Questions on Imported Japanese Black Pine Care

[bdmatt]

Hello yall,

My teacher recently imported several Japanese black pines from a nursery in Kyoto. They have been in the states for a few months after being in quarantine for 3 years in Japan. As a graduation gift, I've come into possession of one these imports and would like some tips about their aftercare.

Some information about my tree: It has been in full to partial shade since it arrived in the states sometime in January/February. The new candles are barely starting to come out, with most of them being less than a centimeter long. The current needles it has now are very sharp and appear extremely healthy. I will have pictures next week when I actually come and pick up the tree.

My teacher says its fine to detail wire and prune it back this coming Fall/Winter. He also said that next year spring would be a good time to repot it. I want to air on the side of caution and wait a year or two before I do any work on it. Would it be safe to do such work even though it was just recently imported?

My teacher also said it was fine to put the tree in full sun once I take it home. Considering it was in full/partial shade for the last five months, I'm thinking that introducing it to full sun (especially my area where we get highs of up to 105 F) would be too much of a shock. Should I slowly introduce it to full sun or just put it out on my benches unprotected?
Compared to other species, I don't have as much experience in black pines. I do work on them here and then, but I'm not too confident with them as I am with cali junipers or satsukis. If anyone has any tips on imported black pines, please share them.

Here is a photo of the tree back in February. I will send updated photos next week.

 

[Dav4]

If it’s been in full sun recently, I’d just get it back in a full sun position on your bench and water it appropriately. I’d be reluctant to repot next spring if it was recently bare rooted or repotted this year. Wiring and needle work this fall should be fine if the tree grows well this year. I’d assume your teacher knows the particulars about your particular tree, so I’d be inclined to listen to his advice, too.

 

[Lorax7]

I think it’s wise to wait to work on it. Spring repotting seems a good place to start.

As far as putting it out in full sun, I don’t think I’d be terribly concerned about that since it has been outdoors in partial shade. Even in partial shade, it still receives a substantial amount of light and, in particular, it’s exposed to UV. So, I don’t think it’ll sunburn if put into full sun.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Even if you err on the side of caution the transition period would be 1-2 weeks.

More importantly, one might have side cloth set up for the really hot spells.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Nice tree. Why do you doubt your teacher?

 

[bdmatt]

Nice tree. Why do you doubt your teacher?

I like having information from multiple sources and cross referencing them. It doesn't hurt to get input from other experienced sources.

 

[shohin_branches]

The imported Japanese Black Pine I purchased last fall arrived in the states three months before I bought it. I repotted it this spring because it came incredibly pot bound. It pushed strong growth this year and is doing really well.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I like having information from multiple sources and cross referencing them. It doesn't hurt to get input from other experienced sources.

That can get confusing if you don’t have a lot of experience with black pines. Post a few current pix of the tree and soil surface when you get it and let’s try to figure out why your teacher made those recommendations.

 

[Paradox]

I'd agree with @Dav4
Wiring and needle work IF the tree recovers from being imported bare rooted and repotted this year.

I would also be cautious about repotting again next year. Not sure why that would be necessary if it just got repotted this year.

Sounds like it's growing but slowly if your description of the candles is accurate. I don't think I'd decandle this year which is normal for a repotted this year tree unless the candles are very strong and vigorous

 

[Scorpius]

Beautiful tree that looks very healthy.

 

[bdmatt]

That can get confusing if you don’t have a lot of experience with black pines. Post a few current pix of the tree and soil surface when you get it and let’s try to figure out why your teacher made those recommendations.

Very true. I know their general horticulture as bonsai, such as decandling, needle plucking, fertilizing, etc. I'm just wary because I don't know how much time to give for recovery or the extent of what I can do to a recently imported tree. I'm picking up the tree in a few days, so I'll send photos then.

Sounds like it's growing but slowly if your description of the candles is accurate. I don't think I'd decandle this year which is normal for a repotted this year tree unless the candles are very strong and vigorous

Yeah it hasn't pushed many candles, and the ones that are pushing are very small. I'm thinking of skipping decandling this season and thin it out later this year.

 

[Paradox]

Yeah it hasn't pushed many candles, and the ones that are pushing are very small. I'm thinking of skipping decandling this season and thin it out later this year.

We typically dont decandle a pine the year it is repotted unless there are very strong candles on it.
Ive cut only very strong ones on a pine I repotted that year with no problems