AusBonsai

I picked up this black pine a few months ago and couldnt wait to have a play with it, after 6 hours of wiring,trimming and styling this how it sits for now.
I know the pot is way to big for it but it had been attacked by curl gurbs and i could not afford to lose any more roots, so no root pruning was done.
plan is to regain some vigour and promote root growth... (deep down i just hope it survives)

Looks great good luck

Jas

Good evening iliya,

I like your pine. I think the shape you gave it is very good. I would just wait till it fills out some more. For this sort repotting and styling, I usually give them an entire growing season without any more works on branches etc.

As for the roots, about two years ago, I did a dig with less roots than this one. Although when in the ground it was extremely healthy. Luckily it pulls through.

So base on this limited experience, I am very optimistic for this one.

I would give it some very weak (diluted) liquid Seasol every second week or so. See how it goes, I would not do any feeding till beginning of October -- then some light feed. In Melbourne, they sort of stop growing in April.

I am sure other members will suggest something.

Best regards and please keep us updated

Hi iliya , mate those grubs are my greatest curse and the major factor for the contribution to my dead pines . On most occasions by the time i find them its too late for the tree. I hope it survives , its a great looking trunk . I have some very sick looking old material here and i know they will have grubs on board , unfortunately i can't get around to re-potting them .Far too many tree's have been lost since i introduced Euca mulch into my garden now the beetles even manage to enter open pot layers so its a loosing battle . There are curl grub sprays and powders/pellets available but the manufacturers don't recommend or guarantee there use in pots . I think with the problem i have here i will treat 50% of the tree's i know are infested and see if a trial or two can't produce a positive result . Can't possible kill the plant any quicker . Good luck with your pine .

Cheers Alpineart

once it has re settled I reckon those two left hand surface roots should be repositioned or removed

iliya, your JBP has potential, if it were mine, I think that the lack of taper in the top 1/3 of the tree would need to be improved when it has gained some vigour.

I don't suffer from infestations of curl grubs that many on this forum do, I suspect that the birds (especially owls) probably slaughter both adult beetles and larvae, as they do moths and caterpillars. A 10 minute Google search will provide plenty of effective non chemical and chemical means that will prevent and eliminate this pest with a little effort.

Cheers,
Mojo

This is starting to show some good signs of life! WooHoo.
its buds are starting to swell now and i can see some new buds starting to poke through already!
I think this will be a really nice tree in about 2 years.

Good news Iliya

Keep up whatever treatment you are using through spring mate so the little buggers don't return.

Tony

Hi Ilya nice pine
I too hate Curl grubs, and they are the reason I ventured down the route of Inorganic Mixes. The grubs do not survive in High concentrations of diatomite. I lost too many trees to the buggers

I use Diatomite / Zeolite only, and have not seen a Grub in my pots for 6 years now, where before i was getting up to 20 in a pot
I know people who still user organic in ther mixes, but will add 30% or more diatomite instead of gravel, also do not have many (or no) grubs.

Ken

I repotted this one over winter to inspect the root system and get it into a smaller pot....
well its recovered nicely and showing good signs after the repot... candles are growing strong!

This is one stunning pine. Looks very healthy too.

a very pleasing looking tree in a very nice pot. Congratulations.

Update pic

Nice tree,have you thought of lowering top/thick/straight bit of trunk and tilting the whole thing to get rid of the dead-straight base? just a thought

Nice progression in a little over a year, congratulations. It gives you a great base to continue its development

I too think that there is some scope for improvement in roots and the top third. I'd cut back the circling roots and large taperless section at the top and regrow from a small shoot (providing one is there).

When do you decandle where you live, Dec? I'd be interested to see some more detailed pics when you have decandled and then also when you do the Autumn needle pulling.

Thanks for posting.