their trunks
often being wider than a foot across
the horizontal. Perhaps it seems
odd then that these massive growing
trees make excellent Bonsai trees.
Yet strangely they do, and with
proper care will look spell-binding
as a miniature tree.
Due to the
Bonsai Pine tree having an unprecedented straight trunk
and a visually pleasing branch structure they are a
perfect match when paired with the Chokkan or formal
upright Bonsai technique.
The white pine
Bonsai tree has beautiful green-blue needles that grow
in packs of five shooting from a tiny bud. The white
pines branch system develops in a circular notation when
looking downwards at the Bonsai from an elevated
aspect. This effect is reproduced at certain stages
down the shaft of trunk.
A healthy
looking white pine Bonsai tree will develop vividly
bright green needles and dramatically increase in size
during early spring when the Bonsai is actively
growing. It’s not uncommon for a naturally growing pine
to grow by a much as two foot or more within one
season. Therefore, you will need to monitor your white
Bonsai pine tree and prune any unwanted growth during
this busy growing time.
Repotting the
white Bonsai Pine tree can be administered during the
spring months. However, it’s not vital and can be put
off until mid autumn, when summer has passed and the
average temperatures have significantly dropped.
When you decide
it’s time to repot your white pine Bonsai tree it is
good practice to ensure the Bonsai pot has adequate
drainage. A Bonsai Pine tree will endure soil that is
relatively dry and is much better at coping with barren
conditions as opposed to too much watering. When
considering the proper soil mixture for the white Bonsai
Pine tree consider a combination of fifty percent soil,
ten percent peat and forty percent coarse sand.
Although not set in stone, and variations are often
used, Bonsai enthusiasts have reported superb results
using this formulation.
Don’t forget to
inspect the rootball too. The white pine Bonsai tree
needs to be housed in a deep Bonsai pot due to the roots
needing to grow in order to support the weight of the
Bonsai. Therefore, when pruning the roots you are best
advised to cull no more that one-third of the rootball.
It’s like during
the summer months the same of the pine needles turn
brown in colour and fall from the Bonsai. This is
completely normal and shouldn’t be a cause of concern.
However, if you
notice patches on the pine branches this may indicate a
tumour and should be treated immediately in an attempt
to stem the disease. However, if all you see are a few
brown pine needles don’t panic, this is generally
considered normal amongst the various pine Bonsai trees
species.
Just like other
Bonsais the Pine Bonsai tree can be susceptible to
Aphids. This are common bugs that are easily controlled
by either a home made or commercially available
pesticide. Normally a quick squirt of something like
diluted washing up liquid is often enough to temporarily
control this problem. Make sure that the Pine needles
are lightly sprayed with water the following day to
safely remove the detergent residue.
Pine Bonsai
trees can safely be watered every day just as long as
there is decent drainage from both the soil and bonsai
pot. Actually, it’s also acceptable to water every
other day too. Feeding of your pine bonsai tree should
only be carried out every three weeks or so from the
start of spring right through until the end and then
again from late summer to the start of autumn. The
reason for this strict feeding schedule is to coincide
with the pine Bonsai trees natural seasonal growing
routine.
