Juniper, an evergreen shrub or small tree, has won the favor of many bonsai lovers for its tall tree posture and pagoda-like crown. It not only has a high ornamental value, but also can show strong vitality under various environmental conditions. As a plant expert, this article will introduce the breeding method of juniper bonsai in detail, from seed breeding to cuttings breeding, to branch breeding and thin wood breeding, so that you can easily master this technique and cultivate your own green bonsai.
Seed Propagation: The Starting Point of Life
Seed propagation is the basic method of juniper bonsai propagation, which can not only maintain the genetic characteristics of juniper, but also allow bonsai lovers to start from scratch and experience the miracle of life growth.
1. Seed collection and treatment
Collecting seeds: Juniper fruit can be dropped naturally or picked manually when it is ripe. Select healthy, plump, disease-free fruits for collection.
Seed disinfection: Soak the collected seeds in a disinfectant solution for a period of time, and then rinse them with water to remove germs and impurities on the surface of the seeds.
Germination treatment: The sterilized seeds are soaked in warm water for 24 hours to promote germination. After the soaked seeds are dried, they can be sown.
2. Sowing and curing
Sowing medium: Choose loose, well-drained sandy soil as the sowing medium, you can also add an appropriate amount of leaf soil or perlite to increase air permeability.
Sowing method: Evenly spread the treated seeds on the surface of the substrate, gently compacted, and then covered with a thin layer of soil. Keep the soil moist to avoid overwetting and seed rot.
Light and temperature: Place the pot soil after sowing in an environment with sufficient light and keep the temperature at about 20 ° C to promote the germination of seeds.
Daily management: After about 2-3 weeks, the seeds begin to germinate. At this time, gradually reduce the number of watering to avoid excessive water causing seedlings to grow. At the same time, maintain the appropriate light and temperature conditions to promote the healthy growth of seedlings.
Cuttings Propagation: The Secret of Rapid Reproduction
Cuttings propagation is one of the most common and successful methods in juniper bonsai propagation. A large number of new juniper bonsai can be quickly propagated by collecting healthy and powerful branches for cutting.
1. Selection and treatment of cuttings
Select cuttings: In early spring or autumn, gather the side branches that grow strongly and are free of diseases and pests as cuttings. The length of the cuttings should be about 10-15 cm, keeping the top 2-3 leaves and removing the bottom leaves.
Cuttings treatment: The cut of cuttings is treated smoothly to remove excess bark and xylem to promote rooting. At the same time, the cuttings were soaked in root powder solution for a period of time to improve the success rate of rooting.
2. Cutting and maintenance
Cutting medium: The medium with good permeability such as leaf soil, river sand or perlite is selected as cutting medium.
Cutting method: Insert the treated cuttings into the substrate, the depth is about 1/3-1/2 of the length of the cuttings. Keep the substrate moist to avoid overwetting and leading to crop rot.
Light and temperature: Place the basin soil after cutting in a semi-yin and semi-yang environment, and keep the temperature between 20-25℃. Avoid direct sunlight resulting in dry cuttings.
Daily management: After about 2-4 weeks, the cuttings begin to take root. At this time, gradually reduce the frequency of watering to avoid excessive water causing root rot. At the same time, maintain the appropriate light and temperature conditions to promote the healthy growth of cuttings.
Branch Propagation: A Good Way to Continue the Growth State
Split-plant propagation is a simple and successful method in juniper bonsai propagation. By dividing the edge root system of adult juniper, it can be divided into several parts for individual cultivation.
1. Timing and selection of dividing plant
Dividing time: In the spring vigorous growth period, the growth rate of juniper is faster, and it is easy to resume growth after dividing.
Selection of subdivision: Select healthy adult juniper without pests and diseases for subdivision. Make sure that each branch has a certain number of roots and leaves.
2. Division and maintenance
Branch method: Dig out the edge roots of adult juniper and gently shake off the excess soil. It is then divided into several parts, each part to ensure that there is a certain number of roots and leaves.
Cultivation medium: Choose loose and well-drained soil as cultivation medium. An appropriate amount of leaf soil or perlite can be added to increase air permeability.
Daily management: After subdivision, water and keep the soil moist. At the same time, suitable light and temperature conditions were provided to promote the healthy growth of the branches. About 1-2 months later, the branch can adapt to the new growth environment and resume growth.
Thinwood Reproduction: Create the Miracle of New Life
Thinwood propagation is a special method of juniper bonsai propagation. A new juniper bonsai can be created by cutting and cultivating the shoots and new roots produced after the juniper trunk is bent and shaped.
1. Thinned wood treatment and maintenance
Thinning treatment: Juniper with robust growth and no pests and diseases is selected for thinning treatment. Bend and shape the trunk by artificial bending or natural growth. When shoots and new roots are formed at the curved site, they can be cut.
Cutting and cultivation: the resulting shoots and new roots are gently cut off, leaving a certain root system and leaves. It is then inserted into potting soil or cultivated separately. Keep the soil moist and provide suitable light and temperature conditions to promote the growth of shoots and new roots.
2. Daily management
Watering and fertilizing: Keep the soil moist and fertilize regularly during the growth of shoots and new roots. Compound fertilizer or organic fertilizer can be selected for application to promote its healthy growth.
Pruning and shaping: Regular pruning and shaping of juniper bonsai to maintain its beautiful tree shape and compact growth state. In the pruning process, pay attention to the removal of sick and weak branches and barren branches to promote the growth of new branches and the balance of the overall tree shape.
Precautions in the Breeding Process
In the breeding process of juniper bonsai, the following points need to be paid attention to to ensure the success rate of breeding and the healthy growth of bonsai:
1. Choosing the right time and environment
Different breeding methods need to choose the right time and environmental conditions. Seeds need to be propagated in a warm, moist environment; Cuttings propagation needs to select healthy cuttings and carry out in half shade and half sun environment. The branch propagation should be carried out in the vigorous growth period in spring. The propagation of thinwood requires the selection of juniper with robust growth and proper bending shaping treatment.
2. Maintain suitable light and temperature
Juniper bonsai needs to maintain suitable light and temperature conditions during the breeding process. Lack of light can lead to slow growth and yellow leaves; Too high or too low temperature will affect its normal growth. Therefore, the light and temperature conditions should be adjusted according to the specific situation during the breeding process.
3. Keep the soil moist but not wet
Juniper bonsai needs to keep the soil moist but not wet during breeding. Excessive wetting can lead to root rot and leaf loss.Excessive drying can lead to stunted growth and dry leaves. Therefore, when watering, it should be appropriate and even to avoid too much or too little water.
4. Pay attention to pest control
Juniper bonsai is vulnerable to mites, reptiles and other pests in the breeding process. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly check the growth of leaves and branches, and find that diseases and pests should be prevented and controlled in time. You can choose to spray organic pesticides such as agricultural sulfur powder for control, while maintaining a good ventilation and dry environment to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases.
Conclusion
Juniper bonsai has a variety of propagation methods, from seed propagation to cuttings propagation, branch propagation to thinned wood propagation, each method has its own unique advantages and applicable scenarios. By mastering these breeding methods and applying them flexibly, we can easily cultivate healthy and beautiful juniper bonsai.
With the improvement of people’s living standard and the change of aesthetic concept, bonsai art is more and more concerned and loved by people. Juniper bonsai as an important type of bonsai art, its unique morphological characteristics and ecological habits make it the first choice for many bonsai lovers. In the future, we can further explore and study the breeding technology and conservation methods of juniper bonsai, constantly improve its ornamental value and ecological value, so that more people can enjoy the beauty and fun brought by bonsai art.
At the same time, we should also pay attention to the protection of the natural environment and ecological balance, to avoid excessive picking and destruction of juniper resources. Through scientific and reasonable breeding and maintenance methods, let juniper bonsai play a greater role in beautifying the environment and purifying the air, adding more green and vitality to our lives.
Related topics：