Giga
Masterpiece
It gets 98 actually degrees here and feels like 110 and I keep all my pines in full sun 10 hours a day
Mail call! Yet another epic tree from Mr. Don Blackmond:)
- Thread starter abqjoe
- Start date
It gets 98 actually degrees here and feels like 110 and I keep all my pines in full sun 10 hours a day
Yes, it looks like Don decandled it, and those are summer candles. The tree needs sun to hit those that are already started. And there's probably more dormant ones that would be stimulated to grow if they get sun. They will not grow if they're not exposed to sunlight.I just snapped a pic outside right now at 7pm and as you can see the tree is getting some of that low intensity late afternoon sun
Poor pic but you can see some of the new buds popping out.
In Japan, JBP are coastal trees. Full sun, all day. They like well draining soil. Not necessarily "dry". But they certainly don't like soggy soil.
Straight inorganic soil works great for most people with JBP. If you are afraid the pot will dry out, there's a couple things you can do: put a higher percentage of akadama in the mix. Akadama holds more water than the other parts, lava and pumice. You could cover the surface of the soil With spaghnum moss. Or an old towel. These two options would slow the water loss from the soil surface. Or water more frequently.
Don Blackmond
Omono
Hopefully 70% inorganic and 30% organic. I'd go with 100% inorganic though. I'd also go with about 48 hours of dappled sun then full sun after that. It will thrive in 100% full sun and will love the heat too. Its thin on foliage because its been recently cut back and thinned out, and the long needles are old full size needles.Thank you for your insight! What I do know about JBP through my research is that they are extremely durable trees that live on sand dunes, coast lines, and rocky cliffs 100+ meters up. They prefer well drained soil as Bonsai and live in similar soil in the wild. As Bonsai they prefer dryer hotter weather and lot's of sun but also need a decently cold winter. Don did remark to me that this tree would probably enjoy my climate more because it likes hot dry weather. I'm just happy to be able to have a tree of this caliber to work withCome spring it will be root trimmed and put in a soil mix consisting of 70% full organic and 30% organic all Bonsai Jacks blends. It's current location will allow it to receive 2 hours of light sun in the morning and 3 hours of low intensity late afternoon sun. Saturday or Sunday I will relocate it somewhere for slightly more sun and eventually full sun. By late summer early fall it will be getting full sun all day. Now that monsoon season is here and summer is passing our temps are high 80's low 90's so it's a perfect time of year for this tree to adjust. The tree is thin on foliage but I'm thinking by next spring it will be a lot better and as of now there are lot's of new buds reaching for the sky! Definitely a tree that's worth the effort IMO.
If I may recommend some more reading for you...
Jonas's blog "www.bonsaitonight.com" has excellent articles on all aspects of JBP. His writing is very well accompanied with photographs, and I believe you will be inspired by his work.
Jonas's blog "www.bonsaitonight.com" has excellent articles on all aspects of JBP. His writing is very well accompanied with photographs, and I believe you will be inspired by his work.
abqjoe
Chumono
Thanks for the link!
abqjoe
Chumono
In summer we hit triple digits with 3-5℅ humidity which is a game changer. Lack of humidity accompanied by high temps really forces us to adapt in ways that go against the grain by standard rules.
aml1014
Masterpiece
Probably a combination of things, they do not do well in the landscape to start. In spring they do wonderful and can be in full sun as the U.V. intensity is not that high, at this time winds are very high so we must keep watered. Once early June comes around its not unusual to have a 100° day at 4% relative humidity and U.V. rays between 10-12, at the same time having regular 20mph winds with gusts (depending on the day) between 25-65mph. My trees not only shade each other, but also provide wind protection for each other on top of my shade cloth and tree house to provide wind cover. I'm lucky to have a forest, he doesn't yet! I've seen to many die in all day full sun, at the nursery and as Bonsai, so I can never recommend it for our climate. 3 out of 4 seasons yes full sun is fine, but never summer. Oh, I forgot, we're over a mile high where I stand, maybe that has a little bit to do with it?
Aaron
aml1014
Masterpiece
Humidity still plays a big part, I still don't know if the altitude along with everything else has anything to do with it. These are coastal trees!
Aaron
That's why my advice of adding spaghnum or towels to the surface is a good idea. Increases the humidity near the tree!
Potawatomi13
Imperial Masterpiece
Tree has nice base. Also you prove virtue of occasional dumpster diving for some great stuff. Nice table
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abqjoe
Chumono
Tree has nice base. Also you prove virtue of occasional dumpster diving for some great stuff. Nice table
Thanks! Originally that table was just the metal portion. I took a wire wheel to it yesterday to remove the surface rust, cleaned it up, painted it, and built the top out of redwood.
abqjoe
Chumono
I actually do keep moist rags on the pots on hot days to avoid the pots from getting hot and cooking the roots. My wife is home most of the day and she mists twice a day too. Plus, I usually have 20 gallon tubs beneath my tree tables half full of water for extra humidity. According to my humidity gauges my humidity levels have never dropped below 25% and are usually between 40-69%
aml1014
Masterpiece
That's not to bad, but is it full sun in the middle of the day where the meter is? We've also cooled down quite a bit in the last month so luckily your trees haven't seen our real summer yet. That's best, it's easier to acclimate them in our climate when it's not midsummer lolI actually do keep moist rags on the pots on hot days to avoid the pots from getting hot and cooking the roots. My wife is home most of the day and she mists twice a day too. Plus, I usually have 20 gallon tubs beneath my tree tables half full of water for extra humidity. According to my humidity gauges my humidity levels have never dropped below 25% and are usually between 40-69%
Aaron
abqjoe
Chumono
I keep the meters right next to the pots. Also, remember, I got my Maples, Ume, Juniper, and Oak all at the beginning of last month, July
aml1014
Masterpiece
Psshh June was hotter!lol you did great acclimating them all! Post some update pics on your shishi thinned out some!I keep the meters right next to the pots. Also, remember, I got my Maples, Ume, Juniper, and Oak all at the beginning of last month, July
Aaron
abqjoe
Chumono
48 hours later, time for a little bit more sun
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aml1014
Masterpiece
That's a blue spruce, the blue atlas cedars are very weepy in habit here its cool!
Aaron
There's a "weeping" Atlas Cedar, and a regular one. Different cultivars.
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