To grow tree-stump bonsai well in winter, you need to master these methods

Based on years of experience, the author believes that as long as the following three aspects are done well, tree-stump bonsai will have no trouble overwintering safely.

1. Moderate water, no fertilizer. In winter, watering should follow the principle of preferring dry over wet; do not water until the soil turns white. Water at noon, and it is best to water thoroughly in one go; do not water in the evening, otherwise it is prone to freeze damage. For coniferous types, wax-leaf types, and landscape trees with thick, dense, lush and graceful foliage, spraying water to rinse the leaf surfaces is also very beneficial. Bonsai trees should not be fertilized in winter, but 15 days before the start of winter, along with weeding and loosening the soil and killing pests and diseases, apply one fertilizer mainly of phosphorus and potassium, so as to strive for robust plant growth before winter and improve cold resistance.

2. No pruning, eliminate pests and diseases. Winter temperatures are low and growth vigor is low, so pruning is generally not advisable.

Pest control in winter can reduce pest and disease damage the following year. Before the start of winter, spray the entire tree once with an equal-amount Bordeaux mixture to prevent diseases. If holes are found in the trunk, they can be plugged with medicated cotton, or coated with mud mixed with lime powder and sulfur powder; a 500-800 times dilution of dimethoate can also be poured in to kill overwintering insect eggs. For the underground part (including the potting soil), a diluted mixture of dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate and dichlorvos can be used for irrigation to kill insects.

3. Ensure light, prevent cold and freezing. Different plants need different light durations. For example, coniferous types such as pines and cypresses, evergreen small-leaf banyan, plum pine, and mountain bamboo need long light exposure, with 8 hours a day being ideal, while snow-in-summer, mountain orange, gardenia, Buddhist pine, mountain honeysuckle, mountain armorwood, and lantana need only 4-5 hours.

For cold-sensitive plants such as Aglaia odorata, lantana, and orange jasmine, when the temperature drops below 6°C, cover them with plastic film for protection, or move them to a sunny spot.