Days getting shorter, light weaker ---------> Winter in the West Indies [ Caribbean ]

[Anthony]

So last month a test was done, defoliated a Hackberry.
Response, a rapid regrowth of leaves.
This month, leaves are just matured and no new growth.

The idea was to see how many branchlets would end up
thicker than a needle. Anything finer just dies in the fridge
or [ we do test in the North corners of the yard ] in the open.

Now to see when the elms stop growing shoots and just about
any other sub-tropical.

Also on the table is a second Japanese black pine to be reduced
to the 3 pairs of needles.
The first test, is still showing needle growth as 1.5 inches.
Maybe we hit the hallejuah point ?

And maybe 2 years from now we will have pines with shorter needles.
Fingers crossed.

Watching to see who else stops growing.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Adair M]

Aren’t you pretty close to the equator? And days equal nights at 12 hours pretty much all year?

 

[Anthony]

Sifu,

if memory serves - 10/11 degrees from the equator - North
Sunlight shifts almost 5.30 a.m Summer to Winter 6.15 morning and simi;ar
for 5.30 p.m to 6.15 p.m

It is apparently enough to initiate Winter, Christmas and lasts around
mid February for Sub-tropicals.
Especially on the north side of the house.
But not enough for Temperates.

After May we also hang out in the high 80's mostly by day.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[tree3]

I used to live in P.R. and now in South Florida. The only conifers we had there were the Australian pine and Norfolk Pine (not bonsai). There were probably others but these two were the most commonly seen on the coast. From what I've seen the Australian pine makes a nice bonsai. It's all over South Florida. I did have bonsai but they were tropical. The temperature in the higher altitudes of the mountains could drop to 40 degrees at times.

 

[tree3]

Thinking of going back. The only deciduous I have now is a Chinese Elm, and it already stopped growing in South Florida.

 

[tree3]

Actually, many tropical trees can be deciduous. What I meant to say was the only tree I have that is cold hardy is the Chinese Elm. All of mine are tropical or subtropical.

 

[Paulpash]

Your winter is basically our Summer.....

 

[Anthony]

@tree3 ,

we have the blend - Caribbean/ Honduran pine - hardwood.
Check Cuba for the Caribbean pine, responds to water.
Since we can also grow the J.b.pine, you can apply the techniques
to the Caribbean pine blend.

But to get the 3 to 5 inch trunk you need to ground grow, whereas
the J.B.pine can be thckened in a no deeper than 6 inch porous clay pot.

The West Indian / Barbados cherry is also sub-tropical, as is the Fukien
Tea and Chinese Serissa.
Good Day
Anthony