The steps are simple. 1) Remove spring shoots.
Shohin black pine – 21 years old
After removing spring shoots
2) Remove extra needles.
After removing extra needles
3) Perform light cutback as needed.
The first branch on the right is long
After shortening the first branch on the right
That’s it. In all I removed 14 branches, lots of needles, and 212 spring shoots.
Branches removed
Needles removed
Spring shoots removed
I decandled on the early side as I’d like the tree to be show ready by the end of September. I’m also feeding the tree more than usual to further boost the summer growth.
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Thomdec says
It’s nice to know we’re on the same page Jonas. Thanks to Eric Schrader for his guidance as well.
Sidesummy says
Were all of these candles removed at the same time? Don’t you usually remove them in stages to balance the second growth?
Steve says
Hi Jonas. With regard to your comment about feeding for summer growth … is it your practice to stop feeding, for any amount of time, after you remove spring candles?
Thanks in advance
Steve (from Australia)
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Steve – yes, I usually stop feeding when I decandle and start up again after up to one month.
@Sidesummy – Yes, all candles were removed at the same time. I could have removed the smallest candles about 10 days earlier but ended up doing it all on one day. Sometimes I decandle all on one day, sometimes I spread it out. The approach depends on how out of balance a tree is (if it’s way out of balance I do it in stages) and how much time I have to decandle (I do it in one day when there’s less time for decandling).
Mike says
What is the purpose of decandling? To thicken existing branches? I am a very amateur enthusiast, so I apologize if this is a basic principle!
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Mike – here’s a brief primer:
http://bonsaitonight.com/2013/05/28/what-is-decandling/
http://bonsaitonight.com/2013/05/31/why-we-decandle-pine-bonsai/
If you have additional questions, feel free to ask away at ask.bonsaitonight.com.