AusBonsai

Hi everyone!

I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get some pinus densiflora (Japanese red pine) seeds from in Australia? I’m finding them impossible to find and have been searching for a good year. I can find red pine TREES for sale but, they are always eastern state and we have some damn tough borders on importing plants/trees into WA. I never have a problem with getting seed sent over however and have bought so many varieties over the years.

I really want some for garden trees as to the are such a stunning tree. I’d also be keen to try bonsai them as well!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Mickeyjaytee wrote: ↑April 5th, 2023, 5:10 pm I never have a problem with getting seed sent over however and have bought so many varieties over the years.

I was under the impression there was no difference between seed and actual plants in terms of quarantine/import for WA?
Either way, good luck with your mission… doesn’t matter where you are in Australia, seed is a bit problematic to source regardless of border restrictions.

Ryceman3 wrote: ↑April 5th, 2023, 9:59 pm

Mickeyjaytee wrote: ↑April 5th, 2023, 5:10 pm I never have a problem with getting seed sent over however and have bought so many varieties over the years.

I was under the impression there was no difference between seed and actual plants in terms of quarantine/import for WA?
Either way, good luck with your mission… doesn’t matter where you are in Australia, seed is a bit problematic to source regardless of border restrictions.

You are correct Ryan, both are subject to biosecurity restriction being imported into WA from anywhere in Australia/ overseas due to how strict the government are on the pest and disease. Of course, they can't stop every online order at the post office either though which is how Mickey got his ones in the past.

There are seeds and plant species the nursery i work for just full stop will not sell to WA customer for that reason; too much of a headache to deal with the red tape.

Seed for JRP just seems very thin on the ground no matter where you are in the country. I looked in the past but soon gave up, and young ones can be found in Vic so wasn't much impetus to search it out.

Any clubs near you that you can join in on and see if anyone has them in WA already?

Geez that’s interesting. I know there are some seeds we can’t get specified on websites for plant/tree species that are affected by myrtle rust which of course is fine, I’m not going to order those. Any other seed I’ve never seen a restriction for WA

I am with both clubs but, red pine just doesn’t seem to be over here. I’ll ask around again to double check. It’s a shame. It is such a magnificent tree.

So an update. I spoke with Western Australia’s bio security and the following applies:

Pinus densiflora plants can only be imported from NT and SA due to Dothistroma Needle Blight in the other states.

However,

This does NOT apply to seed and I am able to import pinus densiflora seeds into WA from ANY state. That’s some pretty awesome news!

With that said, if anyone knows of anywhere or anyone who can supply, please let me know!

That's fantastic news you can bring them in as seed from anywhere, best of luck with the hunt!

Can't say i've ever seen red pine seed available anywhere in Australia, that's quite specialised given most production would be grafting.

Maybe drop Ryceman a PM and ask him where he found his? I think he grew some form seed for his pine project, could be wrong though.

Try Shibui in case he has red pine with with cones at his nursery?

Going to be a job of just asking around where you can to trusted sources who will actually source Red Pine rather than radiata or black pine or whatever else they may sell you

Thanks Tim! Yeah it’s been a long hunt. About 10 months or so. I refuse to give up hope though I did speak with my local bonsai nursery who do have 2 pinus densiflora trees however, this year bloody rats made nests in them and pillaged the seed before he could get to the cones. What a jip!

I do know about the grafting of JRP onto JBP root stock. So far I want a couple just for the garden. The local nursery does do grafts so I might ask how to do it. He does graft often and has shown me successful grafts where you can’t tell which is awesome!

Thanks for your help mate