Please note that this article is not mine. It is the copy of the black pine section from an article titled Pine Training Achieving Balance and Growth Energy Distribution distributed by BONSAI SOCIETY OF VICTORIA to members more than 10 years ago. This article has black pine and white pine along side. I just copied out the black pine column.
I have double checked this copy. There is no typing or omission mistake. Some months appear to have no activities.
The white pine column can be found at this post: https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=131&t=9589&start=15
**** Copy of partial article follows ****
September
Pot in Spring, when necessary, before new candles develop. Only repot a developed tree when roots fill the pot (3-5 years) to encourage more compact growth and smaller needles.
October
Spring candle pinching
(Pinch off 1/2 to 2/3 just before needles come out).
Remove any strong growths. This balances vigour and stimulates bud growth along branch.
November
December
Summer Candle removal in 3 stages - weekly intervals. Weak first, then medium, then strong. Cut right back to base, 2mm above old needles.
January/February
Bud removal to avoid excessive strong growth, 3 weekly stages. In the weak areas, leave only the biggest and strongest. In the strongest areas, leave only weakest. Leave only 2 buds.
March
Autumn prune. Cut vigorous shoots back to same length as weaker shoots (balances overal shape).
April
May/June
Remove old needles to stimulate plant and create vigour.
Allows sunlight in. Encourages development of many new shoots.
June/July
Winter needle pulling. Largest number from strong zone (thus checking the vigour) less in medium zone and few/none in weak zone.
July/August
Branch pruning.
July
Wiring & shaping.
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NOTES:
- Above collated by Jeffry Farman from cross referencing growing articles by Katsuto Sakurai, Seiji Yoshida, Yoshiaki Kato, John Naka, Hideki Nakayasu, Kazuo Oishi and Takeshita Yosiaki.
- Times given are only approximate and depend on the seasons.
- To achieve balance this whole procedure needs to be followed in a disciplined way for at least 2-3 growing seasons, once basic tree is established, although complete candle removal in December is only practiced every second or third year.
My own notes regarding June/July Winter needle pulling: I have never pulled needles off black pines. I cut them off. Leaving only a tiny bit on the branches. They will fall off in around two weeks times.
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