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Australian black pine
Posted: May 4th, 2016, 7:40 pm
by melbrackstone
Prumnopitys ladei "Mt Spurgeon Black Kauri Pine"
I was given one of these today, it's been kept inside a brightly lit studio for the past year, so will, I'm sure, enjoy some outdoor time.
Has anyone here seen one as bonsai? Or have one as bonsai?
https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-200 ... ladei.html
Re: Australian black pine
Posted: May 4th, 2016, 10:55 pm
by Beaumatsu2
No, but I'm interested to see if it works and makes a good bonsai.
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Re: Australian black pine
Posted: May 4th, 2016, 11:21 pm
by Charliegreen
Looks like a slow grower.
I often wonder why more QLD natives are not tried and we battle away with exotics that just dont grow well in our subtropical climate.
More power to you, give it a go!

Are the leaves brittle and waxy?
Re: Australian black pine
Posted: May 5th, 2016, 9:01 am
by Ash
Hi,
I have grown Prumnopitys ladei as bonsai several times over many years. Its is slow growing and its leaves are very beautiful. Unfortunately for me I live in a hot tropical lowland climate and it is from a cool tropical mountain climate and I have lost three over the years in heat waves and consider it heat sensitive. So for those of you in a subtropical or temperate climate I recommend to give it a go and see if you can take this beautiful species further than I have!
Ash
Re: Australian black pine
Posted: May 5th, 2016, 9:43 pm
by melbrackstone
Cheers Ash,
I live in sub tropical heat, up on a ridge where we get cool breezes in Summer, so hopefully I'll give it a chance with that.
Thanks for your input, Ash, Charliegreen and Beaumatsu2.
The plant has survived living inside an old building with poor lighting and little attention for a year, and appeared to be just marking time, however I noticed when I brought it home it's budded low down on the very narrow trunk. With some good light, a bit of food, and rainwater, I'm hoping it'll power away!
The leaves aren't brittle, they're quite soft and bendy.
Re: Australian black pine
Posted: May 6th, 2016, 6:58 am
by Joel
They're fantastic plants! Make very nice hedges. The foliage is beautiful but course. I'd consider treating them like Thuja, though they are tolerant of quite shady conditions. Making a convincing bonsai may be difficult.
If anybody is wondering, they do very well in Sydney.
Re: Australian black pine
Posted: May 7th, 2016, 7:58 am
by melbrackstone
That's good to know, thanks Joel!
Re: Australian black pine
Posted: September 6th, 2018, 8:03 pm
by SammehSAMURAI
Just brought one home today, as it caught my attention in the nursery instantly. thinking I will place it in a protected area in my Garden where it can thicken and flourish, and then potentially air layer or take cuttings for bonsai as it matures and if it shows good potential as it grows.
either way, a beautiful looking Aussie native conifer, excited to add it to the landscape!
Re: Australian black pine
Posted: September 7th, 2018, 7:45 pm
by melbrackstone
Mine is still growing VERY slowly. Mind you, I've kinda ignored it a bit. I might pot it on this month, see if it gives it a kick along.
Re: Australian black pine
Posted: September 7th, 2018, 7:46 pm
by melbrackstone
oops, wrong post