Potawatomi13
Imperial Masterpiece
If more movement needed can also notch stiff branch. Personally using this technique on 2 Lodgepole Yamadori literati in development
.
.
Pinus Cortorta (Shore Pine) #1
- Thread starter Orion_metalhead
- Start date
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
I like the angles at moment. Will let rest for a little and then wire apical region next fall. I want to see how much growth I get to work with. Lots of healthy buds.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Lots of extension. Going to be a good year for this tree. May do some more serious pruning.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Today I pruned back to two shoots on branched Im keeping, did some needle plucking and thinning to promote back budding, and stripped one branch thats becoming deadwood. I also tightened the guy wire on the main branch. Will probably need another year or two before the wire comes off and that branch holds. I need to do some detail and secondary branch wiring in the fall.
This the how im wiring the low right branch towards the back:
There is one branch i do not know what im going to do with. Any suggestions are helpful.
This the how im wiring the low right branch towards the back:
There is one branch i do not know what im going to do with. Any suggestions are helpful.
Deep Sea Diver
Imperial Masterpiece
Perhaps bring it down to layer in a suitable position, then keep strong, then repeatedly push the growth back to backbud for a couple years to build it out… similar to what will be done to the lower branches.
cheers
DSD sends
cheers
DSD sends
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Yeah, good idea. I can see replacing the thicker bottom branch eventually with this more delicate branch. Could get more interior growth and bring closer to trunk as well. Always looking for options to replace the thicker older growth with newer fresher growth.
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
I would work on improving the nebari and establishing a broader base for the tree at this stage. With careful work over a number of repots I believe this tree could be improved quite a bit. Dealing with floating and crossing roots as well as developing a more compact and shallower root ball will open up better styling options. Allowing the tree to strengthen and grow out at the same time will improve back budding response down the road for the lower branches. With pines, two key elements are the root structure and the trunk line. Improving the foundation of this tree is possible and would greatly influence the overall outcome.
Just a couple of suggestions that I believe will be helpful and rewarding in the long run.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
I felt though that i needed to get the heavy branches in place before they were too thick to bend easily. The soil still drains well so I didnt want to force a repot.
The roots definitely need work so that is definitely on the agenda.
The roots definitely need work so that is definitely on the agenda.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Fertilized the other day. Buds look healthy. Lots of multiple buds on branches. Also see new buds in places.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Buds starting to move.
Still debating my plans for this tree this year. @River's Edge is this a good time to repot or should I wait til later in spring?
Still debating my plans for this tree this year. @River's Edge is this a good time to repot or should I wait til later in spring?
Tidal Bonsai
Omono
My pine buds were energized by the eclipse yesterday and started to move also.
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
good time to repot now, protect from heavy frost if still possible in your neck of the woods.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Thanks. I need to see what soil components I have. Ill probably clean the existing soil to save the lava and pumice.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
I did not repot this year as I did not have Lava or Pumice. I plan on ordering for next year. This tree has been very healthy this year but in preparation for next year's repot, I did perform some cleanup at the roots. The pot was loaded with irish moss. I went around, removed all the moss and opened up the soil surface. Followed up with heavy fertilization.
Before:
Soji Action:
Current front nebari. It is wider on the left... a serious consideration of front is needed.
I feel this root can be moved to the right along with several others to develop a wider nebari in my intended front.
All done with some additional of my regular soil mix on top to help finer roots possibly develop. Tilted slightly for consideration...
Back on bench for the summer.
Before:
Soji Action:
Current front nebari. It is wider on the left... a serious consideration of front is needed.
I feel this root can be moved to the right along with several others to develop a wider nebari in my intended front.
All done with some additional of my regular soil mix on top to help finer roots possibly develop. Tilted slightly for consideration...
Back on bench for the summer.
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
Good call on the roots, pays to think things through carefully before cutting. Shifting two or three of those in particular will make a big difference in nabari. I would consider taking the time to loosely wire the roots and use the wire to help position them for maximum effectiveness. Only drawback is to remember to remove before it cuts in too much. Works better than the usual staples to hold a single position because it distributes the tension more evenly allowing for extra movement and positioning without the same risk of breakage! I would use thicker wire to prevent rapid cut in. Expecting the roots to push quickly after a repot. Just an extra idea to throw in the mix.
Just on the off chance the wire on the lower right branch indicates possible removal have you considered? Shore Pine back bud and graft easily!
Attachments
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Yes, that branch is intended to come off where you marked in red but Im using as a sacrifice to help thicken that lower branch for the time being. The wire you see is just an identifier tag.
Great thoughts on the roots. It means a lot to have someone of your esteem approving of some of the care Im giving the tree. Looking back on the first post, its amazing how much healthier the tree appears now. Really drastic improvement.
Great thoughts on the roots. It means a lot to have someone of your esteem approving of some of the care Im giving the tree. Looking back on the first post, its amazing how much healthier the tree appears now. Really drastic improvement.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Tree is bursting this spring. Did not repot it because too busy and it still drains well, shows no sign of decline... It actually has more buds than ever all over. Sorry for night photos.
It really shows now what a healthy shore pine looks like... I think back to when I first got it. I had no clue what health looked like. @River's Edge, @Leo in N E Illinois have been major help these past years getting it back to where it can recieve some more work.
It really shows now what a healthy shore pine looks like... I think back to when I first got it. I had no clue what health looked like. @River's Edge, @Leo in N E Illinois have been major help these past years getting it back to where it can recieve some more work.
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
Clear sign the tree is moving in the right direction circled below in photo. Well done, patience is the key. Once this begins happening in several branches the choices for compaction, increased density and pad design exponentially increase. The legginess begins to disappear and the design falls into place. None of this is possible without regaining the health of the tree to a vigorous level. Happy to see your progress!
The one I circled will need to strengthen for a year or so before being cut back to if that is part of your plan. I only mention this so it is clear that cutting back to new shoots too soon will delay things. It is ok to grow out further to strengthen and then cut back a bit to create more back budding. Then repeat until you have enough new shoots closer in that are strong enough. Then start the design. in the meantime maintain the wiring out and down with branching to allow light in and improve back budding. Shorten the longer branches when you have enough shoots and foliage on the branch to keep the tree chugging. along with strong health. Avoid the tendency to move too quickly. Shore pine do not charge ahead as strongly as JBP or JRP do.
