Bonsai in fridge

[queenofsheba52]

Hi @datminh221, glad you found this most awesome bonsai site!

It sounds like you might not have good luck with your JWP. I know how it is to want trees that do not really grow well in your own zone. For example, I am just too cold for Satsuki azaleas without a big investment in a cold greenhouse. Are there any local pines you could work with? I don't grow evergreens so I don't know much about them, but it seems like I remember seeing pines of some type in Florida last time I was there. Florida is quite warm so I hope you have some local pines too.

If you put your location in your ID box, the great folks on this site will be more able to help you.

Good luck with your bonsai journey!

 

[WNC Bonsai]

It is my understanding that these are found in the mountains of Japan whereas black pines are more coastal. They can take the cold and are hardy down to zones 4-5 but suffer under the heat and humidity of the southern US so it sounds like you will be disappointed. However they are grown as bonsai on Tokyo which has hot and humid summers.

 

[Kievnstavick]

I know of a promient bonsai artist down in Hawaii who tried to keep temperate trees alive in his tropical environment.

He converted his single car garage into a climate simulator. Controlling the lighting and tempature making slow adjustments as the "winter" approached. He eventually gave up after 5 or so years as it was just way too much work for so little gain. I don't recall how many exirements he ended up losing over the trial. I also can't imagine how much his monthly expenses were to cool a garage to near freezing temperatures in Hawaii... (lots of insulation I presume but still...)

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Path of least resistance, is to grow trees native to a similar climate to your own. JWP not only needs a COLD WINTER, it also needs a COOL NIGHT TEMP during the growing season. The reason JWP does not do well in large parts of the southeastern USA, especially coastal areas is that it does not cool off enough at night. JWP can tolerate high daytime temperatures only if it cools below 68 F more often than not at night during the growing season. Think about high elevation climates. Day temps climb rapidly, nights cool rapidly. JWP metabolism is adapted to this and requires cooling off at night. Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, coastal NC and SC all stay warm. often above 80 F at night in the summer. In these areas, JWP suffers and will eventually die. Low elevation Georgia is a no go for JWP but in the middle and higher elevations, the Appalachian mountains, JWP does fine, because it does cool off at night. Growing season night temperatures are the reason for the distribution of JWP and JBP in Japan. JBP loves the heat, it is a sub-tropical pine that will tolerate fairly warm nights all growing season and needs very little cooling during its short dormancy. JWP stays in the mountains of Japan because it can't take the heat.