JRP $15 nursery stock

[bonsairxmd]

So I got this pinus densiflora 'Oculis Draconis' "Dragons Eye" at Home Depot for $15 due to some broken branches toward the top. Is this specific variety of JRP even suitable for bonsai? Wasn't sure what variety most JRP bonsai are

Any ideas? I'm in way over my head with pines still but figured I'd risk a $15 loss. Trunk diameter is 1.5", some trunk movement low and a few lower branches. Can one trunk chop a pine and if so when is the best time? I still need to check out the nebari.

Thanks as always. If it's crap and always will be then feel free to let me know then it will be a practice tree.

(First three pics are of likely front and last two of the back)

 

[MidMichBonsai]

This is a variegated version of JRP. By strict Japanese rules this would not be suitable for bonsai but...who cares?!?! Rules exist to be broken and you can use this to learn on.

The great thing is that you have good movement low on the trunk and you also have branches low as well. The growth is fairly top heavy which means it won't shade out the lower branches. You could trunk chop it but ask yourself, "Is the trunk as thick as I want it?" The growth is very strong on the top which means that it is growing in leaps and bounds. Are you satisfied with the caliper of the current trunk or do you want to thicken it? If you want to thicken it, DON'T CHOP. Let it grow tall and strong. If you do want to chop it, don't do this in the Spring. The sap is currently flowing to push the new candles and if you chop it now it will "bleed" like crazy. If you do want to chop it, wait until fall when the sap is slower and the tree has stored most of its energy in the roots in preparation for winter. This will insure that the tree sustains the least amount of trauma/damage in the process.

Best of luck!

 

[Adair M]

You have a grafted tree. It's used as a landscape plant because the needles show alternating bands of yellow and green. And they're rather long.

I'm not going to say you can't make a bonsai out of it, but i think it would be more pleasing as a tree in your landscape.

 

[bonsairxmd]

You have a grafted tree. It's used as a landscape plant because the needles show alternating bands of yellow and green. And they're rather long.

Thanks everyone. Adair, you are referring to this specific variety of JRP? What varietie(s) are commonly used for bonsai? I didn't even notice the banded needles. I was in a hurry and excited about the $15 'deal'.

Thanks.

 

[Giga]

Just straight jrp or jbp is mor common. I would assume that will respond just as well as regular jrp, but black pine are mor common and are a lot ez'er to bonsai.

 

[0soyoung]

The needles are yellow (or will be) near their bases and the tips are green so that a shoot is viewed end-on it looks like an eye, a dragon's eye. It is quite eye catching, but becomes rather gaudy as a large tree. Nevertheless, it is a red pine and, for $15, ought give you a good time as a private box store challenge tree.

 

[Eric Group]

I don't see the graft on this one... You sure it is grafted Adair?

Variegated species of most trees are not quite as vigorous as the regular tree, so I don't doubt that they normally do graft these, but if this is a graft it is a good one!

 

[Dav4]

Definitely grafted. Personally, I'd plant this one in your yard. Variegated cultivars tend to be visually jarring and, also, tend to not be as vigorous as the species. If you really want to work with JRP, you may be able to get one from Muranaka on ebay, or get some seedlings from Matt Ouwinga and grow them out in pond baskets.

 

[Adair M]

Eric, the only way to propagate a named variety of a cultivar is by grafting or by cuttings. JRP don't propagate by cuttings, so that leaves: grafting.

On the second photo, right where the little twigs start on the left, you can see a wide V formation on the main trunk. Those twigs on the left my in fact be non-variegated, the stock tree's foliage. Hard to tell because I see some yellow stripes. But those look like needle cast.

This tree is definitely grafted.

Red pines make excellent bonsai. Treat them like you would a JBP. Their branches are much more brittle and prone to breaking, so be careful when you wire. Because of this, the curves tend to be more subtle than we see with JBP. Thus imparting a more feminine character. Interestingly, they make excellent literati. Their needles are usually softer and thinner than JBP, again this feature contributes to the feminine look the trees often have.


Now, does this mesh well with variegated foliage?

In my opinion, no. To my eye, the yellow needles will always appear diseased or stressed. Not what I'd want to see in a graceful, feminine bonsai.

Just my opinion.

 

[Bunjeh]

This is a variegated version of JRP. By strict Japanese rules this would not be suitable for bonsai but...who cares?!?!

Best of luck!

By Pen Jing rules,..have at it.

 

[bonsairxmd]

Thanks everyone. I didn't even notice the varigated needles as I was too busy looking at branches and trunk line. I never even knew a varigated pine existed. Live and learn. Only $15 wasted. .

 

[Dav4]

Thanks everyone. I didn't even notice the varigated needles as I was too busy looking at branches and trunk line. I never even knew a varigated pine existed. Live and learn. Only $15 wasted. .

Not wasted at all. I used to collect unusual conifer cultivars and loved variegated pines. I think this one could end up being a focal part of your yard.

 

[bonsairxmd]

Thanks. I'll stick it in the yard

 

[Giga]

Thanks. I'll stick it in the yard

Bonsai it in the yard at a larger size. Be a show stopper as people come to the house and keep it from getting to big. That way when you move you can transplant it. I don't know just throwing out ideas

 

[Chad D]

Good idea. I have a few landscape bonsai now. I'll add it to the collection.