How to Grow Podocarpus macrophyllus and Precautions for Growing It
Many people like Podocarpus macrophyllus. It is evergreen all year round, has a good decorative effect, and carries excellent symbolic meaning, making it a very common bonsai in modern homes. After buying a Podocarpus macrophyllus bonsai, some friends do not know how to grow it in daily life, how much water to give, how much fertilizer to apply, what to pay attention to, and how to make it grow well. In fact, growing a Podocarpus macrophyllus bonsai is not difficult. Below, the editor will answer your questions. Let's take a look.
Basic information about Podocarpus macrophyllus:
Podocarpus macrophyllus (scientific name: Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) D. Don) is a type of pine tree. It is also known as Luohan shan, Changqing Luohan shan, Tushan, Jinqian song, Xianbai, Luohan bai, and Jiangnan bai. It is an evergreen tree that can reach up to 18 m tall and is usually pruned to keep it low. Its leaves are alternate and arranged in a spiral shape. It is also dioecious. The female cone is larger than the seed and turns red when mature. Together with the green seed, it looks like a bald monk wearing a red monk's robe, hence the name Luohan song.
How to grow Podocarpus macrophyllus:
1. Soil: It requires slightly acidic culture soil rich in humus, loose and fertile, and well drained. In alkaline soil, the leaves turn yellow and growth is slow. It has a long lifespan and can live for several hundred years, or even over a thousand years.
2. Watering: Podocarpus macrophyllus is not a plant of the Pinaceae family and is not drought tolerant. On the contrary, it tolerates shade and moisture. During the growing season, it should be watered frequently, but it should not be waterlogged. In the Shunde area, on sunny summer days, pay attention to frequent watering. Generally, water once in the morning and once in the evening. In addition, frequently spray water on the leaf surface so the leaves stay bright green and grow well. Summer rainfall is usually plentiful as well. Podocarpus macrophyllus is not tolerant of waterlogging, so be careful to prevent long periods of standing water.
3. Sunlight: Podocarpus macrophyllus is a neutral to shade-leaning tree species. It can accept relatively strong light and can also grow in a shadier environment. Although summer temperatures are high and sunlight is intense, because large Podocarpus macrophyllus trees benefit from high temperature and strong light in maintaining their tree form and leaf shape, it is not necessary to shade large trees in summer. As for young seedlings, because their tissues are tender, they should not be exposed to strong light for long periods. It is best to keep them under tree shade for care.
4. Temperature: For potted plants in northern regions, move them outdoors when the outdoor temperature is stable at around 10°C, and place them in a wind-sheltered, sunny spot outdoors for care. After summer arrives, move them to a semi-shaded place. In winter, when the temperature does not drop to 5°C, they should be brought indoors. After being brought indoors, control watering, and they can overwinter safely as long as conditions do not freeze.
5. Fertilizing: Podocarpus macrophyllus likes fertilizer, so apply light fertilizer frequently. The fertilizer should be mainly nitrogen fertilizer, and an appropriate amount of black alum can be added and fermented into alum fertilizer water. During the growing season, fertilize once every 1 to 2 months. Fertilizing can be done together with watering (water-to-fertilizer ratio of 9:1).
6. Pests and diseases: The main diseases are leaf spot and anthracnose, which can be sprayed with a 500-fold solution of 50% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder. Pests include scale insects, red spiders, and bagworms, which can be killed by spraying with a 1500-fold solution of 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate.
Precautions for growing Podocarpus macrophyllus:
1. Podocarpus macrophyllus likes fertility, so when growing it, try to use fertile soil, such as sandy loam and leaf mold, which are relatively good. Of course, the soil's air permeability and drainage also need to be very good. During bonsai cultivation, also pay attention to keeping the pot soil moist to ensure a sufficient water supply during the growth period of Podocarpus macrophyllus. In summer, water evaporates quickly, so frequent watering is needed. In winter, when the temperature is low, watering should be reduced. At the same time, to avoid water accumulating in the pot, watering must be moderate, neither too much nor too wet. Also be careful to place the Podocarpus macrophyllus bonsai in a ventilated and breathable place.
2. Podocarpus macrophyllus likes light, but it is also very averse to direct sunlight, so it is usually best to keep it indoors for care. At the same time, in summer, when the sun is scorching, be careful to shade it. In addition, when Podocarpus macrophyllus grows to a certain extent and the plant becomes larger, it needs to be repotted. Also pay attention to pest and disease control and regular pruning for the Podocarpus macrophyllus bonsai. There are quite a few pests and diseases of Podocarpus macrophyllus. If any are found during cultivation, they should be dealt with promptly. Pruning work can be carried out according to everyone's ideas, and usually can be done by cutting, tying, and pressing.
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