Japanese Black Pine

[beerad11]

Hi guys...

I recently bought a Japanese Black Pine, roughly 4 months ago...
The tree is about 8 years old.
It's the beginning of summer here in Cape Town, South Africa.
I have new growth on the tree, and it seems to be growing relatively well, but the needles of the tree are quite soft and not nearly as hard as the previous growth...

Most of them just sort of hang instead of being upright!!!

Can anybody help???

I'm a bit worried that it might die for some reason...

Thanks a lot...

Brad Havenga

[Gnome]

beerad11,

I'm only a few years working with Pines at all and don't have any JBP yet. I don't think it is a problem that the new needles are not hardened off yet but I do wonder about the 'Most of them just sort of hang instead of being upright!!! '
Was this tree purchased from a bonsai vendor or is it conventional nursery stock?

Can you post a few pictures? I'm not sure how much help I can offer but perhaps someone else has experience with this species.

In the meantime this may help a little, sorry I can help more.
https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Pinus.html

Norm

[alexinoklahoma]

Definitely need a pic or a very detailed wording of its appearance (please). Are the needles firm? Or limp like cooked noodles (bad analogy, I know)? Is the plant in desire of water?

How about bugs? Any tiny hard-to-see things around the needles or in/on bark? Things like aphids or mites? Or scale? Familiar with that stuff?

Alex

[beerad11]

Gnome...
Thanks for the reply...

The tree was purchased from a bonsai vendor...
I will definitely take pics and post them, probably around tomorrow or so...
I was reading up about JBP's, and realised that the soil mix might have too much sand etc and not enough grit???
That only struck me upon reading the article...
Thanks again for the help though...

Alex...
Thank you too for the reply...

First off, the needles are firm, but definately not as firm as they should be.
Upon closer inspection yesterday, I realised that the actual "bud" from where the needles are growing is looking really weak.
Therefore the "bud" hangs down, making the needles hang down too!!!

The plant is definately not in need of water...
And I've checked for bugs too, nothing that is visible to the human eye...
Thanks again for the reply guys...

Brad