i am the Chicago Botanic Gardens waiting for the Midwest Bonsai Society meeting to start. I am in their dwarf pine collection and there are four varieties of EWP. I am wondering if any one has tried these as Bonsai?
I have a minima.
The normal needle size is pretty good, approaching that of the short needle JWP.
It is tough to wire without breaking off new shoots.
It is a multiple flush pine, but treating it like a JBP doesn't work out well. On the other hand, like all p. strobus, one can prune back new growth anytime after it has hardened until early the next spring and it will readily pop fascicular buds. Had I figured this out sooner, mine wouldn't have gotten away from my like it has.
I like the soft, airy foliage that p. strobus has, but it is a very challenging species for standard bonsai forms. One must think way outside the box to create an interesting image. Stay away if you want and easy (sane ) bonsai. If you like to have humbling challenges around to control your ego, by all means get a p. strobus - 'minima' is a good variety.
That 'Horsford' seems to have the shortest needles, I'd love try one of those.
Yes, Rich's Foxwillow Farm might have them, brace yourself, he has not started a lot of young stock, so most of his trees for sale are in 3 gallon or larger pots. Have been growing out a decade or more, and are priced accordingly. But do go, he is planning to retire very soon. Actually nursery is for sale, if you want to get into the business.