JBP Journey
June de-candling [Bonsaify]
https://youtu.be/elri1DTAwX4?feature=shared
June 6, 2024–advice from Val Monroe.
Happy to hear you still have some older needles throughout. Also re your location. Also, having buds close to trunk!
The window of time for cutback on black pines is late May to mid July.
If your climate promotes slow growth, you will cut earlier (like SF). If your climate promotes fast growth, you will cut later (like San Jose).
Same for size; if your tree is larger, cut earlier. If your tree is shohin, cut later.
May have cut back too much but cleaned out whorls to avoid inverse taper.
July 21 (3 weeks after decandling)
Mid-April 2024, taking the Bonsaify Mastering Shohin Japanese Black Pine online class.
Assessing my JBP collection, to date:
For the most part, not decandling early as these are growing out. June will decandle. Removed upper needle density to ensure light below. Not leggy and has many inner buds, so not pressed to remove or shorten candles yet. Will remove after growing season to avoid whorls and reverse taper. Feeding Osmocoat, Miracle Grow, and Fish Emulsion.