Florida spruce pine for bonsai

[RichS]

Has anyone had any experience with these pines? With there really short needles and twisted growth habit it seems like they'd make ideal material to work on. So I'm wondering if there's a catch. I've lived in Florida my whole life and been into this hobby for a few years yet never even knew they existed until recently.

 

[RichS]

Short needles

 

[miker]

Florida spruce pine, Pinus clausa, should be worth a try for bonsai in zones 8 and 9. I bought one right before I moved away from Florida, but it only lasted about a year here in PA.

 

[GGB]

Hey Rich, I know nothing about them, being from PA also. BUT I have heard rumblings from trust worthy southern sources that they may be very worthwhile bonsai. For a while they were popping up on ebay, I think they were Don's.

 

[GGB]

From the picture of the foliage they look extremely similar to virginia pine, which I believe grows in Florida too. I can grow (and do) pinus virginiana up here because they seemed the most suitable of my native pines. Naturally small needles and prostrate-ish growth. And they actualy have an orangey bark, keep an eye out for those too.
They thicken trunks slowly but that's the only quirk so far

 

[RichS]

Thanks for the replies. Yea since ive started noticing these it just seems like they got great qualities for bonsai. I finally found another older thread about this and one negative comment had been about the bark just not being interesting enough. What's strange is that the bottom part of the trunk is the nice plated red bark. But as you get further up the bark takes in a smoother almost water oak quality.

 

[RichS]

Here's a pic of the needles next to a slash

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Collecting from a sand environment can be more than tricky. I'm not saying this to discourage, but rather to request that you keep us updated on the process.

 

[JoeH]

lmk if you find a source for them.

 

[RichS]

The bark on the truck and the branch

 

[JoeH]

looks like interesting bark to me.

 

[RichS]

I agree. It seems perfect. But that's why I'm afraid theres a catch.

 

[JoeH]

IFAS says it makes it down to 9B!! Be great to find a potted specimen since Pines are kind of sketchy transplanting.

 

[RichS]

True story. Everyone I've asked (that even know they exist) says they look like they would be good material but don't know of anyone thats even tried

 

[River's Edge]

I agree. It seems perfect. But that's why I'm afraid theres a catch.

The trick will be to determine if the species responds to refinement techniques, and how the roots adapt for living in a pot. Key will be the propensity to bud back and the internode length possible. Initially i would treat it as a single flush pine to be on the safe side.

 

[RichS]

Well i chopped one down to a lower branch and its already budding. Didnt think to take pictures. I found a stand and chopped a few and left them. Came back to check and they were sprouting like crazy.

 

[RichS]

But i have no idea about the roots are when to collect if they prove viable

 

[just.wing.it]

I just like the name... Florida Spruce Pine...
What?

 

[RichS]

Yo man lemme see that spruce pine!

 

[RichS]

FSP