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How to Train Spruce Picea |
| Sunday, July 19, 2009 |
Picea Spruce derived from the family of Pinaceae. At one time, the trees were listed under pine, yet new discoveries lead plant growers to see this specimen as the Genus. The Latin Genus is dubbed resin, pitch, or Pix resin. The tree grows in mountain regions, and throughout the northern areas, producing around fifty specimens to name. The conifer has crowns that consistently point and branches that slope, sagging into sub-branches. The specimens include white spruce, Norway spruce, black spruce, oriental spruce, Caucasian spruce, Hondo spruce, jezo spruce, and so on.
Spruce trees are evergreens and members of the pine trees. The trees are shaped like pyramids and have short needles, cones that droop, and soft light colored wood. When the tree is trained as the bonsai, it presents an amazing grove-like texture. In fact, if you want a forest grove inside your home or in your garden the Picea Spruce is your choice.
Spruce is produced from seeds, cuttings, layering, grafting, etc. The plants require detailed care. To grow the plants from seeds you will need the cones. Select your cones in September and up until January. (Excluding the Picea Glauca cones, which you should pick in August and/or September) The cones must dry before you can start propagation.
How to seed:
Once you collect and dry the cones, you will notice scales. At the edges of these scales are seeds. Extract the seeds as late as feasible and allow the seeds to sit in moist sand for at least ten days. Next, you can start germination. Minium should be sprinkled over the seeds to provide them a preventive solution for growth. In April, you can start propagation once the seeds show signs of germinating. If possible, grow the seeds beneath glass and in a moist and shaded environment. After a couple of weeks, you are ready to train your bonsai.
How to care for bonsai:
Once you choose your method of propagation, you will need to consider care. Care includes sunlight, temperature, ventilation, pruning, soil, pot, cleaning, wires, water, feed, and sprays.
This particular plant is subject to root eelworms, large pine weevils, red spider mites, bark beetles, wood wasps, longhorn beetles, bee hawk moths, tortrix or caterpillars, sawflies, aphids, pine gall louse, and disease.
To protect your plant you will need to spray the trees with mist-sprays. The foliage requires moisture. The plants are moody, i.e. the plants like shady and sunny environments. Adapt with your plant climatic need to grow a healthy bonsai. The plants prefer cool environments however, yet you should protect the species from frost.
How to ventilate:
Do not sweat, since all species of this breed enjoy all types of wind?
How to pot:
The roots of this species is not deep, therefore you can pot the plant in a shallow container.
How to re-pot:
Picea Glauca, orientalis, and the group of jezoensis grow slowly. Abies also grow slow, yet if the altitude is lower, the plant will speed up growth. These particular specimens should be planted in a larger pot. You can re-pot the plant three to five year’s intervals.
How to prune:
Pruning is essential to promote healthy bonsai. To start pruning wait until April and pinch back the shoots. The new shoots grow at the branch sides each year. DO NOT cut the needles, yet prune the leaves. Spring is the best time to prune the branches. The hard backs should be cut; leaving a few bunches, or tufts behind.
How to wire:
At the beginning of winter or even at the last month of fall you can wire the plants to train as bonsai. Use copper wiring and get rid of it in ten months. You can remove the wire earlier if necessary. To achieve your desired bonsai shape, continue the wiring process annually.
How to water:
Drain the soil. The plant requires profuse water, yet you must allow the plant to dry. Moist soil is ideal for spruce, yet at no time should you saturate or waterlog the soil.
How to soil:
You want a mixture of loam, course sand, and leaf mould; use a 1/3 of each.
How to spray:
The foliage should have moisture at all times. Spray the spruces in spring and throughout summer.
How to feed:
Fertilizers should be slow-processing macrobiotic solutions. Fertilize the plants in spring and fall. The last days in the fall, you want to increase feed. Avoid feeding the plants in July and up until August. If the bonsai has been re-potted, or sickly, DO not feed the plants from July to August. |
posted by neptunus @ 10:19 PM  |
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