AusBonsai

I have a small, young JPB with lots of growing to do, and I need to know what to do with it from here. Do I shorten needles? If so how and when. Do I pluck needles? If so, what is the purpose? When it grows long, bald things at the ends of the branches, do I cut them off, cut some off?

The local club has conflicting opinions on this, and I wanted to know your opinions.

Glenda

Glenda wrote:I have a small, young JPB with lots of growing to do, and I need to know what to do with it from here. Do I shorten needles? If so how and when. Do I pluck needles? If so, what is the purpose? When it grows long, bald things at the ends of the branches, do I cut them off, cut some off?

The local club has conflicting opinions on this, and I wanted to know your opinions.

Glenda

I was told a saying about that which I think is relevant

If you cut needles, they will will look good for 2 weeks, But then go brown and look crap for 2 years !

I do not cut because if you want short needles then you will have to work the tree over a few years to achieve them. If youare developing the shape of the tree, why retard the growth by trying to reduce the needles?
If the tree is nearly "finished" and you are planning on then going into showing mode then you wiull be working the tree anyway to control the growth and features, which over a few seasons will result in small needles anyway

Ken

What about plucking the needles? And those long things that have no needles?

Glenda

A bud will only form where there is a needle
We pluck all the ones hanging down and the ones going straight up too.

Of the remainder, I leave 2 sets of needles on each candle so I can get side branching growth only.
If the tree is in Growth mode, then I will allow the resultant growth to go mad and grow as much as it can, but ensuring I work to the plan of the future tree.
If in Maintenence mode, then you will selctively allow buds and candles to grow and remove or reduce them as needed for the design of the tree

Once you strat removing candles grownig strong, a then cutting back the others you will find the needles reduce appropriately

ken

Glenda, they are call Candles. That is effectively the following springs new "bud" though it is not the same as on a diciduous tree. It will extend in spring and needles will form on it.

Cheers

Hi Glenda, if your tree is at the growing on stage then its best not to worry too much about the foliage. Much better to concentrate on getting some bulk into it. Once you have achieved the desired size and structure then start working on needle size.
Craig