How to prune Camellia bonsai

Trunk treatment

It is necessary to combine the natural characteristics of different varieties of Camellia sasanqua and shape the trunk by climbing, tying, twisting, etc., or cut off the top to encourage the buds in the axils to sprout quickly, increase the number of branches, and help form the crown and layers. You can also cut off the main trunk and retain the side branches, and gradually build a crown of twisted branches year by year, but you must pay attention to the symmetry of the trunk and branches.

The trunk of a straight-trunk tree should be straight or slightly curved, with the base of the trunk slightly thick and gradually becoming thinner upwards.

The double-trunk shape should have secondary trunks near the base of the trunk, and of different heights.

The trunk of a slanted tree should be tilted but not lying down. It should generally be kept at about 45°. The tilted part of the trunk should be more than one-half of the total length, and the crown should be straightened at the end.

The curvature of a curved tree trunk should be natural and of appropriate proportions. It should not bend back and forth on the same plane, but should be staggered front and back.

Branch processing

The length and density of the branches should be coordinated with the height and thickness of the trunk. Excessively dense branches can be pruned moderately. Do not allow them to bloom in the first two to three years, and do not be too hasty during the shaping process.

Since the branches are relatively brittle and hard, especially the branching parts, which are easily broken, you must be especially careful. For individual slender branches, except for the overgrown branches which can be cut off or shortened, they should generally be shortened by twisting them with lead wire. It is better to make them thicker rather than thinner when shaping them, and it is best to process and shape them year by year.

Blade treatment

By processing the branches and twigs and combining them skillfully, a reasonable layout and harmonious proportions are achieved.

The relationship between leaves should be handled in a way that they are not too many but not too numerous, and not too few but not too sparse. Some leaves can be pruned appropriately to ensure the coordination between the branches and leaves and the plant.

During the cultivation process, limit the use of fertilizer and water appropriately to make the leaves as small as possible.

Root treatment

Root treatment should be combined with the posture of the trunk. For example, the roots of a straight trunk are best exposed slightly, the roots of a curved trunk can be exposed more, and it is best to have them intertwined, and the roots of a cliff trunk are best exposed on the other side of the upside-down.