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Black Pine Bonsai

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:53:58 +0000

The Black Pine Bonsai have dark green needles which are quite long and thick.The bark has a rocky texture to it. It likes to be in full sun and it therefore follows that it must be protected from cold winds and frosts. However if the sun becomes really scorching it may benefit from a little shade.

Black Pine Bonsai like to be watered when the soil is drying out, they are a drought resistant species and it’s not a good idea to keep the soil permanently wet as the roots will rot and ultimately lead to death of the tree. Sparingly water in winter but lots of water in summer, specially if the soil is free draining.Which of course is what it should be.

Repotting is done every two or four years in spring (early to mid) using a free draining soil type. Mix akadama, which is a soft, fired, volcanic clay with other soils or use on its own. A professional bonsai soil mix is a good idea to use as they are designed to be non compacting, thus keeping the right amount of air and water in the soil.

Can be grown from fresh seed, if you want to wait a good few years, but I would personally buy an established bonsai or some garden centre stock.

You can prune throughout the growing season by removing long shoots and overcrowded twigs should be cut in summer. Also during the growing season Black Pine Bonsai can be fed every two to three weeks.

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:23:48 +0000

How to Make Your Bonsai Look Older

Author: Jason Dempsey

One of the most important aspects of your bonsai is the age. Not the actual age of your bonsai, but what age your bonsai appears to be. As far as aesthetics are concerned, it is important that your bonsai appears far more aged than it actually is. If you are able to create the appearance of a 500 year-old pine with a 5 year old bonsai, then you are surely well regarded and envied by the majority of your peers.

When you attempt to age your bonsai you want it to have certain characteristics, such as: tight, fine foliage; bark with fractures; branches that are open with angular bends; and a domed (as opposed to pointed) crown. Starting with a bonsai plant that already has some or all of these attributes–like old yamadori–is the quickest way, but they have their drawbacks as well. You will have to perform heavy cutting and carving to hide the removal of the heavier branches and diminish the size. This is incredibly difficult to do well, and if done incorrectly, can never be rectified. The fact that new branches grown and trained by the bonsai artist always appear more juvenile, thus complicating the matter further.

There are some techniques you can use to advance to apparent age of our bonsai, though. Some do take more time than others to have an effect.

First you must make sure that you understand what is being referred to when describing the appearance of age in bonsai. These can be broken down into five main characteristics:

1. A domed crown

2. The poise of the branches

3. Angular branch ramification

4. Distinct, separated foliage ‘clouds’

5. Mature bark texture

THE BONSAI CROWN

When you look at trees that are hundreds of years old you should notice that they all carry a common trait: a domed crown. In order to create a domed crown for your bonsai you will need to dispose of the concept of “wiring a new leader”. The leader should have been grown and shaped while the trunk was being developed. Once the trunk is finished all thoughts of the leader are abandoned. The apex of your bonsai should now be thought of as an apical, central branch. It should be constructed the same as any other branch, however, the limb supporting the apical branch structure will approach from below instead of from a side.

BONSAI BRANCH POISE

The principles of branch positioning are relatively easy to follow, but often it is compromised in the beginning as you rush for a finished image. The old broadleaved branches are generally horizontal and old conifer branches tend to sweep downward–in the simplified world of bonsai. You must remember that arching branches will not convey the impression of age. Most artist do not realize this until years later when the branches have set and are to thick to change. The key to bonsai branch poise is the get the branches correct at the outset.

ANGULAR BRANCH RAMIFICATION

Some bonsai have fine ramification and some bonsai have really fine ramification. A broom style bonsai could have millions of well-packed, miniature shoots, look well-developed and mature, but never appear ancient. It just is not that kind of image. So, ramification by itself will not give the bonsai a look of age, but the way the branches ramify does. Dramatic taper, sharp angles, switch-backs, these are all indicative of bonsai age. Restricting short foliage bearing shoots to the periferal areas, lacking thin laterals growing from the inner portion of the limbs, and short distances between the ends and forks also contribute. Old trees do not have branches forming a triangular framework, nor do they have pointed apices. These branches should be cut back at the earliest opportunity. Every time you prune or wire your bonsai you should consider these points. No matter what age or stage of development your bonsai is in, there are always opportunities to improve.

FOLIAGE CLOUDS

Foliage on a mature bonsai can become one solid mass without proper attendance. As trees reach an older age, the foliage masses will become more isolated and sparse. The individual “clouds” will start to fragment, seeming to consist of multiple smaller clouds. Take the time to study your well developed and more established bonsai. Do you think removing one or two branches, or even thinning out the clouds to fragment them will improve both the image and apparent age of your bonsai?

BARK TEXTURE

The most precious feature of any bonsai is undeniably mature textured bark. Without it, few bonsai can appear mature. There are some exceptions such as acers. taxus, fagus, etc., because the bark stays smooth throughout the tree’s life. Most species, however, will create a characteristic mature bark as they mature, getting a plated or fissured texture. Some, like pseudocydonia and platanus have bark that flakes in patches revealing shades of pink, buff, and green. Betula and most prunus species all their bark to peel, displaying many colorful layers.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/how-to-make-your-bonsai-look-older-350284.html

About the Author:

Jason Dempsey is an avid bonsai enthusiast and artist. To learn more about using the internet to help you flourish your bonsai collection feel free to visit http://www.BonsaiMastery.com

dripfeed

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:07:50 +0000

There are also drip feeders that have a balanced amount of nutrients that can last up to 15 days. You push a small vial into the soil and the nutrients are slowly released.

Ideal if you keep forgetting when you last fed your tree, or if you can’t quite get the hang of mixing and feeding the right amount.

Bonsai Tools

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:03:01 +0000

Start with the basics, and then add more specialist tools as you progress your Bonsai career.As always, you get what you pay for, so always go for the best you can afford.

You may find there are better deals on complete sets, but there is little point in spending a small fortune on Bonsai tools if you are likely to give up when your first tree dies.

Bonsai shears

Can be obtained in Professional Grade or Beginner Grade, and are used for cutting small twigs and trimming leaves.

Concave Branch Cutter

Can be bought in several sizes,with the 8″ (200mm) Concave Branch Cutter
classed as the basic size. Used for cutting branches,its design ensures a flush cut with the trunk,resulting in little scarring,can’t really be done with any other tool.

Wire cutter

This is used for cutting training wire off your trees without cutting into the branches.Bonsai Wire Cutters are designed differently to standard wire cutters so it is a good idea to get a pair instead of using standard wire cutters.

Popular Bonsai Books

Sun, 31 May 2009 23:43:34 +0000

Bonsai Gardening Secrets

This is a great guide to creating your own Bonsai Trees. 95 pages of how to deal with your Bonsai…..more

Bonsai Care Secrets

This is another good book ,easy to follow guide for selecting ,growing and maintaining any Bonsai…..more

Bonsai Growing Guide