Mithrandir
Sapling
Hello!
So i've been on a bit of a crusade lately, tracking down information on how to grow black pines. Most of it has been relatively straightforward once you understand why and i've taken the plunge and purchased a few, cheap saplings(? -- they're just under a foot tall). I figured it's time to get some first-hand experience. I will apologise in advance for the quality of photos -- it's winter here (Zone10, Australia) and i'm out before sunrise, home after dark during the week).
One of the topics i'd really appreciate some input on from the community here is understanding the difference between buds, branches and candles (i know what they are -- but how do they grow?) and what can you do to help encourage proper branch structures?
I'm not sure if anyone has progress photos of their own trees that they could share progress photos, or even any current photos of what branches look like when they develop? I'm generally pretty cluey with most plants and am an avid gardener however these just feel like a complete blackhole and for some reason -- i cannot get my head around them. This fella, and the other few i get this weekend will be potted in something a bit bigger to grow and do their thing -- the idea is not to have something any time soon that looks wonderful but to learn HOW these trees grow and eventually, end up with something nice.
First up -- can we check my terminology is correct:
Questions:
So i've been on a bit of a crusade lately, tracking down information on how to grow black pines. Most of it has been relatively straightforward once you understand why and i've taken the plunge and purchased a few, cheap saplings(? -- they're just under a foot tall). I figured it's time to get some first-hand experience. I will apologise in advance for the quality of photos -- it's winter here (Zone10, Australia) and i'm out before sunrise, home after dark during the week).
One of the topics i'd really appreciate some input on from the community here is understanding the difference between buds, branches and candles (i know what they are -- but how do they grow?) and what can you do to help encourage proper branch structures?
I'm not sure if anyone has progress photos of their own trees that they could share progress photos, or even any current photos of what branches look like when they develop? I'm generally pretty cluey with most plants and am an avid gardener however these just feel like a complete blackhole and for some reason -- i cannot get my head around them. This fella, and the other few i get this weekend will be potted in something a bit bigger to grow and do their thing -- the idea is not to have something any time soon that looks wonderful but to learn HOW these trees grow and eventually, end up with something nice.
First up -- can we check my terminology is correct:
- Blue circles = buds (end of branches?)
- Yellow circles = branches
- Brown/red (i'm colour blind) circles = trunk/leader/sacrificial branch
- Purple circle = candle?
- First thing i'll be doing is putting it in a bigger pot to grow for a few years
- lowest branch will remain for now -- never know if it will come in handy, and i've heard low branches are difficult to come by
- cluster of 3 -- in time 2 of these would need to go. Would it be wise to get rid of one now, keep a spare while it grows for a few years
Questions:
- At the end of the lateral branches are nodes, cutting these will prompt new branches to grow (1>2>4>... -- in theory). If i wanted to get some smaller split branches i could chop say, 1cm off the end and wait for buds to grow?
- How do candles grow? I assume spring/summer growth would see the development of new candles eventually opening to have more needles, etc.
- do candles grow in to branches or grow FROM branches? I.e. you should only expect to get new/more needles from them?
- Referring to the purple section, i'd be hoping that some additional lateral branches will be developing soon. If not, how would I encourage the tree to sprout more branches, without cutting back the leading/trunk branch?
- Will/do pines backbud where there are existing needles? I.e. would (or could) this tree grow another branch(es) on the right side between the top of the tree?
- How soon should you wire the trunk -- would it be wise to consider doing so to train the trunk earlier, rather than later?