First time pine

[pmpl2003]

Hi, I wonder if someone could help - I’ve managed to get these little pine seeds growing, when do I need to pot them, how big should the pot be and is there a special potting mix I need? Any other advice would be gratefully received! First time grower

 

[Deleted member 47471]

I think @cmeg1 can likely steer you in the right direction. He looks to have been doing for this some time now and his Pines are legendary.

 

[dbonsaiw]

With some of the other species you seem to be growing, you can transplant once there are true leaves on the tree (not the cotyledons). As this is a pine, the short answer is I don't really know. Those seem like very small containers, so perhaps you can simply up pot it into something larger.

 

[pmpl2003]

Thanks guys - I want to repot it but don’t want to be too eager either! Is any potting mix going to be suitable?

 

[eugenev2]

When they grow there first set of real needles and the stem looks similar colour (redish brown colour) to the one in the back of this picture its a good time to repot them. Basically the best time is the same time when they would do seedling cuttings. Substrate mix depends on the care you can provide and your environment, if you can water every day the akadama, pumice and lava stone works brilliantly.

 

[pandacular]

Thanks guys - I want to repot it but don’t want to be too eager either! Is any potting mix going to be suitable?

For very young trees, most people tend to use a more standard potting mix you might be familiar with for potted plants. Perlite, coco coir, and peat moss are very common ingredients. But if you have some normal house plant mix, it should be totally fine.

 

[pmpl2003]

When they grow there first set of real needles and the stem looks similar colour (redish brown colour) to the one in the back of this picture its a good time to repot them. Basically the best time is the same time when they would do seedling cuttings. Substrate mix depends on the care you can provide and your environment, if you can water every day the akadama, pumice and lava stone works brilliantly.

Really appreciate all the advice - I’m just concerned the roots will have enough space to grow out the size of the one in your picture?

 

[eugenev2]

Really appreciate all the advice - I’m just concerned the roots will have enough space to grow out the size of the one in your picture?

I actually forgot the size ...fortunately i added the picture, the pot was a 5inch/12.5cm pot. The size might slightly be to large for the seedling at that stage, but i chose this as i wanted to see the difference between a seedling repotted yearly vs one left for 2 or so years. I'm assuming those containers are a bit deeper than the picture correct?

 

[pmpl2003]

I actually forgot the size ...fortunately i added the picture, the pot was a 5inch/12.5cm pot. The size might slightly be to large for the seedling at that stage, but i chose this as i wanted to see the difference between a seedling repotted yearly vs one left for 2 or so years. I'm assuming those containers are a bit deeper than the picture correct?

Not much bigger! The root is through the bottom now

 

[eugenev2]

Not much bigger! The root is through the bottom now

The root through the bottom is not a issue yet. But if it bothers you, you can always place another bigger pot beneath this one and give the smaller seedling some time to catch up. When they are eventually stronger, you can repot them into slightly bigger containers. Just a fyi, nothing is stopping you from repotting them now, but the roots on these size of seedlings are extremely soft and can easily break if you don't know what you're doing.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Here is a thread I started a few years ago when I was in your shoes. It should also give you an idea of the time involved.
https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/damping-off.46132/

A while after the 2nd level of needles grew out, I repotted into bonsai soil. Mine is the pine mix from bonsaijack.com. However, coco coir and perlite is a common mix and that would work just fine. It's also cheap and easy to find.

Make sure it gets plenty of that English sun, all it can get. I am in California, so I have to shade mine sometimes because we get too much sun.

I look forward to seeing its progress, as well as your other baby trees!

 

[pmpl2003]

Here is a thread I started a few years ago when I was in your shoes. It should also give you an idea of the time involved.
https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/damping-off.46132/

A while after the 2nd level of needles grew out, I repotted into bonsai soil. Mine is the pine mix from bonsaijack.com. However, coco coir and perlite is a common mix and that would work just fine. It's also cheap and easy to find.

Make sure it gets plenty of that English sun, all it can get. I am in California, so I have to shade mine sometimes because we get too much sun.

I look forward to seeing its progress, as well as your other baby trees!

English sun! I’m in Manchester, famous for its rain!

Thanks to you and everyone for taking the time to reply, it’s appreciated I’ll let you know how I get on!

 

[ForeverRaynning]

Are these still going? I’m just a bit further North than you (Lancs) and have 1 pine growing so far from the same kit.

 

[pmpl2003]

Are these still going? I’m just a bit further North than you (Lancs) and have 1 pine growing so far from the same kit.

 

[pmpl2003]

Slowly! The ones from the fridge have just come out and been planted but no sign of them yet. These two are the only ones germinated. Id be happy if one survives!

 

[ForeverRaynning]

I’m planting two more next week myself. Pines looking good! I’m hoping the one germinated one I have so far isn’t the only one, and if it is, that it survives