Dirk's big black pine (again)

DirkvanDreven

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This is a great pine also! Thanks for sharing.Though I referred to your Scotts pine nr 1. That tree was one of your trees in Ratingen.
 

DirkvanDreven

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To decandle or not to decandle?
Spring 2018 repotted, spring candles cut in june, tree reacted with new growth and small needles. Wired last winter, many pine needles destroyed, wich showed following spring. This years spring spring candles were very slow, probably due to our great dutch weather, even now, end of June, spring candles needles are shorter then last year's summer candles. They look healthy, stiff and sharp though.
Should I decandle, can I decandle safely, or should I skip decandling this year?

Foto 28-06-19 17 11 39.jpg
Foto 28-06-19 17 11 45.jpg
 

LanceMac10

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Needles look pretty small already. Might be a good year to skip decandling in favor of just removing old/broken needles. Or anything that might/start hanging down?


update when you make the descision? :cool:
 

DirkvanDreven

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I've been playing with the thought of skipping decandling this year and decandle next year, back to last year's summer candles. But I'm afraid last year's summer needles will be even less strong next spring?
 

LanceMac10

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….in my experience/climate, 3-4 year old needles can get you to next spring. Then, I feel that "spring extension" is when a good fert program shows itself with good growth coming out of hibernation, not necessarily what energy given by old needles.

Just discussing what I've observed. No gospel, just I think our climates(outside of winter) are rather similar.
 

DirkvanDreven

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….in my experience/climate, 3-4 year old needles can get you to next spring. Then, I feel that "spring extension" is when a good fert program shows itself with good growth coming out of hibernation, not necessarily what energy given by old needles.

Just discussing what I've observed. No gospel, just I think our climates(outside of winter) are rather similar.
You are saying that fertilising in spring is more important than how much two year old needles are left? Of course as lo ng as there are needles left?
 

LanceMac10

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3-4 year old needles not on your tree. Tight growth! Are the needles hardened yet? Give a gentle tug, if they come dislodged, they aren't mature so wait to fertilize, then apply generously.

What's your routine in fall? Just wire/some needle removal?
 

LanceMac10

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You are saying that fertilising in spring is more important than how much two year old needles are left? Of course as lo ng as there are needles left?



Heavy fert THIS fall. If you don't de-candle.
Heavy fert next spring if you decandle next spring/summer.
 

DirkvanDreven

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3-4 year old needles not on your tree. Tight growth! Are the needles hardened yet? Give a gentle tug, if they come dislodged, they aren't mature so wait to fertilize, then apply generously.

What's your routine in fall? Just wire/some needle removal?
Needles are not yet hardened off. Probably still growing. Routine in Fall is needle removal, will leave old needles, remove new needles and wire.
 

DirkvanDreven

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This is how this tree is now.
Foto 15-08-19 17 48 44.jpg

I did not decandle after a very slow start this spring. Needles on this year's spring candles are hardly longer then needles on last year's summer candles.
This fall I'll remove old needles and reduce new needles to even them out.
No wiring. Wire of last winters wiring is still on and doesn't bite in yet.
Looking for a decent ceramic pot to repot next spring. Fed up with the ugly grow box.
Though I feel I'm complaining a little: I think it's developing fast! In two years from now pads of foliage will be very much fuller!
 

River's Edge

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This is how this tree is now.
View attachment 257637

I did not decandle after a very slow start this spring. Needles on this year's spring candles are hardly longer then needles on last year's summer candles.
This fall I'll remove old needles and reduce new needles to even them out.
No wiring. Wire of last winters wiring is still on and doesn't bite in yet.
Looking for a decent ceramic pot to repot next spring. Fed up with the ugly grow box.
Though I feel I'm complaining a little: I think it's developing fast! In two years from now pads of foliage will be very much fuller!
The grow box is doing its job nicely! Good Work. I know the feeling of wanting to change out of wooden boxes, i feel it every day i walk out to the nursery in the midst of JBP and JRP at various stages from five to twenty years development. I would choose a larger maintenance pot for the next few years if you wish to change. The faster development is worth the extra step before a smaller pot. I would also continue to be selective in leaving some old and some new needles in favoured positions for new buds. The concept of removing top and bottom needles in favour of side needles in favoured positions for new buds. Just continuing to make sure that the branches are open to sun and important areas not shaded. I would check for areas that might need some additional wiring if new shoots are pointing in the wrong direction or a slight change would improve openness and pad formation. Small suggestions, thanks for posting the progression.
 

DirkvanDreven

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thank you for your expert response. Great advice on witch new needles to cut and witch to keep! Hope I remember this when pruning this winter. Maybe iI'll ad some small wires to open up the tree more.
 

LanceMac10

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Looks great to me @DirkvanDreven !!! Nice deep green, lookin' real fat and happy!!! Well done!!😘


….crown could use some thinning as it seems to be the "fat" part of "fat and happy"....😁

….having some branching underneath where the drop-branch emanates from the trunk seems to clutter your image?


Time for a loan on a new pot as it's a beautiful tree....🥳
 

DirkvanDreven

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Looks great to me @DirkvanDreven !!! Nice deep green, lookin' real fat and happy!!! Well done!!😘


….crown could use some thinning as it seems to be the "fat" part of "fat and happy"....😁

….having some branching underneath where the drop-branch emanates from the trunk seems to clutter your image?


Time for a loan on a new pot as it's a beautiful tree....🥳
I agree. The top is very dense. This winter after cutting old and reducing new needles, it will be more open. Some wires might do some good too. Need to keep the tree balanced. Lowest branches, and especially the drop branch are much less dense
 

DirkvanDreven

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This is the tree after thinning new needles and removing last year's needles. Needles grew pretty big after all. Seems to kept on growing till end of October?
Next year I hope to repot it in a decent bonsaipot, and rewire after cand let cutting.
Last winter I was so proud of my wiring job, after cutting old needles and reducing new needles. But in fact my wiring sucked! I damaged and broke so many new needles, I in fact didn't have the guts to show my tree to anyone.

Right now the tree looks good and healthy again. Feel confident of making progress with it next year!

Foto 09-11-19 10 47 57.jpeg
 
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