Where to go, what to do?

[boristhebadseed]

I have had this JBP for a couple of years now and have tried to apply the theories of Ryan Niel but the plant doesn't seem to ramify. Two years ago I needle plucked to even out the branches but it didn't ramify as I had expected.

It budded strongly over spring last year but many of the buds did not sprout and it didn't candle at all this year. Those that did sprout took ages to do so. When the needle grow they seem to yellow off as they age and then brown out.

It is kept in a sunny location outside where it is protected from winter frost. It is watered daily and kept moist.

I feed regularly with a fortnightly dose of diluted 50/50 Superfeed and Seasol and a diluted Superthrive in the beginning of spring.

I am not sure what I'm doing wrong? Have had similar problems with White pine though. I have absolutely no problems with Monterey (Radiata) pine which I have managed to bring back from the brink of death...I also have some very healthy Allepo Pine

Should I move it to a large wooden box to let it thicken, and maybe recover better? Could the problem be with the roots and soil, I repotted two years ago as it was potbound and it seemed to stagnate for a year before budding began.

Your opinion os greatly appreciated as I have a particular sof spot for Japanes pines, but little luck with them..

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[shibui]

My opinion is that this is not a JBP!
I think it looks like a mugho pine. If I'm correct that would explain the lack of ramification and slow budding after decandling. Mugho and white pines are 'single flush' species - they only grow once in the spring. JBP is a multi flush species and will grow new shoots after the initial spring growth is removed.
The yellow needles indicates some problem. Probably roots. I can't see the potting mix well but I have seen similar when the roots are too wet. Is that possible?

[kez]

Yep I’m with Neil,

Definitely not black pine and most likely Mugo. In my experience less is more with Mugo, they don’t like being pushed. There’s a guy in the U.S, Vance Wood I think, that pretty much has written the book on them and has info
Online, but I find Mugo are definitely region sensitive so maybe your micro climate also doesn’t suit?

Either way, feed, make sure your soil is healthy and doing it’s job and leave it alone for probably 2 or so years if you have been treating it as jbp. It will take a bit of of time before it goes forward again

[Daluke]

I echo the above comments - It could be a mugo Pine pin cushion variety. It could be nothing.

People dall these single flush, but I find these pretty vigourus.

The easiest way to tell what it is would be to smell the sap of both jbp and mugo. They smell different.

[Gerard]

I agree 'mugo' remove some of those small buds where there are too many in one place . The tree will push all the energy into the buds you leave behind.

[boristhebadseed]

Hey cheers for the advice, This tree was bought as a JBP from a Melbourne bonsai nursury.
I will look into the required care for this species.

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