Japanese Black Pine longitudinal study; Collaborators needed

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,

I have had the privilege over the last 40+ years to travel around Australia in various ways observing bonsai. I would like to put some of this experience to practical use to try and fine out the optimal times, techniques and procedures to get the best out of Japanese Black Pines under the many and varied conditions around Australia.

The biggest differences will be North to South; not so much East to West but I am keen to explore. Coastal vs inland vs mountains is also of interest.

I would like to gather information and do some experiments and observations with some people located in say(or thereabouts) Hobart/Sthn Tasmania, Devonport/Launceseton/Nthn Tasmania, Metro Melbourne/Sthn Victoria/coast/inland and mountain, Central/hot/cold Victoria maybe Daylesford,Bendigo/Goldfields, Sthn NSW Albury/Wagga, Western NSW, Canberra/Goulburn of course, Sydney/Wollongong/Newcastle, Central Coast, North Coast, Brisbane/ Gold Coast/Toowoomba, and then northern Brisbane and up as far as Japanese Black Pines grow and thrive. How far north I don't know.

I am interested in exploring the different fertilising strategies because of climate, timing of bud break/ rate of growth, time needed to grow and harden off, candle removal and regrowth rates, ability to squeeze in extra procedures in warmer climates as opposed to difficulties experienced in the colder climates and to do some guided experiments along the way.

I would hope to collect the information over the next 2 to 3 years and include the results with sketches at a major presentation some time in the future.

I will limit it strictly to standard Japanese Black Pine; not Mikawa/Yatasabusa/ hybrid Black or Red Pine.

I am specialising more and more now in JBP and would really like to help everyone get more out of their pines in and under the local conditions where people live; dispel some myths and work out good general routines appropriate to Australian conditions, climate and stock.

If you are interested and would like to participate/help please PM me.

Grant

[lackhand]

Grant, I would love to help if I could, but I'm afraid I'm a bit out of your specified areas. Just wanted to say that this is exactly the kind of research and initiative that needs to be taking place all over to improve our knowledge, and therefore the quality of bonsai. to all involved! Look forward to hearing the results as I'm sure there will be some application for my climate.

[dansai]

Would love to be involved Grant. I live pretty much half way between Sydney and Brisbane. However I have very limited experience with pines and the ones I have are early in development and 2 out of the 3 are labelled Yatsabusa and the 3rd seems to produce even more buds. Either way I'm sure to get some benefit from any results of this study.

[Grant Bowie]

Would love to be involved Grant. I live pretty much half way between Sydney and Brisbane. However I have very limited experience with pines and the ones I have are early in development and 2 out of the 3 are labelled Yatsabusa and the 3rd seems to produce even more buds. Either way I'm sure to get some benefit from any results of this study.

Hi,

I worked on a Yatsabusa yesterday and it is not the type of pine I am after for this study. I would like to have a uniform bunch of trees to be able to compare the results over the different micro climates they come from..

If you can get JBP you are welcome to take part.

Grant

[bouquet]

I would like to gather information and do some experiments and observations with some people located in say(or thereabouts) Hobart/Sthn Tasmania, Devonport/Launceseton/Nthn Tasmania, Metro Melbourne/Sthn Victoria/coast/inland and mountain, Central/hot/cold Victoria maybe Daylesford,Bendigo/Goldfields, Sthn NSW Albury/Wagga, Western NSW, Canberra/Goulburn of course, Sydney/Wollongong/Newcastle, Central Coast, North Coast, Brisbane/ Gold Coast/Toowoomba, and then northern Brisbane and up as far as Japanese Black Pines grow and thrive. How far north I don't know.

Poor South Australia, Adelaide, didnt even get a mention. I'm sure there are a few JBP enthusiasts here in SA that might like to contribute to this study.

[Grant Bowie]

I would like to gather information and do some experiments and observations with some people located in say(or thereabouts) Hobart/Sthn Tasmania, Devonport/Launceseton/Nthn Tasmania, Metro Melbourne/Sthn Victoria/coast/inland and mountain, Central/hot/cold Victoria maybe Daylesford,Bendigo/Goldfields, Sthn NSW Albury/Wagga, Western NSW, Canberra/Goulburn of course, Sydney/Wollongong/Newcastle, Central Coast, North Coast, Brisbane/ Gold Coast/Toowoomba, and then northern Brisbane and up as far as Japanese Black Pines grow and thrive. How far north I don't know.

Poor South Australia, Adelaide, didnt even get a mention. I'm sure there are a few JBP enthusiasts here in SA that might like to contribute to this study.

I was about to add Adelaide, Perth and the Blue Mountains in NSW. Probably no pines in Darwin.

As I stated in the thread the East West information does not change much; North South is where the biggest differences will be evident; but all are welcome. All the locations included are an example of where I would like participants but is not exhaustive,

Grant

[bonsaibruce]

Greetings Grant,
Bimer Bonsai Club has a Black Pine workshop and demonstration planned for our July 5th meeting.
You are welcome to visit, as are all bonsai tragics.
There are a number of our members who have good Black Pines, who I am sure will be happy to be involved in your project.
Mine died because I was too afraid to re-pot.
This is also our AGM and Albert has found a large Black Pine for a demonstration. There will be Black Pine morning workshop.
Happy bonsai,
Bruce.

[Grant Bowie]

Greetings Grant,
Bimer Bonsai Club has a Black Pine workshop and demonstration planned for our July 5th meeting.
You are welcome to visit, as are all bonsai tragics.
There are a number of our members who have good Black Pines, who I am sure will be happy to be involved in your project.
Mine died because I was too afraid to re-pot.
This is also our AGM and Albert has found a large Black Pine for a demonstration. There will be Black Pine morning workshop.
Happy bonsai,
Bruce.

hi Bruce,

I would be happy for you to spread the word for me.

I will be at the GC Conference this year and would be keen to meet/encourage participants in my study.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

I have 2 possible participants from the Sydney area, 1 from Melbourne and 1 from Canberra.

I need more participants to make the study worthwhile. The pines themselves do not need to be advanced trees; I would like 2 trees of similar growth to trial various procedures and be able to observe the differences.

1st would be to fertilise one tree over winter and not the other, then compare the 2 trees in early spring for colour, vigour etc; then note dates when they bud and elongate.

2nd would be around candle pruning and fertiliser withdrawal time.

Looking forward to more helpers.

Grant

[bodhidharma]

I am about to start work on my older pines grant but i have a couple i want to play with so i am in.

[Grant Bowie]

I am about to start work on my older pines grant but i have a couple i want to play with so i am in.

Thanks,
I will send a general email soon.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the new participants.

I still need a few from the north and south of the country; Mid and northern NSW, Brisvegas/Gold Coast and further north; plus Tasmania; especially Tasmania.

East and west also welcome; your climates are very dry and hot which would affect trees in different ways.

Grant

[shibui]

I'm happy to help with data from inland foothills Vic/ NSW border- Yackandandah if it will add anything to the project. Plenty of black pines here to look at.

[Grant Bowie]

I'm happy to help with data from inland foothills Vic/ NSW border- Yackandandah if it will add anything to the project. Plenty of black pines here to look at.

Yes please,

GRANT

[Jason]

Wish I could help Grant, as it sounds like a pretty worhtwhile study. Good luck