Looking for some basic general information about pines

[KennedyMarx]

I've been reading and trying to learn about bonsai for about a year now, but it's all been in relation to deciduous trees. I've been picking up information here and there while reading about other's pine bonsai, but I'd really like something that spells most of it out for a newbie. Is there some kind of resource online that someone can point me towards that lays out the basics of caring for pine in relation to bonsai? I'd like to know about needle plucking, differences in repotting with regards to their root systems, best seasonal times for work, etc. I'd like to get a couple to start training this year and want to get as much information as possible.

 

[Dan W.]

Here is a great source: http://www.adamsbonsai.com/pine_foliage.pdf

This book is also a great place to start: http://www.stonelantern.com/Pine_Bonsai_trees_book_how_to_pine_bonsai_p/b1pine.htm

For black pine info I'd recomend Brian Van Fleet's posts on here and his blog: http://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/?cat=67359764

Brian has a couple of posts on white pines as well: http://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/category/evergreen/japanese-white-pine-evergreen/

Hope this helps

 

[Adair M]

The first thing to know about "Pines" is that not all pines are alike.

The things you can do to a Japanese Black Pine will kill a Japanese White Pine or a Ponderosa Pine.

I would start with JBP. Every bonsai artist should have one. Master JBP, and then move on to the others, knowing they're different.

 

[Vance Wood]

The first thing to know about "Pines" is that not all pines are alike.

The things you can do to a Japanese Black Pine will kill a Japanese White Pine or a Ponderosa Pine.

I would start with JBP. Every bonsai artist should have one. Master JBP, and then move on to the others, knowing they're different.

Another issue you will encounter is that most two-needle Pines are traditionally thought of as being similar to JBP, therefore JBP care is considered the Bible for two-needle Pine care. This too is not necessarily true, not all two-needle Pines will respond the same way JBP will respond and in some cases may not tolerate the same care at all.

 

[Bill S]

Check in to Brian Van Fleets site, and Evergreen Garden works, Brent has lots of pine info in the articles section.

 

[Vance Wood]

Check in to Brian Van Fleets site, and Evergreen Garden works, Brent has lots of pine info in the articles section.

I don't wish to diminish Brent's information in any way but you have to remember that Brent lives on the West Coast and the things he is able to do in California may not be doable in the Mid West or East Coast. Yes that's another factor you have to consider; climate regions. Not all things are fair or created equal, where you live will be a deciding factor in what you can do and when you can do it.

 

[KennedyMarx]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Here is a great source: http://www.adamsbonsai.com/pine_foliage.pdf

This book is also a great place to start: http://www.stonelantern.com/Pine_Bonsai_trees_book_how_to_pine_bonsai_p/b1pine.htm

For black pine info I'd recomend Brian Van Fleet's posts on here and his blog: http://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/?cat=67359764

Brian has a couple of posts on white pines as well: http://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/category/evergreen/japanese-white-pine-evergreen/

Hope this helps

Thank you. That's super helpful, especially the pdf about pine foliage. Controlling needle growth is a lot more complicated (at least from my perspective) than the pinch and grow techniques I try to use with my ficus and boxwood trees.

The first thing to know about "Pines" is that not all pines are alike.

The things you can do to a Japanese Black Pine will kill a Japanese White Pine or a Ponderosa Pine.

I would start with JBP. Every bonsai artist should have one. Master JBP, and then move on to the others, knowing they're different.

Yeah, from what I've been reading each one is a little different in regards to care.

I'd like to have a JPB, but I'd really like something native to my area as sort of a way to represent where I'm from rather than using a species from an area across the globe.

Check in to Brian Van Fleets site, and Evergreen Garden works, Brent has lots of pine info in the articles section.

I love Brian's posts here and his blog is on my Google Reader list. Also love Brent's site, but I haven't ordered anything from him yet.

I don't wish to diminish Brent's information in any way but you have to remember that Brent lives on the West Coast and the things he is able to do in California may not be doable in the Mid West or East Coast. Yes that's another factor you have to consider; climate regions. Not all things are fair or created equal, where you live will be a deciding factor in what you can do and when you can do it.

Yeah, I think my climate is a little different from Brent's in that Indiana might get a little hotter in the summer and have a slightly longer growing season. I try to take everything with a grain of salt.