needle shortening on JBP

[vlkcheng]

Thanks for all your replies and explanation. It's great stuff. Wished I had turned on my computer earlier so I can post a pix of what I meant. I have already gave my JBP a haircut this morning. Before, the folage was fairly dense and last year's needles were getting quite long. ie: 3 - 4 inches. Some of them were even covering the branches above. I thought if I leave them, then only the old needles get the sun and the buds will miss out. I still need to figure out how to attach a picture with my reply.

[matlea]

Thanks for the clarification Scott

[LLK]

Thanks for your excellent explanations, Scott, incl. the sketch.
Regarding the backbudding through keeping needle fascicles in strategic places: success depends largely on what you consider "strategic places". Certainly not along the portion of a branch with 3-year old needles. The best results are obtained along the younger and even youngest branches. and you never leave just one or two sets of needles, but at least four. Cutting off the terminal shoots stimulates the formation of new buds. Well, that's what I do, for better or for worse. Adventitious buds can be very nice, but the disadvantage is that you cannot rely on them always forming where you want them.
Geez, quite a lot of things I do instinctively by now, and it's hard to remember exactly what steps I take. Still, my pines are doing OK.
It's best if vlk studies the Pruning Pines page of Bonsai4me, at http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATPine%20Pruning.html, or buys Boon's DVD's from you, or visits Lindsay's nursery. Or does all three!

Lisa

[Mojo Moyogi]

Also worth reading is Leong's book on Pines and anything written by Brent Walston.

Cheers,
Mojo