Japanese Black Pine - Decandling (Summer)

The process of decandling is an invaluable tool for developing Japanese Black and Red Pine bonsai. It has great benefits for structural development and needle length but it must be used correctly. In this video I explain the Why, How and most importantly When (and when not) to apply this technique.

[@dandankil1]

You've just earn't your 1000th Sub from this video. Very well documented, videography was spot on, and very clear. Thaknyou.

[@leoanastas]

great video

[@august2ryan]

Oh yeah been waiting for this. I will do the same with my JBP. Thanks mate.

[@simonbergagna]

It's so good these days to get some local knowledge, used to be so confusing. In the old days getting information from magazines and books from the northern hemisphere. It takes ages to get your pines looking good/full. And I think it takes years to fully understand why you apply techniques like this, until you start seeing the results from the application. I would recommend anyone to listen to this channel for advice. 🍻

[@BonsaiMatsu]

Thanks Simon!

[@south409]

Excellent tutorial. Clear and easy to follow. Well done

[@bensmith7508]

Loving the channel and podcast. There isn’t much around on cedar’s. Could you possibly do a video on pruning or pinching etc on cedar’s.

[@BonsaiMatsu]

Thanks Ben and cedars are on the agenda

[@robertobreglia9224]

Thank you very much for your very interesting video!👏👏👏👏

[@snowstorm1808]

This is AWESOME. As with the rest of the crowd below. There is so much info out there from different parts of the world. This video is great for Melbourne / Australia people. Easy straight forward talk to help understand the process and the biggest thing is the WHY and WHEN. Please keep up the great work.

[@BonsaiMatsu]

Thanks Jamie

[@snowstorm1808]

@@BonsaiMatsu 12 months on and still using this info. And a huge improvement in ramification in my pines. Again thankyou for doing these videos and keeping them up, i use all your stuff as a reference. just like referring to an Bonsai book but better.

[@jow4040]

nice vid! I'd love to see one on your watering system that allows you to go away on holidays! I imagine there would be a lot of interest there.

[@davidreid622]

Fantastic video, thank you so much. A much better explanation of the decandling process than I have seen in other videos and books. I've only discovered this channel today and of course, have subscribed.

[@BonsaiMatsu]

Thanks David!

[@shauno812]

Very informative, thanks for sharing your knowledge. Cheers

[@shanemckenzie3656]

Thanks Scott, another clear, precise instruction vid for bonsai in Melbourne! Your explanations for pines are the best in my view. I'm still working to your annual care calendar and my JBPs have never looked better. Have a great holiday; if the trees let you. Cheers Shane👍

[@matshagstrom9839]

Well explained. Thank you. As a beginner I have been confused bc when I watch people decandle they were not removing candles. So a refined tree will not form a few large candles but many small shoots and when the new growth looks like candles it’s too early to trim. I suppose it’s the in between trees and what to do with them that is still confusing. Likewise what happens after with the second flush and it’s management is still a little confusing to me. Do you always leave all of the second growth? Thank you again. Mats H

[@BonsaiMatsu]

Hi Mats. The growth after decandling is sorted in autumn/winter where you select up to 2 of the new shoots to remain. The rest is removed. So decandling takes it from one branch to two at that point and builds the ramification. It’s called bud selection. Check out the video I’ve put up on that too. There will be more of those coming later this year also.

[@peterbreen2883]

Can we do this technique every growing season? or do we weaken the tree more if we do it every year?

[@BonsaiMatsu]

Hi Peter. Have a look in the video at 4:07, 5:20 (this is about the yearly) and 15:45.

[@peterbreen2883]

@@BonsaiMatsu okay, so if the tree is healthy it can be done every year?? I had read that it is not necessary every year for the health of the tree 🤔