We forget that there are some exotic conifers out there (including a certain famous forum member ) I kept this Pinus patula potted for a number of years but bit the bullet and planted it out three years ago.
It's now getting too big of course but I plan to prune it bonsai-style. Hope I don't ruin it
Pinus patula
Re: Pinus patula
Sorry to say, but you will ruin it - it won't take at all well to pruning to keep it smaller. To do so successfully is a very specialised task, shortening every 'candle' (expanding spring shoot) every year. It won't sprout from old stems if they are cut into.GREVILLE wrote: I plan to prune it bonsai-style. Hope I don't ruin it
Re: Pinus patula
I started last year thinning out some shoots and will be shortening some selected candles soon. Trying out some Japanese pruning techniques on it.Conifers wrote:Sorry to say, but you will ruin it - it won't take at all well to pruning to keep it smaller. To do so successfully is a very specialised task, shortening every 'candle' (expanding spring shoot) every year. It won't sprout from old stems if they are cut into.GREVILLE wrote: I plan to prune it bonsai-style. Hope I don't ruin it
I successfully pruned a large Cupressus Arizonica 'blue ice' into a decent looking cloud tree over a five year period. Trouble was it pegged in THAT winter three years ago, so I planted out the Pinus which I'd cultivated from a seedling.
Re: Pinus patula
Must've been some other cause, it's very hardy (down to below -20°C), far hardier than Pinus patula (limit about -10°C). My suspicions would fall on Phytophthora root rot.GREVILLE wrote: Cupressus arizonica 'Blue Ice' .... Trouble was it pegged in THAT winter three years ago,
Re: Pinus patula
I had wondered if something else had killed the Cupressus as I realised the lows that winter were well above a fatal cut-off point. Had wondered about honey fungus but saw no tell-tale bootlaces etc. Hadn't suspected phytophthora as the site was very well-drained and I spent nearly all day digging out the extensive root system. My fastigiate yew grows nearby and if the soil was waterlogged I'm sure that would have picked it up.
I didn't plant the Pinus on the same site just in case, however.
I didn't plant the Pinus on the same site just in case, however.