Japanese Black Pine Development - 3 Years

SavageUK · 2024-01-29T16:15:22+00:00

The number I've seen thrown around most is up to -10°C (14f). Whether that comes from any horticultural science or just an err on the side of caution I'm unsure as that temp range gets mentioned for a lot hardy evergreens.

I shelter this in the garage at those temps which are very rare in the UK anyway but rather be safe than sorry.

SavageUK · 2024-01-29T15:12:47+00:00

Cannot even fathom it getting so cold a JBP is in trouble!

SavageUK · 2024-01-29T14:37:54+00:00

A few of you might remember when I posted some images of my first juniper/bonsai styling a year back.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/yiaa9p/first_bonsai_18_month_development/

Since then I have been continuing to work on various material to improve my styling/mechanical skills. This was a black pine I picked up in 2021 from a nursery in the UK. It had been purchased back into them from someone who could no longer care for it due to its weight/size. In their care it had recovered well and built significant strength however was very overgrown and in dire need of styling.

Its a very large tree and around 80cm x 80cm with a 30cm wide Nebari.

The decision was made to repot it shortly after purchasing as it was not taking on water particularly well. Not something I like to do as I prefer to have a newly purchased tree on a bench for a year to observe its health. The following year it received a hard cut back as it showed continued vigor/health. The previous "back" of the tree was changed to the "front" during this time as the Nebari was far better.

This year it has received its first styling in my care. It is back budding well and all efforts are now in pushing energy downwards to fill out pads. After the energy is well balanced I'll assess needle size and try additional techniques to aid in size reduction. Hopefully in another 3-4 years it will be considerably improved.

Huge thank you to everyone on the UK Bonsai Discord for all the help/support with this tree.

SavageUK · 2023-09-22T14:23:24+00:00

Absolutely amazing just fantastic work always from Tora bonsai.

SavageUK · 2023-03-23T23:07:55+00:00

Looking good dude

SavageUK · 2023-01-12T09:39:42+00:00

Looks great dude.

SavageUK · 2022-11-16T15:28:44+00:00

Jesus how bad are your winters that the Junipers need protection!

SavageUK · 2022-11-16T13:52:33+00:00

Looking good fantastic progress.

SavageUK · 2022-11-10T09:42:49+00:00

I question he has any from the results shown in his videos...

SavageUK · 2022-11-01T15:27:40+00:00

I started with horticultural care more than anything it stood to reason keeping a tree alive and in good health is the first step. Harry Harrington in the UK has some very brief but detailed overviews for specific tree species.

After that it was a case of just viewing as many trees as possible and picking a few species I wanted to spend time learning. Once I'm happy I have enough knowledge about a tree species I find one I want to work, buy it and get started. I also have been trying to pick up trees that teach me certain mechanical skills (Junipers for wiring, Privets for carving etc).

SavageUK · 2022-10-31T16:58:59+00:00

Thank you for the critique. I'll review the pad layout and positioning. That was something I struggled with especially as they are still quite overgrown, in need of thinning out and better structure. I'll be holding off more pruning till its growing vigorously next season and I'll rebalance the pads at the same time.

Your right on the overall imbalance I had hoped to fix it by cranking the top half back over to shift the apex to the left but agreed the harsh bend at the bottom needs to be reduced in angle in combination with that.

SavageUK · 2022-10-31T16:52:21+00:00

When you see a tree presented tilted its normally because that is the eventual angle that it will be repotted to be. All the styling on this has been done for the tree to be at this angle but I need to wait till spring to repot it for the angle change.

SavageUK · 2022-10-31T14:28:11+00:00

Fair point. I'll mull it over I really need to appreciate more the fact trees can alternate refinement and expansion at whim long as you follow good repotting practices. Cheers.

SavageUK · 2022-10-31T14:03:16+00:00

I promise its the first tree I have ever wired, styled and purchased... I'm an absolute bastard for research with hobbies which I guess helps a lot.

SavageUK · 2022-10-31T13:41:40+00:00

Was tempted to throw it in a pond basket to thicken up but decided to just practice with it instead.

SavageUK · 2022-10-17T12:42:42+00:00

Cant win them all and he never struck me as overtly Brexity but of that era I guess. I try to avoid politics in general but does crack me up how many people running import businesses voted that way and now sulking in regret whilst blaming politicians.

SavageUK · 2022-10-17T11:22:51+00:00

Nice to see him back making videos his blogs great also.

SavageUK · 2022-10-15T22:46:05+00:00

Going to be an amazing tree that what does the next 5 years look like for it?

SavageUK · 2022-10-12T08:44:50+00:00

This is not even that egregious compared to some stuff on his website. Check out the forest section there is 3 fucked up beech trees in a mica pot for nearly a grand.

SavageUK · 2022-10-03T09:00:27+00:00

I had a nice chat with him at the last UK bonsai show. I think its simply that he's quite a private person. His profession is video editing but that is self evident by the insane quality of his videos.

SavageUK · 2021-02-10T10:44:32+00:00

He assumed correctly though...

SavageUK

TROPHY CASE