How to Create and Care for a Mountain Pine Bonsai

Mountain pine, also known as Masson pine, is a common tree species, but material suitable for making bonsai is relatively scarce, and it grows slowly, making it difficult to create and care for; however, its tree form is beautiful and it can express many artistic conceptions, so it is quite precious.

Key points for creation:

1 Collecting the stump: carry out around the Start of Spring before the resin begins to flow, take a soil ball and protect the fine roots, seal the root ends and wounds, remove two-fifths to one-half of the branches and foliage, and maintain a balance between roots and branches and foliage.

2 Planting: use a wide, large soil pot; planting in a wooden box or in the ground is best. Use loose, breathable, clean soil, and do not disinfect or sterilize it. When two-thirds of the soil has been added, water once to let it soak in; the next day add another one-third of dry soil to absorb moisture, maintaining appropriate dryness and humidity. In the early stage, to prevent prolonged rainy weather, a ring of plastic film may be wrapped around the slightly raised soil mound, just enough to cover the pot or planting hole. Place in a wind-sheltered, warm, sunny spot.

3 Management: provide appropriate shade in the early stage, and full sun after it survives. Maintain good ventilation. Let the potting soil go dry and then wet, keeping it slightly dry. Use fertilizer as usual.

4 Styling: combine pruning and cutting with wiring and grafting. Pay attention to forcing buds during the growing season and pinching the tops during the budding period.

Precautions:

1 Mountain pine is a full-sun plant, but it must not be exposed to scorching sun in summer. Insufficient sunlight will cause poor growth.

2 Regularly clean away old needles and dead needles, and maintain an appropriate amount of needles to facilitate ventilation and light penetration.

3 Keep the care location relatively fixed; do not move it frequently.

4 Pruning and grafting wounds must be sealed promptly to prevent resin bleeding.

5 Mountain pine is a shallow-rooted tree species and should not be planted deeply.

6 Mountain pine has relatively high soil requirements and must be given careful attention.

7 When there are no branches or leaves on a mountain pine branch, it easily contracts at the nodes and dies.

8 In the early stage, pay attention to wind protection and shock prevention, so as to avoid shaking the tree and pulling the roots. Stake small trees to secure them, and use supports to secure large trees.