Two Flush Pine (Pinus) Care Sheet
TWO FLUSH PINE
|
Tips and Tricks for Caring for Your Two Flush Pine Tree |
|
Two Flush Pines, also known as double flush pines, originated in Japan and grow near shorelines. In the summer, storms and harsh winds break off their newly formed candles, so they adapted through evolution and started producing a second flush. The most popular types of Two Flush Pines are Black and Red Pines. |
|
PLACEMENT
Two Flush Pines thrive in full sunlight and prefer 6+ hours of sun a day. Lack of light will cause elongated needles and branch dieback. Make sure to keep your Pines outdoors year round. They are hardy and tolerant of frost and harsh weather conditions. Two Flush Pines do best in zones 4 or 5 to 8.
TEMPERATURE/HUMIDITY
Two Flush Pines prefer warmer climates and a lot of sunlight. They need humidity, so make sure to water from the top during the hot summer months. While Pines are generally frost-tolerant, the roots can freeze and be damaged by cold winter winds. Once your tree has been re-potted, do not allow the pot to freeze. WATERING Pines like to be kept moist but not too wet. Overwatering can cause root rot, so only water when your tree needs it. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Less water is required in colder months. During summer, however, you might need to water twice daily in sunny locations. SOIL/FERTILIZER We recommend our Coniferous Bonsai Soil Mix for your TwoFlush Pines. Pines need minimal fertilizing. Fertilize only a few times a year. From early spring to summer, until the candles are cut, use a solid organic fertilizer to feed. Once the secondary candle growth hardens, stop fertilizing. Resume feeding in fall. REPOTTING Depending on the container size and species of Pine, you will want to repot every two to five years for younger trees. More mature trees can go five years without being repotted. Repotting is best done in the spring, just before the buds begin to swell. PROPAGATION Seeds are the best way to propagate Pines. They are able to be propagated from cuttings, but it is more difficult to get them to root and grow. PRUNING Pines can be lightly pruned on a regular basis. They grow vigorously at the top first, so improper pruning will cause your tree to become top heavy and unstable. Routine pruning should be done in the spring or summer. Wait until the fall to prune more heavily. Avoid heavy rootpruning just before winter. Shorten longer candles and remove any old needles. Pines bleed a lot of sap when cut, so seal wounds immediately to prevent disease. To stimulate a second flush, prune the candles starting in early June for bigger trees and in early July for shohin-sized trees. In the fall, where the candles were cut, select two lateral buds to keep and cut the rest off. The second flush will result in smaller candles and shorter needles. WIRING Pines can be wired once per year, sometime between early fall and early spring. In summer, the branches thicken faster and can be damaged by wire. Slower growing, older pines can be wired up to you two years. Just make sure to check on the wire periodically to avoid scarring. PESTS/DISEASES Spider mites, aphids, caterpillars, and scale are some of the pests that affect Pines. They're also susceptible to root rot and other fungal infections. Most of these can be treated and prevent with proper watering. |
PRODUCTS |
Coniferous Bonsai Soil Mix KIKU™ Aluminum Training Wire Precision Bonsai Pruning Needle Nose Scissors Fertilizer Pellets |
