Japanese Black pine seedling help

[eugenev2]

First set of 2 year old Japanese black pine update. Looking good so far. Going to try a exposed root style with the one and depending on the growth possibly a root over rock with one of these next year. That's if one of the one year seedling don't take their place

 

[eugenev2]

A update on the almost 1 year old seedlings that aren't doing as well as the others, some of them look like they are getting healthier, others look about the same. And then in the third pic my two seedling cuttings repotted a few weeks ago, the closest one is starting to push growth now after showing almost nothing after the stem cutting...the other still deciding on this whole life thing

 

[eugenev2]

JBP seem to be self fertile. I now have 2 trees in the garden that produce cones but I was still getting viable seed from the first before the new tree matured. They are big trees though and pruning is not an option if you want cones. Cones grow on the tips of candles and then take 18 months to mature. There may be a way to prune part of the tree on a rotating cycle to still get mature cones but also keep it compact. I have not tried that yet.


Cut as low as you want provided there's still some needles for new buds to emerge from the rooted stem.
Cuttings with terminal buds seem to strike a bit better than stem cuttings without buds so just the top 5cm or so is good for cutting material.
Strip off lower 2/3 needles as for most cuttings but take care as the stems will be tender at this stage and may break if you are rough while puling the needles.
Dip in striking hormone as for most cuttings.
Use propagating mix and place the cuttings in high humidity. I have auto misting but a dome, plastic bag or cut down plastic soft drink bottle is fine too.
Good light but not direct sun.
I usually get roots in 4-6 weeks and around 90% strike rate.

Some pics will say more than words
Seedlings at around the same stage as yours appear to be. Cut low to get plenty of new shoots right down low in case I want shohin sized pines.
View attachment 563503
The cuttings
View attachment 563504
Strip off lower needles
View attachment 563505
Longer stems can yield 2 cuttings but slightly lower success with no terminal bud (left)
View attachment 563506
Cuttings set in propagating mix in a community pot.
View attachment 563507
After a month. Some shoots may begin to grow and roots appear at the bottom of the pot
View attachment 563508View attachment 563509

Results. Some have excellent lateral roots, some have 2 or 3, a few have just 1 rot and a couple have not produced roots yet - they can go back in for a second chance.
View attachment 563510View attachment 563511

I cut roots when transplanting similar to what I do with seedlings. Shortening dominant roots gives better root ramification closer to the trunk, helps strengthen smaller ones and can also promote even more roots.
View attachment 563512

Good luck with your JBP cuttings.

JBP seem to be self fertile. I now have 2 trees in the garden that produce cones but I was still getting viable seed from the first before the new tree matured. They are big trees though and pruning is not an option if you want cones. Cones grow on the tips of candles and then take 18 months to mature. There may be a way to prune part of the tree on a rotating cycle to still get mature cones but also keep it compact. I have not tried that yet.


Cut as low as you want provided there's still some needles for new buds to emerge from the rooted stem.
Cuttings with terminal buds seem to strike a bit better than stem cuttings without buds so just the top 5cm or so is good for cutting material.
Strip off lower 2/3 needles as for most cuttings but take care as the stems will be tender at this stage and may break if you are rough while puling the needles.
Dip in striking hormone as for most cuttings.
Use propagating mix and place the cuttings in high humidity. I have auto misting but a dome, plastic bag or cut down plastic soft drink bottle is fine too.
Good light but not direct sun.
I usually get roots in 4-6 weeks and around 90% strike rate.

Some pics will say more than words
Seedlings at around the same stage as yours appear to be. Cut low to get plenty of new shoots right down low in case I want shohin sized pines.
View attachment 563503
The cuttings
View attachment 563504
Strip off lower needles
View attachment 563505
Longer stems can yield 2 cuttings but slightly lower success with no terminal bud (left)
View attachment 563506
Cuttings set in propagating mix in a community pot.
View attachment 563507
After a month. Some shoots may begin to grow and roots appear at the bottom of the pot
View attachment 563508View attachment 563509

Results. Some have excellent lateral roots, some have 2 or 3, a few have just 1 rot and a couple have not produced roots yet - they can go back in for a second chance.
View attachment 563510View attachment 563511

I cut roots when transplanting similar to what I do with seedlings. Shortening dominant roots gives better root ramification closer to the trunk, helps strengthen smaller ones and can also promote even more roots.
View attachment 563512

Good luck with your JBP cuttings.

Signs that the @Shibui method might be working...yes i know it's not yours...but just easier for reference purposes. Fyi if the pictures and clear enough, the JBP that were cut are showing signs of buds and the one cutting is showing mature needle growth. I'll keep it in the container like this for another 2 weeks before i open it to have a proper look

 

[Shibui]

Signs that the @Shibui method might be working...yes i know it's not yours...but just easier for reference purposes.

Looking good.
I'm happy to take credit for the technique. I actually adapted what was being used to clone Pinus radiata for plantation grown trees here in Australia but, as far as I know, I was the first to be taking cuttings from the tops of seedlings rather than making the entire tree into a cutting.

 

[eugenev2]

Started moving the container into more light gradually, cuttings look taller although the one's needle tips look slightly brown. But another week with the dome mostly on...allowing air to enter now...and then we'll see how they respond to a half days worth of sun

 

[eugenev2]

After moving them more and more into sunlight two of the top cuttings don't look to happy, but the other 4 look like they are extending. It's about 6 weeks now, so i think it should be more clear whether they live or die, but it looks like i have at least 4 more japanese black pines