Maintenance of tree stump bonsai

Spring maintenance

Pruning

In spring, tree stumps planted in outdoor pots should be carefully pruned before they sprout. The method is: cut off overlapping branches, thin branches, dead branches, parallel branches, and overgrown branches, leave growth branches and tie them up to achieve the purpose of perfect shape.

Prune again when new branches grow to 5 to 10 cm. Pines cannot be cut with scissors. Instead, the unwanted parts should be pinched off by hand after the buds emerge but before they open.

Repotting

The main situations that require repotting are as follows: watertight, too many roots in a disk shape, too much or too little soil in the pot; the proportions between the landscape and the pot are out of balance.

When repotting, the soil should be fertile, loose, well-permeable, and have moderate pH. The best pot to choose is a purple clay pot.

Fertilizer

Fertilization requires small amount and frequent application, with organic fertilizer as the main fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer as the auxiliary fertilizer.

When watering, the soil in the pot should be kept moist and not too dry, because the tree stump is in the germination stage and once the buds are scorched, it cannot be saved.

In addition, more efforts should be made to prevent and control pests and diseases such as aphids.

Summer maintenance

Water and fertilizer

In summer, the main thing is to control the moisture in the pot.

During the rainy season, check the pot frequently for water accumulation. If there is water accumulation and root rot, remove the pot immediately and place it in a rain-proof place. Wait until the soil in the pot is somewhat dry before putting it back in the pot. During hot seasons, it is best to water the plants at night, check again the next morning and add water as needed, and avoid watering when the temperature is high at noon.

Small bonsai and shallow pots should be placed on a sand tray, and shade-loving plants should not be exposed directly to the sun.

Avoid fertilizing during high temperatures to prevent stump damage.

Pest control

Summer is the peak season for diseases and insect pests. Prevention is the main focus. Pests must be discovered and pesticides sprayed in a timely manner. It is best not to use the same pesticide continuously.