
New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
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- Aussie Bonsai Fan
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Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
Hi all, I decided to repot this tree and do a little wiring, bud selection and needle removal. Sitting back after all of that, Im not entirely happy with the finished planting depth of the tree. I think I have planted it too high. What are your thoughts on the result? Should I re-pot at a lower depth tomorrow 

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“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be like water, my friend.”
Regards, Sidd.
Regards, Sidd.
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- Aussie Bonsai Fan
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Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
bump 

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be like water, my friend.”
Regards, Sidd.
Regards, Sidd.
- Bretts
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Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
I would't but I would keep it growing strong to help fuse the roots.
It's too bad your in such a hurry cause the stories I could tell you, Bushels and baskets of stories, hole crates full of stories. But if you can spare a moment I will tell you one story.
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Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
I have never repotted a JBP at this time of year.
Although I do think that it is still planted too high, I don't know how much root work you can do at this time of year, (Maybe Craig could chime in with some advice on this), I would assume not much?
I think that you should find someone in your area that knows pines and ask if you can work on this tree with them. There are some great pine bonsai in Melbourne, take this tree along to one of the club meetings.
Although I do think that it is still planted too high, I don't know how much root work you can do at this time of year, (Maybe Craig could chime in with some advice on this), I would assume not much?
I think that you should find someone in your area that knows pines and ask if you can work on this tree with them. There are some great pine bonsai in Melbourne, take this tree along to one of the club meetings.
Last edited by Scott Roxburgh on April 16th, 2012, 10:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Bretts
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Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
Hey Scott,
Grant repotts them around this time of year, although he seems to enjoy repotting them all year round, I am sure I have heard of others doing it in Autumn as well so it does seem like an acceptable time to repot them. But I do not as I am scared enough doing it in Spring
It is also Grants "cone" technique that I am thinking of with these roots. I think it would be much safer and just as effective to let the roots fuse instead of trying to untangle them or cut them off.
Grant repotts them around this time of year, although he seems to enjoy repotting them all year round, I am sure I have heard of others doing it in Autumn as well so it does seem like an acceptable time to repot them. But I do not as I am scared enough doing it in Spring

It is also Grants "cone" technique that I am thinking of with these roots. I think it would be much safer and just as effective to let the roots fuse instead of trying to untangle them or cut them off.
It's too bad your in such a hurry cause the stories I could tell you, Bushels and baskets of stories, hole crates full of stories. But if you can spare a moment I will tell you one story.
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- Aussie Bonsai Fan
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Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
Hi Scott, I took the tree to a bonsai nursery that I frequent regularly to select the pot it is in now. He said it was okay to repot now as long as I didnt disturb the roots. So fingers crossed I havent jumped the autumn gun too earlyI have never repotted a JBP at this time of year.

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be like water, my friend.”
Regards, Sidd.
Regards, Sidd.
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Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
I like what Grant has done with his pine's using the 'cone' technique, but I think that it takes a fair bit of time to get it looking mature. Also, IIRC Grant started with a much younger tree and grew it strongly, this tree won't get ever get that treatment.
I think it would be much better to untangle and work the roots every second/third year. If you replace 1/3 of the root ball in late winter, it'll be cleaned up in a few years.
I think it would be much better to untangle and work the roots every second/third year. If you replace 1/3 of the root ball in late winter, it'll be cleaned up in a few years.
- Bretts
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Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
My understanding is that they will fuse (enough) over not too long a time if if the growth is good but I could be wrong 

Last edited by Bretts on April 16th, 2012, 12:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
It's too bad your in such a hurry cause the stories I could tell you, Bushels and baskets of stories, hole crates full of stories. But if you can spare a moment I will tell you one story.
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Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
I have just re read this thread, I know a lot of growers that do all of the conifer re potting in Autumn. I am also one that does this, but our Autumn is much milder than a lot of Australia.
The other thing that has puzzled me from the start, is that Siddar you said the person you bought it from does not beleive in Trunk chops, and grows taper naturally.
Yet it is very apparent that this tree has a BIG trunk chop
half the way up.
Just my
Pup
The other thing that has puzzled me from the start, is that Siddar you said the person you bought it from does not beleive in Trunk chops, and grows taper naturally.
Yet it is very apparent that this tree has a BIG trunk chop

Just my

IN THE LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE ATTAINED, ACHIEVEMENT IS WITHIN SIGHT
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
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- Aussie Bonsai Fan
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Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
It is very apparent Pup isnt itI have just re read this thread, I know a lot of growers that do all of the conifer re potting in Autumn. I am also one that does this, but our Autumn is much milder than a lot of Australia.
The other thing that has puzzled me from the start, is that Siddar you said the person you bought it from does not beleive in Trunk chops, and grows taper naturally.
Yet it is very apparent that this tree has a BIG trunk chop half the way up.
Just my Pup






Last edited by siddhar on April 16th, 2012, 6:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be like water, my friend.”
Regards, Sidd.
Regards, Sidd.
- Pup
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Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
I am sorry if that is what you read in my post, it was not meant in any manner than to see what was written. I have no opinion on the pine at all other than to listen to what has been said.siddhar wrote:It is very apparent Pup isnt itI have just re read this thread, I know a lot of growers that do all of the conifer re potting in Autumn. I am also one that does this, but our Autumn is much milder than a lot of Australia.
The other thing that has puzzled me from the start, is that Siddar you said the person you bought it from does not beleive in Trunk chops, and grows taper naturally.
Yet it is very apparent that this tree has a BIG trunk chop half the way up.
Just my Pup. Maybe I just got carried away with the romance of the place. Is it 20 years old
That too could be argued. From what I saw around the place and from what the seller showed me, he was a very talented bonsai artist, who convinced me he wasn't talking any shari. What we all learn in time and with experienced eyes is "What to look for" this is what Bonsai people and nurseries alike dread in most customers. So yes Pup this tree has been trunk chopped and I haven't re-read my initial post yet, I don't think I said that this tree hadn't been chopped? Maybe I got caught up in the romance of the place? And maybe I was convinced that this tree had something special to offer? Thanks for the "Spot" Pup. Something that I spotted when the tree was home. Do you like the tree at-least
Sounds like you think the tree resembles something you would wipe on a doormat
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Pup
IN THE LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE ATTAINED, ACHIEVEMENT IS WITHIN SIGHT
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
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- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 450
- Joined: April 17th, 2011, 3:55 pm
- Favorite Species: Pine,Cedar,Maple, Elm
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- Location: Melbourne
Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
No worries Pup, just didnt want you to think I was silly and didnt know the tree had been choppedI am sorry if that is what you read in my post, it was not meant in any manner than to see what was written. I have no opinion on the pine at all other than to listen to what has been said.
Pup


Thanks for all the advice so far with this tree.

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be like water, my friend.”
Regards, Sidd.
Regards, Sidd.
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Re: New addition to the collection: 20 yo JBP!
Hi siddhar, how did you go with the repot etc? Did you repot again at a lower level in Autumn?
I think this has a lot of potential and think that Tony had some good ideas re the planting angle and eventual height etc.
I noticed that you cut some of the branches off that he suggested.
If you haven't done a full wiring and initial styling yet, maybe you could have a crack at it this winter?
I am a beginner but I can see a really nice design if planted at the angle Tony suggested with the right hand branch pulled down slightly cascading next to the trunk line and the top of the tree compacted and shaped into a crown etc.
I think it looks good now and I am sure that you will develop it to your liking so please let us know how it is going.
Cheers, Dario.
I think this has a lot of potential and think that Tony had some good ideas re the planting angle and eventual height etc.
Tony Bebb wrote:Hi Sidd
Nice Pine and a fine purchase. Only just seen this one, mind if I may throw myin. I have put a few lines on the pic to give a suggestion
I would take the heavier branches indicated by red lines off and replace them with what appears to be smaller branches behind them indicated by the blue lines. I agree with Scott's trunk angle at the black line and keep the height to the top blacvk line.
The smaller branches will give the trunk more power and be easier to get shape in and compress the foliage. Drop the angle of the branches downward and maybe layer some to fill in any gaps.
Enjoy the wiring. It's therapeutic if you let it be.
Look forward to the next shots
Tony
I noticed that you cut some of the branches off that he suggested.
If you haven't done a full wiring and initial styling yet, maybe you could have a crack at it this winter?
I am a beginner but I can see a really nice design if planted at the angle Tony suggested with the right hand branch pulled down slightly cascading next to the trunk line and the top of the tree compacted and shaped into a crown etc.
I think it looks good now and I am sure that you will develop it to your liking so please let us know how it is going.
Cheers, Dario.
