AusBonsai

Hi all,

Well I thought I had it all down pat after endless research on JBP but suddenly feel like have it all wrong.
I have one mature JBP I bought for inspiration and about half a dozen small trees I'm learning on.

Question is should I have already cut the candles by now ?
I have only started re-fertilizing now as I've been waiting for the spring growth to harden off but I think I have it all wrong

Any advice would be great.
Thanks Ross

In short, yes, too late to candle prune. If you do remove the growth now chances are you will set new buds but they will not open until next spring.

With fertilisation, you want to feed heavily up until you make the candle prune in summer, then remove the food until the seccond flush of growth hardens around autum.

I think with this tree you have missed the boat but it should be very strong and healthy for next season if you feed it up from now until then.

Joe,

hi Ross
i agree with Jow, however, my reason for not candle prune would be the vigour of the tree, or the slight lack of it. most of us are all obsessed with this summer candle prune to get a second flush with shorter needles and shorter internotes by watching Ryan Neil's youtube clips and hearing him last at the Canberra convention. but i always remember him saying at the very beginning: "assuming the tree is healthy". and looking at your tree Ross, i would not prune this year's first growth off otherwise the tree would only have a few older needles left from last year, which will set your tree back another year to catch up.
i would continue to feed the tree now because the objective for this tree is not shorter needles and internotes, but build up the strength and vigour for next growing season. i would love to see the tree with longer needles and a bit "messy" for the next few months, for you know that the tree will be ready somewhat next Spring to apply the principles of what Ryan taught us.

regards

Tien

Thanks for the advice
Just to get it clear in my head I should de-candle early December in Melb ?
Even if not all candles have opened or hardened off ?

stocaz wrote:Thanks for the advice
Just to get it clear in my head I should de-candle early December in Melb ?
Even if not all candles have opened or hardened off ?

Yes to all questions although i use December 10 as my date.

Jow wrote:

stocaz wrote:Thanks for the advice
Just to get it clear in my head I should de-candle early December in Melb ?
Even if not all candles have opened or hardened off ?

Yes to all questions although i use December 10 as my date.

Thanks !