How to cultivate banyan bonsai

Introduction to banyan bonsai

Banyan bonsai refers to using banyan trees as materials, with the purpose of appreciating the strange shapes of the stumps, roots, stems and leaves of the banyan tree, through pruning, pruning, hanging and grafting. Careful cultivation and long-term control of its growth and development make it a potted banyan tree with a unique artistic shape.

Growth habits: It likes light, warm and humid climate, and tolerates water and moisture.

Garden purposes. It can be used for planting street trees and courtyard shade trees, and can also be used to make bonsai.

Propagation and cultivation: propagation by high pressure, cutting or sowing. Easy to cultivate.

In the world's bonsai family, banyan bonsai has almost all the advantages of bonsai. In turn, it is unique because of its long age, unique fibrous roots, fast growth, and strong plasticity. Some people say that people in southern Fujian like and love banyan trees to the extent that "no village would be complete without banyan trees, and banyan trees can be seen everywhere", which shows how popular they are. For banyan tree bonsai, the so-called "short distance" contains the meaning of "towering the sky", and the beauty of "thousands of miles away" can be seen in a square inch. There are pots of banyan trees, and each tree has a scene. Some are simple and coiled, some are vigorous and tall, some are free and elegant, and some are graceful and fragrant. There are thousands of sceneries in the garden, just like people swimming in the middle of a painting. They are elegant works of art. It can be used as a garden setting or street tree, and it is also very elegant as a potted plant. It grows quickly, has wide adaptability, and is cold and drought resistant. Banyan bonsai is a specialty of Zhangzhou and is favored by people from all walks of life for its simplicity and elegance.

The banyan tree is a large tree of the genus Ficus in the Moraceae family, and is also known as Ficus tenuifolia and Ficus versicolor. The main varieties include red fig, white fig, large-leaf fig, mosaic fig, round-leaf fig, willow-leaf fig, rubber fig, bamboo-leaf fig, Indian fig, etc. Mainly distributed in Guangdong, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, southeastern Zhejiang, southern Jiangsu and other provinces and cities in my country, as well as in Southeast Asian countries such as India, Thailand, Myanmar, and Malaysia.

There are many types of banyan trees, including aerial roots, tuberous roots, lumps, strange roots and old tree stumps (purely natural), etc. They are both natural and wild, and some are artificially cultivated. Due to its beautiful shape, the banyan tree can be used as a garden ornamental tree, a street tree, a shade tree in the village, or a forest tree planted in groups. It is also an excellent material for bonsais, which can be made into large, medium, small, and miniature bonsais.

Shaxi Town has a long history of cultivating banyan bonsai. In the long-term cultivation, it has accumulated rich cultivation art, making it vigorous and beautiful, with a beautiful and moving shape, with coordinated roots, bases and root strips, and leaves. The crown is beautiful and has clear layers, which is pleasing to the eye and endless aftertaste. It has beautiful shape, beautiful root disk, beautiful branches, beautiful skin color, beautiful leaves and beautiful fibrous roots. Some of the roots are intertwined and vigorous, giving people the feeling of rising from the ground and standing tall on the sky; some are like dragons playing in the water, strong and soft, free and elegant; some branches have roots, roots and trunks, just like the quaint, vigorous and unique virgin forest. The wonder of a forest of trees. Exactly: The interesting stone looks like a peak, why is there a dragon flag on the top of the cliff? My husband has great ambitions, but his big leaves and thick branches are not mediocre.

Banyan tree bonsai is Shaxi’s specialty flower. It has developed six series of products: ginseng banyan tree bonsai, aerial root banyan tree bonsai, landscape banyan tree bonsai, stump banyan tree bonsai, miniature banyan tree bonsai, and banyan tree bonsai seedlings. It can be used for ornamental bonsais, street trees, and garden trees. Banyan trees can be propagated by sowing, cutting, high-pressure or grafting methods. Spring to summer are the suitable periods. The roots of seedlings tend to become enlarged, which is good for growing bonsai. The high-pressure method is fast in growing seedlings and is a method commonly used by horticulturalists. Banyan leaf order. The banyan tree is strong in nature and the cultivation soil quality is not strict

Cultivation of banyan bonsai

The banyan tree is one of the leading bonsais in Lingnan bonsai and has always been favored by bonsai enthusiasts. The author has devoted himself to the research of banyan bonsai for many years. Now he will describe the cultivation methods. I would like to ask for your corrections from colleagues.

1. Selection of materials;

There are three sources of tree bonsai materials: wild piles, cuttings, and seedlings. This article mainly talks about the cultivation of wild piles. The collection time of wild stumps is from February to October every year, with April to July being the most suitable. During this period, the climate is mild, the air is humid, the stumps take root and germinate quickly, and the survival rate is high. The locations for collecting wild piles should be selected at the foot of mountains, near villages, corners of land, etc. Banyan bonsai in these places are often gnawed by livestock and felled by humans. The trunks are twisted and ancient, making it easier to find pile materials suitable for bonsai. Generally speaking, as long as a pile has a natural ending, after one or two years of careful cultivation, it will develop aerial roots and make up for the shortcomings, and it will grow into an unexpectedly good pile scene. When mining piles, be careful about old piles, do not damage the roots too much, and try to get as many fine roots as possible to increase the safety factor of survival.

You don’t have too many worries about tender piles, and you can survive by intercepting them casually in the middle. The longer the tender pile, the better. It has great plasticity, and ordinary-looking piles can also be cultivated into good bonsai.

2. Maintenance;

After the wild piles are collected, they must be processed as soon as possible, and they should be cut and selected according to the pile materials and culture objectives. The banyan tree has strong vitality and heals wounds quickly, so the piles can be cut in one step. Tree stumps can be planted in pots, side plantings, or on the ground if conditions permit. Moreover, ground plantings grow faster, can be pruned more often each year, and take shape quickly. The cultivation substrate of tree stumps is generally required to be loose, breathable and acidic black stone powder mud, river sand, construction stone powder, cinder, etc., and these cultivation soils are relatively easy to obtain. For stake cultivation, just cover the roots with culture soil. It is appropriate to insert the tree about 3 inches deep. Sprinkle with root-fixing water and place in a cool, leeward place for curing. If planted in the ground, use a cover to shade it. When the weather is cold in early spring, it is best to use film bags to ensure survival. During management, water should be watered according to weather conditions, and the culture soil should be kept moist and not waterlogged. Excessive waterlogging can easily cause the roots to become black and necrotic. Under normal circumstances, the tree stump will sprout and take root. The banyan tree sprouts first and then grows roots. Don't be fooled by its appearance and neglect management. After the buds grow to 5cm-6cm, gradually let the stump adapt to the sunlight and return to normal management. The author sometimes collects too many piles. After cutting them, I place the piles in a cool and moist place with leeward wind without cultivating soil. I spray water on the piles twice in the morning and evening to encourage them to germinate and take root. After the roots are thick and the buds are strong, I can plant them again. Transplant into pot.

3. Fertilizer and water management;

The banyan tree is a tree species that likes plenty of water and fertilizer, and can tolerate both drought and humidity. It can grow in stone crevices and in water. After the stump enters normal care, use decomposed human and animal manure or retting cake fertilizer as top dressing, and apply extra-root top dressing once or twice a day. When transplanting or repotting, cooked chicken manure, bean cakes, and bone meal can also be mixed into the culture soil as base fertilizer. Adequate fertilizer will make the branches grow faster and thicker, and can be pruned more times per year, thereby shortening the cultivation period. Water management is also important. Although the banyan tree is resistant to drought and humidity, it cannot be neglected because of this. After the banyan tree survives, it will be waterlogged for a long time, which may cause only roots but no branches. If you don't water for two or three days during the dog days, the tree will not die, but once you water it, the leaves will wither and fall off, affecting growth. Therefore, water management should be wet and dry, watering once every morning and evening during the dog days.

4. Pruning

Wild piles become pile scenery, and pruning is a very important process. In the first year, cultivate its roots and nourish its essence, and only erase the misaligned buds. In the second year, the branches can be pruned only after they have grown thicker and become lignified. Mainly pruning, supplemented by tying. It is advisable to prune once a year. If the branches are growing vigorously, you can prun them twice. When the short branches grow strong, prun them again. Repeat this, and if you prune it properly, a good bonsai will appear in your hands within four years.

Cultivation of mosaic ginseng fig bonsai

Mosaic ginseng fig bonsai is very popular and loved by bonsai enthusiasts. However, buying a pot of ginseng and fig bonsai is relatively expensive. Cuttings of ginseng and fig flowers and leaves are slow to take root, grow slowly, and have a low survival rate.

In order to solve this problem, common banyan vermilion can be used. Use half of the cultivated two-year-old banyan tree to remove the top, leaving an 8-centimeter-long main trunk to sit on as the rootstock. Split the middle to a length of 2 centimeters, and cut the branches of the mosaic ginseng fig about 6 centimeters long to make the scion. Peel off 2 centimeters of bark from both sides of the lower end of the scion to expose the woody part, then cut it into the center of the split rootstock, tie it tightly, and then tie the scion tightly with non-toxic plastic film.

Then, use a curtain to place the connected plants in a cool and ventilated place, and keep the pot soil moist. After about 20 days, gradually move it to low light, and after half a month, move it to strong light. At the same time, remove the plastic and increase the amount of water spray. Fertilize once every 7 days, and remove axillary buds growing on the rootstock. Promote vigorous growth of scions and improve survival rate. When the rootstock and scion are found to be well healed, remove the binding wire. Generally, grafting is done around Qingming Festival. When the grafted branches grow to about half a meter long, bury the flower pot in the soil, dig a ditch half a meter long and 2 centimeters deep, press the grafted branches into the ditch, and use bamboo hooks to hook them. Hold the branches to prevent them from lifting out of the soil. Bury about 2cm into the soil. It is also necessary to expose the small branches on the plant to the soil and spray water to keep the soil moist. Before burying the plant, use a knife to cut off about half a meter of exposed xylem from the branches at the bottom of the soil to promote faster rooting after being buried in the soil.

The branches that were pressed down after one and a half months have fibrous roots; you can use iron to dig out the soil surface, use scissors to cut the branches and fibrous roots into several sections, and use plant ash and potassium permanganate to disinfect the cut edges to prevent rot. Plant them in five-inch flower pots, spray them with water and place them in a ventilated place under the shade. After 30 days, move it to strong light for fertilization, and leave three to five strong branches. Around the Qingming Festival of the next year, the remaining branches can be used as rootstocks, and the branches of Ficus mosaic can be used as scions. According to the above Using this method, you can get the ginseng fig with mosaic leaves. After cultivation, you can get pots of beautiful ginseng fig with mosaic leaves.

Quickly cultivate old large banyan tree stumps

Using banyan trees to make bonsai is most popular in southern provinces, but it is not easy to cultivate a good work: First, there are many wild old stumps Born in the crevices of rocks, it is extremely difficult to dig out roots, and it is said that banyan trees cannot form a landscape without roots. Secondly, cultivating saplings into ancient and majestic ancient piles with certain ornamental value is time-consuming and labor-intensive. How to quickly cultivate old large banyan tree stumps and shorten the molding cycle? After many years of practice, the author now introduces several simple production methods for the reference of bonsai beginners.

1. Multi-branch cutting: After the Qingming Festival, in conjunction with the pruning of the banyan tree, select some branches of different sizes and cut them into cuttings of different heights. According to the requirements of the shape, they can be staggered and tied together. Cuttings are placed in pine mud (the cuttings can also be planted together after splitting) so that the roots naturally cross. After surviving, use a knife to cut the bark at the joints of the branches to make them fit and stick together. Dig up after the Qingming Festival in the second year, comb the roots, shorten the thick and long roots, and postpone pruning the branches to make full use of photosynthesis to grow the piles. It is generally better to renovate during the dormant period to prevent excessive white mucus from flowing out and affecting plant growth. Then plant in the ground to promote strong root growth and speed up adhesion. Remove dead branches and inlays. Improper adhesion can be repaired according to the above method every year. In the third year before and after Qingming Festival, prune and reshape the plants, and pot them for cultivation to control the unlimited extension of the roots. Prune or top again before and after the beginning of autumn to promote branching. At the same time, methods such as prying the skin, notching, and hammering are used to promote aging on the original stem. After cultivating for a few more years, the cuttings will thicken and squeeze each other to form an uneven whole, and the tree head will look like an ancient banyan tree. At this point, a Canggu banyan bonsai has been basically developed.

2. Straight insertion of old trunks: Banyan trees have strong vitality and are easy to survive after cutting. Even old cuttings can generally survive as long as they are cared for carefully. The cutting time is best before and after Qingming Festival and when the daily average temperature is not lower than 20°C. The selection of old stems: First, select branches with potential for cultivation from old banyan trees, cut them with saws, and make cuttings; second, for banyan trees growing in rock crevices in the mountains, the pile blanks are available, but the roots cannot be excavated, so the roots can be removed and the trunks can be harvested. , use dry cuttings to nourish the roots. Generally, they are first planted on the ground and then potted. They can also be directly inserted into larger pots and tanks to cultivate the shape and sublimate it into a landscape. As long as they are carefully maintained, the roots can be sorted out and raised in three years. For areas with missing roots, the following two methods can be used: First, peeling to promote root growth, that is, use a knife or carpenter's chisel to make a small groove about 1CM to 2CM wide on the trunk of the tree, and peel off the bark. , if roots need to be replenished in many places, the slots should be staggered up and down so as to absorb nutrients without causing necrosis of the cortex around the wound; second, connect the sapling to replenish the roots, that is, use a sharp knife to make a longitudinal cut on the trunk at the location where the roots need to be replenished. Groove, then use rooted seedlings, cut off part of the bark, insert them into the groove seams, and fix them with the support. The length and width of the grooves should be suitable for the adjacent seedlings. After the cortex is completely bonded, leave the roots to dry. In 1994, the author went up the mountain to dig pile blanks. He saw that the roots of a large-leaf banyan tree were buried deep in the crevices of the rocks and could not be dug out. Later, the branches and leaves are now luxuriant. After lifting the roots twice, the landscape has begun to take shape. If the crown can be replaced with a variety with smaller leaves, it will have more ornamental value.

3. Combined planting: Combined planting is the most ideal and effective method for thickening and promoting growth. According to the shape design, select 3 to 5 saplings that are two or three years old. After the Qingming Festival, according to the shape requirements, the branches will be cut and the roots and branches will be cross-joined and integrated into one body. Use high-soil methods to maintain the pots. According to the growth situation, prune and shape, and gradually Remove the soil, manage the roots and expose the roots, and the landscape will be ready in three years. In early April 1995, the author planted five young Ficus tenuifolia trees of different sizes to create a collage-like shape. Now they are crowded together and merge into one, with a plump crown and full aerial roots. It has begun to take on the charm of a natural ancient tree. In order to further improve the ornamental value, starting from the second year after planting, Indian ficus branches with smaller leaves were grafted and replaced in batches year by year. The leaves became smaller and now have more artistic charm.

4. Connecting and thickening: If the trunk of a perennial banyan pile is still too small or the shape is not ideal, saplings can be used to connect and thicken the pile.

Excavating banyan stems from the mountains and fields, although the stems are old and unsatisfactory because of the many roots and branches, can use the old stems and replenish the stems and roots using the method of jointing, and the landscape can begin to take shape in three to five years. In order to further improve the ornamental value, those with larger leaves can be grafted with small-leaf tree species to replace the crown. Pay attention to grafting and crown replacement: although high-altitude bud grafting or branch grafting is good, the technique is not mature, the temperature is not moderate, and the survival rate is not high. It is best to graft the roots with mud at high altitude, that is, use a small plastic bag to wrap the roots with mud. The survival rate can reach 100%. After survival, the seedlings close to the trunk are grafted, and the mud is removed and the roots are attached to the trunk to extend and thicken the trunk. For the seedlings farther away from the trunk, depending on the needs, some roots are removed and branches are left, and some branches are removed and roots are left. , some roots and branches are left intact, and the roots are cultivated into drooping false aerial roots. Hanging them on the branches will give them a special interest. In 1995, the author purchased a pile blank of Ficus tenuifolia from Hashan Mountain. It has few branches and the base of the main trunk is upward. Except for three thick roots, there are no fine roots. After two years of cultivation, the roots are still thin and not long, and the roots cannot be exposed. It will be used later. The cuttings of the Indian fig seedlings are attached to the original piles, and the roots and stems are replenished by means of abutting, which not only changes the shape of the tree, but also makes the leaves smaller. But the lower left branch is thin and short, and the overall tree shape is an equilateral triangle. Then connect the seedlings with a strip of roots, lengthen the floating branches, and retain the roots. Use a mineral water bottle to remove the bottom, put the roots into the bottle, fill it with soil, and place it directly on the pot surface. After the roots are deeply rooted, remove the plastic bottle to form a thick false aerial root. This method can easily thicken the roots and stems, and at the same time make up for the shortcoming of a small base.

How to grow ginseng fig

Ginseng fig is cultivated from the seedlings of Ficus microcarpa. The enlarged root tuber at its base is actually formed by the mutation of the radicle and hypocotyl when its seeds germinate. Some plants are also grafted with Ficus deltoidea (F.deltoidea) or Ficus ovale (a variant of Ficus tenuifolia) at the base of their stems, making them appear more elegant. Its requirements for light, heat, water and fertilizer are the same as those of ordinary Ficus tenuifolia. It likes a warm, humid and sunny environment. It is not cold tolerant and tolerates semi-shade. The suitable growth temperature is 20℃ to 30℃. In winter, the greenhouse temperature should be Maintain no less than 5℃. The cultivation soil is required to be sandy loam that is loose, fertile, well-drained, rich in organic matter, and acidic. Alkaline soil can easily cause yellowing of leaves and poor growth. During the growth period, sufficient water supply is required, it should be wet but not dry, the pot soil should always be kept moist, and the leaves should be sprayed with water frequently in summer. Fertilize 3 to 4 times a year, but not too much, otherwise it will easily cause the branches and leaves to grow elongated and destroy the composition of the plant. During the period when branches and leaves are emerging, watering should be properly controlled, or watering more often and less watering can promote shorter nodes and thicker leaves. At the same time, sufficient light should be given to make the leaves thick and bright. It should be noted that the pot soil should not be too wet during the growth period, let alone insufficient light, otherwise it will cause a large number of fallen leaves and affect the display and viewing. Its leaves are often susceptible to leaf spot disease, and can be sprayed with 70% thiophanate methyl wettable powder 800 times. A small number of diseased leaves can also be removed and destroyed early to prevent the spread of damage.

Ginseng and fig bonsai can be repotted every 2 years. The best time is before moving out of the house in spring. First, remove the soil around the flowerpot, then gently take out the large root plants, pound away part of the soil, cut off some dead and aging roots, and replant them in fresh, fertile, loosely drained, nutrient-rich culture soil. As the plant grows, it can be changed to a larger pot to meet its normal growth needs. While changing the pot, make appropriate pruning and adjustments to the branches and leaves so that they can continue to maintain a good plant shape. It is not advisable to water too much when the soil is first replaced. When the temperature rises above 20°C, normal water and fertilizer management can be given.

How to make and maintain banyan bonsai

The leaves of the banyan tree are leathery, dark green and shiny, evergreen all year round, with dark brown bark, soft branches and strong whisker-like aerial roots. Some of the aerial roots droop into the ground, shaped like pillars; some of them are winding and drooping, and the roots are intertwined, which is quite spectacular. Some roots of seedlings can also form larger roots with different shapes, which can be fully utilized when making bonsai. Planting of banyan trees is usually carried out from April to May. Because the banyan tree has strong adaptability, it can be planted in shallow purple sand pots, which can better reveal the beauty of the tree roots in various shapes. The basin should be rectangular or oblong. Before planting, cut off damaged roots and short, useless overlong roots and side branches. After planting, water thoroughly and place in a shaded place to slow down the seedlings. After they are restored to life, they can be transferred to normal management. Banyan trees are often made into straight-stem, slant-stem, curved-stem, and cliff-style bonsais. The roots can be washed out to expose the ground and cling to rocks. Combined with pruning, they can become rock-attached bonsais. The roots are strangely shaped and can be made into a root-lifting bonsai to show the hanging roots and claws. The shape of the branches should pay attention to the changes of dwarfing and straightness.

Because the leaves are too large to be processed into a cloud shape, they are usually processed into a natural shape with a certain level. In addition, because the branches are soft and tough, they can be bent and braided at will. Some people have seen bending the branches into shapes such as "Fu" and "Shou" and various patterns, which are also very unique and impressive. The banyan tree is native to the tropics. Banyan bonsai should be placed in a warm and humid environment with sufficient sunlight, good ventilation. Watering should be frequent during the growing season, but water should not accumulate in the pot. In hot summer, appropriate shade should be provided, and water should be sprayed on the ground and leaf spray to cool down and increase air humidity. Apply thin liquid fertilizer of decomposed oil meal cake once a month. Be careful not to use too much fertilizer or water, otherwise the branches and leaves will grow excessively and the graceful tree appearance will be destroyed. The banyan tree is resistant to pruning, has strong germination power, and grows quickly. In addition to pruning and pruning in early spring, during daily maintenance, new branches and long branches must be shortened or cut off according to the shape requirements to maintain the beautiful shape of the tree. Banyan trees often have Female thrips cause damage and cause the branches and leaves to curl and turn brown. They must be removed and burned in time and sprayed for control. In late autumn and early winter, banyan bonsai should be moved indoors to overwinter, and the room temperature should be kept at about 10°C. The banyan tree can be repotted once every 2 to 3 years or 3 to 4 years depending on its age and growth conditions.

Banyan bonsai maintenance

The banyan bonsai is a symbolic landscape with vitality, so maintaining the continuation of its life growth has become the inevitable purpose of maintenance and management. Watering, fertilizing, pruning, pest control, etc. must be carried out during daily maintenance.

The banyan bonsai should generally be placed in a ventilated and light-transmitting place with a certain space humidity. Insufficient sunlight, poor ventilation, and a lack of certain space humidity can cause the plants to turn yellow and dry, leading to diseases and insect pests. occurs until death. Banyan trees are mainly distributed in various regions south of southern my country. The main commercial production area is Zhangzhou, Fujian. They like acidic soil and are non-cold-resistant plants. In the northern areas, they generally need to be maintained in greenhouses in winter.

Ficus bonsai maintenance - watering

Watering is one of the most important and frequent measures for banyan bonsai management. The banyan tree is planted in a pot, whether it is a deep pot or a shallow pot. The soil is always limited, and the water it contains is also limited. If it is not watered for a long time to replenish the water, the plant will wither due to lack of water, so it should be done in time. Observe and water according to the dryness and wetness of the soil to maintain soil moisture. Of course, don't overwater. If you overwater and the pot soil is too wet for a long time, it will easily cause root hypoxia and rot. At the same time, the amount of watering depends on seasonal changes and the weather. Generally speaking, in summer or drought, it is best to water once in the morning and evening. In spring and autumn, water once a day or every other day. When the tree stumps sprout in spring, you can also water once in the morning and evening depending on the situation. During the rainy season or rainy days, there is no need to water, and attention should be paid to drainage. Sandy soil can be watered more, clay soil should be watered less. Watering can be done by spraying water on the leaves or watering at the roots. Generally, the two are combined. Spray water on the leaves first, and then water the roots thoroughly. Be careful not to water "half-way", causing the surface of the basin to be wet and the inside of the basin to be dry, and the leaves will be wet. Do not spray too much water on the surface, as it may cause the branches and leaves to grow excessively.