Japanese Black Pine species seek full sunlight and can withstand temperatures of remarkable humidity. If cultivating a Japanese Black Pine in the UK with its temperate climate, it is recommended that it is stored in a greenhouse. This species will not tolerate temperatures.
Soil moisture should be checked on a daily basis. However, watering should only take place when the soil is drying out; Japanese Black Pine trees are not to be kept wet. This species holds a considerable amount of water so it’s important to ensure the roots are suitably saturated with each session. Japanese Black pine watering is a balancing act between letting its soil dry appropriately and making sure the drying does not go on to affect the plant’s growth.
Japanese Black Pine should be fed and fertilised every three to four weeks from spring through to early winter. We would recommend the Naruko Slow Release Feed. It is advised that fertiliser is ceased from the middle of July to the end of August when the year is at its hottest.
When pruning Japanese Black Pine, be sure to pinch back its candles whenever the needles start to appear. Long shoots can be removed throughout the growing season. Overcrowded twigs and old needles can be addressed in late summer.
Japanese Black Pine is responsive to wiring across several seasons. Structural wiring is applicable in both the spring and the fall. For branch refining, the fall is the ideal time for wiring.
We recommend using wires with a thickness that matches the thickness of the branch: if the wire you choose is too thick, you will damage the bark. If it is too thin, it won’t be effective.
Repotting your tree is an important way to provide a fresh and suitable soil mix and ensure appropriate root health. Japanese Black Pine requires repotting every two to five years between early to mid-spring. Be sure the roots have enough space to take hold of the moisture provided from the repotting.
Trees that are ready for repotting will require root pruning, a suitable new pot and appropriate soil mix.
When repotting, do not cut back the root mass by a large amount, and choose a well-draining soil mix that has a neutral or slightly higher PH value of 5-6, but not over 7. We tend to use a mixture of different speciality bonsai soils on our trees. Every species is different, so please contact us for free soil-mix advice or to take advantage of our repotting service.
Pinus thunbergii
Pinus is a colossal genus of conifer trees found throughout the northern hemisphere. Over 121 species exist, and there are over 800 recognised cultivars. Among the several species cultivated for bonsai are the Japanese White Pine and Mugo Pine. As well as their beautiful trees and Christmas trees, pine is one of the world’s most valued sources of lumber.
Bonsai trees aren’t only magnificent additions to an indoor oasis; they are more than capable of standing out in any garden. Many Bonsai species are incredibly hardy and withstand nature’s colder and damper turns with aplomb, making them worthwhile outdoor plants. We have an extensive library of care guides for outdoor bonsai trees. It’s not about selecting the perfect bonsai, it’s about selecting the perfect bonsai for you.
Pines, generally, can be propagated through seed, grafting, and some species by air-layering. Japanese Black Pine should only be propagated through seedlings. The ideal window is at the opening of Spring, and light sand is the best growing medium.
Japanese Black Pine bonsai can incur both pests and diseases. Aphids, caterpillars, and adelgids (in the Spring) can intrude on this bonsai. Spider mites can also appear in the Summer. Insecticide is appropriate where these pests can’t be picked off by hand.
Japanese Black Pine can also be affected by the fungal disease Lophodermella, tip blight and pine wilt disease.
Japanese Black Pine bonsai is a hardy evergreen species that is suitable for northern temperate regions. This is not a species to give shade to, and it is inadvisable to keep indoors.
