I gave away a Scots pine several years ago. The recpient let the pot fall over and expose the roots. They turned out gorgeous. I then repotted it for her a few years ago, but she had no proper soil so we did as best we could with her potting soil, perlite, and some gravel.

We live at quite a distance and visited this year and the tree was looking chlorotic and just not good.

Sooo.... she gave it back

I slip potted it into Akadama and it is doing well...BUT.. the old needles are lousy looking.

This Scots pine was maybe the last one for sale in our area and no one carries Scotses any more.

How do you backbud them?

I have black and white pine, but they aren't as spindly in the limbs.

I'd like to get it to drop the crummy needles as the new TIP needles look great.

Where do I begin?

Thanks