Josephflores960
Sapling
This is a 3 year old pre bonsai I got on eBay and put it in a mixture of perlite, orchid bark, and a small amount of coco coir. I wanted to know if it looks healthy or seems normal.
Is my Japanese black pine pre bonsai doing okay? Just want to make sure. Any suggestions/advice accepted too. Thank you.
- Thread starter Josephflores960
- Start date
This is a 3 year old pre bonsai I got on eBay and put it in a mixture of perlite, orchid bark, and a small amount of coco coir. I wanted to know if it looks healthy or seems normal.Srt8madness
Omono
Candidly it looks less than a year old. Dont let that discourage youd, just perhaps look elsewhere next time.
Not a great time to repot if it's cold where you are, but should be fine.
Looks healthy enough and has a nice terminal bud for Spring growth.
Not a great time to repot if it's cold where you are, but should be fine.
Looks healthy enough and has a nice terminal bud for Spring growth.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Not sure the little bud on the side is going to make it but the main bud up top looks strong.
Hard to tell if it's the flash but the color looks a little yellowish
Hard to tell if it's the flash but the color looks a little yellowish
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Agree that it is not very developed for 3 years but growth depends on care so often poorly grown trees don't grow as well as those that have better conditions. I'd be guessing 2 years.
@Josephflores960 Bonsai tasks are very seasonal so to give good advice we really need to know where you are. For instance it is now spring where I live and trees need fertiliser to grow well but up in northern hemisphere it is winter so trees are dormant and don't need fertiliser.
You can add a location in your personal profile so it shows up each time you post.
Agree that the apex looks healthy enough but I also expect the lower bud could die. That often happens when JBP put all their efforts into growing tall or when they do not get enough sun.
Wulfskaar
Omono
I would also guess 2 years old. That main bud will probably grow 4 inches or so by next summer.
Josephflores960
Sapling
This new bonsai has been rep potted since it was shipped without a pot but I did not mess with the roots. Do you recommend I fertilize it a little bit with a 9-4-5 fertilizer or wait till spring? It is practically going to be winter here in south texas. Thank you.
Be careful fertilizer is a very hot topic on the forum
Josephflores960
Sapling
Oh jeez, luckily it was just a question I haven’t done anything nor do I plan on killing my poor tree lolBe careful fertilizer is a very hot topic on the forum
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
The key to winter fert is how cold it gets. I have no real idea of how cold winters are where you live. Down here where winter nights get just below freezing most evergreens still seem to have some root activity. Pines certainly respond to winter fertilizer here.
In any case, winter fert will not hurt the tree. The worst will be that all the fertilizer you apply will leach out of the pots without being taken by the tree but I suspect your trees will be able to use some and maybe look better but certainly grow far better come spring.
Is you 9-4-5 liquid or solid? I'd go liquid fert immediately for a quick response before it gets cold. Then liquid feed every 3-4 weeks until it gets real cold. Solid fert will probably break down slower so maybe every 6 weeks? through winter which should leave a good residue for spring growth.
Josephflores960
Sapling
Usually can get 30 to 35 winter temps where I live, unfortunately it’s a “3 month slow release granular” fertilizer. Our winters have been getting warmer as the years go by.
Deep Sea Diver
Imperial Masterpiece
@Shibui is spot on. Solid should work out well. Use about 1/3 recommended for now. One could also do a one time liquid Miracid, for example, on top of this only once to begin with at 1/3 strength.
The low level is just to get the tree a decent amount of nutrients over winter, not to boost the growth. (btw Buying Miracid now will not be a waste as you can use it later.)
Once winter is clearly over JBP should be given higher amounts until late fall, then knock the levels down to 1/2. A few years from now when the tree gets stronger and more developed this routine will need change. (Tuck that thought away please.
)cheers
DSD sends
Josephflores960
Sapling
Thank you very much for the great info! Will keep that wonderful helpful thought in mind!@Shibui is spot on. Solid should work out well. Use about 1/3 recommended for now. One could also do a one time liquid Miracid, for example, on top of this only once to begin with at 1/3 strength.
The low level is just to get the tree a decent amount of nutrients over winter, not to boost the growth. (btw Buying Miracid now will not be a waste as you can use it later.)
Once winter is clearly over JBP should be given higher amounts until late fall, then knock the levels down to 1/2. A few years from now when the tree gets stronger and more developed this routine will need change. (Tuck that thought away please.
cheers
DSD sends
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Assuming the 30-35 F temps are nightime minimums your pine roots will definitely be active and taking up small amounts of nutrients so winter feeding will have a positive affect on spring growth.
The solid fert takes a while to release nutrients so apply some of that now but also a liquid feed now to get immediate nutrients to the roots. In a few weeks the solid will be releasing enough for winter feeding.
@Deep Sea Diver advice is great.
The solid fert takes a while to release nutrients so apply some of that now but also a liquid feed now to get immediate nutrients to the roots. In a few weeks the solid will be releasing enough for winter feeding.
@Deep Sea Diver advice is great.
