Help! Am I in over my head?

jazzman09 · Tue May 22, 2007 11:13 pm

I'm currently living and working in Japan and I've long had an interest in bonsai. My brother used to occasionally get them as gifts for my dad, although I think most of them probably died off.

Anyways, there's a plant shop not too far from my apartment, and, thinking a plant would be a slightly easier alternative to a pet, I got a bonsai tree. Unfortunately, I don't speak any Japanese (I'm an English teacher) and so I wasn't really able to ask the woman who sold it to me any questions.

[url=https://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bonsai1ie8.jpg][img]https://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3816/bonsai1ie8.th.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://img476.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bonsai2ax3.jpg][img]https://img476.imageshack.us/img476/5742/bonsai2ax3.th.jpg[/img][/url]

First, any help identifying it would be excellent. Second, it is currently wired and obviously we are entering spring. I seem to recall seeing in some of the articles that you shouldn't keep a tree wired during growing season, which I would assume is spring and summer, so should I remove the wire?

As far as watering goes, I'm paying careful attention, making sure that it does not dry out until I can start to get a feel for its watering schedule.

I'm also open to advice on pruning.

I'm hopeful that I'll be able to find someone who is local who will be able to give me some advice, but, in the meantime I want to make sure I don't do anything to harm what I feel is a beautiful tree.

Thanks in advance for any help!

ynot · Tue May 22, 2007 11:45 pm

Jazzman,

Welcome,

I would like to offer help but....Your links are not working.

ynot

Gnome · Tue May 22, 2007 11:47 pm

Jazzman,

Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. Kind of ironic that you are in Japan and can't find any help locally.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

Unfortunately your links don't work. I suspect that is because it is your account and I don't have access. look [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3557]here[/url] for information regarding taking better bonsai pictures. There is a link within that deals with posting pictures.

Until you can locate more specific information watering is probably the most pressing issue right now. You wrote that you are not allowing it to dry out, this is of course appropriate. But just as important is the reverse, do not keep it continually wet either. You must strike a balance between theses two extremes. Please read the sticky threads found at the top of this forum. Follow the links and you will find a much more detailed description of watering practices.

Locate the tree outside in a sheltered location if you are able. This is just preliminary until you can locate specific advice for you plant.

Norm

jazzman09 · Wed May 23, 2007 12:21 am

It is a little ironic. However, I just got it in the last few days, so I'm hoping that as I really try to hunt someone down in the next week or two I'll be able to find someone.

In the mean time, I think I've got the pictures up and working

Gnome · Wed May 23, 2007 1:35 am

Jazzman,

Thanks for fixing the links, it's OK now. You have a Pine, and a fairly nice one at that. Unfortunately I am not able to say for certain what species it is, it may be a Black Pine but there are other possibilities.

The term "trial by fire" comes to mind. This is not a tree that I would have suggested for a beginner, I hope you did not pay too much for it. Pines have rather unusual pruning requirements that even vary by species, Black Pines are not handled the same as White Pines for instance.

For the time being concentrate on not killing it. It definitely belongs outside, you have not indicated if you are able to do so. Look [url=https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Pinus.html]here[/url] for some basic information.

Look here for information about growing and pruning Black Pines.

[url]https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/pines.htm[/url]
[url]https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/pines2.htm[/url]

I am not suggesting that you do any pruning yet, this is just to get you acquainted with some of the techniques. You really need to find someone who can give you some help in person. Good luck with your tree.

Norm

jazzman09 · Wed May 23, 2007 2:13 am

Thanks for the quick reply.

Well, I've got a decent amount of free time, so I'll be able to give it a fair amount of attention. Fortunately, I don't feel like I paid too much or it, I'd say a little under 40 USD.

I am able to keep it outdoors. I live in an apartment, but I have a balcony that gets mid-morning sun and afternoon shade where I am currently keeping it.

For now I'll take your advice and focus on not killing it with improper watering. I'll also pick up my hunt to find someone who can give me some more advice and continue reading up.

My only other pressing question is whether I should be worried about the wiring at this point.

Thanks for the help, I'm sure I'll be trolling around.

Gnome · Wed May 23, 2007 2:55 am

Jazzman,

Thanks for the quick reply.

You're welcome, sorry I could not be of more help.

but I have a balcony that gets mid-morning sun and afternoon shade

Full sun would probably be better but if that's the best you can do it will have to do.

I don't feel like I paid too much or it, I'd say a little under 40 USD.

I have never priced finished Pines but I would wager that a similar tree would cost more here.

My only other pressing question is whether I should be worried about the wiring at this point.

Examine the wiring carefully, if it is beginning to bite into the bark and scar it then it should be removed. Do not try to unwind it, instead it should be cut into segments and removed in pieces so as not to unnecessarily injure the branches.

Norm