I am a bit confused here. The "Western White Pine", (Pinus monticola), is the State tree of Idaho that is a 5 needle pine and grows in my area and I have collected several. They typically have pretty long needles and I don't have a clue how they work for bonsai, but their bark looks good. Pinus strobiformis is more commonly called the Southwestern White Pine.
Mountain Meadows Nursery - why are you not visiting yet?
- Thread starter Bonsai Nut
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I am a bit confused here. The "Western White Pine", (Pinus monticola), is the State tree of Idaho that is a 5 needle pine and grows in my area and I have collected several. They typically have pretty long needles and I don't have a clue how they work for bonsai, but their bark looks good. Pinus strobiformis is more commonly called the Southwestern White Pine.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Yes common names can be confusing. I remember at one point researching all five needle pines that were native to the west/southwest region because I wanted to find a native five needle pine I could keep in SoCal. Suffice it to say I could not find one that didn't require more cold than what I was able to provide. I had a couple P. aristata that broke my heart. First year they were super strong... next year they were weaker... and then they just started to die back until they kicked the bucket. I gave them as much care and attention as I could... but I couldn't provide the cold.
Did you try a refer? I've heard that works well!
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Refer?
Refrigerator
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
LOL no... although there was a rumored greenhouse up by Big Bear (in the mountains) where you could supposedly overwinter cold hardy trees. I heard about it via bonsai folks, but could never confirm.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Think dwarf Japanese white pine that back-buds like mad. That is P. aristata.
However they are slow growers for sure...
Jluke33
Mame
This is awesome! I'll be up that way in early november. Will definitely check it out!
SouthernMaple
Chumono
We went by there yesterday with my bonsai club, we had a group of 10 people and were all masked up. The nursery had a lot of good deals, most trees were under $100, but there were also some more and they were exceptional. He had a good amount of trees that were for bonsai people that had good nebaris and great movement. I wasn't going to get a tree but ended up going with a mugo pine
Jcmmaple
Chumono
@SouthernMaple thats a nice mugo, I would like to get up there soon. Are you in the blue ridge club?
Paradox
Imperial Masterpiece
It looks really awesome. Unfortunately its a bit far for a visit for me.
micahmcgrath
Yamadori
Great nursery! I had a chance to visit Michael this past Friday. He was very accommodating and has a great selection. I was out in the area on my honeymoon, and my wonderful wife made a point to head out there while we were in the area. Picked up a hardy banana tree for her and a selection of really interesting hardy orange trees and micro boxwoods for myself. I had never seen a deciduous citrus tree before and Michael told me all about them...super interesting.. Certainly worth the visit!
Congrats on your marriage! I keep a couple of citrus trees inside for the winter, didn't know there was such a thing as a deciduous citrus tree. I'm only 30 or so miles from St. Louis.
micahmcgrath
Yamadori
Thanks! I didn't either.. but the fall color on these is incredible and they do flower and fruit! Poncirus trifoliata. I'll attached pictures of the two I got.Congrats on your marriage! I keep a couple of citrus trees inside for the winter, didn't know there was such a thing as a deciduous citrus tree. I'monly 30 or so miles from St. Louis.
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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I like Poncirus trifoliata, it should be hardy in the ground in the Saint Louis area, in a pot it would need only a little protection.
Sadly the fruit of Poncirus is not really edible. It's juice might be used as an 'ade, like lemonade, but has a bitterness to it that lemons do not have. Lemons are tart, but not bitter. Imagine the bitterness of grapefruit rind, amplified many times. Hybrids with Poncirus are often called "ichang" citrus, and these the juice does make acceptable drinks. Still the fruit is not really edible. Hybrids that are only one quarter Poncirus do have fruit that is edible.
But the flowers have all the charm and fragrance of a lemon tree.
Sadly the fruit of Poncirus is not really edible. It's juice might be used as an 'ade, like lemonade, but has a bitterness to it that lemons do not have. Lemons are tart, but not bitter. Imagine the bitterness of grapefruit rind, amplified many times. Hybrids with Poncirus are often called "ichang" citrus, and these the juice does make acceptable drinks. Still the fruit is not really edible. Hybrids that are only one quarter Poncirus do have fruit that is edible.
But the flowers have all the charm and fragrance of a lemon tree.
micahmcgrath
Yamadori
Very interesting, thanks! I have a little cold-house that I'll keep them in and I'm sure they'll be okay. Michael at the nursery mentioned using the skin for teas and seasonings, but we'll see how much fruit I get, if any. "Flying dragon" seems like a gnarly cultivar to work with too. No need for wire besides here and there. A bonus, as the thorns are pretty gruesome. I think it will be an oddity in the garden with some welcome seasonal accessories
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Did you mention that you knew me and ask for the "bonsainut 10% discount"?
JoeR
Masterpiece
Hardy banana? Do they not all die to the ground after frost?
SouthernMaple
Chumono
I thought it was 20%Did you mention that you knew me and ask for the "bonsainut 10% discount"?
