JBP in the tropics?

[bonsaibeginer]

Hi all. I keep reading topics on JBP and they all seem to come from people down south... Does any one have any up here in the tropics?
I'm up near Cairns, but definitely not as humid, what chance do I stand up here?
Any help would be great. Thanks

[chrisatrocky]

Hi bb, this is a car sheet for JBP for the Rockhampton area.
Japanese black pine maintainence for Capricorn region Based on Leong Kwong's method
September Fertilize, when new growth appears.
October/November Spring candle pinching (Pinch off 1/2 to 2/3 just before needles come out). Remove any strong growths. This balances vigour and stimulates bud growth along branch.
December Keep up the water and fertilizer
January/February Summer Candle removal in 3 stages - weekly intervals. The weak first, then medium and then strong. Cut right back to base, 2mm above old needles Bud removal to avoid excessive strong growth, 3 weekly stages. In the weak areas, leave only the biggest and strongest. In the strongest areas, leave only weakest. Leave only 2 buds.
March/April Autumn prune. Cut vigorous shoots back to same length as weaker shoots (balances over all shape).Remove old needles to stimulate plant and create vigour. Allows sunlight in and encourages development of many new shoots.
May/June Winter needle pulling. Largest number from strong zone (thus checking the vigour) less in medium zone and few/none in weak zone.
June/July
July/August Branch pruning. Wiring & shaping. Pot in late August (last 2 weeks), when necessary, before new candles develop. Only re-pot a developed tree when roots fill the pot (3-5 years) to encourage more compact growth and smaller needles. While it is still cool

NOTES: Times given are only approximate and depend on the seasons. To achieve balance this whole procedure needs to be followed in a disciplined way for at least 2-3 growing seasons, once basic tree is established, although complete candle removal in November is only practiced every second or third year. Do not work on JBP when it is very hot.

This is what I do and what I pass on to our members. Ryan Neil has a less involved method which I am trying out on some of our pines, to see how it works.
there are a lot of different methods, mostly for the cooler climates, take these and adjust them to suit your climate and pines growth.
here's one of our pines.

pine0.1.png

hope this helps
chris

[Ash]

There are several people growing Japanese Black pines quite successfully in Cairns. One or two specimen black pines are exhibited at our show each year. It appears that the most important thing is to give them excellent drainage and coarse growing medium is recommended. There are several available via home improvement store nurseries at present as well.

cheers

Ash

[bonsaibeginer]

Thanks very much for all the info Chris. I've just got my copy of Leongs book, just not getting any time at the moment to go through it... Your condensed version is going to be a great help.
At the moment I've got most of my plants in trainer pots but just bought a good looking JBP with quite a bit of potential (I think anyway).
I'll have to keep an eye out for any shows in cairns, Ash, as I'm in Mareeba so not far at all.

Thanks again for all the help, I'll get learning and trying.
Grant