Pinus Thumbergii

[Jarrod]

In an effort to keep Jons post clean i have started a new topic for the development of my black pine.

Hi Jezz,

The lowest branch is very strong at the end, and not too many secondary branches closer to the trunk. Are you going to cut it off later on, or are you keeping it?

If you keep it, I think you should think about back-budding to develop more branches closer to the trunk as soon as possible.

Regards,

Viet.

I have left that branch as a sacrifice in an effort to get a bit more taper in the trunk.

Opinions welcome, Advice much appreachiated.

Jarrod

[Asus101]

Firstly, I dont have a pine. I have three in development, but thats it.
Over the year of my bonsai life I have done as much reading as I possibly can, as well as talking to everyone I can who has a pine, looked at one, or thinking about getting one.

My advice based on that, is this.
First it needs superfeeding. On a pine that size you should have at least 12 baskets. The photo maybe distorting the size of the pot, but it should be close to covered. A good 20-20-20 should be used.

Let the apex go. Let it go as high as it wants. Pluck the needles between your desired apex and the lionstail apex. You don't need it branching there, so don't let it take the resources.
If you want to grow out the left branch be careful. Dont let it draw strength and kill off the bud you got closer on that branch.

People, also remember; Like ficus, pines benefit from wire cutting in, BUT DON'T LET IT GROW OVER THE WIRE!!

[PeterW]

Is the picture you have provided taken from the proposed back of the tree? If it is, can you take another from the other side, the front.
What height do you want this tree?
What work have you done to this tree since winter? It looks like the needles have been cut, is that right? It looks like your weaker zones (lower) are actually stronger then the apex. The information that came from Viet was spot on, it does look like that.
Lets have a look at another picture first anyway and then make some decisions about what to do next.
Peter.

[Jarrod]

Firstly, I dont have a pine. I have three in development, but thats it.
Over the year of my bonsai life I have done as much reading as I possibly can, as well as talking to everyone I can who has a pine, looked at one, or thinking about getting one.

My advice based on that, is this.
First it needs superfeeding. On a pine that size you should have at least 12 baskets. The photo maybe distorting the size of the pot, but it should be close to covered. A good 20-20-20 should be used.

Let the apex go. Let it go as high as it wants. Pluck the needles between your desired apex and the lionstail apex. You don't need it branching there, so don't let it take the resources.
If you want to grow out the left branch be careful. Dont let it draw strength and kill off the bud you got closer on that branch.

People, also remember; Like ficus, pines benefit from wire cutting in, BUT DON'T LET IT GROW OVER THE WIRE!!

Thanks for the reply, it normally has a huge covering of dynamic lifter plus i liquid feed fortnightly. Dynamic lift was removed for the photo.

I have kept the apex under control to advance the lower branch and send the sacrifice out to fatten the lower section. I am trying to remove the odd transfer between the base and the start of the trunk, it is working well, as at the start of the year there was no taper at all.

[Jarrod]

Is the picture you have provided taken from the proposed back of the tree? If it is, can you take another from the other side, the front.
What height do you want this tree?
What work have you done to this tree since winter? It looks like the needles have been cut, is that right? It looks like your weaker zones (lower) are actually stronger then the apex. The information that came from Viet was spot on, it does look like that.
Lets have a look at another picture first anyway and then make some decisions about what to do next.
Peter.

The more I look at this tree the more i see a full cascade to be honest this is the front but when i get to my computer i will post the other photos i think i have of it.

I cut the crown candles earlier then i should have but this is a learning tree for me for the shohin that is going great guns in the ground. I will add a photo of that if i get a chance.

Thanks for the reply

Jarrod