Jack Pine:(Pinus banksiana) is a coniferous tree native to North America. The needles are short and soft, similar to Japanese Black Pine and Scots Pine, but unlike the JBP, the Jack Pine buds back very easily, taking very well to shaping and root pruning. The needles are short but softer than the Scots Pine. One of the easiest native pines to develop into Bonsai.
The Jack Pine develops mature bark quicker than other pines and with age also starts cracking, giving it a very mature presence.
BONSAI CARE
Jack Pine needs full sun, and the more sun they get, the shorter the needles will be. Being in a pot, the Jack Pine will still require winterizing.
Watering:
BABY: 8"-12" tall, comes in a 4" grower's pot.
YOUNG: 10"-14" tall, comes in a 6" grower's pot.
Soil (Substrate)
Bonsai soils are usually a mixture of organic potting compost (Pine Bark or Forest Floor), Akadama, pumice, lava rock in varying amounts.
It is important for the soil have good water retention while also draining well, along with very good aeration. The quality of the soil directly affects the health, size and growth of your tree. One of the worst things you can do to your tree is plant it in regular garden soil. Garden soil hardens when it drys and can often lead to a disadvantage when growing a Bonsai.
Soil mixtures can be purchased here, but given their weight and cost of shipping, you can also easily make your own.
Depending on the type of Bonsai you're growing, here are the general formulas for successful mixtures.
Deciduous Tree (Leafy and looses leafs in the fall)
10% Potting Compost
Coniferous Tree (Evergreen like Juniper, Cedar)
If you are not able to check on your Bonsai's moisture levels daily, add more Akadama to the mix.
Given how these soils erode over time, repotting every 2-3 years is required.
Here are some suitable replacements if you cannot find the recommended types of soil.
One of the best and easiest ways to fertilize your Bonsai, is to add a liquid fertilizer mix when water your Bonsai's once a month during the spring/summer. If your Bonsai looses leaves in the winter there is no need to fertilize it then. If you have a coniferous tree, fertilizing the tree once in the beginning of winter and once in the middle of winter should be sufficient.
