Viking Black Chokeberry "Aronia melanocarpa 'Viking"

[jesseblunt]

Anyone a friend of the Chokeberry? Another of my freebies. Advice/virts would be really helpful. I'm hoping I can have some fun with this guy and see where it goes
THANKS,
Jesse

(Tried to outsmart the photo upload with pre-rotating...sorry for the orientation yo-yo'ing)

 

[Cadillactaste]

No nothing about them...but, you mention another one of your freebies...how are you getting free material? You must have a good source.

 

[jesseblunt]

Just luck!
I managed to get the Mugo I posted earlier as well as a snowball viburnum, lilac, and one more that I havent identified. The nursery worker informed me that they were just clearing out stuff from their stock after they had returned from summer shut down of about two weeks we have had great rain this summer, so most everything was doing well. I didnt ask questions...

 

[Cadillactaste]

Just luck!
I managed to get the Mugo I posted earlier as well as a snowball viburnum, lilac, and one more that I havent identified. The nursery worker informed me that they were just clearing out stuff from their stock after they had returned from summer shut down of about two weeks we have had great rain this summer, so most everything was doing well. I didnt ask questions...

Have you shared the lilac? I wouldn't mind seeing that...since I picked up some as well.

 

[jesseblunt]

Have you shared the lilac? I wouldn't mind seeing that...since I picked up some as well.

I haven't taken pictures if the lilac yet (at least that's what I was told it was...I think :/) I will try to get around to it this evening.

 

[GrimLore]

How tall is it? The reason I ask is it looks to be 3 or more foot tall. Odd for that variety honest.

Grimmy

 

[jesseblunt]

Pic repost

 

[jesseblunt]

It is indeed about 3' tall. Any input on their viability as bonsai? I have had no luck searching for info. Is there a better known relative that I can pattern the care and shaping of this tree off of?

 

[Jester217300]

I've never seen aronia used for bonsai although I have one in my yard for fruit. Your variety was also bred for fruit yield, fruit taste, etc. I have the 'Nero' variety.

The leaves aren't huge so if you make the bonsai big enough it could look natural eventually. I'm not sure how big you could get the trunk if you push it. Similarly no clue on leaf reduction. My guess would be that you'll have to experiment and see what happens, either way. Or hope that someone has worked one before and can chime in

 

[GrimLore]

It is indeed about 3' tall. Any input on their viability as bonsai? I have had no luck searching for info. Is there a better known relative that I can pattern the care and shaping of this tree off of?

It could as other shrubs develop into a Bonsai. That cultivar has smaller leaves then others so it is a plus. I am "guessing" if you keep the trunk trimmed up and pull the plant up a bit to see nebari it could be worked out. If I were to try on that one I would keep it at 24 inches or so and do a lot of leaf pinching during growing season after a root reduction and Spring potting.

Grimmy

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

In Kyuzo Murata's 1991 book, "Four Seasons of Bonsai" there is a photo of a chokeberry, Aronia, in his garden on page 110. The caption says; "Aronia arbutifolia, 30 years old, 33 inches tall. The red chokeberry is uncommon in Japanese bonsai, but it bears fruit reliably every year, and is hardy and easy to grow. Its trunks do not thicken at all, but its rhizomes will send up shoots everywhere, creating a natural group planting."

The photo is nice, a simple grove of a dozen or more trunks of various thickness, none looking thicker than an inch or so. Each trunk has a good crop of berries, looking quite attractive. The pot the planting is in looks like it is in a fairly shallow pot, like one would use for an elm or maple.

K. Murata was the caretaker of the Imperial Bonsai Collection of Japan for a decade or so, so if he says Aronia makes a nice planting, it is "official" as far as Japanese bonsai is concerned.

I know nothing else about Aronia as bonsai except for the information in that caption. Hope that helps.

 

[Bunjeh]

Update

I was digging around one of my favorite Mom and Pop nurseries today and ran across "Aronia". Looks like the species has good potential as bonsai. Do you have an update on this one?

 

[Eckhoffw]

Was searching the site for any info on this plant and examples. I purchased one similar to @jesseblunt ’s tree last year.
I put it in the ground

 

[Eckhoffw]

Any updates?

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I got nothing on Aronia. Had a chance to taste the berries, fresh they were horrible. Bitter. I know they are used for preserves, that cooking sweetens them up. I decided not to go for them as bonsai. I prefer bonsai with fruit I can eat. LOL

 

[Eckhoffw]

I got nothing on Aronia. Had a chance to taste the berries, fresh they were horrible. Bitter. I know they are used for preserves, that cooking sweetens them up. I decided not to go for them as bonsai. I prefer bonsai with fruit I can eat. LOL

Correct on all fronts. Berries are horrible, nodes are long, and well.... mine has been trampled by my kids and dog . So, it will remain planted in the ground, and we will see if it can survive as a shrub.

 

[MMJNICE]

Correct on all fronts. Berries are horrible, nodes are long, and well.... mine has been trampled by my kids and dog . So, it will remain planted in the ground, and we will see if it can survive as a shrub.

So I'm pretty sure in ohio this things grow freaking everywhere!!! I mean every single abandoned lot crack every little pocket of dirt.. I had one that naturally twisted in on its self but my lack of noliage couldn't keep it alive. I did learn what happened and won't repeat the same mistakes again. Funny thing I almost didn't close a wound on another tree I have smh.. it would have been an interesting tiny thing but I like native stuff most. So it tried its best to leaf out but that twist in the middle did it in..... i didn't know any better.. that was this early spring... im a pretty quick study when i put my mind to something, or don't want to look at my Dwindling Stock portfolio value! I didn't put paste or anything on it.. that's when i realized i F**k up... right when I realized what the problem was it passed .. but I do think they would be interesting subjects.. they are so freaking Abundant they have to be Sturdy enough for anything bonsai can throw at them... like I said I right now I tend to go against the grain... maybe that's how I learn best?

 

[Gr8tfuldad]

I have two back in my veggie garden. Not even the birds eat those berries

 

[Eckhoffw]

So I'm pretty sure in ohio this things grow freaking everywhere!!! I mean every single abandoned lot crack every little pocket of dirt.. I had one that naturally twisted in on its self but my lack of noliage couldn't keep it alive. I did learn what happened and won't repeat the same mistakes again. Funny thing I almost didn't close a wound on another tree I have smh.. it would have been an interesting tiny thing but I like native stuff most. So it tried its best to leaf out but that twist in the middle did it in..... i didn't know any better.. that was this early spring... im a pretty quick study when i put my mind to something, or don't want to look at my Dwindling Stock portfolio value! I didn't put paste or anything on it.. that's when i realized i F**k up... right when I realized what the problem was it passed .. but I do think they would be interesting subjects.. they are so freaking Abundant they have to be Sturdy enough for anything bonsai can throw at them... like I said I right now I tend to go against the grain... maybe that's how I learn best?

They can have stunning fall foliage for sure!