Nursing a Japanese black pine back to health and recent styling

[Chuah]

I bought this mid-size Japanese black pine from a local bonsai nursery about 5 years ago. It was very weak but the price was right; thought I could nurse it back, if not, I had bought an overpriced pot.



I changed the soil to all inorganics over a period of two years, and was glad it had become quite healthy. I thinned out some old needles and did a major wiring last month. Here is the black pine before and after wiring:




I would tilt the planting angle in next repotting and bring the apex more to the left to fall within the root base, and to grow a more rounded top. The current apex is somewhat pointy. Glad the gamble paid off

 

[Smoke]

That is a very nice progression. It is amazing what time can do. Glad you made the photo's to record it. Thanks for sharing.

 

[YukiShiro]

Very good job turning this one around again

 

[markyscott]

Looks great Hoe - I read with interest your blog article on this. It was great seeing this in person at the club meeting. Thanks for sharing it here.

Scott

 

[the1only]

That is awesome, totally a new tree.

 

[Chuah]

Looks great Hoe - I read with interest your blog article on this. It was great seeing this in person at the club meeting. Thanks for sharing it here.

Scott

Thanks Scott, you and Alex gave inputs on moving the apex further to the left.

 

[Littlejoe919]

Nicely done!

 

[discusmike]

Nice save!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I am always curious about details when I see a nice transition like this. Can you share the specifics of your soil mix and how you shifted the mix over the course of two years?

 

[Soldano666]

Excellent save

 

[ml_work]

Great! I just added your blog to my favorites, Thanks

 

[Chuah]

I am always curious about details when I see a nice transition like this. Can you share the specifics of your soil mix and how you shifted the mix over the course of two years?

For a weak tree like this, the problem was most likely with the roots. So I had to encourage root growth in a new free draining soil and with enough air space to restore its health. Since I am in Zone 9 with a very hot summer, I use 50% akadama and 50% of lava and pumice, a wetter mix than the usual Boon mix. First year, I replaced front half of the old soil with new soil, and sprinkled the roots with store bought mycorrhizae. I replaced the back half of the soil the second year.

Besides using organic fertilizer, I supplement with foliar feeding using Monty's Joy-Juice at 1/4 teaspoon/gallon concentration about once every two-three weeks, and also feed with kelp and humic acid solutions. For trees with poor roots, low concentration and more often foliar feedings helps it grows.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Excellent! Thank you so much for the detail.

 

[Paradox]

Nice job bringing this pine back.

 

[roberthu]

For a weak tree like this, the problem was most likely with the roots. So I had to encourage root growth in a new free draining soil and with enough air space to restore its health. Since I am in Zone 9 with a very hot summer, I use 50% akadama and 50% of lava and pumice, a wetter mix than the usual Boon mix. First year, I replaced front half of the old soil with new soil, and sprinkled the roots with store bought mycorrhizae. I replaced the back half of the soil the second year.

Besides using organic fertilizer, I supplement with foliar feeding using Monty's Joy-Juice at 1/4 teaspoon/gallon concentration about once every two-three weeks, and also feed with kelp and humic acid solutions. For trees with poor roots, low concentration and more often foliar feedings helps it grows.

Nice!
Do you also mix kelp or seaweed in your foliar spray? Or was it just fertilizer with NPK? Thank you.

 

[johnbaz]

Oh WOW!, Beautiful!!