How to raise crape myrtle bonsai

The flowering period of Lagerstroemia indica is as long as 100 days, with dense leaves. It is an excellent bonsai for viewing flowers, stems and roots, so many people often make crape myrtle bonsai at home. There are many ways to make crape myrtle bonsai, such as grafting, digging roots and transplanting plants. Let's take a closer look.

1. Grafting production

Ziwei bonsai can be made by grafting. Select the branches of Lagerstroemia indica with good growth, cut them off and prune them properly, and cut one side into a V shape with pruning tools after disinfection and sterilization. At the same time, select a robust rootstock and cut a section of rootstock into a V-shape. Then the branches of Lagerstroemia indica bonsai are combined with the cut surface of the rootstock, tied with a string, and covered with a plastic film. About 10- 15 days, the plant can grow new branches and leaves.

2. Digging and making

The roots of Lagerstroemia indica dug in the field were treated, and all the rotten roots, rotten branches, diseased branches and redundant overlapping branches and leaves were cut off. During the growth of potted Lagerstroemia indica, the branches and leaves are luxuriant, which easily affects the growth of main branches. Pruning its old roots and complex branches and leaves can better promote the growth of new roots and branches and leaves.

3. Plant transplantation

Transplant the roots of Lagerstroemia indica with good growth and use loose and fertile organic soil to make the roots absorb water better. In addition, the soil should be ploughed regularly to enhance the air permeability of the soil, thus promoting the healthy growth of plants.

4. Plant pruning

When Lagerstroemia indica grows slowly, it needs to trim its irregular leaves, and each branch should leave about 1 ~ 2 buds. When the flowers of Lagerstroemia indica are almost dry, it can be picked to promote its secondary flowering.

Watering and fertilizing

After planting crape myrtle bonsai, remember to water and fertilize it on time. Keep the basin soil moist at any time, without water, otherwise the roots will rot. Fertilization should also be appropriate, otherwise it will cause plants to burn their roots.

Step 6: manufacturing method

Multi-stem winding method: winding the trunk of Lagerstroemia indica together, then winding the root branches on the trunk and fixing them with rope and iron wire. After a year or two, bonsai will form a more unique shape.

Short cutting and thickening method: in order to control its growth height in the cultivation process, it needs to be controlled by cutting short branches, which is generally 15 to 20 cm.

7. Pests and diseases

Powdery mildew and bituminous coal disease are common in Lagerstroemia indica, and 500 times of carbendazim 50% wettable powder, 600 times of thiophanate-methyl or 50% bacitracin wettable powder can be used. It can also be controlled with 2000 ~ 2500 times of diniconazole wettable powder and 8000 times of 40% Fuxing.

Pests generally include red spider, spiny moth larva, marsupial moth larva, etc. Special acaricides such as DDT 1000, dicofol and propargite can be used to control red spider. Scale insect pests can be controlled by pesticides such as stone sulfur mixture.