OK picture approximately this:

\|/
/ \

This is looking at the tip of the branch. The positions on a clock would be more like 12, 2, 4, 8, 10.

This is the method used by Mitsuya in Japan. This is only the tip. You would thin out the buds if all popped back. You would take out two or three of the 5 buds.

Other needles further back on the branch are kept for possible back budding. Again, you keep a few more than necessary.

Remember this works in Japan and in California. I will not vouch for it working elsewhere.

Kitsune Miko
Brent wrote:
I have owned a black Bonsai pine for 8 years. I have kept it alive and
health, but I still don' know what you mean to cut back to five bunches of
needles. Any help is appreciated.


"Isom, Jeff , EM, PTL" wrote in message
news:40F6934F9170964AAAD62F1E48579EB8B1F33D@RDGMLV EM01.e2k.ad.ge.com...
Will this work on other 2-needle pines as well? Specifically: Mugho,
Scotts and Bosnian.

Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ]On Behalf
Of Kitsune Miko
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 11:52 AM
To:
Subject: [IBC] black pines


In my 25 years of dong bonsai, I have seen almost as many methods for
controling needle length on black pines. The current one we are using in
California is to cut back all new growth during the month of July, leaving
only 5 bunches of needles to bud into candles. I was wondering about the
timing. I used to do this in mid to late August.

Others? Michael?

Kitsune Miko


****
"Expectations are resentments under construction."

Anne Lamott


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************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++

************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++


************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++


****
"Expectations are resentments under construction."

Anne Lamott

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++