What a find! PART II: a Ponderosa literati

Dav4

First of all, I should start by saying I need another tree this size like I need a hole in the head. However, this is a tree I have been coveting for several years. It has been housed in one of the greenhouses at New England Bonsai Gardens for a while, and every time I walked by, I would stop and admire it. Today, I finally was able to break away and visit the nursery that is having their annual summer sell down sale. I swear that I was only intending to consider material for shohin sized trees, maybe a pot or two as well. Wouldn't you know it, but the tree I'd been drooling over for the last few years was on the sales table...well, actually, it was next to it on the ground as it's too tall to fit on it. Anyway, you know the rest of the story. The tree is 44" tall and has a very nice shari. Hope you like as much as I do.

Dave

PS Would there be any problem cutting back some of the candles in the upper canopy now? The needles are 50% extended, and I'm concerned about the weak lower branch on the left getting weaker. Thanks.

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treebeard55

Great find!

As for the candles, I understand that Andy Smith breaks them back just to control node length; backbudding response is unreliable. As for when -- on any pine, I think you can do it pretty much thru the season, as long as the tree is healthy.

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Treebeard 55

"... the Lord God made all kinds of trees ... trees that were pleasing to the eye ..." (Genesis 2:9, NIV.)

october

Dave................Where, when and how!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!........lol...........I have been at NE Bonsai 1-2 times a week, every week for the past 3 months and I didn't see this tree..........I guess I have to start going up there 5 times a week now ha h aha haha ... That tree is absolutely awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob

cam198

I'm so jealous!!!

Dav4

Thanks for the replies. Rob, how can you afford to drive up there 2-3 times a week I hadn't been to NEBG in over a month, and filling the tank in the mini-van was one of the reasons...and I live closer then you! Anyway, this is another of those trees I just couldn't walk away from (you know the others, I think). It had been in the cold hardy greenhouse for a few years...surprised you don't recall seeing it there. Actually, I take that back...you were probably wasting time over in the heated greenhouse shuffling through gallon sized pots of azaleas and never made over to where the real bonsai are kept!. Hope to see you later this summer,


Dave

october

HA ha hahaha a. You might be somewhat right........And yes, I have been going up there once or twice a week, almost every week for about 2 1/2 months or so....

I thought I knew every single tree in that place......I guess I must have missed that one.

As far as hangin in the heated green house.. lol........Where do you think this bad boy came from..the one I brought to the work shop.....I believe this was in the heated green house because Hitoshi just got it from California..

Anyway, your tree is awesome. I'm glad you have it because it is in very good hands. I now have 2 trees that I need to keep bothering you to sell ha hahh aha

Rob

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Dav4

I stand corrected on the "wasting time" comment...finding that juniper was worth the time in that greenhouse sorting through all the other girly trees

Dave

Vonsgardens

Dave,
Yes you can reduce the number of needles in the canopy on a well established tree like this. Typically I just cut (using really sharp scissors/pruners) the two to four year old needles. Leave the frsh needles. I don't remove fertilizer from ponderosas like you do for JBP. Nice find, I like the style of this tree.

John

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Dav4

Thanks for the info, John. I've only been caring for ponderosas for 2 years, so my experience is minimal with them and I wish to be careful. I was planning on reducing needles early this fall...there doesn't appear to be many needles older then 2 years. I was wondering...have you ever decandled a ponderosa? I've heard differing opinions on the subject. Thanks again,


Dave