Species belonging to the Pinaceae family and originating from Japan and Formosa.
It is an evergreen tree, with needles grouped in bundles of 5 (pentaphylla). The needles have a gray vein, which is why it is often called the Japanese White Pine.
The Pentaphylla Bonsai Pine is an outdoor plant.
Common Name: Five-needle Pine / Japanese White Pine
Scientific Name: Pinus Pentaphylla
Characterization: Belongs to the Pinaceae family and originates from Japan and Formosa.
Bonsai evergreen, with needles grouped in bundles of 5 (pentaphyla). The needles have a gray vein, which is why it is often called Japanese White Pine.
It is a high mountain tree with slow growth. It is usually grafted onto Pinus Thunbergii, which has a much stronger root system.
Location: Outdoors in full sun, where it receives 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight per day, protected from strong winds and frost; it likes extreme conditions (a lot of sun and very cold).
In the peak of summer in very hot areas, the sun should preferably be in the morning or late in the day, as high temperatures in the pot tend to weaken them.
Watering: Water the soil abundantly until a lot of water comes out of the drainage holes, to evenly moisten the soil, always from above, never by immersion, using a fine-spout watering can.
Tips about watering, see the watering technical sheet.
Let the top layer of the soil dry very well between each watering (to check if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).
If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to prevent the roots from rotting).
There is an advantage in misting the leaves; only do this on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is specific for foliar application, but make sure the leaves dry before night to avoid fungi.
Nutrition: From February to October, with a basic plan composed of a complete fertilizer (Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant (Bio Bonsai Activ), which can also be combined with other products from our range.
Detailed information on how to combine these products with the rest of our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.
Pruning: When the candles start to grow, before the needles widen, prune leaving about one centimeter, focusing more on the strong areas (which have larger and clustered candles) and less or none on the weak areas.
Tips about pruning, see the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Transplanting: Using Conifer Bonsai Soil in February/March, when the candles begin to "move".
Details about transplanting, post-transplant care, and specific fortifiers you can use can be found in the transplant technical sheet.
Wiring: From late autumn to early spring; wiring should be avoided in summer.
Instructions about wiring can be found in the wiring technical sheet.
