Beng
Omono
When do you all prune black pine candles here? I have 2 mikawas with 4-5 inch candles already, back on the eastcoast i'd be lucky to get candles that strong in a whole growing season.
Beng,
If you are afraid they will grow too strong, and thicken the branchlets too much, you can perform "candle breaking". That is, break the candle off in approximately half (or wherever you choose) as long as you leave some needles. This will slow the growth while still allowing the tree to build energy.
Then, as was suggested, decandle in June or July. Decandle large trees earlier in the season so they can grow longer needles on the summer candles. Shohin, decandle late. That way their needles will be short.
When do you all prune black pine candles here? I have 2 mikawas with 4-5 inch candles already, back on the eastcoast i'd be lucky to get candles that strong in a whole growing season.
Candles on some pines have been moving here since Feb. it's been such a mild (nonexistent) winter.If the candles are moving, you can't use those for grafting this year.
If the candles are moving, you can't use those for grafting this year.
Ben,
Happened to talk to David Nguy about this very topic over the weekend, and he told me to look up his previously posted article on GSBF website, here it is:
http://www.gsbf-bonsai.org/2013/08/02/david-nguy-masters-black-pine/