My first Pines

[Zac]

So these are my very first Pines ever. Well first JBP. I have umbrella pines. I bought these JBP's from @JoeR. He says they are 3-5 years old. I'm now wondering what steps I should be taking to get them on track to making good bonsai material. Like getting budding back further down the trunk. Any info or links to good sources or videos greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Zac


Tree 1


tree 2

 

[Zac]

I've been watching a bunch of videos mostly from Bonsaify. But in the videos they all have needles down the trunk and he says to cut back below the candles to force buds down trunk at the needles. Mine don't have needles down the trunk just whirl at the top so I'm at a loss as what to do.
Thanks
Zac

 

[Mike Westervelt]

Unfortunately no needles means no buds, looks like you'll be making literati pines

 

[Jrmcmich]

Looks like very small buds low on one of those trees. Maybe look at pruning techniques to encourage the low buds? I only have a single JBP and only second year so just growing mine out so no experience other than keeping mine alive.

 

[Zac]

Unfortunately no needles means no buds, looks like you'll be making literati pines

Yeah I don't like the literati style so guess these were a waste.

Looks like very small buds low on one of those trees. Maybe look at pruning techniques to encourage the low buds? I only have a single JBP and only second year so just growing mine out so no experience other than keeping mine alive.

Yeah there's a small clump of needles down real low but they don't look real healthy but I'll work on getting them to produce more.

Thanks
Zac