1. When choosing trees, choose young seedlings for modeling (preferably more than half a year old). The branches of the seedlings are small and soft, so it will be much easier for modeling.

2. In addition, you must first determine what kind of shape you want to make. Common ones on the market are circular, conical, multi-layered spheres, etc. After you have a rough shape of the podocarpus, trim it first. Excess branches and leaves outside the shape.

3. To fix the basic shape, you need to prepare some small wooden sticks and strong ropes. Use the wooden sticks to pull the branches toward the top of the shape, and then use one end of the rope to tie the wooden sticks to the branches. Fix it and tie the other end to the main branch to change the original growth direction of the branch.

4. After the basic construction of the branches is completed, you need to find some small steel wires and copper wires for shaping. The small steel wires or copper wires can be twisted into various shapes at will. The same Tie the steel wire to the branches and leaves, and then gently twist it according to the shape diagram to look like the pattern.

5. Bricks. To make a good-looking bonsai, clear layers are also key. For example, when making a double-layer bonsai, the layers on the branches are not clear after the branches are fixed. In this case, you can Hang a small brick on 2/3 of the branches on the first floor. The size of the brick can be determined according to the required height.

6. Pruning. Regularly prune the shape of the bonsai leaves. After the branches are fixed, they will form a certain fixed state. At this time, the shape of the bonsai will be presented through the shape of the leaves and twigs.

Extended information

Cultivation techniques

1. Planting

The best time for transplantation is March to April in spring. Seedlings need to be brought with soil. The seedlings have soil balls. In the high temperature season of midsummer, it needs to be placed in a semi-shady place for maintenance. Pay attention to cold protection in winter.

2. Soil

It requires sandy, fertile and slightly acidic soil with good drainage. Potted plants can use 5 parts of garden soil, 2 parts of coal soil and 3 parts of coarse sand to prepare culture soil. Generally, the pot should be repotted every 2 years.

3. Watering

Keep the soil moist during the growing period. Water thoroughly when the soil is dry, and drench thoroughly in the morning and evening in midsummer to prevent the leaves from wilting. Keep the soil dry during winter.

4. Fertilization

When changing pots, apply decomposed organic fertilizer as base fertilizer. Apply it several times during the growing season. Apply decomposed organic fertilizer and Panax notoginseng from February to March and September to November. Fertilizer and water 3-4 times.

5. Pruning

When blooming, it is best to remove the flower buds in time to avoid consuming nutrients. For bonsai that has been shaped, attention must be paid to topping and pruning to prevent the branches and leaves from growing excessively, so as to maintain the original posture. Pruning and topping are best done during the spring and autumn growth periods.

Disease and Pest Control

1. Pests

(1) Podocarpus diseases and insect pests occur less often, but attention should be paid to the prevention and control of red spider mites in the hot and dry summer season. Red spider mites gather as adult mites, nymphs and young mites near the veins, leaf edges and twigs of Podocarpus leaves to suck sap. The front of the damaged leaves will appear many pink-green, and then turn into small gray-white spots, losing their inherent luster, and seriously The whole leaves are grayish white.

(2) The prevention and control method is to spray some insecticides for treating spider mites, such as pyridaben, fenacetate, phenbutin, etc., every 10 days during the high-incidence period of spider mites (May-September). Spray 1 time.

2. Diseases

The main diseases of Podocarpus include leaf spot and anthracnose. The control method is to spray 50% thiophanate methyl wettable powder 500 times. Insect pests include scale insects, red spider mites and giant moths, which can be killed by spraying 40% omethoate EC 1500 times.

Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-Podocarpus