How to grow a lacebark pine bonsai? Latest care methods explained

The lacebark pine is also known as white-bone pine, three-needle pine, white-fruit pine, tiger-skin pine, coiled-dragon pine, etc. It is an evergreen tree of the genus Pinus in the family Pinaceae, with rugged branches and trunk, evergreen in all four seasons, and an elegant, antique posture, making it an excellent bonsai tree species. How to make the needles of a lacebark pine bonsai short and dense is an important question worth studying, so let us take a look together at how to grow a lacebark pine bonsai!

Abundant light

There are many cultivated varieties of lacebark pine bonsai, commonly including long-leaf lacebark pine bonsai, short-leaf lacebark pine bonsai, golden-leaf lacebark pine bonsai, silver-leaf lacebark pine bonsai, spiral-leaf lacebark pine bonsai, etc. Regardless of the variety, abundant light should be maintained. When a lacebark pine bonsai is placed in a spot with abundant light, the needles grow long and weak and the internodes of the branches are also longer, but in hot summer it is advisable to shade it slightly and cool it down to promote growth. It is cold-resistant and afraid of heat, and excessively high temperatures are unfavorable to its growth.

Proper water withholding

The lacebark pine bonsai is drought-tolerant and averse to waterlogging. Properly withholding water can shorten the needles, and the effect is especially good during the period before and after budding and needle emergence. If watered too much, the needles will grow longer, and water accumulation easily causes root rot and death, so it is better for the potting soil to be slightly dry. Of course, watering should differ according to different seasons and different periods.

Controlled fertilizing

The lacebark pine bonsai is tolerant of poor soil and should not be fertilized much. Too much fertilizer or concentrated fertilizer easily damages the root system. Fertilizing is not advisable in high-temperature seasons, and in severe cases it can cause the tree to die. Controlled fertilizing can shorten the needles, while too much fertilizer will make the needles grow longer. Usually in spring, fertilizing 1 to 2 times each is enough, and in the year of potting, fertilize even less.

Reasonable pot selection

The lacebark pine bonsai is a flat-needled tree species, tolerant of drought and poor soil. Generally speaking, the pot chosen should be slightly smaller and shallower, and too large or too deep is to be avoided. Using a smaller pot helps shorten the needles, while using a pot that is too large or too deep easily causes water accumulation and root rot. For the cascade style, a deep pot may be used, and more broken tiles should be placed at the bottom of the pot to facilitate drainage and aeration. It is advisable to choose a plain and elegant purple-clay ceramic pot, and the pot shape must match the tree's posture.

Timely bud pinching

Bud pinching is an important means of controlling growth and keeping the tree shape attractive. It is best done each spring when the new buds have elongated but before the needles emerge, pinching off 1/2 to 2/3 of the bud length. It is best done on sunny days to help the wounds heal. If the terminal buds are too dense, more can be pinched; where buds are sparse, fewer can be pinched; long buds can be pinched more, and short buds can be pinched less; where growth is vigorous, more can be pinched, and where growth is weak, less can be pinched or none at all. Bud pinching should also be decided according to the needs of the styling. After years of bud pinching, the needles can be made short and dense and the tree shape compact.

Pruning and wiring

The lacebark pine bonsai has strong sprouting ability, and its branches are supple and elastic, tolerant of pruning and easy to wire. Wiring and pruning are not only needed for styling, but can also control growth and shorten the needles, and can control growth and shorten the needles, making the tree shape more attractive. Pruning and wiring for styling are best done from winter to early spring during the dormant period, and the wounds need to be sealed with wax, clay or black tape to prevent resin bleeding, otherwise it will affect the tree's growth and even cause death. Using metal and palm fiber together gives better results.