Japanese Black Pine Question

At BSF 2009 there was a lot of time spent on Black Pines. I came home ready to work on the two I have. BUT, I found something that was not mentioned at the convention. My pines have large clusters of blooms of some kind. I am not sure if they are female and will become cones (they look like small cones) or just males bearing pollen. Should ALL of these be removed?

Billy M. Rhodes wrote:At BSF 2009 there was a lot of time spent on Black Pines. I came home ready to work on the two I have. BUT, I found something that was not mentioned at the convention. My pines have large clusters of blooms of some kind. I am not sure if they are female and will become cones (they look like small cones) or just males bearing pollen. Should ALL of these be removed?

Billy they are pine flowers. Shake them and pollen will escape. Pluck them off as they don't really help bonsai development.

Hi Billy
I have found that the flowers can be reduced or even provented by a good feeding program adding slightly higher nitrogen feed and lower potash helps. Also if the plant is or has been stressed then it can make it flower also. Pines tends not to show results of actions till a year or two down the line so plan ahead and think back!

James