JBP grown from seed. Good start but where to from here

[Dorian Fourie]

The problem with Dorian's tree, and making it into a shohin, is the distance between the soil and the first branch. The first branches have to be really low. Especially on a Japanese Black Pine.

Hi Adair

thanks so much for the feedback. So looking at my tree, would you then recommend to use the lowest bud on the trunk and grow out a whole new tree?

 

[Dorian Fourie]

Don't mean to hijack Dorian post but since this is a JBP thread, why do you need to use tweezer to pull needles when what you want is adventitious buds?

No hijacking needed. The more information the better

 

[Adair M]

Hi Adair

thanks so much for the feedback. So looking at my tree, would you then recommend to use the lowest bud on the trunk and grow out a whole new tree?

It all depends on how big a tree do you want it to be.

Have you read Eric's thread "a few seeds, 6 years later?"

Also, Jonas has done a lot of growing: www.bonsaitonight.com. Search they his blog, there lots and lots of good info on growing JBP.

 

[Dorian Fourie]

Thanks Adair.

I can honestly say that I am just looking to create a good bonsai. JBP are not the most common trees in SA so most of my information I get is off the forum and reading up. In saying that, at the end of this month at our regional bonsai meeting, there is someone coming to talk about pines so I will not miss that.

I will look at those threads and do some more reading up.

 

[0soyoung]

One of the things I've noticed in Japanese blogs is that shohins were bent over or even wound into coils - I presume to assure having many low branches to work with.

Not that this helps much now.

 

[Anthony]

Oso,

this what I am about to send to @petegreg,

As far as I understand it, this is what you aim for in a small pre-bonsai J.B.pine.
The lower shoots are what you restart when you have allowed the plant to reach the trunk thickness you want.

There is also the other way shown in Bonsai Today, where you train all of the branches to get a more
in harmony effort.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[0soyoung]

One of the things I've noticed in Japanese blogs is that shohins were bent over or even wound into coils - I presume to assure having many low branches to work with.

Not that this helps much now.

And I've seen a number of posts showing bud grafting to make low branches - now that could help.