Detailed Explanation of the Coarse Wiring and Fine Pruning Shaping Method for Firethorn Bonsai

  For firethorn bonsai, the shaping method of coarse wiring and fine pruning should be adopted, generally carried out in autumn. First, use wire or palm fiber to coarsely wire the trunk into different forms such as a slanting trunk or a lying trunk, and after cultivating for a period, prune and shape the pad layers of the bonsai according to the design, so that the entire tree form has distinct layers and verve.

  Firethorn is very particular about pot selection. To set off its red fruit, light-colored and cool-colored bonsai pots such as white, light blue, light green or pale yellow are generally used as companion pots.

  For firethorn stumps potted at the beginning of the year, if maintained properly, with soil, fertilizer, water and pest control kept up, the new shoots can grow to 60cm-80cm by July to August, and at this time the first shaping and pruning should begin.

  Based on the form of the stump, design and conceive according to the material, and in line with the shaping principles of viewing the whole situation, working according to the material and following nature, do not keep only 3-5 branches and cut off all the other branches.

  Apart from cutting off parallel branches, overlapping branches, crossing branches and trunk-cutting branches, try not to cut other branches as much as possible. If there are excess branches later, prune while cultivating, and it will not affect the entire tree form.

  For the retained thick and main branches, use thicker aluminum wire to twist them forcefully into position and set them in one go.

  For the small branches on the main branches, use thin aluminum wire to tie and position the branches. First tie the top, then the lower part; first tie the large branches, then the small branches, from the base to the tip.

  When winding, loop one end of the aluminum wire once around the trunk to secure it. The aluminum wire should be pressed tightly against the bark and wound evenly upward at a 45° angle to the trunk diameter until the top.

  According to the needs of shaping, if the branch bends downward to the right, the aluminum wire should be wound clockwise; if the branch bends downward to the left, the aluminum wire should be wound counterclockwise.

  Firethorn has extremely strong vitality, and the flexibility of its branches is also especially good. During shaping, even if a twisted part breaks, as long as there is still a layer of bark unbroken, its normal growth will still not be affected.

  Wiring with aluminum wire is generally removed after 60 days.

  The second shaping and pruning is carried out in September to October.

  After the first wiring and pruning, the outline lines of the crown have basically taken shape. At this time, check whether the roots, trunk, branches and leaves of the bonsai are natural and smooth, with appropriate density. Cut off excess branches and retain short branches. During maintenance, observe frequently and think more. Repeated wiring, pruning, shaping, pinching and bud removal are needed to maintain a beautiful tree form.