Mysterious Pine Conundrum

guffmeister

Hey all! Hope you can help me out here,

I friend of mine in Japan, who knew I collected bonsai, collected some pine cones for me when I recently visited last October. I let them open a bit more, and collected the seeds. It was only a small cone, but I removed 20 decent seeds and a couple not so good. I did all the necessary scarification, and left them in a plastic bag to stay cool in my basement over the summer. However, I completely forgot about them, and found them just in time about three weeks to a month ago, on the point of germination. The recent warm weather must have got to them.

The problem I'm faced with now is that a.) I don't know what species the tree is...all I know is that 6 initial needles have emerged from the seeds, and b.) They have about two months of growing left before it starts getting cold and have to endure a winter.

What I want to know is...does anyone who grows pine regularly know which species grows six initial needles (I know that this number of needles may not be the number of needles the pine will produce from its later candles.) Also, will the pine survive a winter after only 2 or so months growth?

Your help will be appreciated.

Ta

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titusblm

The chances of them living though winter outside is slim to none. I would keep them in a warmer area this winter. As far as type of pine if you could post a picture it may help. But your best bet would be to see next year and find out if it's a 2 or 5 needle pine.

guffmeister

Will it be ok indoors all winter? I wasn't sure whether it would try to grow continually all winter and tire itself out. Does it definately need a cold season?

titusblm

I would give it some time indoors and then move to a cool area about 4-8F for about two months before spring to give it a rest but not leting it get too cold.

bonsaikc

Your six needles aren't true needles. When they open like this in spring, it's time to cut off the roots and prepare them as cuttings. The next growth will show the true needle properties of your trees. I suggest feeding just a smidge and keeping them in a cool greenhouse this winter. Of course, well-established one year old plugs will survive freezing at the rate of 100%. But yours are a little too young, so keep them above freezing and begin working with them in spring.

Here's a link that you might find helpful. Japanese black pine from seedlings

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Vance Wood

I disagree with Chris on this one. Granted this is a very good technique used by professionals and laymen alike to produce good seedlings. You on the other hand do not have time to develop the roots on these trees in this way, and you do not have the experience to carry this off even if you had the inclination to do so. Couple this with having a limited number of seedlings to deal with I would be surprised if any survived.

It's a good technique to study and maybe experiment with at some later time but you don't want to be doing this with these trees.

rowan57

I have found that young seedlings kept inside all winter will go semi-dormant and stop growing for the winter, then next spring they should take off, but slowly bear in mind they are pines

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cbobgo

where do you live guff? Alot of things depend on how long your growing season and how cold it gets in the winter.

I would go ahead and put them outside and let them grow for what is left of the year. Depending on how cold it gets where you are, you will likely need some winter protection. Next year, if they survive, you can go from there.

- bob

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bonsaikc

What did I suggest that you disagree with, Vance? I didn't suggest that he go ahead and make cuttings of them, although I may have been less clear than I could have been about recommendations. I don't recommend making cuttings at this stage of the game or for beginners. My article is actually about starting with older trees for the same effect. My main point was to identify the needles.

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Chris Johnston
"She was a critic, and lots fo critics who aren't called to do what they write about grow jealous and mean and small in their disappointment." - Stephen King, Duma Key
Sashi-no-eda.blogspot.com