AusBonsai

Mine are just thinking of elongating.

Mine too.

I did mine about 6- 7 weeks back and I'm only getting 2 - 4 mm buds. Should I fertilise it? It's a new tree that I bought in October. I've got no idea how much fertiliser it received prior to decandling but the folage was dark green colour. I also wired the whole tree after decandling because it really needs some styling work on it at the time.

I can only really speak from my experience in Melbourne but i would say that your tree was too weak to be de-candled.

Upon getting a new pine i always ensure it is in a good mix and is heavily fed (how i like to feed) until it shows signs of strong growth. This is a must prior to de-candling.

If you wired the tree at the time of candle cutting this would have also stressed the tree.

I would feed now but don't be surprised if the tree doesn't extend those buds until next spring.

Perhaps someone from up your way will chime in and say otherwise but that's my guess based on what you said.

Joe

Hi Joe, I am also working the radiata's now. Pulling the needles top and bottom and pinching out the very strong growths 90% finger work. Its not a hard prune like I would do in autumn but just allowing light to get into the interior buds to keep them moving.
Craigw

Thanks Joe, I forgotten to mention the soil do look a bit heavy and I'm thinking a re-pot next Spring to a more free draining mix. But I'll start fertilising and see what happens. Maybe I've stress the tree too much.

with pines i always like to start at the roots when i get a new tree. i make sure they are healthy before i look at other parts of the tree.

Best of luck with it.

Just a quick couple of pics from the garden today showing the different growth from a tree where fertiliser has been left on after de-candling



And a tree that has had the fertiliser removed after de-candling.



You can see just how much tighter the growth is on the tree that wasn't fertilised.

The difference between fertilised and non fertilised growth is becoming more pronounced.


No fert after de-candling


Fert left on after de-candling.

Interesting to see the growth side by side.

Joe.

Hi Joe,

Yes that is a significant difference.

And yes the tree must always be in good health to do any candle removal so it is good advice always to build the strength of a tree up over a year or two. No need to hurry.

grant

Yeah, the differences are really becoming apparent. It will be interesting to see how needle length differs once they form and harden.

Joe.

Hi Jow, i also with held fertiliser with a few Black pines for the first time this year with great results ,does not work as well on Radiatas have attached pics or Blacks with and without.
Cherrs John

Sorry left one out

Looks like you are a few weeks ahead of my garden John! Looking good.