How do you care for a smoke tree bonsai? These methods you need to master
About creating the tree shape
Smoke trees generally grow on sunny slopes and semi-shaded slopes, can withstand sunlight, drought and severe cold, but are rather afraid of wet soil. Every year in early spring, when the smoke tree begins to sprout, you can go to the mountains and fields to select old smoke tree stumps to make bonsai. After repeated felling and animal gnawing, the old stumps have already naturally taken shape, and with a little pruning and wiring, they can be made into an ornamental bonsai.
About planting and choosing a pot
Smoke trees are generally planted before budding, and newly dug old stumps should be cultivated in loose, fertile sandy soil. The smoke tree has strong adaptability and does not demand much from the soil; using humus soil with an appropriate amount of sandy soil added, mixed evenly, is enough. The choice of flower pot can be determined according to the tree shape. In general, for straight-trunk smoke trees, choose a square or round pot, while for slanting-trunk and curved-trunk smoke trees, you can choose an oval or rectangular pot.
About care and management
1. Choice of location. They like light, so they should be placed in a spot with plenty of sunlight and good ventilation; generally they can be placed outdoors. However, in the hot summer or in winter when the temperature is relatively low, they generally need to be moved indoors.
2. Watering and moisture retention. The smoke tree is not tolerant of wet conditions. When watering it, be sure to pay attention and do not let too much water accumulate in the pot; just keep the soil moist. In addition, be sure to keep the air around the bonsai moist.
3. Points to note about fertilizing. The smoke tree likes nutrients, so as a potted plant it must not be given heavy fertilizer, otherwise it will accelerate its growth and affect the visual effect of the display.
4. Shaping and pruning. The smoke tree has strong growth ability. Every spring when it sprouts, it needs pruning to ensure its branches and leaves do not become too lush and dense, and the branches should also be appropriately wired to ensure the overall beauty of the potted plant.
5. Pest and disease control. For common smoke tree pests and diseases such as damping-off and aphids, be sure to discover them early and treat the pests promptly.