Intro and JBP questions..

[Bain]

Hi All,
First off - great forums and website! Heaps of information and a great place to share our common interests!

Background - About 8 years ago my girlfriend (now Fiance) bought me a twin planting of Abies for my birthday (i cant remember the exact species name). It lasted around 6 months before one of them died. As I didnt want the other to die, we went in search of a Bonsai nursery/specialist. Thats how I met Ted from Williams Nursery.

Unfortunately Ted had some grim news for me and said the other tree was pretty much dead aswell, it just hadnt turned brown yet..

Anyhow, we got talking about Bonsai and Ted let on that he conducted classes to learn all the different styles etc. We jumped on board and created our own bonsai. At the end of all the lessons we had pretty much 2 of every style.

Roll forward 8 years to 2009. Our bonsais have thinned out due to various reasons (working to many hours, house projects, neglect etc etc) and I would like to keep what remains as our reno's is almost at an end which would allow me to display them.

Q: I have a twin planting of Japanese Black Pine that I would like to get back into shape. What I would like to know is how far back can I cut a branch and still have it produce candles? Should I be doing this now? What should I be feeding this species? I can put on some pic's when I get home from work if this would help.

[anttal63]

hello bain, welcome. ted poynton is a great man and teacher to have first up. we are now coming into bud selection time for refining jbp's here in melb. hard pruning best left for winter. depending at what stage of developement your tree is at these are not necessarily hard and fast rules. to get accurate advice its always best to post up photos. preferably 4 views around the tree with a background behind it. alternatively. tonight bonsai society victoria is having a workshop that you could join and have some cats take you through it. bonsai northwest has a workshop next monday night also. hope to see more of you.

[Bain]

Thanks for the fast reply antonio! Unfortunately I cant make it tonight as I have other commitments. Rest assured though, the next meeting I will be attending!

Here are a few pictures of the JBP's in question.

The pot its in is 40cm x 30cm x 12cm and the trees stand at around 65cm in height. They have been in the pot since 2001 (i wish I had fed them more, theyd be alot thicker now)

jbpfront.jpg

jbpback.jpg

jbpleft.jpg

jbpright.jpg

jbptop.jpg

Excuse the wet look.. Its currently raining!

[Steven]

G'day Bain and welcome to AusBonsai!
Firstly, congratulations on your photography. The pictures are sharp, plenty of angles and your JBP stands out well in front of the backdrop.
To me, your branches are screaming out for some selective thinning out and wiring. You might also consider adding a third, smaller tree to the setting. Remember to look at the whole group as one when deciding on the final shape. Don't treat them as individuals or the group will not look harmonious.
Thanks for posting and sharing your story too mate!
Regards,
Steven

[anttal63]

major work needs done here bain, your telln me it has not had a repot since 2001. ouch. this tree desperately needs to find vigour again. i would imagine the root ball could be either rotting or fused or both. middle of winter they both need to be pruned back to 1 branch and a leader, wired into shape. come late august a severe root cut back and sorting, then planted into a poly box with a good open mix. 3 years of committed growing and then we might have something worth putting back in a bonsai pot. when i have time i will do a virt of what i see in the future.

[anttal63]

just one of many possabilities ;

[Bain]

major work needs done here bain, your telln me it has not had a repot since 2001. ouch. this tree desperately needs to find vigour again. i would imagine the root ball could be either rotting or fused or both. middle of winter they both need to be pruned back to 1 branch and a leader, wired into shape. come late august a severe root cut back and sorting, then planted into a poly box with a good open mix. 3 years of committed growing and then we might have something worth putting back in a bonsai pot. when i have time i will do a virt of what i see in the future.

Im pretty sure we have repotted/cut some of the roots back, but even then thats going back a few years - but Id need clarification from my partner on that one.

The virtual display looks beautiful Antonio! I would never have thought to do anything like that with these 2 trees!

[anttal63]

glad to be of help. if you need anymore let me know no prob.