The Pine is a popular tree species used for Bonsai,
and is often the first thing that comes to mind when someone thinks of a Bonsai tree.
Pines can grow in many different shapes in nature
and can therefore be shaped in almost every known Bonsai style.
The most popular pine species used for Bonsai
include the Japanese black pine, the Japanese white pine, the Scots pine and the Ponderosa pine.
So how do you care for a Pine bonsai? The Pine needs to be placed outdoors, year round.
It prefers a very sunny position.
The Pine is frost hardy but should be protected from strong frosts of around
15 degrees Fahrenheit, or -10 degrees celsius.
Water the Pine generously whenever the soil gets slightly dry.
Best is to water your bonsai, then wait a minute
and water it again, to make sure the entire root mass is watered.
Observe the tree closely and make sure it never dries out completely.
On the other hand, the Pine does not like to be wet constantly, so wait with watering
until the soil gets slightly dry and make sure to use a well-draining soil mixture.
Daily misting will help raise the humidity around your Bonsai,
though for most outdoor trees this is not really important.
Misting a few days when the tree has been repotted is recommended.
Fertilize your Pine once a month during the entire growth season,
from early spring till fall, using an organic and solid fertilizer.
Regular pruning is required to maintain the shape of your Pine.
Elongated candles should be shortened to an appropriate length
from late spring to early summer.
If there are more than two candles in the same place you can already cut off all but two.
In autumn you can remove surplus shoots if you have not done so in spring.
Bonsai are kept in small pots, and therefore we repot the trees every two years.
If you see the roots circling around the root system, your Bonsai needs to be repotted.
If the roots are still contained within soil, leave it and check again the following spring.
It is best to repot in spring just after buds begin to grow.
You can propagate the Pine using seeds,
or buy them online as these are widely available at bonsai retailers.
If the needles of your Pine turn yellow,
this is often the result of not enough light or improper watering.
Again, make sure you place your Bonsai outside with enough sunlight.
And water it generously as soon as the soil gets slightly dry.
The soil should not be wet constantly.
Learn how to create your own Bonsai trees, by enrolling in one of our online Bonsai courses.
We explain techniques like pruning wiring and repotting,
and you can ask questions to the teachers.
For the curriculums and free lessons, go to: bonsaiempire.com/courses