EWP...Growing...Now? Bad?

augustine

Chumono
Messages
755
Reaction score
553
Location
Pasadena, MD
USDA Zone
7A
My opinion is that this will not produce a satisfactory bonsai in any reasonable amount of time in a container, too thin for the long needles. And generally not a good species for bonsai. However...

Now is a good time to plant in the ground in your area. Right now it's not worth your care time. Put it in the ground.
 

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
Messages
12,141
Reaction score
17,546
Location
Just South of the Mason Dixon
USDA Zone
6B
My opinion is that this will not produce a satisfactory bonsai in any reasonable amount of time in a container, too thin for the long needles. And generally not a good species for bonsai. However...

Now is a good time to plant in the ground in your area. Right now it's not worth your care time. Put it in the ground.
It had almost no roots when I obtained it this spring, so I want to to establish some good roots in this pot, with a good mix, then yes, I'll put it in the ground maybe next spring.
 

0soyoung

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
7,496
Reaction score
12,832
Location
Anacortes, WA (AHS heat zone 1)
USDA Zone
8b
It had almost no roots when I obtained it this spring, so I want to to establish some good roots in this pot, with a good mix, then yes, I'll put it in the ground maybe next spring.
No guts, no glory!

In all likelihood, you've made the right decision. But I wanted you to 'hear' the little voices in my head ;)
 

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
Messages
12,141
Reaction score
17,546
Location
Just South of the Mason Dixon
USDA Zone
6B
I remembered that I made this thread on my EWP.
I think I will put in in the ground, next year, currently moving out of my house.
I dunno, I'm conflicted, I also want to see how it's affected by long term pot growing...
Either way, I'm just pumping it up with water and fertilizer this year, like last year... Its looking noticeably thicker this spring.
Might remove that first branch this year, if anything.

Here's some pics I just took,
KIMG0833.JPGKIMG0834.JPGKIMG0835.JPG
KIMG0833.JPGKIMG0834.JPGKIMG0835.JPGKIMG0836.JPG
 

Wires_Guy_wires

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,408
Reaction score
10,629
Location
Netherlands
I have one EWP and I keep reading they suck. Apart from the cheesy smell, for me it's a good and cheap pine to play with.
Yesterday I walked past a +/-15 year old specimen with a trunk full of bark.
5 needles per fascicle, all 15-20cm in length. Younger branches had the smooth look to it. Same smell. So I figured it's a strobus.
I also figured I'm going to try and contain my 6 dollar strobus. I'm documenting my actions, so maybe in the long run it might help others in figuring out how to work with them.
 

A. Gorilla

Omono
Messages
1,325
Reaction score
2,158
Location
N/E Illinois
USDA Zone
5b
I think that is exactly the kind of EWP which can be decent. Long, leggy, a few perfect little puffs of needles on the ends. It’s just not comparable to a JBP so don’t even try. Make it everything a JBP isn’t. Otherwise you’ll be waiting, and waiting, and waiting....
 

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
Messages
12,141
Reaction score
17,546
Location
Just South of the Mason Dixon
USDA Zone
6B
I have one EWP and I keep reading they suck. Apart from the cheesy smell, for me it's a good and cheap pine to play with.
Yesterday I walked past a +/-15 year old specimen with a trunk full of bark.
5 needles per fascicle, all 15-20cm in length. Younger branches had the smooth look to it. Same smell. So I figured it's a strobus.
I also figured I'm going to try and contain my 6 dollar strobus. I'm documenting my actions, so maybe in the long run it might help others in figuring out how to work with them.
Yeah, the general consensus is that they are a waste of time....
I like wasting my time, as long as a tree is involved!
I also generally don't agree with general consensuses, generally speaking...
Maybe once I get into my new place, I'll be able to make a decision on whether or not to plant it in the ground...

They backbud well, I'm sure you've seen the Christmas Tree Farms around, they use EWP and others....they hedge prune them into dense masses of needles... something to consider.
 

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
Messages
12,141
Reaction score
17,546
Location
Just South of the Mason Dixon
USDA Zone
6B
I think that is exactly the kind of EWP which can be decent. Long, leggy, a few perfect little puffs of needles on the ends. It’s just not comparable to a JBP so don’t even try. Make it everything a JBP isn’t. Otherwise you’ll be waiting, and waiting, and waiting....
Haha!
Yeah...
I'm thinking if I can get the main line of the trunk to bark up, it'll be cool!
I know I can get back budding for a minimal Apex on a bunjin pine....
At that point, it'll be all about confining the roots too see what kind of reduction I can get in needle and internode length.
 

A. Gorilla

Omono
Messages
1,325
Reaction score
2,158
Location
N/E Illinois
USDA Zone
5b
In northern Wisconsin I see branches of mature EWP and I think to myself I’d like to air layer that and keep it like that. It’s on the extreme end of sparse and spartan. So quaint and woodsy.

It would all hinge on needle reduction in bonsai. Possibly very tiny pot? Possibly go for a second flush even if it’s technically single flush.
 

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
Messages
12,141
Reaction score
17,546
Location
Just South of the Mason Dixon
USDA Zone
6B
In northern Wisconsin I see branches of mature EWP and I think to myself I’d like to air layer that and keep it like that. It’s on the extreme end of sparse and spartan. So quaint and woodsy.

It would all hinge on needle reduction in bonsai. Possibly very tiny pot? Possibly go for a second flush even if it’s technically single flush.
I think it's technically not a single flusher...
They can definitely push multiple flushes, the Xmas tree people take advantage of it.
I watched a couple crappy videos on how they do it, but they weren't detailed.
Gotta look again.
 

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
Messages
12,141
Reaction score
17,546
Location
Just South of the Mason Dixon
USDA Zone
6B
A new path ahead for this EwwwWP!

I can see roots circling on the surface...I'll put it in the ground this Autumn.

Today I cut off old 2 and 3 year old needles that remained after I removed the first branch this spring.
Then I decided wire it up....or down.
Some day when I dig it up, it'll have a major change of inclination when potted.
I'm thinking semi or full cascade.
I'm into the "crushed by ice and snow" look.
20190601_150050.jpg20190601_150130.jpg20190601_150149.jpg20190601_152651.jpg20190601_152701.jpg20190601_152715.jpg20190601_152730.jpg20190601_152749.jpg
Honestly, I'm still amazed that this tree ever survived, it was basically unpotted with no living roots, I just took a shot at it, and even though its an EwwwWP, its one of my favorite trees to own and watch grow.

Also take note of the needles from last year, there one tuft of them left, they're not that long!....maybe 2.5"....and that's with heavy feeding in a relatively large and deep pot.....not too shabby.
 

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
Messages
12,141
Reaction score
17,546
Location
Just South of the Mason Dixon
USDA Zone
6B
I've still never tried removing all the new growth, or decandling....but I'm tempted.
Maybe I'll try when its established in the ground after a bunch of years.

I'll have to figure out a good way to maintain green near the trunk, and also have sacrifice branch or 2.
 

Nybonsai12

Masterpiece
Messages
3,809
Reaction score
7,586
Location
NY
USDA Zone
7a
I'll have to figure out a good way to maintain green near the trunk, and also have sacrifice branch or 2.

It’s not easy with these. They don’t back bud reliably at all. I consider mine pretty happy and I’ve gotten it to back bud here and there but not nearly as much as I’d like. Oso has done really well with his tho.
 

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
Messages
12,141
Reaction score
17,546
Location
Just South of the Mason Dixon
USDA Zone
6B
It’s not easy with these. They don’t back bud reliably at all. I consider mine pretty happy and I’ve gotten it to back bud here and there but not nearly as much as I’d like. Oso has done really well with his tho.
This one threw 2 back buds on the trunk last year....
I'm gonna try some things, hopefully.
 

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
Messages
12,141
Reaction score
17,546
Location
Just South of the Mason Dixon
USDA Zone
6B
It’s not easy with these. They don’t back bud reliably at all. I consider mine pretty happy and I’ve gotten it to back bud here and there but not nearly as much as I’d like. Oso has done really well with his tho.
How do you fertilize exactly?

@0soyoung you too?
Any fertilizing tips?

I just give it strong doses of Alaska Fish and strong doses of Jack's 20-20-20....plus occasionally doses of MiracleGro Acid Lovers Fert.
I usually do 2 weeks of blue and one of brown, sometimes I throw in the brown on a Wednesday just to overdo it.
 

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
Messages
12,141
Reaction score
17,546
Location
Just South of the Mason Dixon
USDA Zone
6B
View attachment 245255
Overworked mine last Fall. Got one dwarf EWP left. You can have it for $70 LOL
Bought them '07-'08 for $50 ea
I saw a $90dwarf called Blue Shag, I think....at Lowe's.....was too expensive for me that day, but I regretted not taking it home.
 

Japonicus

Masterpiece
Messages
4,863
Reaction score
7,413
Location
Western West Virginia AHS heat zone 6
USDA Zone
6b
I saw a $90dwarf called Blue Shag, I think....at Lowe's.....was too expensive for me that day, but I regretted not taking it home.
I'd go for a blue shag repotted on a blue moon playing the best of the Blues. Blue's cool.
The ones I have are on their own roots best I can tell, even in older pics. It's the one that died that looks grafted
where I left the nursery tag on it in ground too long. Grew nice and thick compared though.
 

Nybonsai12

Masterpiece
Messages
3,809
Reaction score
7,586
Location
NY
USDA Zone
7a
How do you fertilize exactly?

@0soyoung you too?
Any fertilizing tips?

I just give it strong doses of Alaska Fish and strong doses of Jack's 20-20-20....plus occasionally doses of MiracleGro Acid Lovers Fert.
I usually do 2 weeks of blue and one of brown, sometimes I throw in the brown on a Wednesday just to overdo it.

I usually do organic 5-4-4 in tea bags spring thru fall with neptunes fish/seaweed once every 1-2 weeks when I remember.
 
Top Bottom