Key Techniques to Grow an Ordinary Moss Rose into a Ten-Thousand-Yuan Old-Stump Bonsai

When it comes to moss rose, the most memorable thing is its nickname "die-hard" - it really is hard to kill. Toss it in a pot, barely tend to it, water it once in a while, and it still blooms. Cuttings are easy too - snip off a stem, stick it in soil, and it takes root. However, this herbaceous flower dies off in batches when winter gets cold, or simply dies of old age, always huddled in the pot like a clump of grass, seemingly forever a supporting player. But some masters have grown moss rose into old-stump bonsai. Let's take a look?

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Moss rose"

-Moss rose old stump-

First, look at this moss rose that is over ten years old. A gardening enthusiast trained it into two tiers - it really doesn't look like the grass-like moss rose we sow in spring. Rumor has it that someone offered a high price to buy it, but the owner wouldn't sell!

In fact, this enthusiast's moss rose started out just like the one in the picture below - a messy, unruly herbaceous flower. So how did it become a bonsai? It turns out there are some little tricks involved!

(Moss Rose Tieba, user "Rock Youth-")

-Moss rose grafting-

The method for growing this kind of moss rose old stump is grafting! First, choose a tall moss rose that branches easily as the rootstock, such as the Huohua variety! The Huohua plant is relatively tall and branches readily on the sides. It is also called Hawaiian Rose. Its flower color is not very stable, producing pure yellow flowers as well as flowers of other colors, and the blooms are beautiful too!

Find some moss rose varieties you like, cut off their stems, make slanted cuts on both sides into a wedge shape, let them dry slightly, and set them aside as scions.

Cut off the rootstock's stem, leaving about 7cm, then split the rootstock stem down the middle, insert the scion, and secure it with a small string or clip.

You can also use the side-grafting method: make a slanted cut on the rootstock, make a slanted cut on one side of the scion with a length matching the rootstock's cut, then insert it and wrap and secure it with plastic film.

(Moss Rose Tieba, user "Sunshine Contentment Chang Le")

Whether needle-leaved or broad-leaved, once the moss rose is grafted, cut away some of the branches and leaves at the bottom of the rootstock, prune it into shape, and it becomes a beautiful moss rose bonsai!

With enough dedication, an iron rod can be ground into a needle

Even a tinymoss rose can be grown into a stunning bonsai

No flower should be underestimated!

After reading, share it with gardening friends who need it~