Japanese Black Pine Bonsai
If you’re looking for a classic bonsai species then look no further than the Japanese Black Pine bonsai. It is a strong, majestic tree that can survive the rugged barren conditions of mountains.
Japanese Black Pine trees (Pinus thunbergii) have many characteristics that make them suitable for bonsai. The bark, which is a charcoal-grey colour, becomes deeply fissured in fairly young trees, conveying the impression of age. The branches also thicken quite quickly. The dark green needles are thick and can be quite long (up to 15cm) so pruning is required to reduce their size.
Unsurprisingly for a species with a natural mountainous habitat, they should be kept outdoors and in full sun. Growth and budding will suffer if the tree is kept in part shade and the needles with become longer.
Even though it is a hardy species it should be protected from cold winds and when the temperature falls consistently below -5oC in the winter.
Classic Japanese Black Pine Bonsai
Don’t overwater and ensure that the soil is very free draining as it is susceptible to root rot if the soil is wet for a long period. There is some debate about the best feeding regime but vigorous growth will result from balanced feeding throughout the year. In these conditions appropriate pruning will be required to reduce the length of the needles.
Pruning pines requires a different approach to that used for pruning deciduous trees and some conifers. This is because most pines exhibit only one flush of growth.
Branch pruning should be carried out in the autumn or winter as there is likely to be less loss of resin then. The resin leaves a white stain on the bark. If small stubs are left they can be styled into jins at a later date. If a branch is to be cut close to the trunk the wound will heal quicker if the pruning is done in the spring.
Due to its pattern of growth the shaping of Japanese Black Pine needs to start early. Bear in mind that due to the apical dominance of pines, the strongest growth will be on the top and outside of the tree. Therefore, the techniques for improving pine ramification e.g. bud selection and needle plucking will be applied differently depending on the area of the tree.
Wiring is best done in the autumn and winter.
Japanese Black Pine should be repotted every 2 to 5 years in spring. If the beneficial white fungus Mycorrhiza is present ensure some is transferred to the new pot.
Comments are closed.