Black Pine Bonsai
The Basic Needs of the Black Pine Bonsai
The black pine bonsai is one of the most popular species of tree grown using the bonsai method. When this species is young, the bark of the tree is grey, but it eventually darkens to a black color as the tree matures. As the tree continues to grow, the bark will thicken into a “plated” texture and appearance. The Japanese black pine is a very strong species of tree, and although it can take a very long time to “train” the tree using bonsai methods, this species does respond well to training methods. This causes an end result that is absolutely stunning, so much so that this tree has become the epitome of the bonsai gardening art.
While it is true that the black pine bonsai is very responsive to the bonsai method, it does take a long time for this species to grow into maturity. That means that if you are considering this tree for your own bonsai project, you must be aware that a patient attitude will be the most paramount gardening tool that you possess. In addition to patience, there are a few things about this species that you should know before jumping into a bonsai project. We are going to talk about the sunlight, water, and needle maintenance that the black pine bonsai tree specifically requires in order to maintain good health.
Japanese black pines are very sun-greedy. You should attempt to place this tree in a spot will it will receive at least six to eight hours of sunlight every day. With this species of pine, you might find that direct sunlight produces the best growth; however indirect sunlight will suffice if you are unable to provide full, direct sunlight. Now, if you live in an area where the summer temperatures are often around 100 degrees F, you may have to take some precautions to ensure that your tree does not receive too much “harsh” sunlight. This can easily be handled by propping an umbrella or cloth over the tree for the hottest portion of the day, or by moving your tree to a covered area such as a porch or under another tree. If you fear the heat may be too intense for your bonsai tree, you can always grow it indoors near a sunny window where the tree will receive plenty of sunlight yet can reside in temperatures which are easily monitored.
Like most pines, the black pine bonsai needs to have moist soil, but not damp. The soil and container that you plant your tree in should have good drainage so that it does not retain too much water which can lead to disease and even rot the roots of the tree. Many people are unaware of the fact that most pine species prefer to dry out a little between each watering. Because of this, pines tend to be a little more tolerant to drought than other species. A great way to tell whether your tree needs to be watered is to stick your finger tip about half an inch into the soil. If the soil is dry all the way to the tip of your finger, and also if the pines appear to have a change in health, then it’s definitely time to water the tree. When watering the soil, it is recommended that you break the watering into two parts. For part one, the water poured into the soil should be allowed a brief period of time to soak towards the bottom half of the soil, where the deeper roots are set. After about five minutes, pour more water onto the soil, which will serve to nourish the topmost and center portions of the roots. This method will ensure that all of the roots receive an even amount of moisture.
The black pine bonsai tends to produce an abundance of thick, strong pines (needles). As the tree grows stronger, you may notice that the thickness of pines at the top of the tree blocks the sunlight from reaching the lower portions. This is why the black pine requires its pines to be thinned periodically. It is easy to be overzealous in this area of maintenance, but the best results are often gained over a slower period of time. (Think back to the importance of patience…) Light thinning should be performed over a period of about a month. During this period, the tree should not be exposed to excessively hot or cold temperatures and may need to be moved to an area of partial sunlight, or full exposure to only morning and afternoon sunlight. The idea of thinning the pines is to allow sunlight to reach all areas of the tree, rather than the topmost portion of greenery. It will also serve as a means to encourage shorter needle growth in the tree, which is ideal for bonsai.
The Japanese black pine is not the easiest tree to grow via the bonsai method, but nor is it the most difficult. If you are a newbie to the world of bonsai, you may want to consider participating in a bonsai class or educating yourself with instructional materials such as DVD’s or books to help you learn the correct process of “training” a bonsai tree. Bonsai training is much more than simply forcing a tree to grow in a certain fashion, therefore it is recommended that you learn as much as you possibly can about bonsai gardening before you jump into a project. Best of luck!