First pine JBP - Where to go from here?

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Hello all,

This is my first post so I suppose I should briefly introduce myself. I am a long time plant/horticultural/permaculture enthusiast living in the mountains of zone 5 (Pennsylvanian mountains). I have only been trying my hand at bonsai since the early spring, and have managed to only kill 1 Juniperus procumbens (the other 2 are doing well). I now have a modest collection of about a dozen trees of varying species mostly suited for my region, 2 that will require wintering indoors (Ficus. and Jade). Bonsai is an art that has intrigued me for years but I only started thorough research over this past winter ultimately deciding to give it a go this spring. I am very much in this hobby for the long haul. I also grow/collect cacti which grow grow quite slowly (especially in zone 5), and are also a long term project requiring perpetual care & maintenance.

On to the tree...

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I got this tree about 5 weeks ago from a friend in a far warmer climate (Florida). This is my first pine of any sort so it's harder for me to envision what direction this tree will go from this point on out, I would greatly appreciate any advice or thoughts anybody might have. I have done some reading, but from what I gather pines are quite a challenge to grow the way you want them to. First question: should I remove the spines from the main stem before the winter? I have read this helps encourage backbudding next spring.

My ultimate plan was to let it just continue to grow out for about 5+ years in a 5 gal pot then chop it back down to a stump and work from there. Is this a valid approach?

Thanks again so much for your help!
 

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Hi and welcome to Bnut. Your past experience with flora should be a plus. Although keeping a tree in a pot is somewhat different than in the ground. I'm sure you have been learning this as you research. Yes that JBP is going to take a while to grow to the size and styling you want. Would recommend getting a few and trying different techniques. 5 gallon pot is fine to grow the tree out. Although a very hardy tree you may want to heal the pot into the ground in your zone 5 winters. I'm guessing you get a nice snow pack up there in the winter which should also help insulate the tree. Good luck with all your trees.
 
You need to "label" or establish sacrifice branches and final branches from the beginning. they are treated differently:

Sacrifice branches' job is to grow and thicken the section behind it. I use twistie-ties on sacrifice branches to help keep track.
Final branches are to be kept shorter, and should be grown roughly where you want them in the final design. Start with the end in mind.

Your center candle is likely the best sacrifice branch. It thickens the area below it. The candles on either side will be the second section of trunk and primary branch. Respectively. That will give the tree movement down low. Or the second section of trunk will eventually grow another candle which can become the first branch.

Some reading:
https://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/sacrifice-branches-black-pine/
https://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/sacrifice-branches-black-pine-part-2/

Good luck, and welcome.
 
Thanks so much for both of your help, this is exactly the type of advice I need. Yes my area actually isn't too bad most of the winter; mid twenties being the average low, but it can get in the low teens occasionally colder. My plan was to winter the trees under my deck with mulch over them. Would it be better to mulch them in a more open spot where they would be covered with snow?

Brian: Thanks so much for those links, they were VERY helpful! So if I'm understanding, one of the lower candles will become the new trunk and the other the 1st branch?

I appreciate both your help greatly, this is helping me at least formulate some kind of direction to go with on this tree as it has been new territory for me. I will be sure to provide updates as they prove relevant. Thanks again!
 
Brian: Thanks so much for those links, they were VERY helpful! So if I'm understanding, one of the lower candles will become the new trunk and the other the 1st branch?
Correct...if you want the first branch to be that low. Generally speaking, proportions are visually pleasing if the first branch emerges at about 1/3 the final height of the tree. A 24" tree may have the first branch at about 8" up. When you're growing pines, you have to plan ahead or learn to graft.

On wintering; just take care that the needles aren't exposed to full sun if the root ball is mulched in and frozen solid; it can lead to needle "burn". My JBP sit out all year in my zone 7B. If it gets really cold (10-15f), I may move them into the garage.
 
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