AusBonsai

hey guys just like all my other posts i need help with pruning.

i recently bought a Red pine and the needles are super long is there anyone that can give a step by step guide to getting shorter needles. i know that you dont just get short needles straight away and it takes time but if someone can help me get the process started i'll be so great-full.

also what do i do about the candles someone told me to cut the tip off the candle. what does that do and are you supposed to cut the candle tips off.

and also what is the rule to pruning a red pine.

thanks guys i know i'm such a novice its not funny, but i dont want to wait till the next meeting next month to ask this question.

thanks guys

Looks like its got some movement. Is it a grafted variety ie lowglow or simular? there is no short answer to geting short needles on pines whether, black,red,scotts etc. Are you first happy with trunk thickness etc achieving smaller needles is usually at the end process of a tree once trunk thickness, primary branches are in place. My method is simular to lindsey farrs. look at his latest episode at bonsaifarm.tv .It has a video on him pruning japanese black pine for shorter needles. red pines are treated the same.

haha i donwloaded his videos just haven't watched them yet.

to be honest with you i am really happy with the thickness of the trunk and the branches are in great positions it has a natural bonsai shape to it (triangular) i just have to prune it and wire the branch that will be my apex up a little..

but that leads me to my next question what should the branch foliage look like i have had this problem since the beginning and no one ever answers it. what should the branches look like in terms of foliage, how should the foliage sit on the branch do i pluck the foliage that sits under the branch off. what do i do to the top foliage and the side foliage. it sounds like a simple thing but since i started even after classes no one ever answers me with a straight answer they beat around the bush as thought it's a secret and they dont want to tell you haha.

bonsai such a secret art.

please i hope that no one finds me frustrating, i am still learning but i really struggle in this area.

thank you for all your help.

Hi Dragonland,

Sorry but no secrets today

Time of year is very important when pruning pines so be guided by club members.

When developing pines it is desireable to keep lots of foliage, growth habits of most pines are similar. Lots of branches emanateing from one point, if we reduce to two branches at each junction we reduce the likelyhood of forming thick ugly whorles of branches. Also eliminates bar branches.

Sometimes it is too difficult to reduce all at once so it should be done over a period of a few years.

Extra branches growing up or down from these junctions are the first to go.

thanks for that, i noticed you are a member of the northwest bonsai where you at the last meeting on the olive demonstration??

i was the guy on crutches haha. thought i might add that one in there.

again thanks for the help

Yes Dragonland, I was the one on stage assisting with the demonstration. Say hello next meeting.

really far out small world. i would love to say hello next meeting, i was in Ian's bonsai beginners class last month, so i only new about 5 other people there that day, at the next meeting i will try to meet alot more people. again thanks for all your help maybe you can help me with this red pine at the next meeting.

cheers

Ahem...PLUG!

This set of DVDs has really great, easy to understand instructions on pine work...

viewtopic.php?f=102&t=7721

Dragonland, try Scott he was selling DVDs on JBP, these DVDs cover everything. I got a set and they are great, as you say no-one really helps, I think it is because they dont realy know them selves and cant pass info in, although they have some nice pines, i think most just bum along and fluke it. i dont know.
Any way with these DVDs i wont need to ask anymore, all i'll do is watch the DVD that i need to.

viewtopic.php?f=102&t=7721

Regards Mick

P.S. the only thing is i'm not sure if Red pine is the same as Black.

thanks so much guys i emailed you scott if you still have the 4 dvd special would it be ok to buy them off you. thanks heaps guys. thanks handy mick

Red pine is treated the same as JBP but if it becomes weak do not work the tree for one year.

Yes I do have some sets left I'll PM you the details.

Hi. If you do a search on JBP on this site you will find a copy of my paper on developing JBP in Oz. This technique will result in smaller needles as well as in the general development of the bonsai. Unfortunately successful needle reduction does take a few years.

regards
Dennis Mc

thanks heaps mate i'm going to look for it right now. i noticed you are a teacher of bonsai where are you located if you dont mind me asking?

hi nice tree dragon sorry for gate crashing the thread but i notice most who have replied are basedin melbourne just curious where as im looking at bonsai claaaes and meets as well but im in clayton..