AusBonsai

Hey guys,
Well this has stumped me a bit lately. All the info ive been trying to find seems to not be thorough enough so i know what to do.

What i wanted to do i get this pine from a friend

Im thinking i will air layer the right branch (our right)

But then once that branch is established im a bit confused about how i can cut the growth back. How can i encourage the growth back closer to the trunk? Or is the plant too far gone and needs to be pruned properly by reducing the end foliage from a younger age? Keep in mind im a beginner, i love pines but man they are confusing....

Just need some advice

I would cut back to the first foliage ion each branch and see it will backshoot closer in. then see what you get.
Put in Larger pot and fert like mad to get some good growth and see what you end up with.

The other alternative, is to wrap the lot with Raffia and wire, then bend it like a pretzel and bring the growth right back by bending

like what I did to a Juniper here
viewtopic.php?f=131&t=6410&p=73619&hili ... per#p73554

Ken

I reckon you would be better off cutting all of the old needles off at the sheath, leaving just the present years needles. Do nothing else but feed the tree. Add some osmocote slow release and feed with a full dose of maxicrop and seasol every few weeks. Once you get some strong back budding, then you could look at pruning the longer growth back. It is best to get the tree strong and healthy before considering any air layer (which are quite hard to do on pines).
No point rushing a pine - takes time to get them to do what you want.
Hope this helps.

Ok so that gives me a few ideas. Im not in a hurry to get this plant going. I was worried, ive read pines dont like to back shoot. I think the wiring idea is a bit too advanced for me yet. So i may just have to prune, fertilise and cross my fingers?

Joe, u may find these DVD's interesting /or watching ,i know i do,

viewtopic.php?f=102&t=7721

Craig wrote:Joe, u may find these DVD's interesting /or watching ,i know i do,

viewtopic.php?f=102&t=7721

Thanks Craig i will be sure to have a look!