The art of bonsai is agreed by many to be a time-consuming yet rewarding experience. Bonsai plants take some patience, and getting it right every time may not be for everyone. To add to that, the different species demand different caring conditions for the best result. In that sense, bonsai from the pinus banksiana family is an excellent example of a beautiful tree that will be worth the time and attention spent.
The Jack Pine is a species of pine that can be found in Nova Scotia to as far as the mid-west of America. It has short needles with a dark green foliage over mature and flaky bark. It has a high success rate for bonsai purposes particularly because it is available all year round.
Growing the jack pine from seedlings may take more time, though half of the fun is in its growth. The best soil for this bonsai tree is well-drained and sandy. Mix sand with peat moss along with semi-decomposed organic material. Keep the ration to 50:50. Water the plant to keep it slightly moist, bearing in mind that a well-drained soil cannot be over-watered.
Experts have noted that there is a good way to change over-collected soil into bonsai soil; the original soil from the roots of collected trees should be surrounded by your bonsai mix either in the growing container or in the ground. When developing new roots, the plant would require some time ranging up to several years.
Although it may be necessary at some point, wiring and twisting the branches of your jack pine bonsai can be stressful to the tree. In that case, branches will set within a year, though some scars may persist. Luckily they would heal thanks to tree’s resinous nature. Thick branches must be wrapped for serious bending. It is best to only train a tree after you are done germinating it. This way the tree will be in the best of health and vigor through the process.