The Wisco Kid
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Hello all,
This is my first post so I suppose I should briefly introduce myself. I am a long time plant/horticultural/permaculture enthusiast living in the mountains of zone 5 (Pennsylvanian mountains). I have only been trying my hand at bonsai since the early spring, and have managed to only kill 1 Juniperus procumbens (the other 2 are doing well). I now have a modest collection of about a dozen trees of varying species mostly suited for my region, 2 that will require wintering indoors (Ficus. and Jade). Bonsai is an art that has intrigued me for years but I only started thorough research over this past winter ultimately deciding to give it a go this spring. I am very much in this hobby for the long haul. I also grow/collect cacti which grow grow quite slowly (especially in zone 5), and are also a long term project requiring perpetual care & maintenance.
On to the tree...
I got this tree about 5 weeks ago from a friend in a far warmer climate (Florida). This is my first pine of any sort so it's harder for me to envision what direction this tree will go from this point on out, I would greatly appreciate any advice or thoughts anybody might have. I have done some reading, but from what I gather pines are quite a challenge to grow the way you want them to. First question: should I remove the spines from the main stem before the winter? I have read this helps encourage backbudding next spring.
My ultimate plan was to let it just continue to grow out for about 5+ years in a 5 gal pot then chop it back down to a stump and work from there. Is this a valid approach?
Thanks again so much for your help!
This is my first post so I suppose I should briefly introduce myself. I am a long time plant/horticultural/permaculture enthusiast living in the mountains of zone 5 (Pennsylvanian mountains). I have only been trying my hand at bonsai since the early spring, and have managed to only kill 1 Juniperus procumbens (the other 2 are doing well). I now have a modest collection of about a dozen trees of varying species mostly suited for my region, 2 that will require wintering indoors (Ficus. and Jade). Bonsai is an art that has intrigued me for years but I only started thorough research over this past winter ultimately deciding to give it a go this spring. I am very much in this hobby for the long haul. I also grow/collect cacti which grow grow quite slowly (especially in zone 5), and are also a long term project requiring perpetual care & maintenance.
On to the tree...
I got this tree about 5 weeks ago from a friend in a far warmer climate (Florida). This is my first pine of any sort so it's harder for me to envision what direction this tree will go from this point on out, I would greatly appreciate any advice or thoughts anybody might have. I have done some reading, but from what I gather pines are quite a challenge to grow the way you want them to. First question: should I remove the spines from the main stem before the winter? I have read this helps encourage backbudding next spring.
My ultimate plan was to let it just continue to grow out for about 5+ years in a 5 gal pot then chop it back down to a stump and work from there. Is this a valid approach?
Thanks again so much for your help!