Dwarf Scots Pine Progression

[Cruiser]

Pinus sylvestris from Chucks Nursery in Arlington, WA. Maybe ‘Beuvronensis’ variety.



January 6, 2022
Dead branches and needles were cleaned from interior.







Late January 2022.
A few medium and large branches were removed. Different viewing angles were tested.






May 23, 2022
Candles reduced on most of tree. Future trunk line left alone to strengthen.


August 28, 2022
Cutting candles created compact growth with more buds, mostly at cut sites. In some places, buds emerged a node or two closer to the trunk.





March 2023.
Repot into Anderson flat. Roots combed/loosened to reposition. Pruning kept to a minimum. Just enough to fit tree into the flat.
Substrate is pumice and fir bark. Osmocote plus sprinkled on surface.



December 29, 2023
Wire and styling.

The initial plan. A seaside pine on a ledge. Leaning out above the water.




The final design.

 

[czaczaja]

Amazing tree. It has come a long way.

 

[Cruiser]

Thanks!

Amazing tree. It has come a long way.

 

[Ply]

Very nice, especially considering it's been worked on for only two years. One of very few succesful nursery stock pine to bonsai I've seen.

 

[Cruiser]

A local pine influenced branching patterns.



The graft union.


Could wire be coiled around the rootstock to help it thicken and better match the grafted trunk? Worth the risk?
Hopefully the two sides will blend more as they grow.

 

[0soyoung]

Could wire be coiled around the rootstock to help it thicken and better match the grafted trunk? Worth the risk?

Logically it seems like a possibility. It works above ground because of the interruption of the normal direction of the PAT stream which causes ethylene production that affects the enhanced radial growth. The PAT continues all the way to the root tips and so, similarly wiring a root ought to cause a similar effect in the root. Roots tissues are not exactly the same as those above ground, but we do know that big fat roots can be girdled - IOW roots can be air/ground layered.

To try it, I would use a small gage (large gage number) copper wire and apply it just like I would to a branch. Aside from the damage incidental to applying the wire, this will not risk the root in any obvious way as the spiral leaves a path for the continued PAT flow (unlike a tourniquet).

 

[Dabbler]

Looks great!