Black Pine

clubbie96 · White Belt Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Wales

Hi all, I'm new to bonsai and was wondering what to do with my young black pine which has grown a lot over the last three months. the questions i want to ask are whether it needs pruning,shaping and when it will need to be put into a bigger pot?
Here's a photo link :
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm143/mclubb96/blackpine.jpg

if anyone can answer these questions i will be extremely greatful thanks Very Happy

keithmart · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject: Re: Black Pine

Hi

A lot depends on your final design for this tree. personally I would plant it in the ground for a few years to grow a bit before styling.

Once it has achieved the size you want then and only then think of styling.

Stymie · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:23 pm Post subject: Re: Black Pine

The pruning, Clubbie, is rather dependant on how tall you wish the finished tree to be. At it's present age, the pot is large enough but a much shallower container with a width equal to 2/3 of the height of the tree will look better when you re-pot it in March next year. That is if you wish to keep it potted. This will result in more lateral growth of the roots which should splay out like the spokes of a bicycle wheel to give a pleasant taper at the base of the trunk. Long tap roots should be discouraged and shallow containers help in this respect too. The planting medium used should be free-draining with added grit. If the tree is planted in open ground at around the same time, it will grow faster but a slate or stone placed 3" below it will encourage the lateral growth of the roots in a similar fashion.

imholte · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject: Re: Black Pine

I would put a little movement into the trunk now while you can, if you wait till it gets bigger then you wont be able to do much with it.

Also I would cut off the old needles, but leave a little stub so you dont damage the buds underneath. By removing the needles you will stimulate those buds to pop and you will get some more branches out of it. Leave the fresh green needles, and leave the strong growing leader, that is where you will get alot of your girth from inthe future. It will be trimmed off in a year or two to select a newone but leave it for now.

I would also repot it into a larger pot right now, but dont mess with the roots at all, just fill medium around the root ball, the tree will really suck up the water as it gets bigger. But you would want to follow Dons advice and repot it proper next spring.

steve · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:00 am Post subject: Re: Black Pine

it appears you have two buds at the base of the new growth. One of these will have to go or you will end up with a buldge in the trunk. it looks good for future position of a first branch so maybe a close up of this part of the tree will aid in helping you choose.

splendidplumage · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:49 pm Post subject: Re: Black Pine

Assuming you want to try and keep it a small scale tree and want to start styling it rather then planting it out to get a thicker trunk I would reduce the height of that very long new growth at the top to maybe an inch above the side shoot. As was suggested earlier you could use bonsai training wire of about half the thickness of the trunk so that you could create some bends in the trunk.

Do you know how to wire?

clubbie96 · White Belt Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Wales

Thanks for all the replies.Il put it into a shallower pot next spring.I would like to keep it smaller so i think i will cut the long new growth.Is it best i do this along with shaping the tree next spring?I have a book which shows how to wire but i have never wired so any advice would be great.

splendidplumage · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject: Re: Black Pine

I think it is ok to reduce the length of that long shoot now. Then next years growth will be on the end of that.

You can wire it now. I would advise you read about wiring in your book first. Use thick enough wire and don't snap the tree (although they are quite flexible).

imholte · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:09 am Post subject: Re: Black Pine

I wouldn't cut the top shoot right now. All the energy of the tree is going into it and if you cut it the other two small shoots will pick up and be just as big as the other one. Let it grow freely and the other shoots will grow slower and can be used for branches.

Your trunk is pencil thin and lends nothing to the tree at all so you will want to let that leader grow so that you get some girth to the trunk. If you cut it now then you will have a hard time getting the tree to look right with such a small trunk.

Just be patient new buds will form in due time.