Norfolk pine

[Cajunrider]

I just picked up a free Norfolk pine. My growing zone is borderline for it. I'm mulling over what to do. I'm thinking about putting it in the ground on the south side of my house but wonder if it may die in the winter because they are supposed to be for 10+ grow zones. My area has a few days a year with freezing temperature.

I just didn't want to see it tossed into the trash bin.

 

[Carol 83]

I have a couple Christmas leftover Norfolk Pines, just because they were like $1.50. Here in the armpit of the weather world, they have to be inside for the winter. I keep one in a southern window at work, all year long. It does fine, but they're just little guys.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I believe you can grow norfolk pine outdoors in Louisiana, you are on the water, near the Gulf. Norfolk pine are hardy to about +10 F, They should be okay.

Better to use them as landscape trees, they do not respond well to bonsai pruning techniques. If you do put it in a bonsai pot, just keep it root bound to keep it growing slow, and it will look like it does for a long time.

 

[Cajunrider]

I believe you can grow norfolk pine outdoors in Louisiana, you are on the water, near the Gulf. Norfolk pine are hardy to about +10 F, They should be okay.

Better to use them as landscape trees, they do not respond well to bonsai pruning techniques. If you do put it in a bonsai pot, just keep it root bound to keep it growing slow, and it will look like it does for a long time.

I am going to use it as landscape tree for sure.

 

[Cajunrider]

I believe you can grow norfolk pine outdoors in Louisiana, you are on the water, near the Gulf. Norfolk pine are hardy to about +10 F, They should be okay.

Better to use them as landscape trees, they do not respond well to bonsai pruning techniques. If you do put it in a bonsai pot, just keep it root bound to keep it growing slow, and it will look like it does for a long time.

I've read everywhere that Norfolk pines are only hardy to 35 deg F. Are you sure they are hardy to 10 F? If so I'll stick them in the ground. My house sticks out on an empty lake bank with no where to hide from the wind. I am not sure that Norfolk pines can survive where I am. I was thinking about keeping it in a pot as it is now and be a house plant.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I've read everywhere that Norfolk pines are only hardy to 35 deg F. Are you sure they are hardy to 10 F? If so I'll stick them in the ground. My house sticks out on an empty lake bank with no where to hide from the wind. I am not sure that Norfolk pines can survive where I am. I was thinking about keeping it in a pot as it is now and be a house plant.

You know, I'm from Chicago, ignore my advice on Norfolk pines, because I've never had one I left outside survive.
I do know they don't respond to pruning the way you might expect, which means as bonsai they are not a good choice. They do make attractive house plants.

 

[Coppersdad]

I've read everywhere that Norfolk pines are only hardy to 35 deg F. Are you sure they are hardy to 10 F? If so I'll stick them in the ground. My house sticks out on an empty lake bank with no where to hide from the wind. I am not sure that Norfolk pines can survive where I am. I was thinking about keeping it in a pot as it is now and be a house plant.

I've had a double trunk specimen in a pot for three years. It's indoors now and will stay here until the temperature averages 50F. Then it will go out with the others on the bench. It was a rescue too. I just couldn't pass up a free tree.
It grows year round and loves to be misted. It grows so slow, I really don't expect much. I guess it has sort of become a mascot. I do fear it would not survive in the ground here.
I think, if I did try anything with it, I might acquire a few more and try a penjing, maybe a small setting on a gravel beach.
Has anyone had success with the species as a bonsai? Would love to see some pictures. Thanks!

 

[Cajunrider]

I've had a double trunk specimen in a pot for three years. It's indoors now and will stay here until the temperature averages 50F. Then it will go out with the others on the bench. It was a rescue too. I just couldn't pass up a free tree.
It grows year round and loves to be misted. It grows so slow, I really don't expect much. I guess it has sort of become a mascot. I do fear it would not survive in the ground here.
I think, if I did try anything with it, I might acquire a few more and try a penjing, maybe a small setting on a gravel beach.
Has anyone had success with the species as a bonsai? Would love to see some pictures. Thanks!

From what I've been told, they don't behave well as bonsai. A friend of mine tried and it wanted to be clip and grow. Training a new apex by wire failed several times he said. Mine will be kept as a house plant. I need to focus my energy and time on better stuff.

 

[Forsoothe!]

I had one when I first got into bonsai when I new nothing about nothing. But it was big, 4 feet or so and I beat myself to death doing everything under the sun which only made it uglier and uglier. I still get tempted every Christmas when they go on sale, but resist. They are the epitome of leggy. Shaggy dogs...

 

[Coppersdad]

You know, I'm from Chicago, ignore my advice on Norfolk pines, because I've never had one I left outside survive.
I do know they don't respond to pruning the way you might expect, which means as bonsai they are not a good choice. They do make attractive house plants.

Leo, are you saying there's no room in that greenhouse I know you must have for one or two poor little tropical trees? Sure, they may be impossible to make into bonsai but they can be pretty.

 

[JoeH]

I am going to use it as landscape tree for sure.

don't put it near the house, they are brittle and tend to break in hurricanes or storms. Very fast growing too.

 

[Forsoothe!]

Leo, are you saying there's no room in that greenhouse I know you must have for one or two poor little tropical trees? Sure, they may be impossible to make into bonsai but they can be pretty.

"We have met the enemy, and he is us." Pogo, 1971

 

[Cajunrider]

don't put it near the house, they are brittle and tend to break in hurricanes or storms. Very fast growing too.

They will remain in a pot. I'm keeping them small.

 

[JoeH]

They will remain in a pot. I'm keeping them small.

ok, you said in the landscape so I figured that meant planting. I had two huge ones and one had 20 feet come out of the top during Irma and just missed the house so they met mister chainsaw last year.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

 

[ysrgrathe]

22 years in this pot. Maybe as big as a pencil? (Grown in low light though)

 

[Cajunrider]

They will remain in a pot. I'm keeping them small.

I got tired of taking care of trees that I don't intend to turn into bonsai in pot. It is planted in the ground about 75 ft from the house. It is thriving on absolute neglect!

 

[Cajunrider]

It survived the winter without protection or care. I think it will green back up when the weather gets warmer.

 

[Forsoothe!]

Yeah, looks like a million dollars. In ones.