Scots Pine - advice please

jdmids

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Hi all, I’ve just bought my first Scots pine. Whilst it was v cheap there are obvious problems even to my untrained eye! I think It’s top heavy; too straggly; all the branches are on one side; the pot is too wide; and all of the candles have died other than the central one on each branch. I was told it was repotted this spring in 100% akadama and they hadn’t done anything to the candles.

I’ve read that Scots pine like very free draining soil so I think I should repot next spring and use a more free flowing soil and incorporate some pumice and lava. I’m wondering if this is why the cones have died? Or should I repot it now in preparation for winter which is usually wet and cold in the uk? I was also thinking of trying to style it in a cascade or semi cascade but the main branch loops round in a ‘u’ shape and it would mean cutting off A LOT of the thicker primary branches (and being a newbie am a little scared to do so). If I remove the one cone that is left on each branch will this cause back budding next year ? Should I just leave it alone and fertiliser it and see what happens next year? I believe it can be wired in late autumn /winter - which in the uk is probably another 1-2 months away.

Would love to know other people’s thoughts on what could be achieved and whether my thought process is right ... or wrong !
 

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sorce

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Welcome to Crazy!

Reckon them r just pollen cones and once they puff their pollen, they're done. Looks like the pollens been puffed.



I think It’s top heavy; too straggly; all the branches are on one side; the pot is too wide; and all of the candles have died other than the central one on each branch.

This all sounded like potential, till the kakadama part!

Sorce
 

jdmids

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Thank you ! Having checked , you’re right they’re just pollen cones!
As for the akadama - Would you repot it now then in more free draining soil or ride it out and wait for spring ? I was also going to fertilise with a low nitrogen fertiliser , probably once a month until around March and then I’d look to increase the frequency.
 

sorce

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Where did it come from?

The best way to find out if it will survive in that soil is to check the credentials of the seller.

With a wide range of akadama hardness, and what can be called akadama, you could be golden, or fu@ked!

I'd leave it as is for now anyway.

Constant micro dose ferting is better than once a month.

Sorce
 

jdmids

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It was listed on a local community website and sold by someone who has has been doing bonsai as a hobby for about 10 years . They did say it was decent grade akadama - but I assume they’re not going to say it was cheap rubbish even if it is! And thanks for the advice about fertilising which I’ll follow. I look forward to its development over the next year or so and take it from there!
 

sorce

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Doesn't sound like someone out to screw you, so that's good. But not out to screw you doesn't mean they aren't repotting things in their worst soil to get rid of both.

I think you'll be ok, Watering with a fine gentle head will keep the akadama intact longer.

I'd try to get it to last a couple years in there.

It's a nice tree, I'd shoot the seller an email with some questions on how they care for things, if they have any others planted like that. Make a friend!

Sorce
 

jdmids

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I will thank you for all the advice :)
 
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