bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Japanese White Pine

Stephen,

Although this representative but limited research throws up general agreement on most points, there still seems to be a slight "issue" with candle treatment - whether to pinch or not, how much and when - and also it's difficult to discern any real guidance on how to deal with a tree in development as opposed to one at the refinement stage.

What I can say is that I have been following the general advice as outlined above but have been pruning branches back to weak shoots to develop the branches in winter. The tree has been growing more or less unrestrained at other times.

The left pic shows last years new buds growing strongly and on the right is a new bud this year.

These are all quite a way back on the branches so there will be points to prune back to and enabling me to re-shape the tree in the future.

It is budding very well at the moment and is slightly stronger (as expected) nearer the top of the tree.

The vendor recommends some candle removal late spring in very vigorous areas to balance the tree.

It also true that you will not find much more than general advice on the www or in books and certainly will not obtain very detailed instruction on refinement of specific species which is where a club, a "sensei" or mentor and good old experience assume a more important role.

TimR