wasted. In autumn, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should continue to be applied to promote fruit ripening and coloring. In winter it can be viewed indoors, requiring ventilation; the temperature must not be too high, and sunlight must be ample, otherwise it will drop leaves, sprout winter buds, or die from excessive water loss. For fertilizing, it is best to apply solid fertilizer on the pot surface. If overwintering outdoors, it should be protected from dry wind attacks that cause damage. As long as the potting soil is properly dry and wet, a low temperature of around -10°C will not cause damage.
Third, maintaining the form of firethorn bonsai. For a finished firethorn bonsai, spring is the beginning of another growth cycle, and letting it grow wildly is very necessary. Only with lush branches and leaves in spring will it better carry out photosynthesis, better promote root growth and development, so as to facilitate nutrient absorption, promote growth and metabolism, and thus make the whole plant vigorous and full of life.
Otherwise the plant will suffer severe malnutrition, poor resistance, serious aging, and even death. From late spring to early summer and even into autumn, pruning and pinching back should be primary. Pruning and pinching back should mainly maintain the original tree shape, though in individual cases one's own creativity can be added. Autumn is another growth peak; nitrogen fertilizer is prohibited, and for pinching back it is best to remove the apical dominance. This avoids autumn shoots consuming nutrients and bringing disadvantages to overwintering and fruit setting.
Fourth, repotting firethorn bonsai. To grow it well, the fertilizer must be good. The potting soil is the medium on which firethorn bonsai depends for survival and nutrient absorption; it must be fertile, slightly acidic, and relatively loose. For the soil, disinfected, pest-free, and relatively fertile garden soil or the surface soil from mountain forests is best, and decomposed base fertilizer, fine sand, and potting soil can be added. The potting soil can be used continuously for one to two years.
Repotting is best done once a year or even twice. It is best to choose late autumn or early spring, that is, after new shoot growth stops or before new shoots begin to grow. For vegetative-growing plants that have not set fruit, the pot and soil can be changed in all four seasons. No matter when the soil is changed, the original soil must be kept, long roots cut off, and the roots must not be cramped. Pot them as soon as they are taken out, and the speed must be fast to avoid affecting plant growth. Under shade and greenhouse conditions, repotting can be done all year; under natural conditions, the dormant period is best.
Fifth, pest and disease control. Although firethorn bonsai has many advantages, it also has quite a few disadvantages. Fear of drying out is one of its typical shortcomings. Next is susceptibility to pests and diseases. Diseases mainly come from external invasion or the potting soil, mainly fungal infection, black rot, and powdery mildew, with powdery mildew being especially severe. Control is mainly with fungicides such as carbendazim and thiophanate, mainly spraying the branches and leaves or drenching the roots.
Usually keep it in a ventilated, clean environment with ample sunlight; vigorous growth can greatly reduce the incidence of disease. The most common pest is aphids. Trichlorfon, emulsified dimethoate, and so on can be sprayed in time. Generally spray in the afternoon, at least once every three days; three times or more can achieve a complete cure; spraying can also be done whenever they are found. The results are all quite good.
Making Firethorn Bonsai Bloom Abundantly and Bear Abundant Fruit
Firethorn is an excellent tree species for making bonsai; its roots, trunk, branches, leaves, flowers, and fruit all have high ornamental value. How can firethorn bonsai be made to achieve abundant flowers and abundant fruit? After nearly 20 years of practice in cultivating and making them, I have several personal insights, which I now share and discuss with fellow bonsai enthusiasts.
I. Sunlight: Firethorn likes a warm, humid climate and an environment with ample sunlight. Placing it in a wind-sheltered, sunny place allows for extensive management; even in the hot summer there is no need to shade it, and in severe cold winter it will still grow well. But in order to achieve the goal of more flowers and more fruit, spring, summer, and autumn must have direct light conditions, and no less than 4 to 5 hours of exposure per day.
II. Soil: Firethorn grows rapidly, has strong sprouting ability, and has many and dense roots. Although it can adapt to poor soil, it prefers fertile soil with good fertility, and is best suited to breathable, slightly acidic sandy soil or leaf mold plus vegetable garden soil, etc. Generally, replacing two-thirds of the old soil in the bonsai pot once a year is sufficient.
III. Watering: Firethorn bonsai requires even more attention during the flowering and fruit-setting periods; try to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. In autumn and winter it can be somewhat drier. If the bonsai becomes waterlogged, it will cause root rot, leaf drop, and even death. In short, be conscientious and careful; the principle is the old saying, do not water when not dry, and water thoroughly when watering.
IV. Fertilizing: Firethorn likes fertilizer. During the periods of sprouting, blooming, and fruit bearing in spring, summer, and autumn, fertilizer and water must be guaranteed. From March to May, during the bonsai's shoot-sprouting and flowering period, apply liquid fertilizer relatively high in nitrogen and phosphorus 1 to 2 times a month; cake fertilizer, farmyard manure, and so on are best, as they can promote vigorous sprouting and growth of branches and buds and also enable the branches to bloom more and set more fruit. After the plant sets fruit, the use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer can be stopped, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate liquid fertilizer can be applied 1 to 2 times a month, continuing until September. If organic fertilizer is applied, it must be strictly fermented before use, and the amount should also depend on the size of the bonsai. In short, apply frequently and in small amounts.
V. Pests and diseases: The main pests of firethorn bonsai are aphids and red spiders, which may occur in spring and autumn. Spraying omethoate diluted 1000 times once every 7 days can kill them. If powdery mildew, leaf blight, sooty mold, and so on occur, spray a 500 to 1000 times carbendazim solution.
VI. Pruning: Whether firethorn bonsai can achieve the ultimate goal of abundant flowers and abundant fruit, the most critical step is doing the pruning work well. First, pruning maintains the tree's posture, cutting back rampant branches and removing useless branches, and so on, to facilitate full ventilation and light penetration through the branch layers; second, it benefits more flowering and normal fruit growth. The flower bud differentiation period of firethorn is on the fruiting branches that grow in October to November of the previous year, so when pruning each autumn, be sure to keep the short branches that grew that year and cut off the excess vegetative branches. This kind of pruning can both keep the bonsai's branch layers and crown spread unchanged and also let the following year's full blooms drift like patches of white clouds on the outer layer of green leaves. After the fruit ripens in golden autumn, it is even more bustling and lively, full of a festive atmosphere.