Technical Data Sheet - Pinus Thunbergii

Common Name: Japanese Black Pine

Scientific Name: Pinus Thunbergii

Description: Member of the Pinaceae family, it originates from Japan.

An evergreen bonsai with dark green needles (also called Japanese Black Pine), it is a coastal pine.

It is highly valued for its hardiness and rustic bark. There is a variety that produces corky bark (Pinus Thunbergii Corticosa) and a small-needle variety (Pinus Thunbergii Kotobuki).

Its cultivation is very similar to other pines widely used in Bonsai, such as Pinus Sylvestris or Pinus Mugo.

Location: Outdoors in full sun, where it receives 3 to 4 hours of direct sun per day (ideally in the morning or late afternoon), protected from strong winds and frost.

Watering: Water the soil abundantly until plenty of water drains out of the drainage holes, to evenly moisten the soil, always from above never by immersion, using a fine-rosette watering can.

For watering tips, see the watering technical sheet.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry 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 no benefit in spraying the leaves; only do so on days you fertilize and if the fertilizer is specifically for foliar application, but ensure the leaves dry by nightfall to avoid fungus.

Nutrition: From February to October/November, with a base plan composed of a complete fertilizer (Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant throughout the year (Bio Bonsai Activ), and they 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, see the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

Pruning: Its vigorous growth means the candles should be cut at least twice a year. After the first cut, it shoots back strongly.

We should prune the stronger (larger) candles more, pruning the weaker (smaller) ones less or not at all, in order to balance the plant.

For pruning tips, see the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.

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

Details about repotting, post-repotting care and specific fortifiers you can use can be found in the repotting technical sheet.

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

Guidelines on wiring can be found in the wiring technical sheet.