Bonsai forum

Pine Bonsai growing or dying?

  • Damiano
  • Offline Topic Author
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 5
  • Thanks received: 0

Pine Bonsai growing or dying? was created by Damiano

Posted 6 years 2 months ago #37431
Hi guys, first post here and first "tree" of my life :)
I bought pine bonsai seeds (5 seeds) in Japan, planted them indoor, growing them (only 3) successfully for some months (first seedling in October 2017). I have changed now the apartment and I don't have much direct sunlight so I got a lamp to make them grow (10W LED Plant Grow Light). After using the lamp, I noticed that some part of the trees are getting brownish (picture attached). Is it because I'm "burning" it or it is just the way they grow? I am watering them every morning with plenty of water until the soil becomes wet with spray water bottle. Usually, when I water them, the water is going on the trunk and on the leaves that are now brownish. Can be because the water is cold or because too much water? Indoor temperature is around 22-degree Celcius.

Considering the small pottery and the 3 "trees", should I repot them in separate potteries maybe using a special soil?

Thank you very much for your help!

Damiano
by Damiano

This message has attachments images.
Please log in or register to see it.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Auk
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 6097
  • Thanks received: 1791

Replied by Auk on topic Pine Bonsai growing or dying?

Posted 6 years 2 months ago #37432
Why are you calling these seedlings bonsai?
Bonsai seed does not exist.
Pines do not belong indoors.
by Auk

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • leatherback
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 8620
  • Thanks received: 3654

Replied by leatherback on topic Pine Bonsai growing or dying?

Posted 6 years 2 months ago #37433
Congratulations on getting to this stage.

Especially as pines are really strict outdoor plants, it is a bit of a challenge to keep these alive indoors. Once winter is over, do move them outside.

Tat being said.. Nedles do drop. It can be the aging, in combination with being indoors. Possibly the tree is just getting very little light and is therefor now investing in getting taller.

So far, these seedlings look quite healthy.

Do take note of Auk's post.It will be a few decades before these will be in a stage that the badge "bonsai" is suitable.
by leatherback
The following user(s) said Thank You: Damiano

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Auk
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 6097
  • Thanks received: 1791

Replied by Auk on topic Pine Bonsai growing or dying?

Posted 6 years 2 months ago #37435

leatherback wrote: Once winter is over, do move them outside


Looking at the 3rd photo I'm going to guess that's not going to happen.
by Auk

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Damiano
  • Offline Topic Author
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 5
  • Thanks received: 0

Replied by Damiano on topic Pine Bonsai growing or dying?

Posted 6 years 2 months ago #37444
Thank you Auk for the clarification
by Damiano

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Damiano
  • Offline Topic Author
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 5
  • Thanks received: 0

Replied by Damiano on topic Pine Bonsai growing or dying?

Posted 6 years 2 months ago #37445
Thank you leatherback for your reply!
Unfortunately, I live in Dubai (UAE) and I believe I cannot leave the plant outside during the summer, it's almost 50 degrees Celcius!:)
The tree is now getting a couple of hours direct sunlight in the evening and it is not growing as before when he was with direct sunlight the whole morning. This is the reason why I decided to buy the lamp. So if the brownish needles are not because of the lamp, I would keep using it during the day, what do you think?
Would you recommend me repotting them in three separate potteries or they are still small?
Last question about watering: I read that it is better to water them without the spray bottle because the water needs to run out of the drainage holes so the entire root system is wetted. Would you agree?
Thanks again for your help!
by Damiano

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • leatherback
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 8620
  • Thanks received: 3654

Replied by leatherback on topic Pine Bonsai growing or dying?

Posted 6 years 2 months ago #37452
Hm.. If you cannot move them outside, you are setting yourself up for failure I am afraid. I do not think I have ever come across anybody growing these indoors for any serious amount of time.

Pines need loads of light, so yeah. leave the lamps.
by leatherback
The following user(s) said Thank You: Damiano

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Damiano
  • Offline Topic Author
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 5
  • Thanks received: 0

Replied by Damiano on topic Pine Bonsai growing or dying?

Posted 6 years 2 months ago #37473
I see. So I'll try to do my best then and let's see how long I can manage to keep him alive! I'll keep you posted!
Can you suggest me a plant I can grow inside from the seed which might become a bonsai in two decades? :)
by Damiano

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Auk
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 6097
  • Thanks received: 1791

Replied by Auk on topic Pine Bonsai growing or dying?

Posted 6 years 2 months ago #37499

Damiano wrote: I see. So I'll try to do my best then and let's see how long I can manage to keep him alive! I'll keep you posted!
Can you suggest me a plant I can grow inside from the seed which might become a bonsai in two decades? :)


Dubai "Winters are warm and short with an average high of 23 °C (73 °F) and overnight lows of 14 °C (57 °F)"?

So... no cold period for your pine. Seems not likely it will last longer than a year.
I cannot suggest any plant for bonsai to grow inside from seed.
by Auk

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Plantz
  • Offline
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 6
  • Thanks received: 0

Replied by Plantz on topic Pine Bonsai growing or dying?

Posted 6 years 2 months ago #37561
If your plants were burning and the lamp is above them, then the burning would happen at the top of the plants, which is not the case, could you be over watering the plants? Also there is no such thing as bonsai seeds.
by Plantz

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.