How to grow a Chinese fringeflower (Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum) bonsai? A full breakdown of care methods

  The Chinese fringeflower keeps vivid leaf color all year round, with lush branches and leaves; especially when it blooms, it is magnificently beautiful and extremely eye-catching. It is an ornamental tree beautiful in both flower and foliage. It is often used for color-block planting or trimmed into spheres, and is also excellent material for making bonsai. Today, the editor will explain the methods for making a Chinese fringeflower bonsai.

  The making of a Chinese fringeflower bonsai is basically the same as that of other deciduous broadleaf trees. After the raw Chinese fringeflower stump has fully survived, you should observe and study it repeatedly according to the characteristics of the stump, conceive the styling, and then carry out the work.

  The first step in making it is to determine the viewing side. Then select branches and set the positions of the foliage pads. When selecting branches and setting the pads, you should choose branches according to the tree form you have conceived; excess branches should be cut off, but leave some bud positions as backups. To grow Chinese fringeflower, it is best to use a mix of 50% loose mountain yellow soil, 30% coarse river sand, and 20% pond mud or paddy-field mud for planting. (Pond mud or field mud with less alkalinity is better.)

  The transplanting time for Chinese fringeflower is generally suitable from early February to the end of March, that is, it is best to transplant before or after the main flowering period. When transplanting at other times, more soil must be kept with the roots. Never transplant in winter, because its growth stops and it begins to enter dormancy.

  In addition, Chinese fringeflowers transplanted at different times should have their branches pruned appropriately. In spring, prune less; at other times, prune more, to avoid water loss through evaporation from branches and leaves. When sunlight is strong, provide appropriate shading, and according to whether the weather is good or bad and the humidity level, spray water on the trunk, branches, and leaves of the stump. After transplanting, keep the trunk, branches, and leaves at a certain level of moisture.

  1. Planting

  Plant or repot before spring bud break. South of the Yangtze River, it can be grown in the ground and overwinter outdoors. In northern regions, it is best grown in pots and overwintered indoors. For ground planting, choose a spot with ample sunlight and good drainage, and the soil should be loose and fertile. For pot cultivation, use a prepared soil mix of leaf mold, garden soil, and river sand, and it is best to add an appropriate amount of fully decomposed organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer. Use 1-2 year old seedlings for planting. Repot once every 2 years. Water after planting and keep it in a semi-shaded place for care.

  2. Light and temperature

  The suitable growing temperature is 20-28°C. In spring and autumn, it should be grown under full light, which helps flowering and makes the leaf color more vivid. In summer, provide shading or place it in dappled shade under a tree to avoid direct strong sunlight. Indoors, place it in a bright spot, and it is best to give it some light every day. In winter, move it indoors to a sunny spot.

  3. Watering and fertilizing

  Chinese fringeflower is tolerant of drought and poor soil, but during the growing season you must pay attention to watering. Especially in summer, it cannot lack water; keep the potting soil moist often, but not overly wet. Especially after rain, drain promptly. In winter, strictly control watering and water only after the potting soil has dried through; slightly moist to on the dry side is best, to prevent root rot and death from excessive wetness. During the growing season, apply topdressing; it should be light rather than concentrated, applying dilute liquid fertilizer 2-3 times a month.

  4. Shaping and pruning

  Before spring bud break, shape and prune it, cutting off dead branches and overly dense branches. During the growing season, pinch buds at the right time to encourage new branches and more flowers, but do not prune in late autumn, so that the tender new shoots that sprout after pruning are not damaged by cold and cause leaf drop.

  A Chinese fringeflower bonsai has little soil, shallow roots, and relatively poor cold tolerance, so it is easily frozen, dried out, or even killed. Therefore, in winter it should not overwinter outdoors; place it indoors, pay attention to ventilation, and keep the room temperature above 5°C. When the room temperature exceeds 25°C, you can open the windows to avoid leggy growth caused by high temperatures. When the room temperature is below 5°C, you can cover it with a plastic bag to keep it warm (when the room temperature is above 5°C, remove the plastic bag immediately). When the room temperature is below 0°C, use warming methods such as heating with hot water to protect the Chinese fringeflower bonsai through the winter safely.