Japanese five-needle or white pine (Pinus parviflora)

CARE INFORMATION

Japanese five-needle or white pine (Pinus parviflora)

"Short needle pines (such as Japanese five-needle or white, Scots, Mugho, or Short-needle) should be pruned in the spring as the candles begin to elongate and each individual needle appears. The dominant bud should be broken off leaving only two or three bundles of new needles, depending on the artistic effect that is desired. In about a week the secondary buds will begin to elongate and they should be pruned in the same manner. Approximately three weeks later the interior buds will begin to elongate and they should be trimmed. This process can take three or four weeks to prune short needle pines.
"In fall, all old needles that discolor should be removed with tweezers or using fingers. This will allow sunlight into the interior to promote bud development for the next year."
(Stowell, Jerald P. "Some Thoughts On Refining Pine Bonsai," International Bonsai, 1982/No. 4, pg. 17. This issue has three other articles about the Japanese White Pine, including the cover story.)