Garden Center JWP’Aoi’

[0soyoung]

I came across this little Iseli grown p. parviflora ‘Aoi’ (Japanese white pine) in the garden center of a local Ace hardware store. It happened to be a ‘super Saturday’ at the time, so I got it for 20% less than the $70 tagged price – a great bargain! It has an inch-or-so caliper (a bit above the graft union) and about 24 inches tall. Barring one slight deviation about half way up, the trunk was ‘straight as a pin’.

It is no longer straight as a pin.



I’ve also wired it just enough it to assure all the foliage tips point up and can get sun. There seems to be several design possibilities now, but my primary objective for the next couple of years is to get it out of the organic soil (which is a well draining composted bark mix) and (likely) into a colander.

 

[drew33998]

Nice pick up Oso! Wish we could grow them here.

 

[M. Frary]

I would really like to try a JWP someday. What kind of low temps can they take? Are they zone 5 trees or zone 4. I've never really looked hard at them so far because I get as dark as the price tag and get no further. The ones I see in nurseries around here are $150.00 and up.

 

[Adair M]

Mike, the issue with JWP for you is not the JWP part, it's the root stock it's grafted on.

If it's JBP, the roots might not be able to take your winters.

 

[Dav4]

I would really like to try a JWP someday. What kind of low temps can they take? Are they zone 5 trees or zone 4. I've never really looked hard at them so far because I get as dark as the price tag and get no further. The ones I see in nurseries around here are $150.00 and up.

JWP can probably handle a zone 4 winter with typical protection. As Adair mentioned, trees with JBP roots will need much more protection.

 

[garywood]

Mike, the issue with JWP for you is not the JWP part, it's the root stock it's grafted on.

If it's JBP, the roots might not be able to take your winters.

Typically and I emphasize typically the nursery trade in the northwest uses sylvestris stock. As Adair states check the stock.

 

[M. Frary]

I'll be looking into this in the spring. Scots pine rootstock would work out great. I just always assumed they were on JBP roots.
Thanks.

 

[garywood]

I'll be looking into this in the spring. Scots pine rootstock would work out great. I just always assumed they were on JBP roots.
Thanks.

Mike, bonsai is a very, very, very small part of the trade. Plants grown for retail outlets by the "trade" are grown the most efficient and economical way possible. Aesthetics of graft unions is not their concern like those of a grafter for bonsai.

 

[M. Frary]

I know. Most I've seen the grafts are horrible. But if I can find a decent one I'm willing to give it a try. My main worry is wintering.