ITALIAN STONE PINE; Pinus Pinea from nursery stock

[Wulfskaar]

Hi @aframe, I am wondering if you have any updates on this tree.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Indeed. After 4 years should be much progress.

 

[Vance Wood]

Indeed. After 4 years should be much progress.

Unless it is now a finished bonsai-----aka a dead bonsai?

 

[Forsoothe!]

I've finished several of these over the years, and I can tell you they are vary fast. Usually they come and go with Christmas. Not twelve days, but pretty close...

 

[aframe]

Unless it is now a finished bonsai-----aka a dead bonsai?

Hi guys - been away from the forum for a minute...these images are from August 2020. It was wired last year and ready for more wiring this winter. Yes, the needles are starting to reduce in length as the foliage mass increases. Been fighting root aphids in the garden affecting 1/2 my pines over the last 3 years, finally found a viable control and trees starting to regain vigor. More updates to follow - thanks.
@Wulfskaar @Vance Wood @Potawatomi13 @Forsoothe!

 

[Wulfskaar]

Cool! Looking forward to the updates!

I'm happy to see it looking good!

 

[aframe]

Heres the progression:
Nov '17 x2, Nov '19, Aug. '20 x2, Jul '21 (front & back).

 

[Wulfskaar]

That's probably the nicest one I've seen. Nice!!!

 

[aframe]

3.2.2022

 

[Potawatomi13]

Saw some attempt at grafting early on. Did these fail?

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Really nice progression over the years!! Is not a easy species for bonsai thats sure, the needles are reducing very well

 

[aframe]

Saw some attempt at grafting early on. Did these fail?

The JBP grafts were successful. I cut them off b/c I like original foliage - soft, light green mature needles look great with the rough, light grey bark. I had grafted for 2 reasons - the material was pretty bad: lots of awkward branching and foliage far from trunk, and to practice grafting and see if JBP would take on P. Pinea, there wasn't much info on Pinea w/ mature foliage. I grafted lower on the tree and I'll let you all know the grafts seemed weak, I cut them off about 1.5 years after, memory not real sharp on this one.

 

[aframe]

Unless it is now a finished bonsai-----aka a dead bonsai?

Come and see

 

[DanaWhicker]

Very, very nice work. Congratulations.

 

[aframe]

Completed the fine wiring thru most branch tips; left side still has awkward, leggy branching. I have not decandled this tree in a few years due to health - this year the budset looks good and I'm looking forward to decandling and some back-budding, with any luck.

 

[tangledtanuki]

Lovely progression of the tree. I really like that lower branch on the right

 

[aframe]

Lovely progression of the tree. I really like that lower branch on the right

Thanks for the feedback - Is it true this is a species that grows in your area?

 

[Crazy Diamond]

I love the tree I apreciate what it have become, I know very well the species and its handicaps, but dont dig the first branch as is right now, maybe in the future grows on me xD

 

[Ruddigger]

You dont see too many nice looking stone pines, so you’ve done really well. I have one I’ve been fooling around with for a couple years, I prefer to keep it juvenile.

 

[tangledtanuki]

Lovely progression of the tree. I really like that lower branch on the right

Yup. As far as I am aware. They produce pine nuts which is very important in some of the food in this part of the world.