New Scots Pine Bonsai, is it ready?

[ScottsPine]

Hi All, I am totally new to bonsai and I have a scots pine sapling I wish to bonsai. It is about 8.5 inches tall as seen in the attached photos and I was wondering if it is at the stage to be wired and potted in to a bonsai appropriate pot?
Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[penumbra]

IMO, it is far from ready for a bonsai pot, but it is a good time to wire. Prior to that however, you really need to develop a future plan.

 

[ScottsPine]

Ok thank you!

 

[Paradox]

This little pine needs to grow.
As penumbra said, you can wire it this fall to put some movement into the trunk.

Feed it well and let it grow. Up pot it into a bigger pot every 2 to 3 years until the trunk gets to the size you want.

There are bonsai shaped training pots that are deeper than typical bonsai pots that size. Those are good to promote horizontal root growth.

Keep in mind that it will take longer to grow a trunk in a pot than in the ground

Also please put your location on your profile so we don't have to repeatedly ask you where you are located. Location is important to give the best advice for bonsai

 

[ScottsPine]

Ok great, thanks so much for the information!

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Depends on your goals, esp. height.

We do preliminary wiring at this stage for smaller to medium small trees to get gnarly bends not, and keep in a grow container. Usually to contains perlite or pumice and coco coir or peat. Yet seems too late to make this media transition. Next spring.

Larger trees would need a bit more growing, at least year before wiring.

Would cover up the roots more though. And please, please take out of the saucer. The tree is starting to drown… as it likes dryish media!

Best
DSD sends

 

[Paradox]

Depends on your goals, esp. height.

We do preliminary wiring at this stage for smaller to medium small trees to get gnarly bends not, and keep in a grow container. Usually to contains perlite or pumice and coco coir or peat. Yet seems too late to make this media transition. Next spring.

Larger trees would need a bit more growing, at least year before wiring.

Would cover up the roots more though. And please, please take out of the saucer. The tree is starting to drown… as it likes dryish media!

Best
DSD sends

Good catch, I didnt see the saucer when I was on my phone earlier.

@ScottsPine

Pines dont like what we call "wet feet". The soil you have it in looks pretty organic like potting soil and it will tend to stay wet.
You are going to have to be careful about watering. If the tree stays too wet for too long, the roots will rot and it will be a dead tree.

I would repot it next spring into some soil that drains better

 

[ScottsPine]

Thanks for the tips! I have removed the saucers but it is potted in ericaceous soil which I understood to be the correct soil.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Ok for this year given it’s watered correctly

Good luck and keep us advised.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Paradox]

Thanks for the tips! I have removed the saucers but it is potted in ericaceous soil which I understood to be the correct soil.

Please put your location on your profile. Nearest big city and state is fine. Location information is very important to give you the best advice.

 

[ScottsPine]

Hi All, the needles on my scots pine have started to turn brown at the tip and the brown is progressing down the needle. I have been regularly watering and the pine is in ericaceous soil. Any ideas about whats going on? Thanks

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I see black and brown specks on the needles, inside the yellow part.
Yellow starting from the tip is usually related to over fertilisation. But since there's also specks in them, it's probably also needlecast.

 

[Paradox]

Wonder if the soil might be staying too wet