Summer maintenance of plum bonsai

Proper Placement

Plum blossom is a native tree species native to my country with strong adaptability. It is sensitive to temperature, so it should be grown in a sunny, ventilated and light-permeable place. Loam is the best soil for potted plants. Clay is prone to thorny branches. The soil in the plum bonsai pot is shallow, and the bottom of the pot should be made of slowly decomposing hoof chips and bone meal as base fertilizer. Improper management in summer can easily cause the branches of plum trees to become thin and the leaves to fall off, so attention should be paid to the summer heat prevention work of plum trees.

Reasonable watering

The plum blossom enters its vigorous growth period and requires a large amount of water, so it is necessary to water it frequently to keep the soil in the pot moist, but not allow water to accumulate. Too much water can easily cause the leaves to turn yellow, and in severe cases, cause all the leaves to fall off. May to June is the critical period for controlling flower bud differentiation. It is necessary to withhold water appropriately to inhibit the continued growth of new branches and promote flower bud differentiation. In summer, sprinkle water around the flower pots every day to increase the air humidity, which is beneficial to growth. In July , normal watering is required. Lack of water at this time can easily cause leaf fall.

Apply fertilizer at the right time

During the growth period of plum blossoms, the root system is suppressed by the container, and fertilizer should be applied 1 to 2 times during the growth period. The first topdressing is done in spring when the new branches grow to about 5 cm. Use sesame paste residue or cake fertilizer water as topdressing, which can promote branch growth and flower bud differentiation. The second topdressing is done in autumn after growth stops and before leaves fall. Generally in late September , cake fertilizer powder can be sprinkled on the surface of the potting soil to supplement the necessary nutrients for the second year's growth.

Plastic pruning

After the plum blossoms wither, pruning should be carried out once, retaining 2 to 3 buds on the branches and cutting off the rest. Also, pay attention to cutting off diseased and insect-infested branches, dead branches, crossed branches, and overlapping branches that affect the shape . Pruning, leaf cutting and pinching are carried out at the same time. There are many forms of plum blossom design, some are hanging upside down, and some are twisted and curved. Generally, the bending method is to tie and bind. Starting from the seedlings, the new branches are bent every 12 to 15 cm. Each time the branches are bent, they are formed into an "S" or spiral shape and tied with plastic strips. This process is repeated several times. So that it gradually takes shape and becomes fixed, reflecting its ancient posture.

Pest and disease control

Plum blossoms are prone to aphids and red spiders, which can be killed by spraying 1500 times diluted 80 % DDT emulsion . Be careful not to use pesticides containing phosphorus, so as not to irritate the plum blossoms and cause massive leaf fall. The main diseases of plum blossoms include leaf curl, anthracnose, sooty mold, etc. They can be controlled by spraying 1 % Bordeaux mixture or 400 to 600 times diluted 65 % mancozeb wettable powder.

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