Repotting Japanese Black Pine

Billskarsgard

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I was just wondering if I could get any advice for my black pine. She's in need of a repot. Should I go ahead and repot her or wait until repotting season? Also, what style of pot do you guys/gals recommend? She's 12" tall without including pot. I'm also wondering if I would be able to candle her in this trainer, or should I report her in a larger pot? She's been grown in soil and bark, should I switch to Japanese lava soil? Please don't pick on me. I'm trying to learn about pines. Lol. Thank you for your help.
 

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Thomas J.

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For me here in the DFW area repotting season is now. I use the Boon potting mix , Akadama,Lava, and Pumice mixture all in equal amounts. I repot now and wait approx. 6 weeks before starting my fertilizing which puts me somewhere in March. From then until decandeling in late June I have some really good strong candles and healthy trees. Of course this time of year in my area still affords the possibility of freezing temps so I'll be transporting my trees in and out of the garage at those times to keep the roots from freezing. Seeing how you're in Orlando you shouldn't have too much to worry about as for freezing temps. :)
 

Billskarsgard

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Wow! I appreciate your rapid and detailed response. I didn't expect a response so quickly. I was thinking of the soil mixture you stated, but couldn't remember the names of said material. ? Thank you very much. One last question if you don't mind. How much of the roots would you cut back? She's almost root bound. Well... Two more question. Can she grow taller in this smaller pot? And do I need to cut back candles when trimming roots? Thank you very much.
 

Bolero

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Your BP is in serious need of some Pruning and Styling, do some internet research and see what a BP Bonsai looks like then get out your scissors...a pot twice the size of what is shown...leave in soil and bark for another year...
 

Billskarsgard

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Your BP is in serious need of some Pruning and Styling, do some internet research and see what a BP Bonsai looks like then get out your scissors...a pot twice the size of what is shown...leave in soil and bark for another year...
Thank you. I agree. I've just been so hesitant to cut her back. I realize she's in need of a prunning. She could use some height as well.
 

Adair M

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You have a nice piece of raw material there. It’s difficult to see what you have, it’s so dense. You should go thru it and pull old needles.

The thing is, it sounds as if your new to the hobby, or at least JBP, so you probably don’t know where to start.

This is where a workshop or private lesson can help you. Far more than trying to get guidance from a forum.

There are people in Orlando with experience. I suggest joining a local club, and taking a workshop.
 

Billskarsgard

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You have a nice piece of raw material there. It’s difficult to see what you have, it’s so dense. You should go thru it and pull old needles.

The thing is, it sounds as if your new to the hobby, or at least JBP, so you probably don’t know where to start.

This is where a workshop or private lesson can help you. Far more than trying to get guidance from a forum.

There are people in Orlando with experience. I suggest joining a local club, and taking a workshop.
Thank you very much. I'm new to JBP, but not bonsai. I've been practicing bonsai cultivation for 25 years, but as much as I love JBP, adore them even, they kinda scare me. I don't want to kill her. You're right, though. We have a guy in Orlando that I truly respect named Adam. He runs the bonsai club in Central Florida. I think I'll ask him if he could help me the first time with repotting and maybe give me advice on how to develop a little more height and a thicker trunk. We can always learn more. Lol.
 

Thomas J.

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What Adair said is true, get some local JBP experience as much as possible. I started doing JBP in 2007 and had never taken any kind of class at all in bonsai but I realized if I was going to succeed doing JBP I will need to finally need to look into taking a class or two which I did and I believe I succeeded in my endeavor .
 

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Bolero

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I agree with Adair he is right on....Your JBP is a size that says $Expensive so don't mess around get some Professional help...
 

Billskarsgard

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What Adair said is true, get some local JBP experience as much as possible. I started doing JBP in 2007 and had never taken any kind of class at all in bonsai but I realized if I was going to succeed doing JBP I will need to finally need to look into taking a class or two which I did and I believe I succeeded in my endeavor .
Thomas, is that your JBP? SHE'S GORGEOUS.
 

Billskarsgard

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I agree with Adair he is right on....Your JBP is a size that says $Expensive so don't mess around get some Professional help...
Really? I was thinking she's worth like $30. ? To me she's worth way more, obviously. I'll take your advice. I'm not willing to kill her.
 

Bolero

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More like $300 at least...Incorrect Pruning styling would be worse than outright killing because you would have to live with it & all your mistakes....Tell you what, don't bother with all the potentially negative possibilities on this JBP, I'll send you $200 for it,,,,
 

Billskarsgard

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More like $300 at least...Incorrect Pruning styling would be worse than outright killing because you would have to live with it & all your mistakes....Tell you what, don't bother with all the potentially negative possibilities on this JBP, I'll send you $200 for it,,,,
Haha! I appreciate it, but I'm keeping it. I am contacting Adam today. This little bugger of a tree means a lot to me. You're right, though. The training and prunning needs to happen like yesterday.
 

Bolero

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Here are some of my thoughts on this JBP based on your pictures......The Trunk is in exactly correct proportion for its height and diameter, the height is perfect for Classic Bonsai style, Density is too much and requires select thinning to expose potentially Classic Bonsai looks and lend proportion to the Tree....
 

Bolero

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Some Food for Thought....The beauty of a Bonsai lies in the Eyes of the Beholder....
The True Image Presentation of a Bonsai lies in the efforts of an Experience Bonsai Gardener...
 

Billskarsgard

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Here are some of my thoughts on this JBP based on your pictures......The Trunk is in exactly correct proportion for its height and diameter, the height is perfect for Classic Bonsai style, Density is too much and requires select thinning to expose potentially Classic Bonsai looks and lend proportion to the Tree....
Thank you very much. You're correct. The density is way too much. She has an afro. ? I'm glad you agree with the height vs trunk ratio.
 

Thomas J.

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Thomas, is that your JBP? SHE'S GORGEOUS.

Yes it is and the first pic below shows what it looked like in Nov. of 2012 when it was given to me after a very hot summer and with hardly any watering because the original owner was new to bonsai and just couldn't grasp the watering I guess. I really didn't think it would make it but it did. The other pic is just before decandeling last June and as you can tell a good fertilizing program will be your best friend. :)
If you're on Facebook and would like to see more of my pines and other trees, here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/Bonsai-by-Thomas-J-288649611539936/
 

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Billskarsgard

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She's a beauty, my friend. I don't see how people could neglect their trees and not feel terrible.
 
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