goyomatsu winter dormancy

[Mojo Moyogi]

It seems that there are 159-plus (??) cultivars of the Japanese 5-needle pine. There might be some that are better adapted to mild winters..... Anyway, you Melbourne people might go and talk to the Conifer Gardens horticulturists. They have 19 Pinus parviflora on their books and might know of a variety that is more tolerant of our S. Coast climate. See http://www.conifer.com.au/welcome They are in Ferny Creek. Details http://www.conifer.com.au/?pageid=5 On the Homepage, go to "Conifers" and then to "Conifers list". Also watch out: the trees are cllassified under Small, Medium and Large.
One could write to the Conifer Gardens, but that's not the same as talking to them. They'll probably grow some of the pines themselves in their mild climate and have a lot of useful info.

Lisa

There's only one of those 159 that I want. Zuisho. I'd have to move to Japan.

Cheers,
Mojo

[Nathan]

This is my first post. Got a question on the Japanese white pine. Do they need direct sunlight in winter to survive? Can I have the plant somewhere in my garden that doesn't receive direct sun but still in a fairly bright spot. The reason I ask is because I live in Brissy and I really like goyomatsu and hopefully by doing that, the plant doesn't get too warm during the winter days and able to rest. I've heard they really need that dormancy period in winter to do well. I've got a JWP in a nursery pot already. It looks really nice after I did some clean up work and wiring it. The needles looks very healthy even after a few days of > 33C that we've had recently. I know a lot of you will say I should never attempt JWP in Brisbane but I really want to give it a go.

Started doing bonsai for 12 months and loving it. I've got about 10 different species of plants at different stages of development, some in nursery pots, some in bonsai pots. Have been following this forum for a while and found a lot of useful info.

HI Vlkcheng,

Just wondering how old the Pine is, was it purchased in Brisbane and if it was purchased in Brisbane do you know how long it has been in Brisbane

I have read on a Bonsai website I think it was a European one that in winter in some of the warmer European countries that the put ice on the top of the soil several times during winter to trick the Pine into thinking that it is frost, not sure if it works but I have heard of sillier things

Will be interested to hear how your tree progresses

Cheers

[vlkcheng]

Hi Nathan, I got mine as a nursery stock from Southern state. I've had it for about 6 weeks now. I had cut all the old needles off, some new needles off strong area, wired the tree and did some heavy bending. So far it has not missed a beat. I have no idea how old it is but my guess is the graft is about 4 years old. It was grafted onto a Himalayan pine (another 5-needle pine) according to the nurseryman. I was thinking about putting the tree in front of my air cond. External unit in winter. So when I used the reverse cycle in winter, it will blow cold air directly to chill the tree. Hopefully it will drop a few more degrees for me and the tree. Thanks for the ice trick. My only concern is when the ice melt, the soil will get too wet. But I might consider it if I haven't water the plant for a week. I guess it may do ok for the first couple of seasons while the tree is still young and full of vigor but it may gradually get weaker and weaker as time goes on. Sure, I will keep everyone posted on how the tree is doing in future.