Black pine

How to care for pine bonsai

Black pine is usually found in small packs or as an ornamental tree in home gardens and parks. This tree can also be found in forests where the soil is dry.

y origin, pine is from the Eastern Alps. This tree is sometimes used for decoration as a Christmas tree because the pins/leaves are very long lasting and have a beautiful green color. The bark of the young pine tree is also cracked and hard like the old one.

They also has similar characteristics- ornamental cornice and a hard stem. If you are planning on creating a pine bonsai then make use of this pine tree. This is because a black pine tree will have very few branches that need to be cut and shaped.

It takes approximately 5-6 years for a pine bonsai tree to reach its full potential. In this duration, it becomes very important to keep shaping the branches when the stems are hardening. A black pine bonsai tree that is 10 years old can reach 2-3 inches/5-7 cm diameter of the stem, in a good environment.

Soil for making black pine :

Permeable and mineral soil is required for this bonsai along with a 1inch or 3 cm layer of drainage and big grain size. This is the reason why you shouldn’t use a pot bigger than 3 inches. The mix must have around 40% burnt clay, 40% Japanese clay and 20% putrid compost.

Sustenance/nutrition:

Pine bonsai can be made with the usual fertilizer or dust. Liquid fertilizers can be used in younger trees during springtime. It is necessary to fertilize the black pine early (starting from April and till the end of September). Before winter arrives, the residual fertilizers on the plant must be cleaned.

Winter:

If the place where you stay has a mild climate then you can leave the pine bonsai outside, but make sure that you cover the soil so that it does not become moist with snow or rain. Thus, the pine gets the light needed during this time of the year.

Always remember that this bonsai should not be stored in the basement or anywhere without a good amount of exposure to light. It must be kept in an area where there is normal temperature and air is not dry.

Wiring:

There is no specific climate or season when the pine can be wired. You can wire it anytime of the year, but make sure that you don’t bend it much.

For good results, wire it during January, February or March. It can be wired at an early stage also, like from the second or third year. The stem must be tall and thin so that it is easy to bend.

Branches of this tree can be cut anytime of the year. When it height reaches to 16-20 inches, the buds should be cut so that the resins could be removed. Make sure that the buds are removed with tweezers.

Keep the black pine in a well-lit place and at a height. Don’t make the soil very moist when you water it. In case the soil is very moist, remove the plant from the pot for a few days.

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