Japanese Black Pine - Spring Candle trimming and Needle Plucking

Let's spend some quality time with a Japanese Black Pine and take the first steps refining this recently (last year) potted tree that was grown in the ground and partially trained to get it ready for some bonsai styling.
We'l talk about candles - what to do with them and when, needle removal for looks and horticultural reasons and fertilizing.
All to get this Japanese Black Pine on it's way to being a pretty nice bonsai.
Thanks for watching and please remember to like, share and subscribe... and please share your comments if you have anything you'd like to share!
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[@Csweat226]

Nailed it! Solid video

[@MakeMoreBonsai]

Thanks! I appreciate your attention!

[@roni3425]

I love this video a lot! Not only in terms of clear explanation but also told in a fascinating way! Thank you for the effort of producing such a nice bonsai-informative story. I hope some day you come up with a similar one for a single flush pine, like a pinus parviflora. 😊 Greets from the Netherlands, Ronald

[@MakeMoreBonsai]

Thanks for the kind words! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and share your thoughts. I'm always planning new content with new subjects as well as carrying through with the the progress of trees previously covered. I am located in Central Texas (US) where the climate doesn't agree with a lot of the single flush pines, namely Japanese White Pine. I am researching something that may take it's place, and make a good bonsai as well. Thanks again!

[@VN-fc1jg]

What a great video. I live in Austin and it’s great to see a fellow neighbor with such artistic skills. Subscribed.

[@MakeMoreBonsai]

WOW Thanks! There is a really active bonsai community here with lots of talent. I look forward to adding more videos.. I hope you like 'em!

[@jeffreyhutchings561]

I started about two years ago with my bonsai adventure. I have a number of seedlings and pre-bonsai trees in pots. I have up potted some and tried using different soils, soil amendments and fertilizers. My smaller Japan’s black pines (JBP) are doing okay. However I am trying to decide on what branches to keep (as an escape branch) and which ones to cut back. I’m afraid of cutting too much and causing the tree’s growth to be stunted.

[@MakeMoreBonsai]

Thats a great start! Its always good to have a few to experiment with so you learn what works. I do have a video in the works that hopefully will offer some insight into what you're up to. For now its best to keep them healthy and growing at the 2 year mark... then take that time to experiment with wiring and research techniques for those branch decisions.

[@k8marlowe]

Just what I was looking for! Thank you. May I ask if there’s a specific fertilizer you use? So many sources warn against fertilizing Japanese Black Pine. But, I suspect people get a bit heavy handed with all purpose fertilizers.

[@MakeMoreBonsai]

Hi there.. thanks for watching! To answer your question... I use different fertilizer at different times. I do like to use a granular fertilizer placed on the soil in teabags. This is the first round waking up from dormancy. When the candles are extending I will continue with the fertilizer-teabags but also supplement with a liquid as well to help fortify the tree before decandling. This also washes out quickly so I use that last before stopping for the second round of candles. If you look at the simple calendar in the video there is a better description on a fertilizing schedule... you would need to adjust it to where you live however but the concept is the same. When the growth has hardened off I resume fertilizer the same way and toward the end... before dormancy I will use liquid again just to ensure any late needs may be met before winter. The reason to halt fertilization is to reduce the needle and internode length. By limiting the amount of energy the tree has access to during the time that the new 2nd round of candles is growing and hardening off, it helps to reduce the needle size. If you fertilize when that is going on the needles will have tons of nitrogen to help extend the needles and internodes. I hope this helps... best of luck to you!

[@MohammadShanawaj-jg8vx]

Cup