The next chapter for this batch of Pinus Thunberghii seedlings has arrived. It’s time to repot them into pond baskets. This way the roots will air-layer themselves when they reach the edge of the basket and come in contact with air. This will cause the roots to ramify better and prevent them from circling around the pot.

I had 27 of them left since I sold 30 last fall and gave away the rest in spring last year after selecting the best to keep for myself.

The first few seedlings (well, saplings by now) I repotted in my bonsai club. I started out with 6 of them.

2 year-old Black Pine seedlings

Next step was to remove the old soil and trim the roots a bit. Then the roots have to be spread out laterally to form the nebari.

After removing the old soil and cutting back the roots a bit.

Finished product. Only needs some water in this picture.

At the end of the the club meeting my beer was empty and the seedlings were repotted.

I did the rest of the 27 trees at home. To my surprise only one of them showed mycorrhiza. I put some of that mycorrhiza into several other pond baskets so it could thrive there.

The black pine with the micorrhiza.

On some of them the wire is already starting to bite in.

27 future Japanese Black Pine Shohin

Took me only 10 hours (3 days spread) for this batch. Guess I need some more practice 🙂