Gardening nursery stock damage-free bending shaping method based on plant phototropism

Abstract

The invention discloses a gardening nursery stock damage-free bending shaping method based on plant phototropism, and belongs to the technical field of ornamental plant cultivation. The method comprises the following steps: selecting robust bud seedlings with strong phototropism, and culturing in a sufficient light environment; before the stalks are semi-lignified, a smooth guide stone body with a selected particle size is placed at a preset bending point and clings to the stalks, and the stalks of the seedlings are induced to bend along the surface of the stone body by utilizing the characteristic that the seedlings actively grow in a phototaxis manner; after one section of bent shape is stable, the operation can be repeated at the position of the stalk above the section of bent shape, stone bodies with different particle sizes are arranged in a layered mode, and multi-section complex bent shapes with different curvatures are formed in a guiding mode; normal water and fertilizer management is assisted in the shaping period, stone bodies are removed after the stalks are completely lignified, and the bent seedlings which are stable in shape and natural and graceful are obtained. Physical damage to the seedlings is completely avoided, the modeling process is natural, controllability is high, cost is low, operation is easy and convenient, large-scale popularization is easy, and the method is suitable for artistic modeling cultivation of various woody horticultural seedlings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of ornamental plant cultivation and shaping technology, specifically relating to a cultivation method that utilizes the phototropism and plasticity of the stems of woody plant seedlings to guide directional bending and shaping through physical means. It is particularly suitable for cultivating bonsai, garden landscape seedlings, and specialty greening seedlings with artistically curved forms. Background Technology

[0002] In the high-end horticulture market and landscape engineering, saplings with natural, beautiful shapes and varied curves often possess extremely high artistic and economic value. Traditional sapling bending and shaping techniques mainly rely on external force, which has many drawbacks: 1. Physical binding method: This method typically involves tightly wrapping and binding the stem with materials such as wire or rope, forcing it to bend and fix. This method easily damages the cambium layer of the stem, hindering the transport of water and nutrients, affecting growth, and often leaves permanent scars after removal, affecting aesthetics. Furthermore, the lack of participation from the plant's own growth during the shaping process often results in a stiff and unnatural form.

[0003] 2. Scratching and Bending Method: This method involves cutting or scratching the area to be bent to weaken its strength before bending and fixing it. This method causes significant damage to the plant, the wounds are susceptible to pests and diseases, the recovery period is long, the survival rate is high, and it requires extremely high skill from the operator, as it is difficult to precisely control the bending arc and healing effect.

[0004] 3. Mold Shaping Method: Prefabricated molds are used to restrict the growth space of seedlings. However, molds are usually expensive, have poor air permeability, may affect the local microenvironment of the plant, and are difficult to achieve complex and varied personalized shapes.

[0005] Phototropism is one of the fundamental growth characteristics of plants, meaning that the stems, leaves, and other organs of a plant will grow towards the light source. During the seedling stage, stem cells divide rapidly, are highly flexible, and are sensitive to external directional stimuli. If this natural characteristic can be cleverly utilized to design a non-forced guiding method that allows seedlings to "actively" bend and take shape during growth, it is hoped that the problems of significant damage, unnatural appearance, and poor controllability associated with traditional techniques can be fundamentally overcome. Currently, there are no publicly reported methods for systematically applying the principle of phototropism to standardized production methods for multi-segmented seedlings with customizable bending shapes. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a scientifically sound, easy-to-operate, non-destructive, and precisely controllable method for bending and shaping horticultural seedlings. This method abandons forced bending by external force, instead utilizing the plant's natural phototropic growth instinct. By setting simple physical guides, the stems are induced to bend naturally along a preset trajectory, thus achieving a perfect combination of healthy cultivation and artistic shaping.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is summarized as follows: A non-destructive bending and shaping method for horticultural seedlings based on phototropism is proposed. The core of this method is to artificially create a local shading environment by setting guide stones with suitable curved surfaces at specific positions on the stem at different growth stages. This stimulates and utilizes the strong phototropism of the seedlings, driving the stem tips to actively circle around the stones and continue to grow towards the light source, thereby gradually accumulating to form the desired bending shape.

[0008] Specifically, the following steps are included: 1. Seedling raising and basic cultivation: Seedling selection: Choose healthy, disease-free, and phototropic horticultural seedling varieties. The best time to start is when the seedlings have grown to the "two leaves and one bud" stage, at which time their vitality is strong and their plasticity is at its best.

[0009] Substrate and Environment: Transplant to a loose, well-drained, organic-rich seedling substrate. A suitable substrate can be peat moss, coconut coir, leaf mold, etc., mixed with perlite or rice husks to increase aeration. The growing environment must ensure sufficient light (≥6 hours of effective light per day) and good ventilation; this is crucial for stimulating and maintaining phototropism.

[0010] 2. Initial bending induction: Timing: The procedure should be carried out before the seedling stems are fully lignified (i.e., semi-lignified). At this stage, the stems have both sufficient support and adequate flexibility and growth regulation capacity.

[0011] Guided Stone Selection and Placement: Based on the target radius of curvature (R) of the first bend in the design drawing, select a smooth stone (such as a pebble) with similar length, width, and height dimensions, and at least one dimension approximating R. Place the stone securely on one side of the seedling stem base, ensuring the stone's surface, with dimensions approximating R, is in light contact or very close to the stem. The stone's placement should create a stable localized shade area on that side of the stem, establishing a light intensity gradient across the stem's cross-section towards the light source. Typically, the stone is placed on the side facing the main light source of the growing environment or away from it, utilizing the plant's phototropism to induce the stem to bend along the outer wall of the stone towards the light source (e.g., in the Northern Hemisphere, placing it on the south side of the stem to induce northward bending, or on the north side to induce southward bending using a southward-facing light source).

[0012] 3. Multi-layered guidance and complex shape construction: Phased operation: After the first stem grows around the stone and the bending shape is stable (usually it needs to grow to a certain length and exceed the top of the stone), guide the next bending point.

[0013] Positioning and Repetition: At the stem above the already formed curved section, determine the location of the next bending point according to the design. Place a new guide stone at this point as well; the stone's particle size can be independently selected based on the curvature requirements of this bend, thus achieving an artistic effect that combines large and small bends.

[0014] Reinforcement measures: To prevent the lower stones from shifting or the upper stones from pressing on the stems, soil (seedling substrate) can be appropriately covered on the bent parts before setting up new stones to fix and buffer them.

[0015] Repeat this process until all the required number of bends are achieved as specified in the design.

[0016] 4. Maintenance and finalization: Growing season care: Throughout the shaping period, which may last from several months to a year, regular and meticulous care is required. Keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged, and apply a diluted complete nutrient solution or balanced water-soluble fertilizer every 2-4 weeks to ensure that the seedlings grow strong and can successfully complete each stage of bending growth.

[0017] Shaping and Removal: When the seedling has grown to the expected size and all curved stem sections have become fully lignified (displayed as dark brown in color, hard in texture, and not easily bent), and the shape is completely fixed and will not deform, all guide stones can be carefully removed. At this point, the curved shape of the seedling has become its permanent form.

[0018] Furthermore, the guiding stone is preferably a smooth-surfaced natural pebble, which has diverse natural curvature, is easy to obtain, and is friendly to the plant's epidermis. Artificially polished stone, ceramic, or high-density plastic products can also be used as substitutes.

[0019] Furthermore, the preferred formulation of the seedling substrate is a mixture of peat moss, decomposed rice husks, and perlite in a volume ratio of 6:3:1 or a mixture of peat moss and rice husks in a volume ratio of 7:3.

[0020] Furthermore, the "regular application of diluted fertilizer" is preferably the application of a compound fertilizer solution with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 1:1:1, or a 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, to promote thicker stems and lignification.

[0021] Furthermore, the method is particularly suitable for woody horticultural seedlings such as azalea, cherry blossom, podocarpus, crape myrtle, and elm, which exhibit obvious phototropism and whose stems have a certain degree of flexibility during the seedling stage.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following significant advantages: 1. Zero-damage healthy shaping: The entire process involves no binding, cutting, or damage to any plant tissue, relying entirely on the plant's own tropism for growth. Seedling growth is uninhibited, physiological functions are intact, the survival rate is close to 100%, and the finished seedlings are vibrant and free of any artificial trauma.

[0023] 2. Natural and dynamic shape: Since the bending is the result of the plant's active growth behavior, its shape transitions naturally and smoothly, with flowing curves and a sense of life. It avoids the stiffness and abruptness of mechanical bending, and the artistic effect is superior.

[0024] 3. Highly controllable and highly designable: The curvature of the bend is precisely controlled by the particle size of the guide stone, and the position and number of bends are determined by the location and number of layers of the stone. This allows sculptors to pre-design shapes like drawing, and to achieve high fidelity in the final product, meeting the needs of personalized and order-based production.

[0025] 4. Low cost and easy to promote: The core materials used (pebbles, etc.) are almost costless and recyclable. The operation is simple and easy to learn, requiring no expensive equipment or special facilities, making it very suitable for home gardening enthusiasts, small and medium-sized nurseries, and even large seedling bases. It has great market potential.

[0026] 5. Promotes lignification and shape stability: During the guidance process, the seedlings are in a normal growth state, the stems gradually thicken and lignify, and once the curved shape is formed, it is fixed by the solid wood. It will never spring back after the stone is removed, and the shape is stable for a long time. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and comparative experiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0028] Example 1: Cultivation of Rhododendrons in Single-Bend Shapes Materials: Azalea cuttings (rooted and established, approximately 8cm tall), smooth oval pebbles with a diameter of approximately 12cm, and a mixed substrate of peat moss: rice husks: perlite = 7:2:1 (by volume).

[0029] method: 1. Plant the azalea seedlings in seedling pots and place them on a full-sun platform.

[0030] 2. Once you observe that the stem begins to grow rapidly (before it becomes semi-lignified), place a pebble horizontally against the south side of the stem base (with the main light source coming from the south). Ensure that the surface of the pebble, approximately 12cm in size, is in contact with the stem.

[0031] 3. Water and fertilize normally, keep the substrate moist, and apply 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate every 20 days.

[0032] 4. After about 150 days, the stem bends northward, its curvature matching the surface of the rock, with a radius of about 13cm. The stem thickens significantly and partially lignifies.

[0033] 5. Continue nurturing until day 220, when the stem is fully lignified, dark brown in color, and the curved shape is firmly established. Remove the pebbles to obtain a single-curved azalea seedling with an elegant arc at the base.

[0034] Example 2: Cultivation of Crape Myrtle with a "Z"-shaped Double Curve Design Materials: One-year-old crape myrtle seedlings (approximately 0.4cm in diameter and 25cm in height), one smooth pebble with a diameter of 15cm and another with a diameter of 10cm, and the same seedling substrate as above.

[0035] method: 1. Plant the seedlings in large seedling bags and provide full sun care.

[0036] 2. First bend guidance: Place a 15cm diameter pebble on the east side of the stem, about 5cm above the ground (semi-lignified section). Ensure that the pebble's surface, approximately 15cm in size, is in contact with the stem. After about 90 days, the first bend with a convex eastward orientation will form and the shape will stabilize.

[0037] 3. Second bend guidance: Place 10cm-diameter pebbles on the west side of the stem, approximately 12cm above the first bend. For stability, lightly cover the first bend with soil. Ensure the approximately 10cm-sized pebble is in contact with the stem. Continue cultivation for approximately 100 days to form a second convex bend facing west.

[0038] 4. Maintain proper water and fertilizer management throughout the cultivation period. After approximately 300 days, the stems at both bending points will be fully lignified, resulting in a natural zigzag shape. Remove the pebbles; the shaping is complete.

[0039] Example 3: Cultivation of Cherry Blossoms in Three-Section Gradient Curved Shapes Materials: Healthy cherry blossom (Prunus serrulata) seedlings in the "two leaves and one bud" stage; three smooth natural pebbles with diameters of 18cm, 12cm, and 8cm respectively; seedling substrate (peat: leaf mold: perlite = 5:3:2, volume ratio); a deep seedling pot with a diameter of 25cm.

[0040] method: 1. Seedling preparation: Carefully transplant the cherry blossom seedlings into pots filled with seedling substrate and water thoroughly. Place the seedling pots in a sunny, well-ventilated location, ensuring at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Water regularly to keep the substrate moist. Once the seedlings have fully recovered and begun to sprout new shoots (approximately 20 days after transplanting), perform the first shaping.

[0041] 2. First Shaping (Guided Large Bending at the Base): When the new stem is about 10cm long and in a semi-lignified, flexible state, perform the first operation. Select 18cm diameter pebbles and place them horizontally against the base of the stem, about 2cm from the soil surface. Ensure the surface of the pebble (approximately 18cm) is in close contact with the stem. Adjust the pot's orientation so that the pebbles are fixed on the north side of the stem (where the main light source is from the south). After about 70 days of cultivation, the stem successfully bends southward around the pebbles, the bend is stable, and the radius of the bend is measured to be approximately 20cm. At this point, the stem at the bend has entered a semi-lignified state.

[0042] 3. Second Shaping (Mid-Bend Guidance): After the first bend has formed and stabilized, place 12cm-diameter pebbles on the east side of the stem, approximately 15cm above the bend point. To prevent disturbing the already formed basal bend, first cover the bend with a small amount of substrate for stability, then place the second pebble. Ensure that its approximately 12cm surface is in contact with the stem. Continue cultivation for approximately 85 days until the stem completes its second bend around the pebble, this time with the convex side facing east and a bend radius of approximately 14cm. This section of the stem also reaches semi-lignification.

[0043] 4. Third Shaping (Guided Small Bending at the Tip): After the second bending shape has stabilized, place 8cm-diameter pebbles on the west side of the stem, about 10cm above the second bending point. Again, add a small amount of substrate to fix the lower structure. Ensure that the approximately 8cm-sized surface of the pebbles is in contact with the stem. Continue cultivation for about 60 days until the stem completes its third westward convex bend, with a bending radius of approximately 9cm.

[0044] 5. Post-planting care and shaping: Throughout the nearly year-long layered shaping process, consistent and meticulous care was maintained. The substrate was allowed to dry slightly between waterings, and a diluted NPK fertilizer (0.15% concentration) was applied every four weeks. After the third bending was completed, overall care continued for about two months. At this point, the entire cherry blossom seedling was about 60cm tall, and the stems at all three bends were fully lignified (dark brown in color, producing a crisp sound when tapped, and showing no elastic deformation in the bending test). The three pebbles were carefully removed one by one.

[0045] Result: A cherry blossom seedling with a three-section continuous curved shape was successfully obtained. The curvature of the three curves gradually decreases from the base to the tip (radius approximately 20cm→14cm→9cm), and the direction of the curves is distributed in a staggered manner in space (south→east→west), forming a natural, dynamic, and rhythmic gradual curve shape. The seedling is healthy, without any signs of mechanical damage, and the shape is entirely formed by its own growth and is firmly fixed.

[0046] Example 4: Azalea single-segment curved shaping (seedbed cultivation) Materials: Azalea cultivar "Pink Coral" cuttings, approximately 6cm tall after rooting and survival; smooth, oval-shaped natural pebbles approximately 15cm in diameter; seedling substrate (peat: well-rotted rice husks = 7:3, by volume).

[0047] method: 1. Seedling preparation: Spread the well-mixed seedling substrate on the seedbed and transplant the cuttings at a spacing of 20cm. Water thoroughly, set up a shade structure for 5 days to allow the seedlings to recover, and then transfer them to full sun, ensuring good ventilation.

[0048] 2. Shaping Guidance: Once the seedlings have fully adapted to the environment and the stems are in a semi-lignified, flexible state, shaping is performed. Select the pebbles and wrap them horizontally around the base of the target seedling stem. By adjusting the relative position of the pebbles and the stem, ensure that the approximately 15cm curved surface is in close contact with the south side of the stem (the main light source is from the south).

[0049] 3. Maintenance and Shaping: Keep the seedbed substrate moist, and apply a 0.08% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution every 25 days with irrigation. After about 200 days, it was observed that the stem had stably formed a northward curve along the outer wall of the cobblestones. The radius of the curve was measured to be approximately 17 cm, and this section of the stem had completely lignified (dark brown in color and hard in texture).

[0050] Result: After removing the pebbles, a rhododendron seedling with a single, smooth, curved stem base was obtained. The shape transitioned naturally, without any physical damage. This example demonstrates that in open-bed seedling production, using a "surrounded" placement method, stable and controllable single-curve shaping can be effectively achieved by utilizing phototropism.

[0051] Example 5: Multi-segment continuous curved shape of cherry blossoms (light-controlled environment) Materials: "Kanzan" cherry blossom "two leaves and one heart" buds; three smooth natural pebbles with diameters of 20cm, 20cm and 10cm respectively; seedling substrate (peat: decomposed rice husks = 7:3, volume ratio); root control cultivation pot with a diameter of 30cm.

[0052] method: 1. Seedling preparation: Transplant the seedlings into cultivation pots and place them in a well-ventilated greenhouse that provides 8 hours of stable, strong light per day (a combination of artificial and natural light). Secure the cultivation pots to ensure the plants receive south-facing sunlight.

[0053] 2. First Shaping: After transplanting and before the stem becomes semi-lignified, place the first 20cm diameter pebble horizontally against the north side of the stem base, adjusting it so that its approximately 20cm surface is in close contact with the stem. After 60 days of cultivation, the stem will form its first bend facing north, with a radius of approximately 24cm, and the shape will be stable, indicating that the stem has become semi-lignified.

[0054] 3. Second shaping: Lay a new substrate about 10cm thick above the first bend for stability. Then place a second pebble with a diameter of 20cm at the predetermined position on the stem, ensuring that its corresponding surface is in close contact with the east side of the stem. Continue cultivation for 90 days to form a second bend with the convex side facing east, achieving a stable shape.

[0055] 4. Third shaping: Similarly, place 10cm pebbles at the predetermined position on the stem above the second bend, ensuring that their corresponding surfaces are in close contact with the west side of the stem. Continue cultivation for 45 days to form the third bend with a convex westward facing direction.

[0056] 5. Post-shaping maintenance: Maintain regular water and fertilizer management throughout the entire shaping cycle. After the third bending is completed, the stem will be completely lignified.

[0057] Result: After removing all the pebbles, a cherry blossom-shaped seedling with three continuous bends was obtained. The three bends are, in order, north-facing (large bend), east-facing (large bend), and west-facing (small bend), arranged in a staggered manner to form a dynamic and continuous curved shape. This example demonstrates that under controlled lighting conditions, by layering stones of different particle sizes on different sides of the stem, more complex and precise multi-segment continuous directional bends can be achieved.

[0058] Comparative Experiment: Comparison of the Effects of the Method of the Present Invention and the Wire Binding Method Experimental materials: 60 Podocarpus macrophyllus seedlings of the same origin and specifications were randomly divided into group A (method of this invention) and group B (traditional wire binding method), with 30 seedlings in each group.

[0059] Test method: Group A: Using the method of this invention, pebbles are used to guide the formation of a single fixed arc.

[0060] Group B: Using the same arc mold, the stems are forcibly bent and bound after being wrapped with wire.

[0061] Observation indicators and results (after 12 months): Observation indicators Group A (This invention) Group B (Wire Binding Method) Average survival rate 100% 86.7% Stem damage No marks or damage 100% of the plant stems have marks of varying depths. Bending area healing Natural growth, without healing tissue All formed obvious tumor-like healing tissue Naturalness of shape Smooth curves and natural shape The curve is slightly stiff, giving the impression of forced bending. Operational complexity Simple, place once It requires wrapping, bending, and fixing, making the operation complex. Conclusion: The method of the present invention is significantly superior to the traditional wire binding method in terms of survival rate, plant health, natural shape, and ease of operation.

[0062] In summary, this invention provides a revolutionary approach to seedling shaping that respects the natural instincts of plants. It is not merely a technology, but a philosophy: creating more vibrant horticultural works through cooperation rather than conflict with plant growth. Those skilled in the art can make various adjustments and combinations based on the above description regarding seedling selection, rock shape and material, substrate formulation, and maintenance details; all such adjustments and combinations should be included within the scope of the claims of this invention.

Claims

1. A non-destructive bending and shaping method for horticultural seedlings based on phototropism, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (1) Seedling preparation: Select horticultural seedlings that are in the bud stage and phototropic. When they grow to the state of "two leaves and one heart", transplant them into a loose, breathable and fertile seedling substrate and place them in a well-ventilated environment with an effective light duration of no less than 6 hours per day to ensure transplant survival. (2) First shaping guidance: Before the seedling stem grows to the semi-lignified stage, select a guide stone body with a particle size matching the predetermined target bending radius, and place the guide stone body close to one side or around the root base of the seedling stem. Utilize the phototropism of the seedling to make its stem naturally bend and grow along the outer wall of the guide stone body in order to seek light. (3) Layered shaping and bending control: After the stem bending shape at the first set guide stone body is stable, according to the number of bending segments required for the final shape, repeat the guiding operation of step (2) at the stem at the predetermined position above the already bent stem segment to set in layers; the particle size of the guide stone body used in each layer can be selected independently to achieve multi-segment bending shape with different curvatures; before setting the upper layer guide stone body, an appropriate amount of seedling substrate can be added to fix the lower layer structure; (4) Maintenance and shaping: During the entire layered shaping process, maintain the appropriate humidity of the substrate and apply diluted nutrient solution regularly to ensure the healthy growth of the seedlings; after all the target curved sections are formed and the seedling stems are completely lignified and the shape is stable, remove all the guide stones to complete the shaping.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide stone mentioned in step (2) is a smooth natural pebble, a polished artificial stone, or a smooth ceramic product.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (2), the particle size of the guiding stone is positively correlated with the desired induced stalk bending radius.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (3), "stable bending shape" means that the bending angle of the stem on the outer wall of the guide stone is fixed, and the new growth continues to grow along the bending tangent direction.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (3), when setting up multi-layered guide stones, the interval between two adjacent layers is 30 to 200 days, depending on the type of seedling and its growth rate.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (4), the criteria for determining "complete lignification of the stem" include: the stem epidermis turns dark brown or grayish brown, the material is hard, and it does not deform elastically when bent and is prone to brittle fracture.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seedling substrate includes a mixture of two or more of the following: peat, coconut coir, leaf mold, perlite, and rice husks.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method is applicable to woody horticultural seedlings such as azalea, cherry blossom, podocarpus macrophyllus, crape myrtle, and elm, which have obvious phototropism and whose stems have a certain degree of flexibility in the seedling stage.