37-year-old Pentaphylla Pine Bonsai

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 the Japanese White Pine.

It is a high mountain tree, with slow growth. It is usually grafted onto Pinus Thunbergii, which is much stronger at the root level.

Location: Outdoors in full sun, where it receives 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight per day, protected from strong winds and frosts; it likes extreme conditions (a lot of sun and very cold).

At the height 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 plenty of water comes out of the drainage holes, to moisten the soil evenly, always from above never by immersion, with a fine-spout watering can.

Tips on watering, consult the watering technical sheet.

Let the top layer of 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 avoid root rot).

There is little advantage in misting the leaves; only do so on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is specific for foliar application, but make sure the leaves dry by nightfall to prevent fungi.

Nutrition: From February to October, with a base 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 others from our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

Pruning: When the candles begin 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 on pruning, consult the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.

Transplanting: With Conifer Bonsai Soil in February/March, when the candles start to "move".

Details about transplanting, post-transplant care, and specific fortifiers you can use, consult the transplanting technical sheet.

Wiring: From late autumn to early spring, avoid wiring in summer.

Guidelines on wiring, consult the wiring technical sheet.