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Don G. Blackmond
Join Date: Dec-2006
Location: Dowagiac, Michigan
Country: USA
Posts: 312
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Dwarf Japanese Black Pine
In another thread, a poster asked about a true dwarf Japanese Black Pine. Rather than hi-jacking the other thread, I thought I would respond here with some information.
The variety is kotobuki. It is a sport taken from a genetically defective branch. I do not know when the variety originated, but it was long ago. The defective branch exhibited very short needles that stayed short, naturally. Buds form normally, and budding is profuse. Candles are white and small. Needles emerge the same as any other Japanese Black Pine. Removing candles completely causes back-budding. Leaving the candles results in short branching and short needles typically 1" or less.
Growth is compact and slow. The short needles make kotobuki an excellent candidate for shohin trees. You can have a small tree look in-scale. Being a true dwarf, the needles remain short without employing reduction techniques.
They are resilient. They are also not easy to find, and are usually expensive when available.
I have been told, and never verified, that kotobuki can be reproduced only by cutting or air layering. Since I have never seen cones or seeds, I assume this to be true.
I am sure there are other members who have experience with kotobuki, and maybe they will add to this thread.
I attached pictures of a 22" tall kotobuki with 5" trunk base and 3" trunk above the base as an example.
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