Detailed Explanation of the Production Methods and Steps of Smoke Tree Bonsai

Smoke tree, also known as red leaf, is a deciduous shrub of the Anacardiaceae family. In recent years, the Beijing Bonsai Association has used the smoke tree species to create various forms of stump bonsai, which are quite favored by bonsai enthusiasts. Making bonsai with it has the characteristics of being quaint and vigorous, rich in variation. In spring, the young buds first shade, emerald green and delightful; in midsummer, the branches and leaves flourish; in golden autumn, the red leaves first dye, and after frost, the whole tree is covered with red leaves, standing proudly against the frost, dazzling and eye-catching, adding a touch of autumn color, with endless charm and breathtaking beauty. There are abundant wild resources of smoke tree in the Beijing area, easy to collect. Therefore, making smoke tree bonsai is mostly based on field digging. The digging time should be in early spring before budding (March) or in late autumn. The stumps dug from the field need preliminary pruning and shaping. Cut the overly long main roots short, and retain as many lateral roots as possible to facilitate the absorption of water and nutrients. For the densely growing branches on the trunk, cut them off, and for the water sprouts, shorten them. Then plant them in the ground or in a large container. After planting, water once thoroughly, and afterward keep the soil frequently moist, and often spray clear water on the branches to facilitate survival. Create a humid environment with weak light, which is conducive to the sprouting and growth of new buds. After the plant's leaf buds elongate, gradually increase light and watering. Combined with watering, apply a moderate amount of diluted liquid fertilizer to promote vigorous growth. Usually, after the stump has been heeled in for one year, it can be potted and shaped. The branches of the smoke tree mostly grow horizontally and oblantedly. According to its characteristics, it can be made into bonsai of slanting trunk style, lying trunk style, cliff style, etc. The shaping of smoke tree bonsai should vary according to the material, making the best use of its strengths and avoiding its weaknesses. The shaping method mostly adopts the "coarse wiring and fine pruning" method, but the specific shaping should be suited to the material. For example, for stumps with thicker trunks, the bending performance is poor, and it is not easy to bend and wire them. The method of truncating the trunk and cultivating branches can be adopted. Cut the top at the curved part of the trunk, cultivate new branches, gradually cultivate branches and prune, and cultivate a beautiful tree shape. For the shaping of small stumps, the method of combining pruning and wiring is mostly adopted, that is, the trunk and part of the branches are wired with metal wire or nylon wire according to the shaping needs to form, and then pruned, shaping and cultivating a beautiful tree posture with layers. In short, shaping and pruning must be based on the natural conditions of the plant and follow nature, so as to save time and achieve the ideal artistic effect. Smoke tree likes sunlight, but it can also grow well in places with insufficient light. Daily watering should keep the soil alternately moist and dry. Fertilization can be applied in spring and autumn each year with fermented cake fertilizer water to promote robust growth. In spring and summer, the plant grows vigorously, and pruning should be carried out frequently. For water sprouts, inward-growing branches, and overly dense branches, prune them. Maintain a beautiful tree shape, improve ventilation and light conditions, and reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases. In late autumn, smoke tree bonsai will display bright red leaves, with the best ornamental effect. To make the leaves of smoke tree bonsai turn red and become an excellent autumn ornamental product, strengthening autumn management is particularly important. In autumn, watering should keep the soil moist. To promote the leaves to become red among the green, apply diluted liquid fertilizer once every ten days or so. At this time, the bonsai should be placed in a place with sufficient light and good ventilation, and let it receive more dew moisture at night, which is very beneficial for the leaves to turn red.