AusBonsai

Hi all,

I just wanted to post another lucky score I came across this week. I was at the local shops last week and noticed some likely JBP growing in the front garden of a dental clinic. I happened to meet the owner as he was leaving this evening and he was telling me that the garden had been created by some japanese garden guru who had also landscaped the japanese embassy and the garden in tetsuyas restaurant in the city. I cant remember the name he gave but someone on here may know of him.

Anyway I have only been looking for a little over a yaer now for Japanese black pines and have come across many likely suspects so I would say to all those out there who have trouble finding the seeds and having to go to ebay. You just need to look a bit harder. I have probably found 10 or more trees in the last year that are either JBP or EBP so dont give up on looking.

So here are some photos of the cones and the candles of the trees I came across today. I suspect these actually are JBP form there look( from the little I have learnt in the last year) and the fact they are in this japanese style garden. I would like some opinions though particuarly alpine. Anyhow happy hunting

Squizz

Those certainly look like the Japanese black pines I grow here but always so many species look similar that it is hard to be certain.
The cones look like they have probably opened and released seed then closed up again after damp weather. This is usual for pines. At this time of year cones have few seed in them and the few there are are mostly unviable - seems the good ones drop out easily while the hollow seed often stays in the cone when it opens??? - my experience anyway. To get good seed you need to collect cones as they first open (here about Dec/Jan) and let them dry out to complete opening and release the seed.

Hi Squizzy , most likely JBP not EBP as the Nigra has cones in Pairs , these seem to be too squat for Nigra's they have a pointed cone when closed .When completely open the Nigra -Nigra cones can look like a JBP in shape , but not always . There is a topic here i posted Pinus Nigra cone Identification . That should give you a good description and size comparison to the Monterey/Radiata cone shape and size . If it was set out by a Japanese Garden Designer then that should eliminate the EBP from the equation .

Cheers Alpine

Thanks Shibui and Alapine,

Alpine I have seen the post you have put up a while back. If you ever get the time I would love to see the three cones next to a japanese black pine cone for comparison. I think it would be a great reference and possibly the only one on the internet. I cannot seem to find a good site that explains the differences between JBP and EBP ( I know its very subtle).

Shibui. Thats a great heads up with the cones opening and closing in the wet. I have just checked the cones and it seems I have missed a lot of seed so your guess was probably right. I have put them in an envelope to dry so we will see what happens. I had split one of the seeds that was in there and it almost looks like resin gone hard within the cone which looks to me like bad news? Anyway with 20 cones there may be a chance a few good ones might emerge.

I have started to build quite a collection of different cones from many different trees over the past 6 months so with a little luck there might be some good news at the end of all this. If not at least I know where the trees are for next christmas.

Squizz

Hi Sqizzy , i will see if a can get a JBP cone off Shibui as i have only had young ones here but the King Parrots love them so i never got to see the actually full size .

Cheers Alpine

Thanks alpine

Squizz

squizzy wrote:Thanks Shibui and Alapine,

Alpine I have seen the post you have put up a while back. If you ever get the time I would love to see the three cones next to a japanese black pine cone for comparison. I think it would be a great reference and possibly the only one on the internet. I cannot seem to find a good site that explains the differences between JBP and EBP ( I know its very subtle).

Shibui. Thats a great heads up with the cones opening and closing in the wet. I have just checked the cones and it seems I have missed a lot of seed so your guess was probably right. I have put them in an envelope to dry so we will see what happens. I had split one of the seeds that was in there and it almost looks like resin gone hard within the cone which looks to me like bad news? Anyway with 20 cones there may be a chance a few good ones might emerge.

I have started to build quite a collection of different cones from many different trees over the past 6 months so with a little luck there might be some good news at the end of all this. If not at least I know where the trees are for next christmas.

Squizz

Or you could go buy some tender starters which are still young enough to bend and get the roots right... Have this in 2 years... Then your way in front of the game !!!

They look great antttal,

I have a couple of these gowing already.

Sure I could go out and buy some more advanced seedlings but it takes the reward away for my mind. Dont get me wrong I am not the purest grow everything yourself but with these pines its a bit of an adventure with the germinating, growing some on, cutting the roots off some when they are seedlings, growing some with wire cutting in and the list goes on. I have a few that I have bought already but these are very rewarding and what I have learnt from these I can apply to my next batch in spring. I am a horti and I have always loved the whole seedling experience so it may just be me that finds this such a rewarding process. I have been inspired by one of your recent posts about exagerated bending and have applied it to one of my trees that just sat there for a while with no real direction. I have attached a photo to get your thoughts. Thanks also alpine for those photos in advance but seriously in your own time. You have plenty on your hands already I see.

Cheers

Squizz

Yeah i know squizz me too !

Here is the seed I collected from this tree. Even though it was old I seem to be having quite a good germination rate. I have counted at least 30 so far. The seed was collected in early June this year. Might be worth not discarding old cones so quickly.

Cheers

Squizz

Well Squizz I have just been going through all your posts this morning ; you are a busy little beaver ... nice germination from the seeds mate ! good work

Barry

Thanks Barry,

Like others I had my doubts about old pine seed but it seems its not such a problem. Just gives merit to the theory that coming up with your own conclusions through experimenting seems the best way to gain knowledge.

Squizz

coming up with your own conclusions through experimenting seems the best way to gain knowledge.

Hear Hear Squizzy. Something I have long found to be true

My little collection of black pines is looking good. Ready to burst this year.