1. Water ban method
In bonsai creation, such a situation is often encountered: after pruning, the cut mouth keeps leaking water, and the wound cannot heal. In the worst case, half of the tree will die, and in the worst case, the whole plant will die.
The reason is that the cut mouth is actually similar to the floodgates being opened, allowing water to flow out quickly. In the upper part, under the sun, the plant originally completed the natural transpiration of water through the capillaries of its own leaves, branches, and trunks. Now there is an unobstructed outlet, and the water will gather at the wound and overflow.
In the lower part, the water absorbed by the root system was originally supplied to the leaves for photosynthesis along the trunk. Now there is an unobstructed passage created by humans, and the water takes a shortcut.
Therefore, when pruning, water should be banned before pruning, water should be saved, and water should be replenished as needed; if it rains, especially moderate to heavy rain, the plant should be sheltered from wind and rain.
2. High position method of cut mouth
The cut mouth should be about 1 cm away from the first budding point to avoid the water from the cut mouth being drained and the upper part dying, which will affect the remaining buds and lose the opportunity to sprout.
3. Leave-keeping method for evergreen trees
When pruning evergreen trees, a small branch can be retained below each cut, with 1 to 2 leaves on it, to promote rapid germination of the budding point after pruning.
After the new buds and leaves are spread, the branches and leaves left can be removed. This method has been tried and tested in our bonsai creation practice and has always been successful.
4. Sufficient sunlight method
Sufficient sunlight should be ensured after pruning the plants. Some people have conducted comparative experiments on moving to the shade, adding shade nets, and full light. The observation results of the germination speed of the plants and the strength of the new buds all show that "full light" is the best. It is one of the methods that can better improve the efficiency of photosynthesis and promote plant germination in practice.
5. Pest and disease control after pruning
We often carry out pest and disease control immediately after pruning, because bonsai leaves are not many. In the Lingnan technique, the "stripping and changing brocade method" is used to create winter scenery. The whole tree has few leaves. The new buds that sprout after pruning are "golden" and cannot withstand any pests. We should take the initiative.