Got the bug

[D805]

Hello,

New to Bonsai just bought a Chinese Elm and a Hawaiian Umbrella. Trying not to buy any more. lol Been doing a lot of reading and watching videos on youtube. Went down to my local nursery to see what bonsai material is available, and found they have 3 gallon Japanese Black Pines for 24.99. Was looking into picking up a couple to see if can make it into a bonsai. I've attached a pic of one. Would this be a worth while buy? Thanks for any advice.

 

[sorce]

lol

OL....

Ololololololololol!

Welcome to Crazy.

For $25....

Better to kill that than a more expensive one!

Sorce

 

[D805]

OL....

Ololololololololol!

Welcome to Crazy.

For $25....

Better to kill that than a more expensive one!

Sorce

Thanks. Might have to go out there tomorrow and pick up a couple pines.

 

[AlainK]

Might have to go out there tomorrow and pick up a couple pines.

Looks like a good bargain, but choose one that doesn't have roots circling the pot...

 

[D805]

Looks like a good bargain, but choose one that doesn't have roots circling the pot...

Thanks. I'll look into that next time I'm out there. Hopefully this weekend. They had about 10 trees to choose from.

 

[AlainK]

Then, good luck with your find.

Someone here started a very interesting thread on JBPs, (Pinus thunbreghii). Won't find it again right now, but if you use the search button, I'm sure you'll find it.

 

[D805]

Then, good luck with your find.

Someone here started a very interesting thread on JBPs, (Pinus thunbreghii). Won't find it again right now, but if you use the search button, I'm sure you'll find it.

Thanks will put the search function to work tonight.

 

[0soyoung]

Someone here started a very interesting thread on JBPs, (Pinus thunbreghii). Won't find it again right now, but if you use the search button, I'm sure you'll find it.

Do you mean Eric Schrader's 'A Few Pine Seeds - 6 years later'?
Even if not, this is one of the best bonsai reads.

 

[D805]

Do you mean Eric Schrader's 'A Few Pine Seeds - 6 years later'?
Even if not, this is one of the best bonsai reads.

Thanks for the link. Definitely will check this out, as I also just planted about 30 JBP seeds.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Good price for a young pine. Bonsai training of JBP is a "cult unto itself". Culture techniques for JBP are different than deciduous trees and most other pines. These are young enough you won't need to do a lot right away, so you have time to read up and learn. Plan on keeping it in a nursery pot or moving it to a 15 x 15 x 5 inch (approximately) grow tray or box, for the next couple years. One thing that confused me, many articles don't tell you what techniques are only for trees close to exhibit quality, and what techniques are for young trees. The link Osoyoung gave you is great, and is clear on what to do. Do not needle prune, or remove previous year's needles or do candle pruning on young trees. These techniques are for later stages of development.

Get at least 3 JBP, that way you can do different techniques, and see how they respond. You can aim for different sizes, and styles.

 

[D805]

Good price for a young pine. Bonsai training of JBP is a "cult unto itself". Culture techniques for JBP are different than deciduous trees and most other pines. These are young enough you won't need to do a lot right away, so you have time to read up and learn. Plan on keeping it in a nursery pot or moving it to a 15 x 15 x 5 inch (approximately) grow tray or box, for the next couple years. One thing that confused me, many articles don't tell you what techniques are only for trees close to exhibit quality, and what techniques are for young trees. The link Osoyoung gave you is great, and is clear on what to do. Do not needle prune, or remove previous year's needles or do candle pruning on young trees. These techniques are for later stages of development.

Get at least 3 JBP, that way you can do different techniques, and see how they respond. You can aim for different sizes, and styles.

Thanks for the info Leo. Hopefully I pick up a couple this weekend. Would you work on the roots before putting in grow tray? Might be picking up some Japanese Maples this weekend as well. I found I guy somewhat near by that growing them in his back yard. Road trip

 

[milehigh_7]

Our new friend said:

Trying not to buy any more..

LOL not gonna happen, give in it will feel better when you stop struggling. Also, welcome!

 

[D805]

Our new friend said:




LOL not gonna happen, give in it will feel better when you stop struggling. Also, welcome!

Oh I already gave in. lol

 

[milehigh_7]

Oh I already gave in. lol

See how good that feels?

 

[D805]

See how good that feels?

Feels great. lol Did I mention I have an Azalea bush in my front lawn that I'm planning making into a bonsai come spring. Oh and I just ordered tons of seeds to plant. Prepping for the future.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Every time I repot, I use it as an opportunity to work on the roots, most important while tree is young. Fixing bad arrangements of roots takes more time than fixing bad arrangements of branches, start while the tree is young.

I would repot to a grow box or tray, I use Anderson flats, without doing much up top. Let recover one year then start working branches and such. You need healthy, vigorous roots to get the growth you need to develop as bonsai.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Don't repot too often. Every three years for young trees, every 5 to 10 years for older, well developed trees.

That is why you work roots every time you repot, you don't have many opportunities, compared to branches.

 

[D805]

Don't repot too often. Every three years for young trees, every 5 to 10 years for older, well developed trees.

That is why you work roots every time you repot, you don't have many opportunities, compared to branches.

Thank you for the info.