AusBonsai

this tree i worked on, under the guidance of kcbonsai and vongardens over at BT. it is with thanks to them that i now understand where to start with pines and have the confidence to eventually make some decent trees out of pines. i no longer have any fear of pines.

nice start Ant! I can see a nice tree in there.
Peter.

Hi Antonio,

The trunk is very nice. Obviously you like it to get bigger?

If I were you, I would think about re-arrange some of the surface roots next.

The longer you leave it, the harder it will get in the future.

It would make a nice informal upright.

Regards

Viet.

hi Antonio

I found the post on BT informative, as ( like many of us ) self taught on JBP.

Your trees are coming along nicely.

Peter

again thanks for your encouragement guys. viet no i think that height is it. in fact i may even reduce it a touch. jbp1 & jbp2, i bought in late may 2008 so early days for me on these trees. we needed alot more backbudding, so i chose not to repot last spring. wether that was the right move or not im not sure yet. next year they will both get a repot and yes they need help in the roots department.

just did the autumn work on this yesterday, which consisted of dividing the end of each branch into 2 buds / candles. also did the needle plucking that should have been done back in summer when it was decandled. some things need to thickin, some needs more desicions, and lots needs to be kept in check. all my thinking right now is around repotting in spring. it needs some serious root work. so im trying to leave enough growth to push it after the repot with out burdening it with too much luggage. i may prune farther in the middle of winter. i am also thinking of layering this one and building 2 trees out of it. just have to wait and see where it goes from here. here is a b4 and after of yesterday's work.

Its looking good!

What is the little basket thing that you have on the pot? Is it a slow release fertiliser? if so, what do you use?

Bain wrote:Its looking good!

What is the little basket thing that you have on the pot? Is it a slow release fertiliser? if so, what do you use?

hey bain, yep they're fertaliser baskets. i use better grow pellets. or grow better, i can never rember which way round. i think they're the bomb!

anttal63 wrote:

Bain wrote:Its looking good!

What is the little basket thing that you have on the pot? Is it a slow release fertiliser? if so, what do you use?

hey bain, yep they're fertaliser baskets. i use better grow pellets. or grow better, i can never rember which way round. i think they're the bomb!

Awesome.. I wouldnt mind using some of this fertiliser aswell.. Could I be a small pain and get you to tell me which one and in what sort of quantity?

Ive come up with the following websites - but im unsure which is what..

Better-Gro, GroBetter and finally Grow Better

grow better organic fertiliser
http://www.growbetter.com.au/fertiliser ... .php#title

anttal63 wrote:grow better organic fertiliser
http://www.growbetter.com.au/fertiliser ... .php#title

Thanks Antonio!

Now to find me some of them baskets this weekend!

Where are you heading with this tree? Are you just using it to practice pine pruning techniques?

Cheers,
Leigh.

Hi Antonio,

Keeping busy... I can see I like the surface root of this pine. I feel that you are making
it into some kind of formal/informal style?

I feel that you will have to keep close eyes on the ramification of the foliage pads?

Best regards.

Bain wrote:

anttal63 wrote:grow better organic fertiliser
http://www.growbetter.com.au/fertiliser ... .php#title

Thanks Antonio!

Now to find me some of them baskets this weekend!

you will find them for sure at oriental bonsai but any bonsai nursery should havem

Ledanta wrote:Where are you heading with this tree? Are you just using it to practice pine pruning techniques?

Cheers,
Leigh.

hi leigh primarily i was using it to practice the refinment stage of pines. i am playing with layering techniques on jbp so there could be a layer here in future. i do see 2 trees in this. for now must wait till repot this spring and see what ive got. in future any tree i get its a must to repot in the first season i purchase it.