THE PINE PROJECT

[tgooboon]

Hi Ryceman,

Are you concerned that they will end up too straight?
Do you have any plans where you would cut back to? & When?
Do you have any secondary sacraficial branches you are going to get to take over once you cut back the main trunk?

[Ryceman3]

Hi Ryceman,

Are you concerned that they will end up too straight?
Do you have any plans where you would cut back to? & When?
Do you have any secondary sacraficial branches you are going to get to take over once you cut back the main trunk?

Howdy tgooboon,
In answer to your questions ...

1. No, I have wired low movement in quite a few, and those that I have left have plenty of low branching to cut back to as new leaders which will help with adding trunk movement plus enhance taper. This way might take a little longer, but maybe better results?? We'll see.

2. Yes, lots of options for cutting back on most of them. I will cut back when I get the base thickness close to where I want it. The ground grown ones are very close, I think they'll get worked maybe in autumn, the others I will wait longer.

3. Lots of secondary sacrificials set up for stage 2 of development. I aim for these to be as low as possible, as the trunk will fatten below the sacrifice (not above) so this is how I hope to really maximise taper.

Hope that helps!

[tgooboon]

I am always looking forward to seeing new photos, looking great at the moment. cant wait to see the bases once you get big enough.

[greg27]

You're a legend R3, I haven't done anything with pines yet but your project and updates are seriously inspiring.

Hopefully the in-laws got a look in too and you didn't just check on the trees and then leave

[Ryceman3]

I did a bit of work on the developing pines (JBP) that are at my house this morning (the potted ones). Basically involved stripping needles back on the sacrifice branches and some pruning down low to allow light and air in to the developing buds.
They are growing pretty well I think. I'm happy with the development of girth as well as the options that are presenting in terms of future branching.

PineDev_04.jpg

[Rare plant Pat]

What sort of feed is in the tea bags Ryan?

[Ryceman3]

What sort of feed is in the tea bags Ryan?

Nothing special Pat ...

AD2C2474-08B0-45A4-B066-D816163B5EC1.jpeg

[Rare plant Pat]

How often do you use it - Monthly?

[Ryceman3]

How often do you use it - Monthly?

Yep, that's pretty accurate ... if I remember!

[Ryceman3]

The ground grown stuff had a bit of work over the last couple of days. Not looking too bad for 2.5 year old stock... at least I’m pretty happy with it.

6F559017-D5E5-4B9C-BA7C-97E2619DD63B.jpeg

9439B361-52BF-4D61-ACDF-389897A0E303.jpeg

0594DB23-F429-417F-8E89-15B832245767.jpeg

DC70216C-776E-48BD-8584-68F5ED4FB458.jpeg

Main sacrifice got chopped, now using the second to thicken from closer to the base. Apex cut back to needles, looking for budding options. All in all, I’m happy.

[greg27]

Some lovely bases appearing there R3, well done.

[Ryceman3]

Buds all over this about a month since the big chop... looking good.

6A616F4D-AB56-48ED-B399-801F0A684FC5.jpeg

3360F926-B147-43D4-B970-C4520775D291.jpeg

[MJL]

Hey R3 - healthy regrowth - on a related note - when would you select the buds to keep? Say down to perhaps two? I am unsure on this - so any thoughts would be appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ryceman3]

Hey R3 - healthy regrowth - on a related note - when would you select the buds to keep? Say down to perhaps two? I am unsure on this - so any thoughts would be appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wouldn't yet. I will treat this growth like my decandled pines and shoot select after hardening off in mid-late autumn. Energy distribution amongst all the buds will mean shorter internodes etc on the buds that are eventually selected. Picking buds now would mean all energy is directed just to them, which would result in very vigorous growth/long internodes huge needles etc.
Also, these are really only just starting so anything could happen and I wouldn't want to put all my eggs in one basket to then see that bud die off.

[Psymo]

Impressive!