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  • Results 1 to 8 of 8

    Thread: japanese black pine

    1. #1
      ckoi is offline Senior Member
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      japanese black pine

      I'm starting to get interested in bonsai, but I'm wondering how hardy a 10 year old japanese black pine bonsai would be? If I buy this specimen, is it hard to care for? I have a koi pond so that is time consuming as well, so I may hold off on my bonsai interest.

      thanks

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    2. #2
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      In gardening "hardy" technically refers to cold tolerance; will it make it through winter and to what temperatures will it survive. In that sense, Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii)is very winter hardy. It's rated to zone 5a which is down to -15*C or -25*F. That's for planted in the ground, in a small pot it would be a bit less hardy.

      If you mean, which most folks do, hearty as in "easy to care for, isn't delicate or fussy" then I'll have to defer to the bonsai experts. In the ground, as a regular tree it is Hearty.
      I've heard that it can be one of the more challenging species when used in Bonsai. Pines in general are usually not for beginner bonsai gardeners, because it's not as forgiving when you prune, but if you keep within certain rules for pines, it can be done with not too much effort. Never prune into hard bark, that is bark with no needles, on pines. They will not regrow from areas with no needles.
      Regards,BarbJ
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      ckoi is offline Senior Member
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      thank you, I was contemplating on whether to buy large black pine say 3 to 4 ft to grow in a large pot , or a bonsai black pine but read they are more finicky to deal with as a bonsai hence my question. I don't want to invest in a semi mature bonsai to only find out how difficult it is maintain in terms of pruning, repotting, and training.

    4. #4
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      Growing and training your own young pine to bonsai will give you lots of good practice without spending a lot of money, it may be a good way for you to go. If it dies you're not out too much, and if it lives and thrives you'll have a good little bonsai and lots of experience. Good plan!

      Check out YouTube for black pine bonsai training; there are tons of really good, point-by-point videos. Some even span a few years so you can see the yearly progression of their training.

      I have a black pine trained in the bonsai style, but in the ground; which is a different subject called Niwaki, but
      the pruning technics are very similar and I've learned quite a lot from the videos.

      This fellow in particular was quite good and I learned a lot from his videos;

      Regards,BarbJ
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      thanks Barb, at what age tree should I be looking for to train a black pine in the ground at, I suppose you wouldn't want one that a inflexible trunk. Would you happen to have a picture of your tree in the ground. I'm thinking of the going Niwaki route instead of bonsaiing for now.

    6. #6
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      Here's another good one about seasonal care and pruning. The second half of the video deals with what to do with a new young tree, which probably relates more to what you're thinking of doing. I'd also suggest getting few good beginner bonsai books which talk about type of soils, tools, basic wiring and pruning and general care so you understands the terms. Good luck!

      Regards,BarbJ
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    7. #7
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      Oh, sorry, we cross posted. Hmm, well I'd imagine a young tree would be best to start out with from scratch.

      I happened to come across one already trained fairly far along, for a good price and started there.
      In the ground is easier than bonsai pots from the stand point of watering, bonsai pots dry out quickly and you need to keep a close eye on them or put them on timers.

      If you want to try Niwaki I'd highly suggest to get this book first;

      http://www.amazon.com/Niwaki-Pruning.../dp/0881928356

      And here's a thread where I pruned my pine;

      https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showth...ine&highlight=

      But I'm just a learner too, so please do a lot more reading as well.
      Regards,BarbJ
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    8. #8
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      Black Pine not the easiest to be starting out in Bonsai, a little bit specialised regarding their care and pruning.
      However, they are hardy.
      Why not start with a Larch - much more forgiving if you make errors with pruning and growing. easier to wire for shaping, and probably less money for you to purchase.
      They're easy to back bud, pliable for wiring and grow very quickly - IMO a better proposition to start.
      Bear in mind a larch is deciduous - the choice is yours good luck.
      If you're not meant to eat animals, why are they made of meat?

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