New JBP acquired - thoughts on health and condition?

[Ghoulbath]

Hi everyone! I’m a lurker and very new to Bonsai. Been practicing since last August. I’ve learned a lot fairly quickly recently…having lost almost every tree I got last year due to being afraid to fertilize among poor watering habits (overwatering).

Yesterday I received this japanese black pine from a buddies bonsai studio/nursery. It’s got tremendous color compared the one I lost from last year, and it has new candles (something I’ve never gotten to see on a black pine lol).

My question is rather broad - just curious what anyone might see to focus on or any issues that might catch someone with greater knowledges eye. I do have some mild yellowing of some needle tips, and a couple buds didn’t make it. This tree was shipped across the world and then not too long after shipped to me, so obviously some cosmetic damage or lack of oxygen is expected.

Thanks so much for any feedback, and I do hope I’m posting in the right place.

 

[bwaynef]

A lot of bells are going off in my head about the quick turnaround for sale of a recently received tree, but to answer your question, you'd probably do best to keep it in bright/open shade for a while to let it recover. Once you're satisfied that it's stabilized somewhat, I'd work on removing that moss, which is going to make it more difficult to monitor its use of water.

Seriously though, this thing's been traumatized. Let it lead the dance for a bit. Be attentive, but not doting.

 

[Ghoulbath]

A lot of bells are going off in my head about the quick turnaround for sale of a recently received tree, but to answer your question, you'd probably do best to keep it in bright/open shade for a while to let it recover. Once you're satisfied that it's stabilized somewhat, I'd work on removing that moss, which is going to make it more difficult to monitor its use of water.

Seriously though, this thing's been traumatized. Let it lead the dance for a bit. Be attentive, but not doting.

Gotcha! I should clarify I’m pretty sure he got this tree last fall, so I might have misspoke when I said not too long after.

It’s a pretty loose Sphagnum moss so easily comes right off - I might save it for the summer.

Thanks a lot for the reply!

 

[River's Edge]

Hi everyone! I’m a lurker and very new to Bonsai. Been practicing since last August. I’ve learned a lot fairly quickly recently…having lost almost every tree I got last year due to being afraid to fertilize among poor watering habits (overwatering).

Yesterday I received this japanese black pine from a buddies bonsai studio/nursery. It’s got tremendous color compared the one I lost from last year, and it has new candles (something I’ve never gotten to see on a black pine lol).

My question is rather broad - just curious what anyone might see to focus on or any issues that might catch someone with greater knowledges eye. I do have some mild yellowing of some needle tips, and a couple buds didn’t make it. This tree was shipped across the world and then not too long after shipped to me, so obviously some cosmetic damage or lack of oxygen is expected.

Thanks so much for any feedback, and I do hope I’m posting in the right place.

I would be inclined to carefully remove the wire to reduce stress on the tree.I t seems to have been forgotten. Cut it off slowly coil by coil rather than trying to unwind. It looks badly cut in from my perspective. Agree with allowing it to settle in for this year without extra work.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

The browning tips concern me. I would remove sphagnum from top of soil to see what the current soil state/type is. Agree with wire removal, fertilize... work it into a full sun location slowly.

 

[Ghoulbath]

I would be inclined to carefully remove the wire to reduce stress on the tree.I t seems to have been forgotten. Cut it off slowly rather than trying to unwind. It looks badly cut in from my perspective. Agree with allowing it to settle in for this year without extra work.

I would be inclined to carefully remove the wire to reduce stress on the tree.I t seems to have been forgotten. Cut it off slowly coil by coil rather than trying to unwind. It looks badly cut in from my perspective. Agree with allowing it to settle in for this year without extra work.

Is it a bit early to unwire? The scheduled times I’ve seen imply late summer.

You think I’d be safe to fertilize? I imagine I shouldn’t decandle or anything.

 

[The Barber]

Is it a bit early to unwire? The scheduled times I’ve seen imply late summer.

You think I’d be safe to fertilize? I imagine I shouldn’t decandle or anything.

No specific time for unwilling, generally you want to remove it before it bites in heavily. I just watch for wire bite then remove it before it becomes an issue. You can always rewire the tree later, but wire bite can show for years.

 

[Wulfskaar]

I don't even see any candles on there. Maybe it was decandled too early?

 

[River's Edge]

Is it a bit early to unwire? The scheduled times I’ve seen imply late summer.

Wire is removed when its job is done or it bites in more than desired. In this case I notice it is biting in more than I would suggest. When it bites in too much it can affect the overall health of the tree and specific branches.

You think I’d be safe to fertilize? I imagine I shouldn’t decandle or anything

The tree appears weak I would not fertilize until it stabilizes and shows some new growth! Definitely do not work the tree at this point. focus on getting it healthy after the shipping and transition to your location/climate.

 

[Ghoulbath]

I don't even see any candles on there. Maybe it was decandled too early?

Looking at it more, I think you’re right. In this case I’ll let it rest for sure and monitor

 

[Ghoulbath]

Wire is removed when its job is done or it bites in more than desired. In this case I notice it is biting in more than I would suggest. When it bites in too much it can affect the overall health of the tree and specific branches.

The tree appears weak I would not fertilize until it stabilizes and shows some new growth! Definitely do not work the tree at this point. focus on getting it healthy after the shipping and transition to your location/climate.

Absolutely. Thanks a ton for your input. I’ll work tomorrow on removing where it’s biting for sure and let it rest this season

 

[clem]

I don't even see any candles on there. Maybe it was decandled too early?

Look at the second pic, and zoom, you'll see candles and new leaves growing (light green color).

 

[Ghoulbath]

Update: removed the wires that were biting. I gave it a good water today, and found it be pretty tough to soak those roots. Water was sitting on the surface for 15-20 seconds every watering. I also see roots real bunched up in the drain holes - thinking it’ll need a repot next year.

 

[roberthu]

The tree does not look healthy at all. I have two Kotobuki I have kept for over 12 years and the needle shape and color are way different from yours.

 

[Ghoulbath]

The tree does not look healthy at all. I have two Kotobuki I have kept for over 12 years and the needle shape and color are way different from yours.

Yep we def established it’s not very healthy lol

 

[roberthu]

Yep we def established it’s not very healthy lol

If it's difficult to water through, soak it in a bucket for an hour or so, then take it out. Depending on your weather, you may not need to water it for a few days. This is a temporary solution until you can repot it.
Tease out the surface soil may also improve percolation. Just watch how deep you go.

 

[Ghoulbath]

If it's difficult to water through, soak it in a bucket for an hour or so, then take it out. Depending on your weather, you may not need to water it for a few days. This is a temporary solution until you can repot it.
Tease out the surface soil may also improve percolation. Just watch how deep you go.

It definitely is difficult. It’s potted in river sand, and so far I’m not a fan at all. Very difficult to tell hydration levels without thorough investigation - it either looks soaked or dry as a desert lol. Gotta use toothpicks and dig a bit to check.

I did soak it the other day and it’s still wet (we’ve had cold rainy weather the last couple days, so it’s under my portable greenhouse right now).

Thanks for the advice!

 

[bwaynef]

It definitely is difficult. It’s potted in river sand, and so far I’m not a fan at all. Very difficult to tell hydration levels without thorough investigation - it either looks soaked or dry as a desert lol. Gotta use toothpicks and dig a bit to check.

I did soak it the other day and it’s still wet (we’ve had cold rainy weather the last couple days, so it’s under my portable greenhouse right now).

Thanks for the advice!

If you've already soaked it, you should be able to judge whether it needs water by how heavy it is.

 

[JeffS73]

You can also poke a chopstick straight down to the pot in half a dozen places to ensure water is getting all the way in. You should see water soak in a lot quicker. Did this to my corkbark that was looking in a bad way, has perked up a lot.

I think you could also use a bit of weak fish emulsion, feeds the rhizosphere not just the tree.

 

[Ghoulbath]

You can also poke a chopstick straight down to the pot in half a dozen places to ensure water is getting all the way in. You should see water soak in a lot quicker. Did this to my corkbark that was looking in a bad way, has perked up a lot.

I think you could also use a bit of weak fish emulsion, feeds the rhizosphere not just the tree.

Good suggestion. I have some skewers I’ll poke some holes tomorrow. Do you have a suggestion for fish emulsion? Never used it!