Ruddigger
Omono
As purchased. One Italian Stone Pine in a 5gal container stuck inside a “decorative” plastic bucket.
Rudd’s 2023-2026 little Christmas tree entry.
- Thread starter Ruddigger
- Start date
Wulfskaar
Omono
Nice! I can't wait to see what you do with it!
Ruddigger
Omono
Got it back home now. I popped it out of the can and started exploring the surface for nebari. The tree is 29” tall from the soil line to the tip.
I removed the lowest branches
Then I chose a front, removed the branches that were coming straight forward and reduced any remaining branches to interior buds if they existed. I also chose a trunk line and removed a bunch of competing apexes.
The tree is 21” tall now. I put it back in the nursery can, added some soil back on top and now I’ll just fertilize and water until January or February.
The aftermath.
I removed the lowest branches
Then I chose a front, removed the branches that were coming straight forward and reduced any remaining branches to interior buds if they existed. I also chose a trunk line and removed a bunch of competing apexes.
The tree is 21” tall now. I put it back in the nursery can, added some soil back on top and now I’ll just fertilize and water until January or February.
The aftermath.
D
Deleted member 47471
Guest
The work of your hands is blessed. An honor to be in the contest with you!
BrightsideB
Omono
I can already tell it’ll be epic!
Ruddigger
Omono
Lol, nah. I’m just learnin’ as I go like everyone else.
Ruddigger
Omono
Repotted. Got rid of a large tap rap root, and many thick circling roots. Placed back into a shallower and wider nursery can with 25% potting soil and 75% black lava rock. 
D
Deleted member 47471
Guest
Very nice. I plan to repot my small sized twin trunk next year into a shallow pot. Would you recommend I also use the soil mix and values you have to move it towards refinement? Is the idea to introduce/transition the tree into inorganic upon the final repotting?
Ruddigger
Omono
@Bonsai Forest I know it works for me, and for my teacher. The potting soil is only there to speed up growth a little. Next go round will be completely inorganic 2:1:1.
D
Deleted member 47471
Guest
Okay, that makes sense in my mind. Much appreciated.
Ruddigger
Omono
First round of pinching done. Hopefully i’ll get some backbudding.
Ruddigger
Omono
I have plenty of backbuds started now. I did another round of branch selection and cutbacks and another round of pinching.
And here are some of the backbuds.
And here are some of the backbuds.
D
Deleted member 47471
Guest
Nice budding
Ruddigger
Omono
Repotted and did a quick wire job (minus the apex), and I eliminated a couple more unnecessary branches.
I probably did 4 or 5 rounds of pinching and cutback this year, got pretty good backbudding. Next year it should get more density.
I probably did 4 or 5 rounds of pinching and cutback this year, got pretty good backbudding. Next year it should get more density.
Ruddigger
Omono
Since it’s almost xmas, here’s a current picture with the apex wired.
