With our own hands we grow bonsai at home from ficus, juniper

The art of bonsai is becoming more and more popular every year. After all, you can recreate a miniature copy of almost any shrub or tree. Experts say that unusual art has its own favorites. These include a deciduous tree that usually grows near bodies of water. It is the do-it-yourself willow bonsai, the photo of which is in the article, that holds the top positions, which is associated with rapid development and unpretentious care.

Do-it-yourself willow bonsai can be grown even in an apartment

Spruce

The modern art of growing bonsai has many trends and styles. But they all adhere to the general rule that concerns the formation of the crown:

a coniferous tree should have branches with small and lush needles;
the choice should be in favor of a tree with a cone-shaped crown, or the crown should be divided into tiers.

Consider the question of how to grow a common spruce bonsai or an elite blue spruce bonsai. This is not easy, not every beginner will be able to cope, especially if you start by planting seeds. They are placed in a light solution of potassium permanganate for a day, and then in water for another day. Soaked seed is placed in a container with prepared sand to a depth of 1–2 cm and left for two months in a cold place (for example, on a balcony or in a garage). With the beginning of spring, the container is transferred to home conditions, placed closer to the light source (windowsill) and watered. Three weeks later, small fir-trees-seedlings appear and when they reach 10 more centimeters, you can start forming bonsai from ordinary spruce. For 2-3 years, the Christmas tree grows when watering in the summer (once a week). Mineral fertilizers are applied in early spring. After this period, the seedling can finally be transplanted into a special pot - a bonsai.

The pinching of the top is needed in order to stop the growth. Pruning and trimming will help shape the plant. Pruning can be done as needed, and the shape of the crown will be told by imagination. Treat the cuts with garden pitch. The best place for a young plant is a balcony, veranda, loggia. There is a lot of natural light here, and the sun's rays are often peeking in.

Bonsai sizes

Bonsai sizes vary. The smallest species barely reach ten centimeters, and if the trees are impressive in size, then you can count on wonderful compositions about one and a half meters. Moreover, small and large species can be of different ages: small ones grow for more than one year, and large ones can grow in just a couple of years.

The size of the bonsai is determined at the very beginning of the formation of the tree. Most often, skeletal branches, their rudiments, are already on the plant and determine in what style the bonsai will be performed.

Usually the size of the bonsai is determined by the size of the leaves. Mini-compositions of any size are formed from trees with small leaves. Bonsai with long needles should be proportioned so that the finished tree looks harmonious. For example, some types of conifers grow up to a meter or more. Spruce is usually used to form bonsai up to 30 cm high.

Cedar

It is not so difficult to grow a cedar with your own hands, you just need to have a desire and certain knowledge. Now we will take a step-by-step look at how to grow cedar bonsai from seeds:

The main thing is to find a healthy bump (without visible damage and signs of mold) and get a few nuts out of it.
Pick up a small box, make holes in the bottom for ventilation, put dried grass inside, and nuts on top. The box should be left on the open balcony until spring. Thus, stratification will take place - an imitation of winter conditions in nature.
In the spring, we transfer the nuts to the house, add 1–2 cm into the sandy soil in a small container and leave them on the windowsill.
A month later, small seedlings will appear - water them and protect them from direct sunlight. They can be planted only after 3 years in a special container - a bonsai.

The formation of cedar bonsai occurs according to the following scheme:

For 1-2 months the plant rests and gets used to a new place;
with the help of soft wire, wrap the trunk and create the necessary frame, giving the branches the necessary directions, while do not forget to fertilize the cedar once a month. This is how 2 months pass;
at the next transplant, without disturbing the clod of earth in the root system of the tree, you need to slightly cut the roots, renew the land in the bonsai and return the cedar to its place, mulching the soil near the roots with peat;
after 3-4 years, it is required to pinch the upper kidney, preventing growth. This procedure will stimulate the growth of side shoots;
after several years, a crown is formed - this is where the scope of your imagination is needed.

Japanese cedar bonsai can take on a whimsical cascade style or go for a strict classic version.

Crown shapes

Do-it-yourself autowatering for indoor plants

Shapes (styles) of crowns for bonsai:

fan-shaped;
formal vertical;
informal vertical;
inclined;
cascading;
semi-cascading;
Bohemian;
a tree bent by the wind;
double barrel;
multi-barreled;
grove or group planting;
roots on the rock;
wood on stone;
fallen tree;
dead wood.

Thuja

The shrub belongs to the genus of conifers. But instead of needles typical for conifers, it has scales. The thuja has seeds in the form of cones, with which the plant propagates. For planting, seeds, cuttings and seedlings are used. Planting conditions and care do not differ from those described earlier for growing conifers. Thuja is suitable for home use and is an excellent material for growing thuja bonsai.

DIY bonsai

Experts and landscape designers recommend growing bonsai with their own hands from both coniferous and deciduous trees, the most common representatives of which are pine and maple, lilac, rose, wisteria are slightly less common. Growing bonsai from such crops is a simple matter, with minimal care.

Bonsai from the money tree is perfect for growing in the Middle lane

Seed selection

Many growers are interested in how to grow and form bonsai from seeds at home in order to get a beautiful tree. The cultivation process takes several years, first, proper care is provided for the seeds, seedlings and only then for the tree, and it is not always possible to grow it from seeds the first time.

When growing bonsai on the balcony, you should choose tropical plants: coffee tree, laurel, dracaena. Without experience, getting bonsai from ficus will still work out in view of the unpretentiousness of the plant. If you have even the slightest idea of the essence of the procedure, you can plant a pine tree that grows slowly, but in the end you get a beautiful tree.

Pot selection

Any container can serve as a pot for a bonsai plant - wooden, stones with a depression, clay, but it is better to give preference to ceramic pots. The basic rule when choosing the shape of a container for bonsai is that it should not be more beautiful than a plant. For tree crops, earthenware with various shades is suitable, for flowering crops - ceramics or earthenware of the appropriate color.

Note! Watering depends on the material of the pot, for example, in earthenware, the plant needs to be watered more often than in ceramic.

Bonsai planters made of any material should be spacious. The diameter of the round container should be 3 times the diameter of the trunk, and the depth should be about half the height of the tree. In irregular pots, the width is about 2/3 of the crown of the tree. Moreover, strict adherence to the size of the pot is required only for adult plants.

Priming

For coniferous trees, the soil is prepared with a drier content of sand, flowering and indoor varieties - an organic substrate. In any case, the soil for bonsai varieties should be easily moisture permeable and have a drainage system.

Sand from the shores of reservoirs, fine and crumbly, is well suited. Building sand with a high lime content is not suitable for planting bonsai.

Important! To neutralize the soil from the fungus, you need to warm it up in the microwave for about 5 minutes.

Do I need to fertilize bonsai

In view of growing trees in relatively small pots, they need additional feeding, especially during the growing season. The optimal fertilizer for bonsai should contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, which are contained in almost all fertilizers, but for different plants it is worth considering their proportions.

Fertilization begins in early spring and continues until mid-autumn. Indoor species can be fertilized all year round.

Step-by-step algorithm for applying dry dressing:

Spread over the surface of the soil around the plant.
Sprinkle with plenty of water on top.

Important! Fertilizing bonsai is necessary, but given the limited amount of soil, strictly in recommended doses, so as not to harm the plant.

Where to begin

Growing begins with germinating seeds for bonsai, which should be treated against pests and diseases. The term depends on the plant, some will take more than five years. Germination time can be shortened by breaking the seed coat to facilitate germination.

Other conifers

Another representative of conifers is juniper. He is unpretentious, quickly adapts to the room climate and is in no way inferior in beauty to his fellows. The only difference is that the juniper tolerates wintering better at room temperature and does not require expulsion to the balcony.

Roxburgh Pine is unlikely to be suitable for indoor use, as in nature it reaches a height of more than 2 m and has long needles. At the same time, Scots pine is a suitable base for bonsai. Gardeners create unique and bizarre shapes from it.

Pruning mini bonsai

There are special tools for pruning bonsai, such as Japanese saws, pruning shears. In the case when the branches are very delicate and thin, pruning can be done with ordinary scissors. Tools must first be treated with an antiseptic.

Pruning is carried out to give the necessary shape and size to the trees, as well as for stylistic design, that is, when it is necessary, for example, to give the shape of a cascade, pyramid or some other figure.

To maintain the size and shape, pruning is carried out in the spring, as well as transplanting into another pot or fresh soil.
Stylistic design is best done in winter, when the plant is dormant, and the formation of new branches and buds does not begin.
Supportive pruning removes dry dead branches, as well as crossed and broken branches.
It is necessary to remove excess buds on the branches, shorten them, leaving 3-4 branch points. This method will avoid thickening of the crown.
Simultaneously with this procedure, root pruning is carried out during transplantation. Young trees need to be replanted every year, while selecting containers larger than the previous ones. It is enough to replant more mature plants every 2-3 years, and sometimes less often.

After pruning, it is imperative to process all the cuts with pitch or special putty to avoid infection, and also to make the cuts grow faster. It is also necessary to water the mini-bonsai after pruning, at first very abundantly, but then reduce watering to the daily rate.

Thus, the essence of pruning is to give the necessary shape, thinning the crown, removing dried or diseased branches, that is, improving the indoor mini-tree, as well as creating a certain style of bonsai.

Read also: To prevent the eggplant from being bitter what needs to be done

How to care for coniferous bonsai, see below.

Features of growing and caring for conifers

Here are some tips for self-planting and caring for conifers.

To grow bonsai from conifers, you first need to ask yourself the following questions:

what kind of soil the tree prefers;
does the room have enough light for growing this species;
what kind of watering does this type of tree or shrub need.

Only after answering them, get down to business.

The condition of the needles "speaks" about the health of your ward. If you notice spots, shedding of needles or their color has changed, this indicates a disease or the appearance of harmful insects.

It should be noted that conifers have two growth stages during the year: the first is manifested in the growth of branches (in late spring), the second is characterized by their thickening at the end of summer.

grow-

It's a very beautiful tree in the garden, shaped like a bonsai. But for everyone who wants to grow bonsai, I wish you patience. Because the formation process is very long.

It's another matter if you find a young tree that has already been formed. This is both a great gift for the gardener who loves to grow something fancy, and decorating his own garden. The most beautiful bonsai is obtained from conifers, for example, in a nursery EcoPlant there are already formed bonsai from coniferous trees. Affiliate banners in the upper left corner of the page.

Note that in fact, the word bonsai roughly translates as a plant growing on a tray (in a bowl, in a bowl). But the bonsai that grows in the garden on the street is called nivaki. But many of us are used to the word bonsai, so this is the name I use in this article. And you can see more details about nivaki in the video under the article.

Bonsai art came to us from the land of the rising sun - Japan. Gardeners carefully look after these ornamental trees, sometimes for whole days they pinch young shoots, cut the coniferous "cap", direct the trunk in the right direction. As a result, the shape of a tree, which is unusual for our eyes, grows.

For the Japanese, bonsai is not just a crooked tree, but a beautiful tree, reminding that you need to adapt to any difficult situations, be flexible like the trunk of a bonsai tree.

Bonsai and stones are the style of Japan; they are objects for meditation, contemplation, and calming the restless mind.

How to grow a bonsai with the right shape. There are actually three main forms of bonsai.

Widespread form. To achieve a sprawling, outstretched shape, the gardener leaves one side branch and pinches the others. But other branches do not need to be completely removed, but just slow down their growth until the lateral, left branch gains strength and growth.

Curved barrel. To obtain a curved, beautiful trunk, the gardener periodically removes the top of the main shoot. Buds begin to form on the lateral shoot. Whorls with symmetrical branches are no longer formed. And of all the shoots, only those that grow in the direction you need are left. And these shoots begin to shorten. This is how an openwork crown and beautiful, curved shoots are obtained.

Umbrella shape. Often, even an ordinary pine tree is given such a crown shape. To do this, you need to grow the main shoot, which is protected from various damage, with the help of props, they are not allowed to bend, they are wrapped.Side shoots must be shortened or completely cut off. The trunk begins to grow in thickness, and the top with leaves - an umbrella-shaped coniferous “cap” - actively grows. When the plant gains the desired height, about 2 meters, then its growth is stopped up - the central point of growth is broken out. Now it remains to form a symmetrical crown. After a while, the branches begin to bend down under their own weight - an umbrella shape is obtained. In the future, you need to periodically trim the needles at the top, achieving lush growth.

The art of bonsai (or nivaki in the garden) comes in many styles. Here are the main ones. To view the picture and names, click on it and it will enlarge:

Bonsai are created from a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees. Deciduous bonsai are more demanding to care for. It is much easier to form it from conifers - juniper, pine, yew, fir. For starters, you can try making bonsai from deciduous shrubs - boxwood or privet. Bonsai can be made from thuja, but for this they do not pinch the buds, but cut out whole shoots.

When and how can bonsai shaping be done? It is possible to form bonsai from conifers even when the shoots for pinching or pruning begin to lignify. All wounds and cuts in conifers heal quickly thanks to the antibacterial resin, which will heal the wound over time. Pinching buds or young shoots is favorable for the growth of new, lateral replacement buds. This is how a dense, lush, openwork crown is formed. Many gardeners believe that it is best to remove the kidneys in the second half of May.

It is better to twist soft buds and shoots with your fingers than to cut off with scissors or pruning shears. If it is faster and more convenient to work with a pruner, then try not to cut off the needles, but only the very part of the shoot. Because the cut needles will turn yellow over time, which will lead to an ugly appearance. Larger shoots should be removed in early spring before sap flow, by twisting them, or carefully cutting them with a garden saw.

Video about garden nivaki. We look carefully and with pleasure!

Willow bonsai: photos and features

Willows are often found on the territory of Ukraine, Russia, for example, in forests or swampy areas. Their appearance is truly impressive. Small or squat plants can often be seen, and sometimes even dwarf trees. It has been observed that willows have been growing for 100 years or more. Their main decoration is beautiful earrings that appear in spring or summer. But how is willow different from other trees? Mainly with its weeping crown.

There are approximately 400 species of this tree around the world. However, for the bonsai in the photo, only those that grow in their natural environment are used, as well as varieties that are in various nurseries.

Willow bonsai experts recommend periodically cleaning the trunk.

Coniferous bonsai: home care

Beautiful miniatures of real trees have now become very popular, the art of growing bonsai originated even before our era in ancient China. Nowadays, they have gained immense popularity due to their aesthetic properties. They can be leafy and coniferous. Coniferous bonsai are very popular because they retain their appearance throughout the year and are easier to care for.

Bonsai conifers look very beautiful, but at the same time they are quite difficult to care for. It is necessary to choose a pot of the right size (not very deep, but not too small), otherwise the root system will begin to develop strongly, which will not only make watering heavier, but can also lead to growth retardation and the death of coniferous bonsai. Caring for the plant also involves planting moss in a pot (which must be sprayed daily), it retains moisture and nourishes the bonsai.

You can buy coniferous bonsai inexpensively in an online store, such a tree will already be prepared and grown according to the style. But you can also start growing it yourself, but this requires a lot of effort, time and knowledge. There are a lot of ways to grow bonsai and each has its own philosophical meaning. For example, in the isuzuki style, trees are planted on stones, which demonstrates the ability to get out of any difficulties.

Care and transplant

It is not enough just to buy a coniferous bonsai, you need to transplant and care for it correctly. It is better to transplant in the spring once every two years, so you can remove the dead parts of the rhizome and form a crown.

You can buy coniferous bonsai inexpensively in our online store. We value traditions and offer you various directions of this art to choose from. The specialists of our store will provide you with detailed advice, will tell you all the features of crown shaping and caring for your tree.

mandarin-

There is a wonderful art in the world to grow tiny copies of real trees - bonsai. It arose in 231 BC. in China. The self-name comes from the Japanese expression "grown in a tray", and the word "bonsai" from the Chinese "pen-tsai". As a matter of fact, bonsai can be grown from almost any plant, but conifers for bonsai look especially elegant and incredible, if only because in nature almost all giants are representatives of the northern taiga.

Reliable written sources claim that these plants began to be grown by Buddhist monks several centuries BC, and only after that the hobby was passed on to the local nobility. From this we can conclude that bonsai coniferous care will have correct and proven for centuries if you follow certain rules and techniques. Any tree can be grown small with regular pruning and other necessary techniques. The main secret lies in the skill to maintain the ratio of the proportions of the crown-root similar to the natural one.

No matter how wonderful a coniferous bonsai is, growing it can be quite difficult. If the pot is too deep, the root system may not develop properly and watering will turn into hard work. To simulate grass, bonsai is often planted with moss, which requires daily spraying with water, which partially moisturizes the plant itself and washes away the dust. An unpleasant surprise can be the ability of plants to maintain a vibrant green color, even at the moment when the root system has already died.

There are over a dozen main styles of this art. Straight formal trees, slopes, cascades, tiny trees entwining the roots of the central stone, tops that are much lower than the level of the pot, compositions of several plants. All styles have names in Japanese and deep philosophical meanings, such as the Ishizuki style, where trees planted in almost bare stones are designed to demonstrate to the world endurance and contempt for obstacles. When it comes to size, in this subtle hobby, size matters. Moreover, despite the permissible Bonju - "huge" - more than a meter, in this case - the less the better. The smallest bonsai should be up to 2.5 cm! From 2.5 to 7.5 - this is a different species, although it also belongs to the "tiny" class.

Coniferous bonsai transplant should be done in the spring, every two years before sap flow. It is better to replant young plants more often this prevents overgrowth of roots and allows removing damaged parts. There are several methods for shaping the size of a tree. This is the use of aluminum or copper wire, pruning, and very gentle peeling of the bark to create the illusion of an old tree.

Coniferous bonsai, the pruning of which requires considerable skill, requires the cutting of large branches, some truncation of the trunk, cutting the crown to give the necessary shape. It is advisable to select the soil used individually for each type of coniferous, in consultation with a specialist, in any case, the soil for bonsai should be light. The pots are selected, first of all, comfortable, with drainage holes covered with special shards. And, of course, the color of the container should be in harmony with the plant "living" in it.

All the art of bonsai, its entire history, does not answer the question: who is the true creator of these living sculptures - a person or the tree itself? With the help of wire, pruning, sunlight and water, the owner of the bonsai makes it clear to the plant what he wants to get. And it, either by obeying, or by taking advantage of the conditions, grows into one of the most amazing things on earth.

Bonsai from the money tree, or fat woman

It is possible to make bonsai from a fat woman, which is large in size, even in small rooms. This plant is well suited for the bonsai technique, which can be used to obtain a compact plant with an original shape.

Description of the fat woman and species for bonsai

The fat woman, or money tree, reaches 1.5 m in height. It has thick stems about 20 cm in diameter. The plant is valued for its low care and decorativeness of gray-green leaves of various shapes.

Hydators are located over the entire surface of the sheet. In nature, there are 350 species of bastard, indoor trees are divided into treelike and creeping. In the technique of miniature trees, tree-like bastards are used.

Preparation of planting material

Trees in height do not exceed 200 cm and have a thick trunk, like an adult tree, with curvatures, therefore, before planting, the money tree must be properly trimmed, and then maintain the shape of the crown.

Planting a plant in a prepared substrate

For a money tree bonsai, the land must be well-drained, contain peat and fertilizer for rapid leaf growth. The soil can be bought ready-made, a substrate for cacti is perfect.

A container for bonsai must be chosen wide and shallow in view of the preliminary trimming of the roots in the shape of the pot. When planting, do not deepen the root collar. At the end of the transplant, the plant must be well watered.

Crown formation

In order for a tree from a bastard to become a real decoration, it is necessary to pinch correctly, protect it from sunburn and form a trunk in a timely manner. It is better to grow a fat woman for a miniature from a sprout, then it will be easier to create the desired style. But in any case, the plant is subject to certain rules for the formation of the crown, giving it the necessary harmony, combined with a natural look.

Formation of the crown of the fat woman

What you need to know about pine bonsai

For the Japanese, growing bonsai is a whole philosophy that combines the spiritual and physical side of the process. For an ordinary person to achieve success, it is necessary to treat this business with love and patience. You need to have some knowledge of how to make pine bonsai. It will take a lot of time and work to grow a bonsai on your own. As a result, an amazing plant will give joy and beauty for many years.
Traditional bonsai must meet the following characteristics:

Trunk. It should be powerful and strong, with a pronounced base and roots protruding to the surface.
Branches. There are few branches, their lines should be harmonious and clearly visible. The trunk and branches of the bonsai give the tree that unique whimsical look.
The form. Japanese bonsai pine must meet one of 15 classifications. To help a novice or experienced gardener, drawings, diagrams, photographs or your own fantasies and wishes.
Pine in miniature should look like a tree that grows in natural conditions.

The main task when creating bonsai is to achieve slow growth of the plant. This is achieved in several ways: by frequent pruning of tree roots and shoots, artificial growth control, the use of special types of soils, special methods of tree care and watering.

Aging wood

When grown from white bonsai spruce, or from another type of coniferous tree, artificial aging can be carried out. This is done by various methods, among which the simplest and most popular is the removal of the bark from the trunk and twigs using a sharp knife. Such work is difficult and requires special skill. To realize this, you need to train, have practical experience.

With artificial aging of a tree, it is impossible to completely remove the entire bark from those branches that are planned to be left alive. They should have a strip running from the bottom to the very top of the head. Nutrients will flow through the bark to the entire branch.

Those parts that need to be killed are subjected to complete removal of the bark. Bare wood is cut with a knife designed for wood carving. Removing the bark from the trunk and branches is not particularly difficult.

When shaping bonsai from Canadian spruce or from another type of tree, you can apply a variety of techniques. For example, there is the sabamika technique, which involves splitting the trunk. Outwardly, the miniature looks like a tree that has been struck by lightning and split the trunk into two parts. Nippers and wedges are used for splitting. This type of technique allows the bonsai to become more powerful and strong.

How to grow bonsai pine outdoors

In landscape design, bonsai pine takes pride of place. Its obvious advantages are its original form, unpretentiousness to growing conditions, resistance to low temperatures, and a high level of adaptation.

Observing certain conditions, you can grow this wonderful tree right in the ground:

Seedling selection. Any pine that grows and hibernates in the ground in an open area is suitable for bonsai. The miniature pine tree can give a special Japanese flavor to the garden. The mountain pine is the easiest to work on recreating the bonsai because of the shrub height and small size of the branches.
Landing technology. Living conditions for a garden bonsai should be as close as possible to the living conditions of a tree in a container. To do this, the seedling itself is shortened so that it acquires the required dwarf size, and the central part of the rhizome is truncated. In order to restrict the roots of the tree in growth, a concrete slab or a wide stone is laid at the bottom of the planting pit. For the growth of bonsai pine, scarce soil from the store or infertile light natural soil is used. In subsequent years, cut off in quarters and lateral roots around the trunk with a shovel.
Formation of the crown. Pruning and pinching are critical steps in the cultivation of a bonsai tree. They allow the gardener to achieve the desired shape and shape. Pruning is done once a year at the end of winter. This removes all large branches that do not fit into the desired appearance of the bonsai. The pinching can be done several times over the summer. Its goal is to achieve the appearance of new young and thin shoots.

A real bonsai is a visually old tree. The aging effect is achieved by artificially bending and landing branches using weights and wire. For the impression of a long-growing pine, the bark is specially cut in several places with the edge of a knife.

Wire selection

For the manufacture of bonsai, a copper-coated aluminum wire with a thickness of 0.7 to 7 mm will be used. To determine the required thickness, use the formula: the wire should be 1/3 of the thickness of the fixed branch. Thus, with a branch thickness of one centimeter, it is necessary to use a wire with a thickness of 3 mm.

The material used in floristry is not suitable for the formation of bonsai, since it does not have the necessary flexibility, it rusts.

When the bonsai is first formed, the wire is applied to the entire plant, giving it the desired shape. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the branches do not intersect with each other. During the formation of the trunk, the entire tree is wrapped with wire up to its very top, including the thick and thin parts.

Scots pine bonsai formation

Scots pine can be an excellent base for self-cultivation of bonsai. Conifers differ from deciduous trees in two stages of growth per year, which should be taken into account when creating pine as a bonsai. The first growth wave occurs in late spring and is expressed in the elongation of the branches. The second wave occurs at the end of August and is characterized by thickening of the branches.

For several years, you can grow a bonsai from Scots pine with your own hands in a pot:

First year. Any pine seedlings are suitable for bonsai - with short or long needles, brought from the forest, grown independently or bought in a nursery. The best time of the year for transplanting is autumn, when the tree's root system is intensively developing. For the next growing season, pine seedlings are transplanted into pots 12-15 cm high. In the first year, pruning is not performed, the soil surface is mulched with sawdust, the place should be well lit and without drafts.
Second year. At the end of March, pine seedlings are cut with sharp scissors at an angle of 45 ° to 7-12 cm to activate the growth of lateral shoots and thicken the trunk. At the same time, a wire frame is applied, which will make it possible to give the trunk and branches the required shape. The pots are placed in a sunny place at a height of 30-40 cm from the floor. By the end of the second year, you should have small and dense pines.
Third year. In the month of April, harvesting bonsai pines are transplanted into larger pots. For this, a special soil is prepared in a 2: 2: 1 ratio of sand, perlite and humus, you can take the soil for bonsai from the store. Pruning this year is kept to a minimum. Adequate watering and dosed feeding are the prerequisites for good survival and further strengthening of plants. Before wintering, the top is completely cut off at the level of the branch closest to the trunk.
Fourth year. Pots of pine trees should be close to the light, and mulching will help the soil quickly pass moisture to the roots. New branches will go from the cut crown, which this year must be given complete freedom of growth. Tracking the lines of the branches will naturally suggest the desired crown shape. At the end of the summer season, all bonsai trees will look different, they will have an individual silhouette and size.
Further years of work will consist in correcting the lines and shapes of the trees. At this moment, you can feel like a real artist, whose imagination has no limit. It should be noted that it will take many years to achieve the ideal bonsai pine from ready-made drawings, personal sketches, photographs or straight from the head of the gardener.

Scots pine bonsai should have a strong and developed superficial root structure (nebari). The growth of roots is achieved by several seasons of growth, as a result, the tree must firmly and confidently hold on to the ground.

If you plant young trees from pots in open ground, then you can get a garden bonsai from Scotch pine. This is done in the fifth to sixth year of the plant's life. The advantages of growing in the garden are the rapid growth of the power of the trunk and the sufficient height of the tree. Before transplanting, the crown and trunk of the bonsai must be fully formed, that is, its proportions by this time are already fully consistent with the desired.

The formation of bonsai from pine is a balance between the creation of nature and man.In order not to disturb the harmony, you can plant several bonsai from different types of trees in the garden, surrounding them with objects and plants that are close in style and mood. Transforming an ordinary tree into a beautiful dwarf counterpart is fun and exciting. Bonsai pine will become a real decoration of the garden with its own individual outlines and lines.

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When the plant needs to be replanted

Do-it-yourself drainage for indoor plants

If the bonsai grows in the open field, it may not be transplanted, but in a limited amount, transplanting is necessary so that the roots do not intertwine. Such a procedure is considered planned, that is, it occurs regularly at the scheduled time and depends on the age, size of the tree and pot, as well as the type of plant and nutrient soil.

For your information! Young plants, not older than 4 years, are transplanted every spring when the growing season begins, an adult - once every 10 years. The signal to transplant is the roots sticking out of the drainage hole and the leaves beginning to fall off.

There is another type of transplant - emergency, it is carried out when the plant is sick or the roots have rotted.

Spruce

The modern art of growing bonsai has many trends and styles. But they all adhere to the general rule that concerns the formation of the crown:

a coniferous tree should have branches with small and lush needles;
the choice should be in favor of a tree with a cone-shaped crown, or the crown should be divided into tiers.

Consider the question of how to grow a common spruce bonsai or an elite blue spruce bonsai. This is not easy to do, not every beginner will be able to cope, especially if you start by planting seeds. They are placed in a light solution of potassium permanganate for a day, and then in water for another day. The soaked seed is placed in a container with prepared sand to a depth of 1–2 cm and left in a cold place for two months (for example, on a balcony or in a garage).

With the beginning of spring, the container is transferred to home conditions, placed closer to the light source (windowsill) and watered. Three weeks later, small fir-trees-seedlings appear and when they reach 10 more centimeters, you can start forming bonsai from ordinary spruce. For 2-3 years, the Christmas tree grows when watering in the summer (once a week). In early spring, mineral fertilizers are applied. After this period, the seedling can finally be transplanted into a special pot - a bonsai.

Trunk formation

How to grow bonsai spruce, what is needed for this? Wire is used to form the trunk and branches. It allows you to change the direction of growth, their shape. To do, as in the photo of a bonsai spruce, apply tension and wire overlay.

The overlay method is considered the most time consuming bonsai technique, especially when forming conifers. Here it is necessary to fix each branch, without exception - to the very top of the shoot. It is easier with deciduous species, since the formation occurs by pruning branches, and wire is used extremely rarely.

The wire is applied in spring or winter, during this period the trees are pruned. With the onset of sap flow, young twigs quickly become thick, so the wire is weakly applied. During the growth of the tree, its tension is regularly checked, preventing it from growing into the bark. Typically, after three months, the desired shape is maintained and the wire is removed. It is neatly bitten off with nippers, without untwisting it, as this can lead to breaking off the branches.

Securing the branches requires some skill, as branches often break during this process.To prevent this from happening, you should practice on other trees, branches, for example, in the garden.

Cedar

Growing a cedar with your own hands is not so difficult, you just need to have a desire and some knowledge. Now we will take a step-by-step look at how to grow cedar bonsai from seeds:

The main thing is to find a healthy bump (without visible damage and signs of mold) and get a few nuts out of it.
Pick up a small box, making holes in the bottom for ventilation, put dried grass inside, and nuts on top. The box should be left on the open balcony until spring. Thus, stratification will take place - an imitation of winter conditions in nature.
In the spring, we transfer the nuts to the house, add 1–2 cm into the sandy soil in a small container and leave them on the windowsill.
A month later, small seedlings will appear - water them and protect them from direct sunlight. They can be planted only after 3 years in a special container - a bonsai.

The formation of cedar bonsai occurs according to the following scheme:

For 1-2 months the plant rests and gets used to a new place;
with the help of soft wire, wrap the trunk and create the necessary frame, giving the branches the necessary directions, while do not forget to fertilize the cedar once a month. This is how 2 months pass;
at the next transplant, without disturbing the clod of earth in the root system of the tree, you need to slightly prune the roots, renew the land in the bonsai and return the cedar to its place, mulching the soil near the roots with peat;
after 3-4 years, it is required to pinch the upper kidney, preventing growth. This procedure will stimulate the growth of side shoots;
after several years, a crown is formed - this is where the scope of your imagination is needed.

Japanese cedar bonsai can take on a whimsical cascade style or go for a strict classic version.

Change in the direction of growth

In bonsai, leading in several trunks, with the help of brackets, you can correct and correct the direction of growth, the shape of individual trunks. To perform this work, it is necessary to make a lot of effort, regularly check whether the wire has grown into the bark, and rearrange the staples in a timely manner.

In order not to damage the bark with the staples, pieces of leather are placed under them. Changing the direction of growth with staples is appropriate in those places where wire cannot be applied.

Thuja

Ammania - bonsai in the aquarium

Ammania, or rotala indica, is a plant with green leaves with pink tops. The aquarium serves as a pot for bonsai - a mix of breeding indoor fish and house plants. For cultivation, both a regular and a nano aquarium are suitable. Ammania bonsai often looks like a thick carpet and is a favorite among plants for aquarium design.

Conditions of detention and care for ammania

Ammania is a fragile plant that is not recommended for planting in an aquarium with large fish, otherwise they can damage the bonsai. How to accelerate growth? The solution is to supply more carbon dioxide.

Bottom substrate

Sand of fine and light fraction no more than 3 mm with a nutritious substrate, which is ideally fertilized with iron, is suitable as soil for ammonia. You can take ready-made nutrient soil for bonsai. Ammania will bloom singly in four tiny cups.

Water temperature, hardness and lighting

The annual plant is adapted to the usual parameters of fresh water, where the pH is 6.0-7.5, and the hardness is from 3 to 8. The ideal water temperature is not more than 28 ° С, but not lower than 22 ° С.For normal growth, it is necessary to organize lighting with a full spectrum, and with weak light, the stem and leaves will elongate. The bonsai branch needs to be provided with strong light from 1 V per liter of water.

Ammania cuttings

Bonsai seeds from Ammania are not grown due to the special growing conditions, so it requires special care and reproduction. Further growth depends on competent cuttings, therefore it is necessary to pinch off the fleshy main trunk of the plant with narrow leaves located on it. By carefully cutting off the stalk and placing it in the substrate, roots will appear on it, after which it can be planted in the prepared soil. Planting takes place with compaction into the substrate, but without crushing the roots.

Ammania cuttings

Growing living decor is fun but challenging. Sometimes it takes several years. That is why, in the first couples, it is important to decide on the type of plant and the features of its care, so as not to overnight ruin many years of work with wrong actions.

Other conifers

Coniferous bonsai

Almost all types of conifers can be grown as bonsai. The cedar, juniper and pine families have many subspecies and varieties to choose from. Thuja and spruce bonsai are among the most beautiful and difficult to grow.

Some types of bonsai are more complex than others. This is primarily due to the fact that these are winter species and they bloom all year round. Coniferous bonsai are the most difficult because the growth patterns of their needles are very different from the growth patterns of other conifers. This is primarily due to the fact that these are winter species and they bloom all year round. They look great, but their structure should be carefully studied before training or pruning.

Spruce bonsai

There are several types of spruce bonsai:

They are difficult to grow as a bonsai at home and require extra effort. Its small needles are appreciated by experienced enthusiasts.

Thuja bonsai

When molded with your own hands, the driftwood style is popular for this "cedar" because the wood is relatively soft, nicely grained, and easy to carve.

The best bonsai trees are those that are grown in a natural, flowing manner. Examine the shape of a mature example of a species, noting its structure, the number of branches, and the strength of its foliage. Most conifers are pyramidal, conical in shape.

Of the endless number of bonsai styles, thuja and barely better fit:

Formal and informal vertical styles.
Grow on a dramatic slope or cascade along the sides of the pot like a waterfall.

Regardless of which style is chosen, remember that it will take several months to recover from trimming. This initial planning and learning period is extremely important.

Features of growing and caring for conifers

Here are some tips for self-planting and caring for conifers.

To grow bonsai from conifers, you first need to ask yourself the following questions:

what kind of soil the tree prefers;
does the room have enough light for growing this species;
what kind of watering does this type of tree or shrub need.

Only after answering them, get down to business.

The condition of the needles "speaks" about the health of your ward.If you notice spots, shedding of needles or their color has changed, this indicates a disease or the appearance of harmful insects.

It should be noted that conifers have two growth stages during the year: the first is manifested in the growth of branches (in late spring), the second is characterized by their thickening at the end of summer.

podokonnik.

Down growth

Sometimes, according to the author's idea, the bonsai should direct the branches downward. To realize this, a wire guy is made. This is not a laborious process like wire laying, but it does have its drawbacks. This method allows you to change the direction of growth of branches in only one direction.

The guy method is used mainly where it is necessary to direct the branches down.

To learn how to shape a bonsai using wire, certain skills are required. For exercise, it is recommended to more often put wire on trees, giving them different shapes. Regular training will improve your skills and form the most unusual types of bonsai.

Pine bonsai care rules.

Location.

Whether you are growing your bonsai in your home or garden, you need to place the tree in a sunny spot. When growing any type of pine in full shade, you will encounter the problem of needles being too long, which is unacceptable for bonsai pine.

Pines need plenty of sunshine during spring, summer and fall. With a lack of sun, bonsai pine often witnesses the death of branches. The tree is quite resistant to winter frost, but it is afraid of cold winds. You can read about how to care for outdoor bonsai in winter.

Watering.

It is not necessary to water the pine bonsai abundantly, it is better to do it in small doses, but regularly. Provide good drainage! The soil must be moist throughout the season.

Top dressing.

You need to feed a little every month.

Transfer.

It is necessary to replant the bonsai pine in the spring, until the buds begin to swell. This should be done every two to three years. A young tree needs replanting, as a rule, for 4 - 5 years. Mountain pine can be replanted in summer. When transplanting pine bonsai, you do not need to rinse the roots and try to wash out the old soil, on the contrary, it is recommended to leave some of the old soil, since it contains fungi that are useful for the growth and health of the pine.

Reproduction.

Propagation can be made in two ways: from seeds in April or by cuttings during the summer.

Bonsai pine stratification for better germination

For faster germination of seeds, a number of techniques are used.

Softening fruit shells (scarification). The seeds of Japanese black pine begin to harden immediately after the fruit coat ripens, so they need to be softened for successful germination. Place the seeds in a jar or other container, cover with water and let stand for 24 hours.
Stratification. Embryos of many plants are either dormant or do not mature when seeds fall from trees. For such seeds it is necessary to arrange an "artificial winter". After wetting the seeds, place them in a plastic bag with damp moss or sphagnum in the refrigerator for 60 days.

Seed stratification means keeping them cold for two months

After scarification and stratification, seeds can be embedded 3 mm into loose soil. Tamp the soil lightly around the seeds. Place the pots in a cold greenhouse. Cover the pots with a layer of mulch and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Germination usually takes one to two months, but may take longer.

Suitable types of pine

Growing bonsai by itself is impossible if you choose the wrong plant. In this case, the pine should have a strong and stable trunk, a well-developed base and roots that slightly creep out to the surface. A large number of branches is not an advantage, as they can easily disturb the harmony of the object.

Japanese white pine grows covered with white needles with a cone shape and a spreading crown. As a result, the resulting bonsai looks very unusual. In addition to the spreading crown and thick trunk, the tree is characterized by the presence of a cone-shaped or columnar shape. The length of one needle ranges from 2 to 6 centimeters. White together with blue is present only on the inside of the needle, and the outside is colored in a deep green hue.

The common pine is the most widespread and affordable tree in Russia, used to form bonsai. Paired needles are colored in a combination of yellow and green, and the bark is formed by scales of a red-brown hue. The length of the sharp formations ranges from 5 to 7 centimeters.

Description of Japanese pine

The tree is characterized by rapid growth. The height of the Japanese pine Negishi is 35-75 m, the diameter of the trunk reaches 4 m. In wetlands, the growth of the tree does not exceed 100 cm. There are single-stemmed and multi-stemmed pine species. The bark of the tree is smooth, becoming scaly over time.

Japanese pine is a light-loving representative of conifers. The first flowers appear in the last month of spring, but they are hardly noticeable.

At the end of the process, cones of various shapes and colors, depending on the variety, are formed. They are divided into male and female. The color range of shoots is varied, there are trees with yellow, purple or brick-red, brown cones.

Male modified shoots are distinguished by a cylindrical-ellipsoidal shape, up to 15 cm long. Female cones are more rounded, slightly flattened, 4-8 cm long.

There are two types of Japanese pine seeds: winged and wingless.

Instead of the usual foliage, the tree forms long coniferous shoots in the form of needles. They are soft, thin, slightly curved at the ends, capable of being vital for up to 3 years. Young needles have a greenish tint, which eventually turns into gray-blue.

Important! According to the description, pine is characterized by high frost resistance: up to -34 ° C, undemanding to living conditions, successfully grows in polluted cities.

How to care for a purchased and self-grown plant

The only difference between caring for a purchased plant and a home plant is the need to transplant a purchased one after purchase. In general, it is recommended that dwarf thuja be systematically transplanted with the onset of heat, before the start of growth activation.

It is recommended to carry out a transplant:

Transplant into a container that will be two centimeters deeper than the previous one, there must be drainage;
Fill a quarter of the container with clay, the rest with a special substrate;
Before transplanting, carefully prune the branching of the root, at the same time clearing the root of old soil, and then place it in a new substrate;
After transplanting, pour plenty of water.

When caring for thuja, it is important not to forget about the need for sufficient lighting and systematic watering. This is a winter-hardy plant, so the cold is not terrible for it, but the needles will begin to turn yellow from the heat. It is better to remove this immediately.

A bit of the history of the emergence of the art of bonsai

The first mention of the style occurs in Japan in the VIII-X centuries. Itself as if "bonsai" comes from "pencai", that is, "grown on a tray."

Initially, trees were grown to decorate niches of houses and they did not exceed half a meter in height. Some believe that the art was invented by Buddhists, who believed that the gardener who grows trees in this technique is on the same level with the deity.

Nowadays, a variety of trees are used for bonsai, the growth of which is artificially inhibited by cutting the root system and limiting the volume of the root area. Thus, an adult tree in the ratio of the underground and aboveground parts corresponded to a tree in natural conditions.

We offer you to watch a video about the art of bonsai and its types:

Types of pines for bonsai

Almost every existing pine species suitable for bonsai (and there are more than 100), you can grow a bonsai tree. However, experts in this art distinguish four most suitable types:

Japanese black (Pinus Thunbergii) - a natural feature of this species is its slow growth, which makes it somewhat difficult to create a bonsai. The tree is undemanding to the soil, feels good in our climatic conditions;
Japanese white (Silvestris) - has a dense, spreading crown with white needles, allowing you to create various styles of bonsai.
mountain pine (Mugo) - is characterized by active growth, which makes it possible to form bonsai from a tree with a bizarre trunk shape;
Scots pine (Parviflora) is the most unpretentious type of conifers, ideal for the formation of bonsai, since it is very malleable and retains any shape well.

In our latitudes, Scots pine is perfect for growing bonsai, because it is adapted to local conditions and does not require special care.

Formation of spruce and thuja

Pruning is the most difficult step in bonsai cultivation. It's easy to make the mistake of doing too much, not too little. The conservative approach is often the most successful.

Adhere to the following rules when shaping spruce and thuja:

Aggressive pruning should be done in late fall and early winter when the tree is dormant.
Leave a few cm when cutting the branches near the trunk so that new growth can be activated by the inner areas of the tree.
A month later, copy the candles with sharp pruning shears to control vertical growth.
Removing too many branches or too many leaves can damage the vitality of the tree.
The tendency to pinch the buds at the ends of the branches can lead to an undesirable “poodle” appearance.

Wire shaping is a technique that directs the energy of a tree horizontally or downward, creating a dramatic effect. Attach one end of the wire in the pot and wrap the other end around a branch or trunk with enough tension to move the branch slightly. Increase the tension over time to achieve the desired growth angle.

Bonsai pine - styles

Bonsai pine has several styles, the names of which sound like poetry in Japanese. Literary - "The dance of a geisha in the spring breeze", broomstick - "Perfect harmony in the soft air." It is believed that such a tree can be grown only with parallel knowledge of oneself. But if we turn strictly to the intricacies of gardening, it is important to consider some of the rules that determine the style.

Pine bonsai on the site is a great decoration, the difference in styles is repelled by the slope of the trunk, the direction of the branches, their combination:

Tekkan
- smooth trunk, thickens downward. The branches are uniform. Imitation of a lonely tree.

Tekkan

Moyogi
- a curved trunk, the bends decrease towards the apex. Copy under an old tree in the mountains.

Moyogi

Sokan
- 2 trees from 1 root. Couple symbol.

Sokan

Shakan
- an inclined trunk, as if blown by the wind. A symbol of will and lust for life.

Shakan

Kengai
- cascading, with a bent trunk, while the branches stretch towards the light. Simulates a tree at the edge of a cliff.

Kengai

Khan Kengai
- curved. The top is at the level of the pot, like a tree at the edge of a waterfall.

Bundzings
- literary. Slightly inclined trunk, few branches.

Sekijouju
- a root on a stone, it braids.

Isitsuki
- growing on stone. Endurance symbol.

Hokidachi
- broom-shaped. The trunk is single, the crown is like a ball.

Yose Ue
- group. It depicts several trees at once, it is important to choose an odd number, and not 4. Since in Japanese culture it is a symbol of death.

Yose Ue

Ikadabuki
- carnivorous. Imitates a lonely tree that has fallen into a swamp.

Japanese black pine

The most commonly used Japanese black pine is due to the fact that it, with the right content, has a beautiful bark, tolerates poor conditions well, does not require nutrient-rich soils.

In Japan, many self-respecting bonsai lovers believe that a person cannot become a master without growing a bonsai from black pine. The Japanese grow black pine bonsai as an homage to the origins of this ancient art. Despite the popularity of black pine, it should be noted that by choosing this particular species, you may encounter two problems:

The tree has grown too long needles (wrong location, watering and feeding),
Slow growth (biological feature of the plant).

Black pine is well suited for growing in gardens.

Black pine bonsai

Black pines tolerate poor conditions well and can survive in nature on barren rocky soils. Black pine needles are dark gray-green 7-15 cm long. The bark is purple-gray, cracks with age and resembles rock.

Growing

Most often, a spruce for growing in a garden plot is purchased in a nursery. When buying, you need to pay attention to the condition of the needles. It should be uniformly colored, shiny, not crumble. A sign of a healthy plant is bending, but not breaking branches. You should also make sure that the container is large enough. Cramped containers damage the root system.

ON THE PICTURE: Seedlings were eaten for planting.

Early spring is considered the best time for planting. If you plan to keep several spruces, the pits (60x80 cm) are located 2-3 m apart. A drainage layer is built from broken brick and sand, a mound of earth is poured.

In the air, the roots die in a matter of minutes, so the earthen lump should not be destroyed. Together with him, the plant is lowered into a hole without deepening the root collar. The soil is compacted, carefully watered.

You can grow Spruce from seeds. They are soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate, and then in clean water for a day. The seeds are buried in the sand by 1.5–2 cm, the container is placed in a cold place for two months. In March, the container is transferred to the windowsill, the soil is regularly moistened. Shoots appear in 2-3 weeks. Small Christmas trees are carefully watered, fed twice with a weak solution of complex fertilizers, slightly loosened the soil.

ON THE PICTURE: A young sprout was eaten.

At the end of May, seedlings are transplanted into open ground. It is recommended to add compost or mineral fertilizers to the holes. After planting seedlings, the earth is slightly compacted. For several days, you will need a greenhouse (made of film or plastic bottles). Shelters must be removed to ventilate and remove condensation.

When growing spruce for bonsai they begin to form a seedling when it reaches approximately 10–12 cm. Already at this stage the grower must imagine what he wants to get in the end. After two to three years, the plant is transplanted into a new container - a bonsai. In the future, the plant is transplanted less often. At a more mature age (and it takes dozens of years to grow bonsai) Spruce is very rarely transplanted. The miniature composition only produces shaping pruning. For normal growth, complex fertilizers are regularly applied, while it should be borne in mind that the dosage indicated on the package should be halved.

In the future, cuttings are used to increase the trees on the site. They are carefully cut or plucked together with the "heel". From the bottom, you need to remove the needles and place the segments in a root formation stimulator. Then they are planted in a mixture of sand, peat and perlite at an angle. After watering, the plants are placed in a greenhouse or covered with foil. At a temperature of + 24–27 ° C, the twigs take root quickly.

ON THE PICTURE: For propagation of spruce, cuttings can be used.

Description

Spruce is a genus of 40 species in the Pine family. Evergreens grow in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Tall trees have a lifespan of over 200 years. During this period, the root system of plants undergoes dramatic changes.The taproot, which supplies food, dies off over time. But the surface roots are actively growing on the sides.

The straight trunk of the Spruce is covered with gray, slightly flaking bark. Branches (first horizontal, then drooping) form a pyramidal crown. Each shoot is densely covered with short, tough leaves - needles. Leaf blades of different shades of green sit on leaf pads. About one seventh of the foliage falls annually.

Plants begin to bear fruit at the age of 10–60 years. At the edges of the branches, female, raised cones appear. Smaller males are gathered in earrings in the middle of the shoots.

ON THE PICTURE: Male cones ate.

ON THE PICTURE: The female cones of the Spruce are raised up.

The wind carries the pollen. After pollination, the covering scales close, and the female cones themselves hang. The red or purple color changes to brown. In the middle of winter, they open up. Thin winged seeds fall onto the snow-covered soil. They are removed from the mother plant at considerable distances.

ON THE PICTURE: After pollination, female spruce cones hang.

In culture, the common species are common spruce (Picea abies), prickly spruce (Picea pungens), gray spruce (Picea glauca). The most popular are low and medium-sized forms and varieties with beautifully colored needles.

Bonsai

Despite the fact that undersized varieties of Spruce are more often inhabitants of garden plots, the plant is also grown at home as a bonsai. For creating miniatures of various types, this coniferous representative is a unique and malleable material from which wonderful compositions are obtained.

ON THE PICTURE: Bonsai from Spruce are very decorative and organically fit into any interior, but they feel most comfortable on the balcony.

The graceful, needle-covered branches of small trees allow you to realize the various fantasies of bonsai creators. Indoor copies can be of the most unusual shape. The austere upright style of Bonsai-grown Spruce will echo the conical shape of the trees that adorn the park ensembles.

ON THE PICTURE: An intricately curved composition in a cascade style, imitating a plant growing on a cliff ledge. In nature, the branches of such a fir hang down from the ledges or take their shape due to the constantly blowing strong wind. The hand of the master is able to make the tree repeat all these lines.

ON THE PICTURE: Interesting compositions are obtained from Spruce in the style of a grove. Such group plantings in bonsai trees look like a miniature copy of a real coniferous forest.

Mountain pine.

Mountain pine is distinguished by its hardy character, accepts unfavorable weather conditions and temperature changes without changing the color of the needles. Mountain pine will withstand frost and scorching summer. When properly cared for, mountain pine will produce dense, dense butchery, and bushy branches that can be trimmed and shaped in a variety of styles. A young tree begins its life with a crimson hue, and when it blooms, it releases beautiful pale purple flowers.

Mountain pine grows in Central Europe. The species itself is very diverse and botanists divide it into a number of subspecies and varieties. In favorable conditions, mountain pine forms dense dense shrubs or small trees. Mountain pine needles are paired, 2-5 cm long, dark green and slightly twisted. Pine blossoms with lilac flowers.

Mountain pine bonsai.

What tools are used for work

For the most effective work with thuja, it is important to always have a number of tools at hand. So, first of all, it is recommended to pay attention to the selection of devices for crown formation.

For this, come in handy:

Concave wire cutters;
Regular and curved scissors;
Secateurs;
Tweezers with foot;
Small saw.

These simple tools can be purchased at every specialized store or online. And even if you have to spend a little, but the care will be correct and will not harm the seedling.

Best Bonsai Plants: Tips for a Newbie

Bonsai can be grown from any tree. Even exotic trees are sometimes grown in the bonsai style. Blooming bonsai look very beautiful. A popular flowering tree for bonsai is sakura. Shrubs can also be used. For example, magnolia, azalea, lilac. It is better for beginners to choose unpretentious plants that rarely get sick, easily take root, and do not require careful maintenance.

Which bonsai is the most unpretentious. For a start, it's best to choose evergreen trees. Flowering plants require special care, and deciduous trees shed their foliage for the winter, often intimidating to the inexperienced bonsai lover. Try to start your acquaintance with this art with a pine tree. This tree is unpretentious, does not require careful maintenance. You can try to grow lilacs from flowering plants.

It is difficult to unequivocally give an answer which bonsai is better. Ficus and ivy are often grown in apartments. Beginners have no problem with these plants. Try to grow a money tree. Such a bonsai will bring you good luck, finances, and can also fill the house with positive energy.

The prickly spruce, Siberian spruce, larch, hanging birch, elm, oak, pine are ideal for growing bonsai for beginners. You can take a chance and grow flowering shrubs: spirea, lilac, mock orange and even barberry. Dracaena bonsai and ficus bonsai look beautiful in the apartment. For the garden, you can choose juniper, fir or yew.

Pine bonsai:

More complex shapes

Pines look spectacular, in which some "balls" are planted on others. To do this, during spring pruning, one (or several) "candles" from the bunch of shoots are left intact. Next year it will be possible to plant a new "ball" or "bowl" on it. It is possible to create unusual trees and break symmetry by cutting out individual branches. But it is better to start bold pruning only after the mechanism of the transformation of pines becomes clear. To do this, it is advisable to practice using a simple technique - shortening all the "candles" to the same height.

Pine candles are shortened even on the lower branches

Near Kaliningrad, I saw, near a luxurious mansion, a low pine tree with sparse branches that held green "bowls". The asymmetry gave this tree a special chic.

Form a bonsai crown

Bonsai crown formation is necessary to give it beauty and grace. With regular cutting and other actions, you can get the desired shape of the plant: straight or inclined, symmetrical or asymmetrical, cascading, and others. It is the formation of the crown that will give the young tree the shape of a Japanese bonsai plant, so this is where the art of growing this plant begins.

Tip: When forming a crown, you need to know the following rules:
The crown should be conical and divided into small tiers;
The foliage of each branch of the tree should be as dense as possible.

Due to the observance of these simple rules, the crown of the tree will be well ventilated, the lower and upper layers of the tree will receive a sufficient amount of light, which contributes to the favorable microclimate of this miniature plant. Compliance with these rules will maintain the vitality of the bonsai.

The very process of crown formation is very painstaking and will take more than one day. First of all, the excess foliage is trimmed immediately after it is planted in the container, forming the future image of a tree, while the excess branches are cut off. After some time, it is necessary to remove new shoots, leaving only some of them. As a result of careful and unhurried work, you can form any desired crown shape.

To grow the branches of the tree in the right direction, a wire is used attached to the branches. A mature plant also requires regular trimming to maintain its shape and miniature silhouette.

Optimal growing conditions

Pine is not a houseplant, so it is advisable to expose the bonsai tree to fresh air in the summer: in the garden or on the balcony. In this case, the site should be selected well-lit, not blown by the winds. With a lack of sunlight, the tree grows too long needles, which is unacceptable for bonsai pine.

In winter, it is important to create natural conditions for the growth of pine. For species from the subtropical zone, it is necessary to provide a temperature of +5 - + 10 ° C and a humidity of 50%.

Caring for a bonsai pine tree at home consists in regular watering, feeding and forming the root system and crown.

Watering and feeding

Water should be very sparing, depending on the weather conditions. Usually bonsai pine is watered once a week in summer. In winter, watering is reduced to scanty in order to slow down the growth of the plant.

They feed it in parallel with mineral and organic fertilizers. From organic it can be compost or humus, and from mineral - nitrogen, phosphorus, potash. Top dressing begins in early spring after cutting (3-4 times) and in autumn, after the rainy season (also 3-4 times), when the bonsai pine begins a dormant period.

Formation

The formation of bonsai from pine has its own difficulties, since the period of active growth in the tree is observed once a year - in the second half of spring. In addition, pine has three growth zones, which vary greatly in annual growth. Shoots grow most actively in the zone of the apex. Shoots in the middle zone grow with medium vigor. And the lower branches have very weak growth.

It is necessary to start forming a bonsai from a pine sapling, since it is impossible to bend the stiff branches and trunk of a grown tree in the right direction: they will break. Shoot pruning is carried out in the fall - this allows you to minimize the loss of juice. However, if there is a need to remove an entire branch, this should be done in the spring so that the tree heals the wound during the summer.

Crown. In order to give the crown of a pine an interesting shape, wire is wrapped around its branches and trunk.

It is better to do this in the fall, since in the winter the pine is at rest. If this is done in the spring, when the pine tree is experiencing a growth spurt, by the end of summer, the wire can grow into the branches and leave a noticeable scar. Although, sometimes, this is exactly what the specialists achieve, it all depends on the style of the bonsai.

Kidneys. In the spring, groups of buds grow on the shoots, and to give the direction of growth of the tree, and unnecessary ones are pinched. Here you should remember about the growth zones. On the lower shoots, it is necessary to leave the most developed buds, on the upper ones - the least developed.

Candles. The preserved buds are drawn in the spring into candles, the length of which must also be adjusted taking into account the growth zones. In the upper zone, pruning is carried out more rigidly than in the lower one. Bonsai pine can react negatively if all candles are cut off at once, so this process should be extended over 15 to 20 days.

Needles. The bonsai pine needs to pluck out the needles to ensure the penetration of sunlight to all internal shoots. You can thin out the needles from the second half of summer until the arrival of autumn. In order for all branches of the tree to be evenly planted, it is necessary to pluck out the needles on the most pubescent shoots in the upper zone. Then the bonsai pine will direct the unspent forces on the growth of needles to the lower branches.

In some species, pine needles are pruned to give the bonsai tree a decorative look. The plant is allowed to grow the needles fully, and in August they are completely cut off. The plant, of course, will grow new ones, but they will already be much shorter.

Transfer

Caring for a bonsai pine tree at home requires replanting every two to three years. This is necessary in order to form a root system that matches the bonsai style. The first transplant of a young tree is carried out in the 5th year, in early spring, before the buds begin to swell.At the same time, it is categorically impossible to completely shake off the old substrate from the roots, since it contains mushrooms that are useful for plant health.

Differences between nivaki and garden bonsai

The art of changing the shape of the crown and trunk of a tree first appeared in Japan and became known as the niwaki style. On its basis, many sub-styles have appeared, each of which describes in detail the technique of a particular modification.

Growing nivaki bonsai for garden landscaping

Later, this art began to conquer its fans from other countries of the world and, thus, spread throughout the world.

The nivaki style also came to Europe, where it already had its own European school of decorative gardening. Based on the niwaki and local conditions, a new style was created, which became known as garden bonsai.

It turns out that if nivaki is a purely Japanese art of changing the shape of the crown and trunk of trees for decorative purposes, then garden bonsai is a synthesis of nivaki and European decorative gardening techniques applied to European conditions.

How to level the crown and trim a garden bonsai

Hence the similarity of the Japanese and European styles, but there are also differences: the Europeans prefer to use a quick haircut when processing, while the Japanese prefer to slowly prune tree branches.

In fact, these styles differ not only in technique, but also from a philosophical point of view. It is generally accepted that the nivaki style demonstrates the victory of natural forces over plants, while garden bonsai - a person over nature.

Possible difficulties

When growing Spruce, the aggressiveness of the plant must be taken into account. The root system grows tirelessly, thereby causing damage to neighboring trees and shrubs. Chopping off "extra" roots is required regularly. Installing a concrete fence even at the planting stage will help stop root growth.

In the early years, Spruce grows very slowly. You should not worry that the plant has gained only a few centimeters.

Needles signal any health problems. Diseases or pest attacks lead to discoloration, the appearance of spots, shedding. As a preventive measure, spraying with fungicides in the spring is recommended.

Editorial staff

What is bonsai

A beautiful miniature tree will effectively decorate any room or outdoor garden. They learned to grow bonsai a thousand years ago. Initially, bonsai is a Chinese tree, later Japan became addicted to this art, and today in many countries of the world they love and appreciate the tree in a bowl. You can try growing bonsai on your own or purchase it from garden centers. Bonsai tree price.

Bonsai photo:

What the bonsai tree symbolizes. Bonsai has been perceived in many ways over the centuries. Initially, it was compared to the process of meditation, because you gradually and slowly form a tree, distorting its natural form. It is as if you are stopping time by growing such a plant. Today, the Japanese bonsai tree is actively used by designers, gardeners, as well as Feng Shui lovers. For many, bonsai today is a tribute to fashion. Agree, a miniature pine tree looks very unusual in your own apartment. Therefore, it is not difficult to buy bonsai in Ukraine today, because many florist shops offer it.

Bonsai can be bought in Kiev, as well as other cities of Ukraine, with delivery by mail to your region. You can go to the Greensad Garden Center, and the tree will be brought to the specified address. But if you have free time, then try growing the plant yourself.

Bonsai in the garden:

Success secrets

Spruce belongs to the shade-tolerant representatives of the flora. But for decorative varieties, it is advisable to highlight a well-lit area. Young plants need to be watered once a week during the warmer months. Adults - only in case of prolonged drought.

Fir trees do not need frequent feeding, but they gratefully react to the introduction of a complex mineral fertilizer into the near-trunk zone in early spring.

Frost resistance comes to these plants with age. Young trees (especially ornamental varieties) are recommended to be covered for the winter. The trunk circle is mulched with peat, which is mixed with the ground after wintering.

With the arrival of heat, before the start of the growth of new branches, broken or frozen shoots are removed. Formative pruning is carried out at the end of summer. Trimming the apex stimulates wider growth. After such procedures, the processing of the sections is mandatory, for example, with a garden pitch.

Spruce grown as bonsai is usually found on balconies, verandas, patios. The plant prefers well-lit places, although it will easily tolerate short-term shading. Also, the plant will respond positively to a small amount of direct sunlight.

The temperature regime at which the Spruce is kept must correspond to the climatic one. In winter, the tree must be protected from frost. It is best to place it in a cool room, about + 8–10 ° С.

Watering spruce, grown as a bonsai, should be done in moderation, not allowing it to dry out. The plant can tolerate slight waterlogging, but does not like stagnant water. When kept on the balcony, the plant does not need additional moisture. Only the indoor version of the Spruce (which is extremely undesirable, since the air in the heated room is drier), you need to spray it daily.

Reproduction

You can grow Japanese pine not only from seeds, but also by cuttings, by grafting.

To harvest cuttings in the fall on a cloudy day, they are not cut, but torn off with a piece of wood and bark, processed and placed in a container for rooting.

Vaccination as a breeding procedure is rarely used. It is important to use a 4-5 year old plant as a rootstock. The scion should be 1-3 years old. The needles are removed from the cutting, leaving only the buds on the upper part. Long shoots are cut from the stock.

Vaccination is carried out in the spring on last year's escape, after the start of sap flow. In the summer, it is possible to plant a pine tree on a branch of the current season.

What does a thuja bonsai look like in the photo, what is the attractiveness of a miniature coniferous tree

On the net you can find a huge number of photos of a miniature coniferous tree. The attractiveness of this plant can hardly be overestimated, since a tenfold reduced copy of an adult plant looks quite aesthetically pleasing.

Among other things, tiny conifers are distinguished by strong energy. Placed in a house with positive energy, these plants can significantly improve the well-being of the family.

The attractiveness of this baby cannot be assessed only by aesthetic parameters, since the technique of raising it came from the east. Therefore, the energy and spiritual aspects should be inextricably linked with external attractiveness.

Diseases and pests

Japanese pine, despite its unpretentious care and longevity, is susceptible to pest attacks, so timely preventive maintenance is important.

The appearance of a plant on the needles is a sign of pine hermes. As a therapeutic measure, Japanese pine is treated with Actellik.

Aphids are capable of destroying green plants within a short period of time. Small pests emit toxic substances that lead to the falling of the needles and the death of the tree. To destroy aphids, use a solution of Karbofos, spraying the plant three times a month.

In the springtime, the scale insect attacks the Japanese pine. Its larvae suck the juice from the needles, so it turns yellow and falls off. To destroy the pest, the tree is irrigated with Akarin solution.

A symptom of cancer in Japanese pine is a change in the color of the needles to dark red. Gradually, the plant dies: the branches fall off, the tree dries up. For the prevention of the disease, pine is periodically treated with the drug "Tsinebom".

Pruning

A ball can be successfully obtained from a variety of white willow. the crown lends itself to frequent pruning. The tree is cut at the desired height, sometimes, practically, at the root, leaving a small stump. The result is a ball with a small foot. Frequent pruning will help keep any shape the grower needs. Strong pruning is rather a necessity, the tree becomes more decorative and attractive. Pruning is carried out after flowering, for correct formation, young shoots are cut shortly to one bud. Pinch and remove the apical shoots. Some forms are pruned at the end of winter, before flowering. Dry and bare branches are pruned, dried leaves are removed.

Thuja transplant

The soil for a coniferous bonsai should be 70 percent organic and 30 percent grit to allow it to drain well while providing sufficient nutrients. Powdered bonsai fertilizers can be added to the soil for thuja and spruce trees.

Spring is the transplant season. Watch for new kidneys. After removing the tree from the old pot, examine the roots for signs of winding or tangling. If so, carefully trim the roots to free them and encourage new growth. After trimming the root, fill a larger pot with soil and transfer the tree.

Re-remodel young conifers annually to keep the soil fresh and nutrient-dense. For older trees, replanting after a year is sufficient. As the tree grows, use slightly larger pots to accommodate the growing root system.

Where can you buy thuja bonsai

Despite the fact that bonsai is a rather original technique for growing plants, not known to everyone, it is not so difficult to acquire such trees. However, it is important to consider that the price can bite.

The easiest way to purchase is the Internet. On the net you can find many sites that offer different options and types of plants. However, it is important to understand that online shopping always carries a certain amount of risk.

To minimize the risk, be sure to pay attention to reviews and site ratings.

The best method is to find people in the city who are engaged in the cultivation of such thujas or place an order through a specialized store. This will help minimize the risk of getting a sick or damaged plant, or not seeing the order at all.

How to grow a weeping willow bonsai

Compared to other tree species, it is rather short, with an average lifespan of four to seven decades.

As a bonsai, this lifespan is usually shorter, spanning around 25 years. Its leaves are generally light green and hang down in spiral arrangements, and in early spring, the tree blooms with yellow flowers.

Examples of Elementary Nivaki

Jasmine

... The shrub gives abundant growth, and without corrective pruning, after a few years, it has an unsightly neglected appearance. What can be done? Remove all excess growth, leaving a few of the strongest vertical shoots. Pull them together with a soft wire - at the top you get a compact "hat", which in the spring will turn into a wonderful white cloud with a delicate aroma.

Spirea

... The wildly blooming "Rich Bride" is an excellent material for bonsai. Leaving a few skeletal branches, twist them together, and cut off any excess at the root. Give the stems the desired height, form the side shoots in the form of a ball.

Lilac

... An ordinary bush can become a masterpiece of a barefoot garden with a little work:

cut out all the growth and remove the core branches under the root, leaving one, the strongest or curved shoot;
cut it to a height of no more than 1.5 m;
using the fyuse-zukuri technique, form a crown from young shoots in the form of a bowl, shell or cap at the top of the main branch;
try to direct the growth of young upper shoots parallel to the ground, tying a load to them;
be sure to remove all excess growth at the root and adjust the top growth point.

After flowering, remove all dry candles without fail - this stimulates an increase in flower stalks for next year.

Maple

... The bright red leaves of this plant are good on their own. But if you give the tree the desired shape, you will get a unique composition that will decorate the shore.
artificial reservoir
or
alpine slide
... Plant two young seedlings next to each other, which can be intertwined with each other, or you can grow a tree in the Sokan style - with a forked trunk.

Don't be afraid to experiment! For an enthusiastic person, there is no plant that cannot be turned into a masterpiece to the envy of all neighbors.

Is it possible to grow bonsai from two pines

Most bonsai styles are formed from a single plant, each image symbolizing something. But there are several styles in which 2 or more trees are combined into one composition. For example:

soju, or "two trees side by side" - a composition of two separate trees of different ages and sizes, which grow side by side in one container and symbolize the constant transition of traditions from generation to generation;
yose-ue - forest style, consists of a group of uneven-aged trees (an odd number), imitating a forest landscape, is a symbol of the connection between different generations;
saikei - landscape style (informal bonsai), in which a composition resembling a natural landscape is created not only from trees, but also from moss, as well as stones of different sizes.

Japanese white pine

Japanese White Pine is unusual and has completely unique white needles. White pines are often grafted onto black pine trunks.

White pine is a conical or columnar tree, often with a spreading crown. The white pine is native to Japan. White pine needles are 2-6 cm long, dark green in color with a whitish-blue inner side.

Japanese White Pine Bonsai

Weeping willow bonsai

The growth and beauty of your weeping willow bonsai largely depends on the weather conditions in which you live. This tree thrives in warmer climates, typically 75 degrees Fahrenheit to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 25-35 degrees Celsius). If these temperatures are in line with normal spring / summer weather, storing your bonsai outdoors is not only excellent, but recommended in many cases.

Note that this temperature range is ideal, floating willow can survive outside these temperatures as long as it is not too long or too long.

In winter

In winter, especially if you expect high temperatures, indoor cooking is recommended to prevent root damage.

Fertilizer

Weeping willow bonsai respond well to traditional fertilization as well as leaf fertilization (spraying liquid fertilizer on leaves and branches). The fertilizer used in the soil must be water soluble and contain potassium (potassium), phosphoric acid and low nitrogen levels.

An equal ratio fertilizer would be a great option - it would be called “20/20/20”, which means there are equal amounts of potassium, phosphoric acid and nitrogen. The organic matter in the fertilizer should contribute to this balance and manure is common. Fertilizer addition should be done once a month during the spring and summer.

Watering

Watering your bonsai should come first with proper care. The activity of growth and the general condition of the tree depend on it. In the wild, the healthiest willows are those that grow near rivers, swamps, or other environments where the root system is supplied with constant water.

This tree is thirsty and requires more water than many other types of bonsai, so be prepared to water it twice a day, especially if it is in direct sunlight for most of the day (10 hours or more).

When you are looking into the moisture requirements of your weeping willow, it is perfectly acceptable to provide it with a little water throughout the day, apply it to the soil and spray it on the leaves.

If the soil becomes hard or dry to the touch, add water - don't let it dry out, but don't overdo it.

Finding this balance and ideal watering schedule can be significantly easier using a moisture meter, but most of the time, the wrong side is on the higher moisture side, not the less.

If you've followed the above recommendations for your soil mix, your pot should achieve the correct moisture retention and drainage ratio. The roots themselves shouldn't be directly resting in the water, but many weeping willow bonsai owners, especially those in warmer climates, find the tree thrives when placed in a shallow tray of water (more on that in the next section).

Formation

To maintain the shape of your desired style, weeping willow bonsai can be wire shaped. Be careful not to tighten too much, because the bark of the tree is not as hardy as some other species.

While for some bonsai you may just carry over and forget, you will need to adjust the strength of the wiring more often. In most cases, the less resilience of the wire is better as it will prevent scarring. The tightness of the wires should be adjusted as needed - loose enough to avoid scarring, but tight enough to stimulate growth in the desired direction.

Newbies love growing willows for their beauty, but should do themselves a favor by starting with a tree that requires less maintenance. Great alternatives are juniper, ficus, jade, or a member of the Ligustrum family. However, if this is a challenge you are ready for, caring for a bonsai willow will give you a lot of satisfaction.

bonsai-

Japanese pine in landscape design

Due to its frost resistance and unpretentiousness, the tree is often used to decorate the garden. Landscaping using Japanese pine is laconic, many varieties can form a crown, which is successfully used to implement the creative ideas of designers.

They use Japanese pine to decorate alpine hills, slopes, forest edges, and place it as a single composition on lawns.

Glauca and Hagoromo varieties are used to decorate the coastal area of the reservoir, rocky garden or walking path.

How to make spruce bonsai?

Growing bonsai from cuttings is very difficult. Therefore, it is best to buy a ready-made bonsai or young seedling. So you can continue to care for the plant and adjust the growth.

The main pruning of the plant should be done during the dormant period, in January and February. When pruning bonsai spruce in the summer, you can only slow down growth, which will negatively affect the appearance of the plant. Formative pruning is done in May-June. In this case, young shoots are slightly pinched. Tough shoots are pruned from July to September. Only the shoot axis needs to be removed. This way you can avoid the appearance of dried needles. Wire can be used for better shaping. With its help, the spruce will grow itself in the right direction. It remains only to make sure that the wire does not damage the bark of the plant.

It is best to replant the tree in spring or autumn. In this case, root pruning must be done carefully so that the plant takes root in a new place. April is the most optimal period for replanting spruce bonsai.

Bonsai spruce can be propagated by seeds from released cones, cuttings or layering. For the latter method, flex branches must be selected.

It is possible to create a bonsai from spruce only on condition that all the work is done correctly and on time. Such a plant can decorate any home and site. And the process of forming a bonsai can be a great pleasure.

one.Colorado spruce is not necessarily blue. Seedlings are splitting traits. I sowed prickly spruce. I did it like this: in late January - early February, I walked and collected cones. It is at this time that the buds finish ripening and begin to open and fall off. This should be done only in frosty weather, not in a thaw !!! He brought the cones home and put them on paper. In the warmth, the cones open up and the seeds are poured onto the paper. That's it! These seeds are already ready for sowing and without additional stratification. I sowed it a little bit by sprinkling the seeds. They sprout very unevenly, from several days to a month or more. Some of the seedlings will be blue, some will be green. Color grading and culling is usually done at three years of age. Color ratio 30/60. Sowed in separate cups with a retractable bottom. In the first 2-3 months, there is a large mortality rate for various reasons. 2. For bonsai, it is better to take the form of glauk globose, since it is bushy in itself and even very mature plants up to 3 meters. All varietals are propagated by grafting. I am now growing blue misty blues and even three-year-old vaccinations do not look like yet. 3. It is impossible to grow bonsai from spruce at home. They need a very cold and light wintering. It is almost impossible to create it. 4. Pine is better for bonsai. I grow myo-gi style pine bonsai in my garden. It turns out to be a very interesting plant. 5. Sakura is a collective name for a group of plants. To put it simply, there are several types (and each has a bunch of varieties) of plants: cherries, cherries, peaches, almonds, plums. What kind of plant do you have ??? They all need stratification. Sowing before winter and spring shoots. You can now plant in pots and dig them in the garden. Can be sown in pots and stratified in the refrigerator, which seems more troublesome to me. In any case, get a deciduous plant that requires a cold winter. Well, there is at least a chance with a cold cellar. 6. If the seeds are from Aliexpress, then it is better not to waste your time. The person who was sent at least something worthwhile from Aliexpress, usually garbage in the form of weeds, has not yet been born. Show photos of seeds at least ... 7. If you want indoor bonsai, buy adenium seeds in a normal place. Get a pseudo bonsai with beautiful blooms and the ability to form a beautiful caudex. From this adenium I am slowly trying to make a "seal":

otvet.

An evergreen coniferous tree of the pine family. The Latin name for spruce Prcea is translated as "resinous tree". About 50 species of spruce, common in the Northern Hemisphere, differ from fir (Abies) with a sharp crown crown, an oblique arrangement of branches and drooping shoots. Hard, sharp, light green spines are arranged spirally along the axis of the shoot. Cones - hanging, located at the ends of the shoots; thin scales do not disperse even after the ripening of the cone.

Growing

From seeds. The cones collected from September to January are dried. From the gray spruce (Prcea glauca), the cones are harvested at the end of August or in September. The seeds are allowed to ripen in buds for as long as possible, and then germinated for 10 days in wet sand. Sowing is done in moist, loose soil in April, when the seeds begin to germinate. Usually, the first shoots appear after 3 weeks. The seedlings are kept under glass, in a shaded, humid place. The glass is removed in June. Used seedling pots are transplanted next spring.

From cuttings. Apical cuttings are cut from late June to early August, cutting off annual shoots with a budding knife along the base. It is not necessary to remove the needles from their bottom. Cuttings are planted in a warm, shaded place. Rooting can take up to 2 years.

Layers. To obtain layering, the lower flexible branches are selected.

Vaccination. Mainly grafted with gray spruce (P. glauca), and in a greenhouse. Summer and winter vaccinations are complex methods.

From seedlings. For the formation of bonsai, densely branched young plants with an already formed stem and dense needles are selected.

Care

Lighting. Ate love not only the sun, but also the shade.

Temperature. Many types of spruce start the growing season early, already at the end of winter. They are afraid of night and late frosts, but they love fresh air.

Air movement. Almost all spruce trees tolerate the wind perfectly.

Dishes. For spruce, flat, shallow containers are chosen, since their roots do not go deep into the soil.

Cleaning. Do not forget to remove damaged or dried twigs and needles from time to time inside the crown, as well as from the surface of the soil. The bark is regularly brushed, the moss at the base of the trunk is scraped off.

Height. P. glauca, P. jezoensis, and P. orien-talis grow slowly. P. excelsa is particularly slow in growth. Moreover, the slower it grows, the thinner and slender its silhouette becomes.

Transfer. It is carried out in the spring (usually in April) once every 3-5 years, depending on the age of the tree. About a third of the root mass is cut off from the plant and planted in a slightly larger container.

The soil. A mixture of equal parts compost, leaf soil and river sand. Most types of spruce prefer loam, siliceous clay or clay-calcareous soils.

Pruning

• Pinching. In April, the soft tops of young shoots are pinched. Pinching is done only once a year.

• Pruning shoots. In spring, the shoots are cut short, leaving only very few tufts of needles on each branch. During subsequent pruning, the shoots are not shortened so much.

Wire use. The wire is applied in late autumn or early winter. The ligature is removed after about 9-10 months.

Watering. The soil in the container must be well-drained. The tree is watered abundantly, after which the earthen coma is allowed to dry out. Spruce loves moist, but not soggy soils.

Spraying. Needles should be doused with water from a watering can or sprayed as often as possible, especially in spring and summer.

Top dressing. Spruce is fed in spring and autumn with slowly decaying organic fertilizer. In the last top dressing in the fall (October), the dose of fertilizers is increased.

Pests and diseases

Insect pests

Root nematodes

Bark beetles

Red spider mite

Large pine weevil

Signs of defeat. Galleries of passages were gnawed under the bark, needles and buds were eaten away.

Control measures. The affected parts of the plant are cut off and destroyed. At the first signs of damage, young trees are treated with an oil emulsion. In late March - early April, plants are sprayed with insecticides.

Horn-tailed wasp (horn-tail)

Signs of defeat. Galleries of cylindrical passages in the trunk and skeletal branches.

Control measures. During the release of adult insects, the plant is sprayed with insecticides.

Fire

Leaf rollers

Silkworms

Aphids

Sawflies

Signs of defeat. The needles are eaten away, the young shoots are deformed.

Control measures. As soon as the shoots begin to elongate, the plant is sprayed with insecticides.

Hermes

Signs of defeat. Formation of galls on the tops of young shoots.

Control measures. At the end of winter, plants are sprayed with mineral insecticides, at the beginning of spring - with organochlorine or organophosphate insecticides.

Diseases

Browning needles

Signs of defeat. The needles dry up, black pads appear on its underside.

Control measures. Affected plants are treated with fungicides. During planting, trees should not be placed too closely.

Septoriasis

Signs of defeat. The needles dry up. Black pads appear on the dried parts of the plant.

Control measures. Affected shoots are cut and destroyed. The plant is sprayed with a copper sulfate-based fungicide.

Rust

Cancer ate

Signs of defeat. The roots of the tree rot, become covered with a white bloom, the needles turn pale, turn yellow and dry out.

Control measures. The earth ball is spilled with a cyben-based fungicide. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging of the soil and feed the plants with a balanced fertilizer.

Choosing plants for nivaki and garden bonsai?

We list the most common types: Chinese juniper, scaly juniper, black pine, multicolor pine, common pine, berry yew, winged euonymus, European euonymus, multifoliate elm, rough elm.

Pine Nivaki Garden Bonsai

As you can see from the above list, most of the plants are conifers.