Multiple flushes of growth in Pines

[my nellie]

Frank @Riversedgebonsai thank you for posting the photos and sharing the method you followed for growing these trees.

... ...The old sacrifice leader will be removed in June... ...Another approach is to reduce the old sacrifice branch in stages while the new one gains strength.

Second approach suits me better because it's helping the substitute to develop, like you said.

 

[River's Edge]

Frank @Riversedgebonsai thank you for posting the photos and sharing the method you followed for growing these trees.
Second approach suits me better because it's helping the substitute to develop, like you said.

The first approach has an advantage as well! At the beginning of June the tree is really ramping up the growth engine and when the leader is cut it seems to supercharge the progress of the new sacrifice leader. Seems counter-intuitive i know but my experience is that it works better than the progressive stage removal. I believe it is because there is no conflict over which leader is dominant and the tree is working on all cylinders at this point. I should have mentioned that i prefer to change sacrifice leaders when the trunk portion in that sacrifice area reaches 1 to 1/12 inches in diameter. This is to minimize scarring and end up with a cleaner final product. With a rapidly growing young JBP this can be just one growing season, usually always within two seasons.

 

[petegreg]

Frank, few questions if I may...

You mentioned 2-3 flushes of growth on young JBPs, was that achieved without pruning/decandling?

As for June SB removing, is June a decandling month for you? Have you noticed strong back budding after removing SB? Because I think Mr. Schrader stated that on his blog.

 

[River's Edge]

Frank, few questions if I may...

You mentioned 2-3 flushes of growth on young JBPs, was that achieved without pruning/decandling?

As for June SB removing, is June a decandling month for you? Have you noticed strong back budding after removing SB? Because I think Mr. Schrader stated that on his blog.

Of course, questions are welcome!
The multiple flushes occur without pruning and decandling! The trees are young with abundant water and fertilizer. My growing season is fairly lengthy, my site is full sun and i use a well draining mix in the grow beds and grow boxes.
June is a decandling month for me. I time the cut back ( when desired)for when the needles are beginning to stand out from the neck of the candle.
The strong back budding for the lower branching is due to multiple factors, Cut back is one. Removing extra foliage that shades and area is another. Wiring down the branch to open it up to sunlight is another. Rotating the tree for more even distribution of sunlight on bare areas is another!
The degree of back budding is also affected by the proximity to the SB removed and the timing! I have observed a greater response with removal of sacrifice leader, then sacrifice branch.
I should reiterate that all of the above is contingent on healthy vigorous trees. This approach to development relies on that aspect.

 

[petegreg]

Of course, questions are welcome!
The multiple flushes occur without pruning and decandling! The trees are young with abundant water and fertilizer. My growing season is fairly lengthy, my site is full sun and i use a well draining mix in the grow beds and grow boxes.
June is a decandling month for me. I time the cut back ( when desired)for when the needles are beginning to stand out from the neck of the candle.
The strong back budding for the lower branching is due to multiple factors, Cut back is one. Removing extra foliage that shades and area is another. Wiring down the branch to open it up to sunlight is another. Rotating the tree for more even distribution of sunlight on bare areas is another!
The degree of back budding is also affected by the proximity to the SB removed and the timing! I have observed a greater response with removal of sacrifice leader, then sacrifice branch.
I should reiterate that all of the above is contingent on healthy vigorous trees. This approach to development relies on that aspect.

Thank you very much for responding and valuable information. That's very interesting and I'm looking forward to year 2 of my fifty Mikawa seedlings.

 

[my nellie]

Thank you very much for responding and valuable information... ...

I repeat wholeheartedly!

 

[lucany]

For anyone interested in venturing in Pines (Pinus) 2 flush and (Strobus) 1 flush trees the recommendation is to read the book of Julian Adams from Lynchburg VA (GROWING PINES for BONSAI) not your ordinary bonsai book...so helpful to beginners as well for more advanced Bonsai artists. Kaizen (改善, かいぜん) my friends!!!