Ponderosa Pine

Koi_Gal

Hi All! I've been lurking around as a guest and finally decided to register. Anyway, just wanted to show you my new tree...a ponderosa pine courtesy of Oregon Bonsai. (Thanks Jason!) It's my first collected tree. It arrived a short while ago and seems to be adjusting quite nicely. I won't be doing anything to it till next year. I have some ideas for it, but if anyone else would like to suggest anything feel free! I'd like to explore all the options before I touch this one
Becky

Attached Images

	ponderosapine1.jpg (62.0 KB, 94 views)
	ponderosapine2.jpg (58.8 KB, 105 views)

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JGamby713

Hi Becky,


Thanks for the good words!! I like the little tree, it has potential to be a very nice shohin in the future...

Just noticed your user name, koi_gal, do you deal with koi? I am going to build a koi pond at my next house and need a line on good inexpensive koi......

Kinda suprised no one replyed to this post yet....

Good luck on the tree...

Jason

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Koi_Gal

Hi Jason,
Hopefully some folks will post soon. I love to see what other's might do.

I have several butterfly koi and one regular (I prefer the butterfly koi). I would suggest checking out any local Koi clubs, they can give you a good lead on where to get them. If you aren't into showing them there is no reason to get "top of the line" fish...even the pond quality ones are beautiful. I paid between $8 and $12 for them...they were about 6" in length and are now aprox 18".

Becky

soonami

Very nice tree, could you give us some description of it's size becky?

The trunk line is very nice and full of movement, you will definitely want to choose a styling for the tree that will accentuate this attribute of the tree. But you are probably better off right now learning how to work with pines in the first place. I don't have any experience with ponderosas, so I can offer no help, but with material like this you really want to make sure you are using horticulturally sound techniques. So seek out information and advice on needling reduction, candle pruning, wiring, soil, repotting, etc.

From my initial impression, I see a literati cascade or a semi-cascade, but in the end it's all about what will show off the best part of this tree the most

rlist

Hey Ms. Becky. Glad you are entering the wonderful world of the Pondy! If memory serves, this is a small tree that you would have gotten in the past couple of weeks? If correct, then I have seen this tree in person several times, and you have a good one. Actually, you scooped me, as I wanted to buy it but Jason wouldn't let me have it!

I do have a couple comments regarding this picture. First, what is your mix you used? I see some pumice and bark, and it looks a little rich - so make sure it dries out between waterings. Yellow tips on the end of the needles and it is too wet, brown and it is too dry - keep it on the drier side. Especially in the pot that I would guess has only the drainage holes that came with it. Second, did you drill any additional holes in the bottom? I think that the trainage holes are on the bottom, but that the pot will have an area below that which will hold water. You might want to put 6-8 1/4" holes in that lowest level. Third, I see some hose protecting the side of the tree, but I don't see any wire. Did you wire this in from the bottom? If the tree is leaning on the side of the pot, you might as well wire it into the side too. It may look ugly, but at this juncture (for the next couple of years) you don't want the tree to move at all. Finally, I would start sooner than later with fertilizing. Miracle grow every other week for the year should be good. I would hesitate to go with more fert until a little more inorganic mixture is used.

As for styling, this will be a no brainer. Study lots of trees over the next couple of years and you will see it when you are ready to see it. Until then, feed and water it and you will have a great little tree!

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Koi_Gal

Rich -- Yes, it could very well be the tree you've been looking at! Jason sent me pics of it weeks ago and I knew I just had to have it. I promise I'll take good care of it for you

It's been wired from the bottom, but I managed to get it too close to the side, hence the hose. I'll move it a bit when I get my soil in...it's currently in what it came with and a small amount of richer soil. I will defenitely let it dry out between waterings. In our 100+ weather here it doesn't take long to do that!

Soooo what were you thinking for it? I'm thinking literati.


Soonami -- It's aproximately 11 1/2" tall, by 18" or so in length. The trunk is approx. 1 3/4" or so in diameter.

Take care,
Becky

rlist

What's that mean? Don't keep messing with it! Get it in place and leave it alone. I don't think that I would mess with it, especially with the hot summer temps. Better to be left alone until next year...

What am I thinking? I am thinking the smallest tree possible. Keep looking. You'll find what looks right to you.

Rich

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NW Oregon, Zone 8a
Check out my new blog here...
Both gold and muck come out of the same shaft...

Bruce Winter

Nice short needles too. I would have snached it in a flash. Thanks Jason

DavidN

Hi Koi Gal
My initial thought when I saw this tree was that it has many possiblities, until I had a look at the position it has been planted in in this plastic pot. My concern is that this tree is planted close to one edge when it could have been planted in the middle of the pot. This makes me believe that the root system still has long thick roots extended to one side. This needs to be investigated when you repot you pine in the future and remedied.
Good luck
David

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