AusBonsai

Today it was time to give some developing pines their first pots.
I've been developing these trunks for some years. Now it is time to start working on building ramification on the branches. Transferring them from larger grow pots to bonsai pots should slow the growth and make it easier to develop smaller shoots for good ramification.
First is a Japanese Black pine which I've grown over a rock. Now a Japanese Red pine also Root over rock. This one already has quite good ramification and lots of small shoots. This twin trunk Japanese Black pine was developed by threading tiny seedlings through a hole in a stainless steel disk This is a smaller tree. I did not measure but it should just about be small enough to qualify as shohin Semi cascade Japanese Black pine developed as part of Grant Bowie's pine research trial. For scale, the black pot is a 20cm orchid pot. And finally for today another JBP. This one has been in a pot for a few years now and has some quite good ramification. I've swapped it from a shallow rectangular pot into this deeper round one.

Nice trees Shibui.
On average how many years to this point?

Looking forward to seeing the last one once it's wired, looking like it will come up a treat. Also loving your twin trunk Neil, you must be happy with all the trees.

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Nice trees shibui.
I'm guessing a couple of weeks of recovery then a big hit of fertiliser over the coming months before decandling in December?
Just wondering what differences there are in maintenance/growth habit between JBP and JRP? I know they are both double flush pines, but are there any generic differences in terms of care and/or timing etc.. between them? Probably what I'm trying to figure out is why JBP seem more popular than JRP as bonsai... maybe!
Looking forward to seeing the development.

The first 3 are probably around 15-20 years old from seed. The 2 smaller black pines are around 10 years, possibly less. I think the last one is probably the oldest of these - at least 20 years, maybe up to 25. I think you could probably develop similar standard a bit quicker if you put more time and effort into them. With all the trees here mine tend to get a bit neglected sometimes.

I'm treating both red and black pines the same at this stage - same timing, same techniques. Seems to be working but it is still early days for me with proper maintenance schedules.
I think black pine grows faster. It is easier to obtain here though that may reflect demand. I have not noticed any difference in hardiness except that one suddenly died for no apparent reason one year. Another club member lost one around the same time and I think I saw Treeman post that he also lost a red pine that same year. Red pine responds to candle pruning much quicker and produces masses of small shoots with very short needles - far better than black pine in that regard.

I have an idea that black pine is more popular in Japan because it has attributes tied up with ideas of strength and perseverance, etc. Definitely a Japanese Icon species so sought after for that reason.