Pieris Japonica "Mountain Fire" from HD

[sbarnhardt]

I have a great daughter who wanted to get me something bonsai related for Father's Day. So, she got me a gift card from Home Depot. Don't know about you guys, but any day you can go to HD spending somebody else's money is a good day.

So along with some makings for a turntable, I found this little Pieris Japonica "Mountain Fire" in the garden section. It has some, at least to my inexperienced eyes, some interesting trunk movement even though it is small. I post a couple of pics here. We'll see how things turn out.

P.S. I've named it after her!!

 

[sbarnhardt]

Could be just me, but I've not been able to find much of anything about this particular pieris japonica variety as bonsai. While that may be because it's not a good choice, that doesn't preclude me looking and trying. So, if any of you folks have any first hand experience with pieris japonica mountain fire I'd appreciate hearing from you. If you know of anyone else who has, or know of pertinent information in this regard that's available, again I'd appreciate hearing from you. I'm trying to formulate a plan of attack and don't want to "just do" things.

 

[0soyoung]

I've got a pieris in a bonsai pot which started as an air layering experiment. We've also got a couple mame sized that started as seedlings from the yard. The seedlings have small leaves that have been kept that way by religously cutting down shoots. The air layer seems to be much the same in that it quickly just becomes a lanky, large leafed landscape plant in a pot if it isn't agressively pruned.

All in all, trying to grow them as bonsai is fun and educational, but not rewarding in the sense that a Japanese maple or a pine would be. I recommend growing some from seed indoors in little mame pots (the size commonly used for kusamono today) - they could even be nice as a bonsai display accompanyment.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I believe Dav4 is a veterinary. He had warned me this is a highly toxic plant to dogs. Seeing your dog in your avatar photo. Just a heads up to be watchful where you keep this plant. I myself love these in bloom. So pretty! My niece had one...she sadly killed. But I was fortunate to see it while in bloom. Just amazingly beautiful!

I have an Aussie that is getting better...but has been known to nip at leaves and weeds. So I am extremely hesitant of making a purchase myself. But...wish you the best of luck with yours.

 

[sbarnhardt]

I believe Dav4 is a veterinary. He had warned me this is a highly toxic plant to dogs. Seeing your dog in your avatar photo. Just a heads up to be watchful where you keep this plant. I myself love these in bloom. So pretty! My niece had one...she sadly killed. But I was fortunate to see it while in bloom. Just amazingly beautiful!

I have an Aussie that is getting better...but has been known to nip at leaves and weeds. So I am extremely hesitant of making a purchase myself. But...wish you the best of luck with yours.

Thanks Darlene!!

Luckily, the big man-eater in my avatar isn't one to chew on plants. But even if he were, this one is outside and sitting on the top shelf of a unit I built to sit small pots, etc. on.

Now, if that plant had chicken, bacon, pork chop, or peanut butter on it, all bets would be off!!

 

[Cadillactaste]

Glad to hear that! Just thought it note worthy. Make sure to share photos of it in bloom please.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Any updates? My Aussie has outgrown for the most part weed eating. She won't go near any pots I tend. So...with that I am also looking for the variety you picked up I believe. They are to be the best in show when it comes to new growth and the red foliage. The contrast of the new foliage and the white blooms...