Nishiki first pot.

[Gerard]

I like the way this nishiki black pine is developing, so today it was promoted from plastic to bonsai pot.

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So far this tree has not developed the ugly thickening above the graft which is typical of grafted nishiki pines.

[Laurie J]

Lovely tree and the pot is just beautiful!

[treeman]

Look'n good Gerard!

[Gerard]

Thanks Adabelbengals, and Treeman your graft is outstanding,
I think I will remove the first branch (short trunk) it serves the purpose of hiding the graft if it becomes ugly but it also hides the beautiful bark of the main trunk this became much more obvious when looking at the photo.

[treeman]

Thanks Adabelbengals, and Treeman your graft is outstanding,
I think I will remove the first branch (short trunk) it serves the purpose of hiding the graft if it becomes ugly but it also hides the beautiful bark of the main trunk this became much more obvious when looking at the photo.

Don't go out of your way to hide the base. We just have to accept that it will be seen eventually. I have one very similar to yours and I've given up worrying about the base. (although I do have a couple of Nishikis which were layered and I covert these )

[Gerard]

Tell me more about the airlayering, do they produce roots easily? How long would it take?
I have another which is very straight and ugly and desperately needs to be redesigned.

[Mick B]

The tree is progressing, but a long way to go. I have one now 36 years old. Do not prune it if you want to develop bark. The union between the stock and the scion is not ugly, the saying is "you must learn to adjust your eyes". Mick

[treeman]

Tell me more about the airlayering, do they produce roots easily? How long would it take?
I have another which is very straight and ugly and desperately needs to be redesigned.

Well I can't recommend it simply because the chances that you will get a good result are slim. It will root but it's unlikely you will get roots all around the layer.
If you would like to try anyway, I would suggest you do it in late summer when growth is in and stopped but before the cold weather. Remove any old bark by scraping. (the best place is always just beneath a branch junction or node). Use the wire torniquet method tightening until the wire just starts to dig in. Wrap in moist fresh Sphag moss about the size of your fist no bigger. The moss ball should be mainly below the wire so any roots will go down not up! Try to make sure no water gets in to the layer. Turn a few degrees every couple of weeks. When very hot weather starts, wrap the whole in aluminium foil.
Wait for the roots to turn brownish before removing. When you remove it, do not touch the moss or roots but simply pot in pure river sand (remove anything under 1/2mm) or sand with a little bark. Prune lightly and keep in full sun. Throw in some healthy white micorrhiza into the mix to help with root development.
....And most importantly.....cross your fingers!

[Gerard]

Nishiki.jpg

First branch is gone

[treeman]

Nishiki.jpg

First branch is gone

Yes