Japanese Black Pine from seed after 21 years

[bodhidharma]

Hi all,

I finally got around to doing some work on my pine.

Root Wrap Black Pine 1.JPG

After needle plucking and before wiring April 2010.JPG

As I now wire I will also be reducing further some of the number of buds, weak branches at bottom and strong branchlets at the top etc.

I have been wiring it on and off for a couple of days and it is getting there. Some photos of it wired soon and then final placement.

Grant

Looking forward to that Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Front wired and roughly placed.JPG

Left side wired and roughly placed.JPG

Back wired and roughly placed.JPG

I am basically happy with the tree at this point and now need to finalise the positioning of branches as seen from the front to make it look fuller. Then micro positioning of the branches and finish the placement of the tips as well.

It looks OK from the side with a nice even placement of foliage all around the tree.

More soon but I will have a break for a while.

Grant

[Amanda]

Spectacular tree!

[Glenda]

This is truly inspiring. I have a puny JBP I bought as tube stock about 8 months ago I might try this with


Glenda

[Grant Bowie]

Thanks for the comments. Still a long way to go.

Don't forget that it will take a few more years to really bulk it up with lots of buds and short natural needles but it is a good start anyhow.

Grant

[Jamie]

the trunk and branch placement from the trunk is sensational in this JBP grant. it just shows that to have great trees takes time. i will have to get some stock and try this!

jamie

[woody]

thanks Grant, i appreciate all the photos and time youve put in sharing this with us. But you saying your "basically happy", well that just hurts .

I am basically happy with the tree at this point

beautiful everything.
Woody

[Grant Bowie]

thanks Grant, i appreciate all the photos and time youve put in sharing this with us. But you saying your "basically happy", well that just hurts .

I am basically happy with the tree at this point

beautiful everything.
Woody

Oh well,

I have been doing bonsai for a while(40 yrs) and this tree has been a long term project (going on 22 years)so I have had a lot of time to think about it, and of course I know its faults, but yes I am only basically happy with it. I know lots now that I didn't then and could do it quicker and better; but I can't go back in time.

I hope I can help others now by now done it the hard way.

Grant

[bodhidharma]

Thank you Grant, great tips and advice, i love the classic shape that this tree is becoming.

[woody]

hey Grant. I was wondering if this JPB is the straight JPB or Nishiki, thanks,
Woody

[Grant Bowie]

hey Grant. I was wondering if this JPB is the straight JPB or Nishiki, thanks,
Woody

Hi Woody,

Its straight JBP from seed. It isn't corking but is old enough to becoming rough barked.

There is another thread with how I grew it.

And here it is ...viewtopic.php?f=104&t=2346

Grant

[woody]

Hi again, the reason i asked was because of the texture of the bark, thanks for the thread. I also checked out the web site of Dougs from Cali. U.S.
Its an incredible process i'll say that. Pure dedication. Thanks again
Woody

[PeterH]

Hi Grant,

Your tree is looking excellent. Is the one I have from the same source. I presume mine is one of Toms as it was bought from the clubs sales table around 2003.

Peter

[Grant Bowie]

Hi Grant,

Your tree is looking excellent. Is the one I have from the same source. I presume mine is one of Toms as it was bought from the clubs sales table around 2003.

Peter

Hi Peter,

I only did 10 or so of them and only kept 1.Unfortunately some have gone to heaven after various mishaps and no one else really grew it on as I suggested. It is easy to do in the first place and then just takes time and fertilizer.

So yes if you got one from the club table it would be one of the last original trees.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Repotted the Black pine today as well as my Bunjin one.

It has been in a bonsai pot for a few years now and the root system is well trained. didn't have to cut off too much root but changed it over to a mix of Diatomite 40%/Gravel 20%/Coco Peat 20%/Orchid mix 20% and a handfull of Zeolite in a large bucket.

Grant