What are the shaping and pruning methods for Podocarpus bonsai?

Podocarpus stays evergreen all year round, with narrow and long leaves of deep green color and vigorous yet elegant branches. It has a long lifespan and is one of the commonly used tree species for making bonsai. There are three types: large, medium and small. Among them, the Kusheng Podocarpus has a graceful tree shape, small leaves and slow growth, and is a precious tree species for making bonsai.

The shaping of Podocarpus is mainly done by wiring, with pruning as a supplement. The best time for shaping is during the dormant period. Podocarpus saplings have soft branches and can be wired into various styles of tree shapes. The trunk and main branches of old Podocarpus stumps are thick and hard, difficult to reshape, so changes can only be made in the size and form of branch pads, the height of the trunk and the angle between the trunk and the pot surface. Besides gradually raising the roots when repotting, they can also be gradually raised during routine care; for example, when watering, deliberately aim the water at the root area, and after a period of washing, the roots will naturally become exposed.

For Podocarpus that has already been shaped, branches and leaves that affect the shape should be cut short or removed in time.

Shaping and pruning techniques for Podocarpus bonsai!!

Podocarpus has dancing branches and leaves, is ancient and vigorous, and has a classical and elegant tree shape, making it a superior material for making bonsai. To make a Podocarpus bonsai full of artistic flavor, shaping and pruning are indispensable. So how should a Podocarpus bonsai be pruned? Let's learn together:

Image: Podocarpus bonsai

I. The purpose of pruning Podocarpus: follow the shaping

The purpose of artistic shaping of Podocarpus is to "shape according to the tree" and "apply skills according to the material", using superb artistic expression techniques to unearth the highest artistic realm from an ordinary tree shape and maximize its ornamental value.

II. Shaping and pruning techniques for Podocarpus

1. Cutting: You can use the characteristics of Podocarpus being tolerant of pruning and having small leaves to create various shapes, such as spherical, conical, multi-layered spherical, etc. You only need to prune according to the pre-designed figure.

For example, when pruning a three-layered spherical shape, first choose a sapling with an obvious trunk and a relatively upright form. It is advisable for the three spheres, top, middle and bottom, to gradually increase in size so as to achieve coordinated proportions and better ornamental value. Generally, it is suitable to prune when new shoots have grown 20-30 cm, and multiple prunings are needed to make each layer of spheres round, full and compact.

2. Tying: For shaping by the tying method, you can choose sturdy bamboo sticks and strong hemp rope, tie the bamboo sticks and branches tightly and firmly with the hemp rope, then fix one end of the bamboo stick to the main trunk, so that by adjusting the direction of the bamboo stick, the branches grow in a specific direction according to the shaper's wishes, achieving the purpose of shaping.

Image: Podocarpus bonsai

3. Pressing: Shaping by the pressing method mainly uses the method of bending and tilting the main trunk, so that the tree body presents on a slope an artistic beauty completely different from that of an upright plane.

Because the branches of Podocarpus resemble human arms, and the clustered hemispherical leaves growing at the top of the branches look like human palms, together with the bent tree body, it looks just like a greeter bending at the waist and arms to welcome guests, very vivid and lifelike.

The above is an introduction to the shaping and pruning techniques for Podocarpus bonsai. We hope it can be helpful to everyone!

On-site demonstration of pruning and shaping a Podocarpus bonsai