Pine

juliet-of-oz

It me again!

Just one more question...what can I do to get the needles down in size on this pine. Should i move it to a more shallow training box and if so when? Is it just that the tree is too small and needs to 'grow into its needles'! I have cut them short in the past and the tips do go brown but it doesnt seem to hurt the tree. The needles however always grow in as big as the last lot.

Maybe I should just give up on pines....honest opinions please (I can take it)..is it hopeless

Thanks

Jules

Advertisement

TreeBay

Looking at your tree here, I don't think you should give up on pines. Black Pine needle reduction can be accomplished by a number of means, but most all involve the removal of the spring candles, either partially or entirely. Mid-summer is usually when this is done. This leaves the tree just enough time to put out a new set of candles before wintertime.

If you follow the link back to the TreeBay Bonsai Tools & Supplies site and click on Articles->Pine, you'll find one method that is very effective at reducing needle length. This, and other needle decandling methods should only be used if the tree is in perfect health, and only on black pine. Your tree seems to fit the bill perfectly.

In looking at your tree from a design standpoint it has very nice lower and middle trunk movement, but it gets a bit straight towards the top. You might think about wiring this part of the trunk, or cutting back to a point that offers an apex with more movement.

Regards,

Matt

__________________

Want to be a seller on bonsaiAUCTIONS? Get authorized today!

bonsaiTALK: Over 100,005.36 Megabytes Served this Month!

Earl

I just read your instructions on decandling. I have one black pine that is a really nice tree but I have not ever got good back budding. I thought you were supposed to cut or break the candles before the needles came out. So I have always done it early in spring or summer (like right now) before they start getting needles. Is this why I have had the problem? I will now wait and try your method.

Thanks
Earl

Earl

Jules...I think you should just give up on pines... I'll give you my address and you can sent that one to me to get rid of it! LOL Seriously, it's a nice tree with great movement and will make a wonderful bonsai. As Matt said, use some real heavy wire (or two or three) and bend that top and it will be suberb.

Earl

juliet-of-oz

Hi guys

thanks for the info and ideas - i have just taken all the wire off it as some of it was cutting in (grrr) but i will wire it up again after i 'candle prune' late srping early summer.

One question though - what happens if you candle prune too late? I hope that isnt a stupid question....

Cheers

Jules

zeb

At least this works on pine seedlings. Haven't tried on collected (or bought) ones.

In May: Remove all the candles
In June: Remove all the largest candles
In August: Pinch all the largest candles and pull off old needles

As you may understand, this tecnique works best on small trees because you must pull off all needles that are over a year old to make all needles left smaller.
Anyway, the next year you may leave last year's needles there too as they are also small.

And as the others have also said, your tree's wonderful! You could easily sell your pine bonsai (with a good price) and you're asking if you'd give up on them. Huhhuh.

__________________
Two men were walking down a road. The one on the left was interested in bonsai. The one on the right had no money either.