bonsaiDerek
Mame
what soil mix do you guys use for your jack pine yamadori?
best soil mix for jack pine yamadori?
- Thread starter bonsaiDerek
- Start date
bwaynef
Masterpiece
Use Al* mix: Lava, Akadama, and Pumice in equal portions. Maybe a bit less Akadama than the rest as I'd imagine it would do well with a bit less water-retentive mix. That said, I've never grown Jack Pine and don't know its needs well. The initial mix in equal portions is a good starting point.
*He doesn't use this mix anymore** and would prefer that it is referred to w/ nobody's name associated with it ...even though everyone knows precisely what's meant when someone in particular's name is associated with the mix ...and its a heck of a lot easier than typing "Lava, Akadama, and Pumice in a 1:1:1 ratio". "Al mix" is even 2 characters less though.
**At least I believe that's right. I can't keep up anymore.
*He doesn't use this mix anymore** and would prefer that it is referred to w/ nobody's name associated with it ...even though everyone knows precisely what's meant when someone in particular's name is associated with the mix ...and its a heck of a lot easier than typing "Lava, Akadama, and Pumice in a 1:1:1 ratio". "Al mix" is even 2 characters less though.
**At least I believe that's right. I can't keep up anymore.
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
Lodgepole or Jack pine grow readily in sandy,gravelly, slightly acidic soil. I have hundreds on my acreage. The area is basically gravel deposits left from glacier movement. I do not collect Jack pine for Bonsai purposes as i consider them poor candidates for Bonsai. I would use my usual pine mix with less Akadama.
So four components 30% pumice, 30 % black Lava, 20% Granite, 20% Akadama. Sieved for fines and equal particle size.
bonsaiDerek
Mame
how about someone growing jack pines for bonsai?
mattspinniken
Omono
Curious why you don't like Jack Pine for bonsai purpose? The curly needles?
GGB
Masterpiece
@River's Edge you live in an extremely interesting region for Jack pine. Check out this map and article. They seem like perfect native species to me, I'm sure you have your reasons though.
@bonsaiDerek my jack was collected bare root and put in a poor man's boon mix. 1:1:1 lava,pumice, pine bark and it did great. It's only one example of one tree but I wouldn't over complicate it.
... the mix I mean, don't bareroot yours
@bonsaiDerek my jack was collected bare root and put in a poor man's boon mix. 1:1:1 lava,pumice, pine bark and it did great. It's only one example of one tree but I wouldn't over complicate it.
... the mix I mean, don't bareroot yours
GGB
Masterpiece
oh guess that link was a dud... it was a map showing lodgepole and jack pine hybridizing at the british columbian border
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
Straight growth, long internodes, sparse foliage, long needles. Much prefer the shore pine that are available locally. And if i am going to grow trees, select more suitable species such as JBP, JRP, JWP that all do great in our climate.
I think it is great that someone loves them for Bonsai, look forward to seeing the results. I am sure there is a yamadori out there that will be outstanding.
mattspinniken
Omono
@River's Edge I understand, I have not had the best success collecting them. I agree that they are not one of the best species for bonsai but still worth while enough and can create a unique and wild look. I have to say I have always wanted to visit Vancouver Island, from the outside it seems like a paradise for yamadori. Glad to have you here on B-nut I enjoy your trees and insights.
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
wireme
Masterpiece
How’d you get jack pine in the wild at your place?
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
Can't say. Was not here when it occurred. Assume it involved immigration form the nearby southern islands or the USA border. I will blame the wind, waves and birds as the likely culprits for pockets in the river valleys. On the other hand perhaps they came down from the Northwest. Perhaps they are of mixed parentage, i have not done a DNA test. My friend is a forester with university training and he is coming for a study group this afternoon, i will ask him if he knows. He spent many decades in the local forest industry.
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
Leave it in the field soil for at least a year.
Also I collect them only in the spring.
Later and they don't pull through winter.
Slowly remove the sand over a period of years.
Do not attempt to bare root or half bare root these trees.
They love sand.
And don't like quick changes.
Mine do exceptionally well in Godzilla mix. (D.E. and lava) no bark,no akadama. Just what it listed.
They grow continually after needles harden.
Cut back a little on fertilizer,no more long internodes or needles.
Also I collect them only in the spring.
Later and they don't pull through winter.
Slowly remove the sand over a period of years.
Do not attempt to bare root or half bare root these trees.
They love sand.
And don't like quick changes.
Mine do exceptionally well in Godzilla mix. (D.E. and lava) no bark,no akadama. Just what it listed.
Fertilizer does this.
They grow continually after needles harden.
Cut back a little on fertilizer,no more long internodes or needles.
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
Mr. Frary! Really.
Long Internodes on Wild Jack Pine is natural growth pattern! At least that is what the post was about! Did you really think i was unaware of the effects of fertiliser on pines?
Walter Pall
Masterpiece
Take the RK-mix (Randy Knight) - pure pumice. no other ingredients. He has ollected most of America's best yamdoris - thousands of them. They are all in pure pumice and grow very well.
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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In Michigan and Wisconsin, Jack pine are common in the sand counties. They are short, heavily branched, shrubby trees. They only become tall & straight trunk when planted close together in plantations.
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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- 11,634
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Jack pines and lodgepole pines and shore pines are in the same botanical sub-genus. They are close enough related to hybridize where their ranges overlap. Biggest difference is size, lodgepole are tallest, and cold hardiness, Jack pine can withstand more cold than any of the others.
GreatLakesBrad
Chumono
This thread made my solo brunch a hell of a lot more interesting. Love this site so much.
Transplanting two younger jacks into the grow bed next spring and will take the above as guidance.
Transplanting two younger jacks into the grow bed next spring and will take the above as guidance.
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
I occasionally sell collected shore pines that i have developed. I am not involved with on line sales or shipping. Strictly old school with individuals on site by appointment or at one of the open houses i hold throughout the year for the public and local Bonsai clubs. Since i have such a small operation this works very well. It takes time to develop trees after collection and i collect a limited number, generally less than ten per year!
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