Iris,

I wouldn't really recommend restricting water to reduce needle length. You
should be able to do that with standard candle pinching and cutting
techniques, and by timing your fertilizing. Basically that same treatment
as is recommended for Japanese Black Pine.

One thing that I do that makes a difference in needle length is to give
pines no nitrogen fertilizer until the new needles have hardened off.
Usually that is late in June or so here in Zone 5.

Regards,
Roger Snipes
Spokane, WA. Zone 5

----- Original Message -----
From:


Speaking of which, I have another question. Mine has reached the point
where
I want to restrict the needle length. The books say in order to do that,
you
have to limit the water during the active growing period. Exactly when is
that
in Zone 5? And exactly how much do I limit the water? This is in a 5.5
inch
pot, so I don't have much leeway.

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