So how are everyone's JBP seeds going?

[Jow]

Hi everyone,
I think I probably got a bit over 100% germination (well maybe just on 100%). The seeds appear to be very viable and, as Scott said, should still germinate for quite a few years if anyone has kept any. (some seed I collected off stock trees was still germinating well after 6 years)
I have pricked out twice so far and still quite a few left in the seed pot that will probably get potted up next spring if there is room to put the pots.

I have also pruned most of the seedlings to stimulate low buds. If left to grow freely they usually just grow long and skinny without low buds to prune back to.

After pruning I had lots of 2-4 cm tips as waste. Suddenly realised thesepruned tips of seedlings are the ultimate in juvenile growth and should make great pine cuttings so dipped the bases in hormone and under mist.
Last time I checked they had started to produce roots ( more black pines) so rather than cut stems at the purple and throw roots away why not try getting 2 from 1? The tip cuttings should produce ideal radial roots like the seedling cutting method but you will also have the base plant still growing. With judicious root pruning it will most likely also produce a good root system and a second great tree from 1 seed.

Great idea Neil!!!

[shibui]

I have posted some pics of the results of my seedling tip cuttings experiment in a separate thread viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14454

[bonsaibeginer]

It's great to see how well everyone's JBP seeds came out, unfortunately my timing was way off and only got my seeds planted around February... I haven't had any come up (hopefully as yet ) but my question is this, should I just leave them in the little greenhouse or would they be lost once they haven't sprouted this season? Come to think of it, how long does it normally take to sprout anyway...
Well done to everyone, looks like there will be plenty of JBP out there.
Grant

[shibui]

Hi Grant, JBP seed usually comes up in a week or 2 but it is possible that because it is a cold climate tree the seed may need stratifying ( a cold period) before it will germinate. Many plants from cold climates have developed this to prevent seed from germinating in autumn where the tender seedlings would be killed by the following cold winter so the seeds need a cold period before they will germinate. I know of others who have germinated JBP in late spring so i thought maybe it did not need stratifying but.....

Plenty of seed will remain viable for years until conditions are right so don't give up yet. I would put the seed tray outside where it will get cold temps over winter and cross fingers hoping for germination in spring.

[bonsaibeginer]

Thanks Shibui
Unfortunately for me though, firstly being in the tropics the temps rarely get below 15
But worse still I did attempt to stratsify in the fridge for 4 weeks according to the instructions. I used paper towel in a resealable bag in the fridge... might've been above my pay grade...
Would you suggest I take these seeds, soil and all and put them back in the fridge for awhile??? Give them a cold winter or just leave them in the shade, and should they still be kept damp for this period?
Thanks again.

[shibui]

Sorry Grant, i didn't check your profile so did not realise your location

Now, recognising your tropical location, I'd feel more strongly that the issue is location. As I said, others have found that JBP does NOT need stratification so it is more likely that the seed has rotted in high temp and/or humidity. You can check the seed - scratch around to find a couple of seed in the pot. Cut them open with a sharp knofe to check the seed inside - healthy viable seed will be plump and white but I suspect yours will contain either nothing or gooey white liquid from the rotted seed.
If the seed still looks ok you could try stratifying again (just wrap in a plastic bag and put it into a fridge for a month) but I doubt it will help. Seed needs to be just damp for effective stratification and freezing does not hurt seed from temperate or cool areas (but can kill tropical seed I think?).

still not sure why you guys in tropical areas want to grow plants from cool climates so much there are so many great tropicals you could be concentrating on and getting great results.

[Scott Roxburgh]

An update on some of my now two year old pines (all I could get at a distance, from a willing family).

Pines.jpg

If I were at home, they would be getting low tight curves wired into the trunks, and some more fertilizer on them to get ready for next spring.

Hopefully I can get to wire them before this spring.

Any other updates?

[shibui]

You are doing well with those seedlings Scott, considering you are half a world away - Remote bonsai

Mine have grown pretty well considering I have not done much to them.
Most of these are seedlings from the original batch that were potted up into 11 cm pots.

P1080507.JPG

That tall one is about 30 cm tall and will need to be pruned or wired or both to get movement and start some taper in the trunk.

I potted some of the more advanced ones into 15 cm pots.

JBP 15 cm pots.JPG

You will note that these ones have been pruned at least once to get branching. Those low branches will potentially give movement and will help thicken the trunks.

This shows some of the early cuttings that I took from the seedlings.

JBP cuttings.JPG

And here are some of the more recent cuttings taken from both the original seedlings and from the rooted cuttings.

JBP cuttings 2.JPG

[Sean M]

Hi Scott and Neil,

Mine look remarkably similar except in far fewer quantities. I have also planted some in long tubes that also allow the roots to grow into a tray of soil. This is the first step in the root wrapping technique that Grant Bowie has talked about (and might even have a post on here)? I have a few that I have wired up and the pic is of probably the most developed one.
Before I had the yearly plan from Scott I decided to cut the growth of some of the pines back and these have developed some initial branching.

I have also cut back the needles (I'm sure I read it somewhere) to allow the light to get into the buds.

[Scott Roxburgh]

After the previous pics, rabbits took the needles off 90% of my seedlings so they were set back a little. I have wired the trunks and fertilised for some rapid growth this year.

Here are 8 shohin in the making, one JRP, and an exposed root JBP.

image.jpg

image.jpg

How are the rest going?