All about Black Pine Bonsai
Pinus thunbergii or Black pine is a tree native to South Korea and Japan coasts. Black pine bonsai is popular because it can adapt easily to different techniques that are used in propagating a bonsai. It has long and dark green leaves, which has twists. It also bears cones. Its barks appear gray in young black pine bonsai, and black in mature or old black pine bonsai.
A black pine has three main varieties:
• Nishiki- is a black pine variety that has cork bark appearance; it is cultivated from graft and cuttings.
• Yatsubusa- is a dwarf black pine variety that has small needles or referred as multi-budding; it is cultivated from graft and cuttings.
• Seedling- is a black pine variety that is only cultivated from seeds.
The following are some helpful tips you need to know in propagating a black pine bonsai:
• You can start growing your miniature tree from seeds, grafts, or from cuttings. But you need to remember that you have to germinate fresh seeds. You can germinate the seeds through natural or forced germination. Natural germination involves planting the seeds into the soil, and allows them to undergo germination process naturally. Forced germination means that you do the germination process. You just have to submerge the seeds in a bowl of water. Then, plant the seeds that remained under the water, and discard the floating seeds.
• Allow your little tree to be exposed on a full sun. Direct sunlight encourages good health and strong resistance of your growing black pine bonsai.
• Place your miniature tree to an area with average temperature. Too much heat can cause drying of the root system.
• Protect it from freezing especially after transplanting.
• You should keep the soil of your bonsai moist at all times, especially at summer period. You must not forget watering your bonsai because leaving it dry for how many days will dehydrate your bonsai. Dehydration can eventually cause its death.
• Black pine bonsai can tolerate too much water. But if it is done for how many days, the root system can get drowned and it can lead to root rotting.
• Choose a good mixture of soil. The soil should contain 75% aggregate materials and 25% organic materials. You can buy a commercially prepared soil from garden centers or from nurseries. But you can also make your own soil mixture. You just have to be sure of the proper soil components that you are going to mix. Always keep in mind that the soil should have good drainage to prevent soaking of the root system.
• You must use a high quality fertilizer. The fertilizer will help your black pine bonsai to grow and develop well.
• If your black pine bonsai is still young, use a fertilizer that has high amounts of nitrogen. It is usually found in general purpose fertilizers or chemical fertilizers. High amounts of nitrogen will promote faster growth and development of your black pine miniature tree.
• If you have older or a more mature black pine bonsai, you should use a fertilizer that contains lesser nitrogen.
• Every fall, feed your miniature tree with a fertilizer that has low nitrogen and high phosphorus. This type of fertilizer will help your bonsai to store up enough energy as a preparation for the upcoming winter season.
• Protect your bonsai from pests and diseases. Consult a professional bonsai grower if your black pine bonsai has been infested with pests or has been infected with disease.
Preston Blackmore is a Bonsai enthusiast. He has worked with local masters to learn everything there is to know about Bonsai. Now these years of research and development are at your fingertips. For more information on Black Pine Bonsai, visit http://www.beginnerbonsaiguide.com/black-pine-bonsai .
Article Source: All about Black Pine Bonsai
