Pruning Methods and Techniques for Star Jasmine Bonsai
1. Promptly cut off excess branches and leaves
Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is an evergreen plant and also an ornamental plant. Anyone who knows about it is aware that the evergreen star jasmine bonsai is very easy to prune, so we do not need to put too much thought into it. As long as you are ready at any time to cut off excess branches and leaves, or already withered and rotten branches, as well as overly long and dense vines, you can maintain its proper beautiful form.
2. Selective pruning
However, in order to have a more beautiful bonsai, we must learn to prune with focus. For example, we can first wrap and shape the main branches, and then combine this with pruning, cutting away the dense and long branches and leaves, so that the bonsai's form is distinct and more interesting.
3. The right season
Although the star jasmine bonsai is evergreen all year round, the most suitable season for pruning is still summer. At this time the branches of the plant are tender and have greater flexibility; pruning in summer can effectively prevent the wound from exuding milky sap and reduce the impact on the bonsai's growth.
4. Accurate pruning method
When the vine reaches a length of 8 cm, you can carry out the first pruning, leaving about 6 cm and cutting off the rest. After that, each time it grows 4 to 5 cm, carry out one pruning. Usually 2 to 3 prunings are enough.
II. Care of the Star Jasmine Bonsai
With flowers like white snow and branches and leaves in varied colors, the beautiful star jasmine bonsai, besides requiring better pruning methods, also requires us to pay attention to its care methods. Proper care is a necessary condition for better growth and also the foundation for pruning the most beautiful star jasmine bonsai.
1. Suitable temperature and light
The star jasmine bonsai, being a temperate-zone flowering plant, likes warmth and light, but must also avoid direct strong light. We can place it in a sunny spot, preferably a place where it can get sunlight while also avoiding direct strong light.
2. Moist soil is also very important
We can water to keep the soil moist, and often spray water on the support or the bonsai to increase humidity. However, remember never to let it become waterlogged, otherwise it will affect the normal growth of the star jasmine.
The star jasmine bonsai, full of flowers and leaves, brings us more than ordinary visual enjoyment. In order to make it more wild in character and allow it to grow freely and vigorously, choosing the most appropriate pruning method is very important. The above are the main methods for pruning the star jasmine bonsai. Have you learned them?
How to make a hydroponic star jasmine bonsai? Hydroponic star jasmine bonsai care guide
Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) can also be called Nai Dong, Shi Long Teng, Wan Zi Hua, and Wan Zi Mo Li. It is an evergreen woody vine, native to Shandong, Shanxi, Jiangxi, Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu and other places in China. In gardens it is mostly used as ground cover, or as potted ornamental plants. Of course, besides being used for ornamental purposes, star jasmine also has medicinal value; its roots, stems, leaves, and fruits are used medicinally, with effects of dispelling wind and activating collaterals, benefiting the joints, stopping bleeding, relieving pain and reducing swelling, and clearing heat and detoxifying. It should be noted that star jasmine is a toxic plant, and its toxicity lies in the whole plant being toxic. Of course, today the focus is on the production methods and care guide for hydroponic star jasmine bonsai, as follows.
I. Hydroponic methods
(1) Method one: Cut a robust branch of star jasmine with aerial roots, insert the branch directly into a transparent container, then add clean water to submerge one third of the root system. After about 10 days, hydroponic roots will grow.
(2) Method two: Select a robust, well-formed soil-cultivated star jasmine, dig out the entire star jasmine plant, rinse it clean, and then plant it in a transparent container, then add clean water to submerge two thirds of the root system.
(3) Method two: Dig out rooted daughter vines from around the root crown of a soil-cultivated star jasmine, wash the daughter vines clean, and then plant them in a transparent container, then add clean water to submerge two thirds of the root system.
Which method to choose specifically depends on your own actual situation, but no matter which method is used, the water must be changed once every 2-5 days.
II. Care guide
After the star jasmine grows hydroponic roots, it should be cultivated with a comprehensive nutrient solution, replacing the nutrient solution about once every 30-60 days, and during this period the potted star jasmine should be placed in a place with bright scattered light. In summer, avoid direct sunlight and take good shade measures. When the weather is dry, spray the leaves of the star jasmine to supplement moisture; in the cold winter season, move it indoors to a sunny place for cultivation. Because it is relatively cold-tolerant, it can safely overwinter indoors. At the same time, for old branches and overly long branches, carry out appropriate pruning, as this helps promote new branches and increase flower quantity.