Japanese Black Pine repotting late

[thumblessprimate1]

I have a young healthy and vigorus JBP about 5 years old and I think I screwed up on the timing repotting it outside the time window. What are consequences that I should expect? Is this stressful and harmful for the pine? I decided not to mess with it for a a while. Fertilze after about a month? Water as usual.

 

[Paradox]

Can you give us a little more detail?
When did you repot it exactly?
What was the weather like when you did it, specifically day/night high/low temps?
What did you do to the roots/how much did you remove?
Did you go to a much smaller pot?
Did you change the soil mixture?
What other work did you do?
Were the buds on the tree swelling at the time of repot or was it into full candle extension?
Is the tree showing signs of stress from the repot?

 

[Dav4]

I have a young healthy and vigorus JBP about 5 years old and I think I screwed up on the timing repotting it outside the time window. What are consequences that I should expect? Is this stressful and harmful for the pine? I decided not to mess with it for a a while. Fertilze after about a month? Water as usual.

I've repotted JBP pushing 5" candles...definitely not ideal. The candles wilted slightly then came back strong and the tree never looked back. Let's see a current picture...I assume you've repotted recently, right?

 

[GrimLore]

I have a young healthy and vigorus JBP about 5 years old and I think I screwed up on the timing repotting it outside the time window. What are consequences that I should expect? Is this stressful and harmful for the pine? I decided not to mess with it for a a while. Fertilze after about a month? Water as usual.

Pines here seem to hate any repot, anytime. The only ones I have that have lived over 5 years have never been repotted and when I do it will be a very cautious slip pot. I know it works different for others but that is what happens here(I use inorganic substrate and they do not seem to mind just staying in it). I suspect if you did not slip pot it you are way off schedule either way. I would myself recommend partial shade and normal water, no fertilizer for awhile.

Grimmy

 

[Paradox]

No fertilizer until it starts growing again.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Can you give us a little more detail?
When did you repot it exactly?
What did you do to the roots/how much did you remove?
Did you go to a much smaller pot?
Did you change the soil mixture?
What other work did you do?
Is the tree showing signs of stress from the repot?

I just did the repot yesterday afternoon, so signs of stress may be too soon to see. Needles still springy and healthy this morning.

Went from an extremely oversized pot about 10 gallon nursery container to a colander. It was originally in just pine bark mulch. I removed about 1/3 of roots mainly long roots. The soil it is in now is still pine bark mulch but about 25% pumice grade #8.

Up top it's got a 3 feet tall escape branch that splits into three one foot long branches with candles that have already formed short young needles, I've not done any pruning to do any balancing.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

It'll be exciting to me if this guy pulls through. The only JBP pines I've killed so far are from not watering enough. I'll have to borrow a camera later to take pic. My camera is now getting ready to be sent out to Nikon for repair.

 

[Dav4]

Was the new growth hardened off? If so, you'll probably be fine...but you won't know for about 6-8 weeks. In my case, the impact of the out of season repot on the tree was immediate and obvious, as was it's recovery. I'd keep it in a few hours AM sun only for a few weeks. If the needles remain a healthy green, gradually increase the sun exposure over the next few weeks to whatever is appropriate for JBP in your area.


Edit- ...and I'd fertilize as usual.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

The new growth doesn't appear to be hardened yet. Still a fresher young green. It's cool today 60F right now to high of 70F. Still ought I move it to a shadier spot?
My reasoning was that the sunlight would help it to continue grow and develop more roots.

 

[GrimLore]

The new growth doesn't appear to be hardened yet. Still a fresher young green. It's cool today 60F right now to high of 70F. Still ought I move it to a shadier spot?
My reasoning was that the sunlight would help it to continue grow and develop more roots.

I am pretty certain with a late repot and a root reduction I would give it some shade and normal water. Seems safer to not try to force anything like growth with an abundance of Sun at this time.

Grimmy

 

[Paradox]

It just went through a huge shock. General procedure for almost every tree if not every tree is to allow some recovery time in the shade. One reason is because of the root work, the tree may not take up adequate water to counter the transpiration of water out of the leaves/needles that occurs faster in full sun. Keeping it in full sun wont help it grow roots faster.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Thanks. I still have so much learning to do. I'll move it to the shade then. Should I mist the leaves also?

 

[GrimLore]

Thanks. I still have so much learning to do. I'll move it to the shade then. Should I mist the leaves also?

You have leafs Just kidding but honest do not "over nurse" at this time or any time your tree is in recovery from any multitude of things that can happen. Think of it as "giving it a good rest allowing recovery" much like people. Drop the fertilizer, maintain water normal, put it a shady quiet spot, and if you must mist do it far less then you normally do, perhaps only during the hottest mornings.

Grimmy

 

[Dav4]

Personally, I wouldn't put it in complete shade, but a few hours early AM sun should be fine. You'll have to watch the watering, particularly with this one being kept out of the sun, though being in a colander will help a lot. Also, feeding it won't stimulate unwanted growth (bonsai myth # 11) and could probably help it regain strength, but some will disagree with feeding right after repot. JBP are vigorous trees that can deal with plenty of abuse when done in season, and a fair amount of abuse when done out of season. I'd still love to see a picture.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Got pics taken just this morning. Pine is getting morning sun. I have the heavy top secured to a metal post.

Pine still shows no signs of stress, but it's only been about 2 days post repot. Needles still springy and no changes in color. Young growth not wilted.

Had a lot of personal things going on so it probably had a hand in my imprudent decision making and memory. I remembered that I had a tourniquet air layer going on at the top from autumn the previous year; normally I would just leave the tree alone. I often forget that its there, my attention has been given to the base. I think that the tourniquet method isn't so stressful, and that's why I went ahead with the repot.

 

[Dav4]

Got pics taken just this morning. Pine is getting morning sun. I have the heavy top secured to a metal post.

Pine still shows no signs of stress, but it's only been about 2 days post repot. Needles still springy and no changes in color. Young growth not wilted.

Had a lot of personal things going on so it probably had a hand in my imprudent decision making and memory. I remembered that I had a tourniquet air layer going on at the top from autumn the previous year; normally I would just leave the tree alone. I often forget that its there, my attention has been given to the base. I think that the tourniquet method isn't so stressful, and that's why I went ahead with the repot.

looking good...if the needles continue to elongate, you will be alright.