Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire'

[just.wing.it]

I also tried an air layer on the second plant which failed miserably.

 

[cbroad]

Pieris can be a troublesome plant in my area... They don't like full sun, can be prone to fungal issues, they need WELL draining soil and they seem to get phytophthora easily. I don't think I've ever seen a nice looking specimen in the landscape in my area...

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

For what it's worth. Pieris have a compound leaf, Photina does not. The two genera are not the same. Totally different in growth habit.

I've seen photos of a larger bonsai Pieris, it looked convincing. Worth a try.

 

[just.wing.it]

For what it's worth. Pieris have a compound leaf, Photina does not. The two genera are not the same. Totally different in growth habit.

I've seen photos of a larger bonsai Pieris, it looked convincing. Worth a try.

When I had no clue about it, I thought that the photinia I was seeing, used as commercial hedging, was just a larger, more developed version of what I had.
Only because the new growth being red.
After I finally saw a photinia up close, not just driving by, it was clear... they're much different.
I wouldn't bother with photinia.
I'm very sad that my pieris died, and my attempt at an air layer on the second plant failed.
Probably just gonna leave it alone.

 

[Melospiza]

For what it's worth. Pieris have a compound leaf, Photina does not. The two genera are not the same. Totally different in growth habit.

I've seen photos of a larger bonsai Pieris, it looked convincing. Worth a try.

Pieris definitely do not have compound leaves, but otherwise I agree with you. New leaves are bunched at the tip of the shoot making them look palmately compound, but they are not. Some US-native azaleas do this too.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Pieris definitely do not have compound leaves, but otherwise I agree with you. New leaves are bunched at the tip of the shoot making them look palmately compound, but they are not. Some US-native azaleas do this too.

Ah, my error. I will have to look close next time I handle a Pieris, at the time I had one, a few years ago, I never looked at it in fine detail. It did seem to be compound, but considering their genetic relationship to Kalmia, Rhododendron and such, compound leaf is not the norm. You must be right.

 

[GailC]

My Pieris died, didn't make it through last winter. I don't know if it was the cold or the very wet area I stored it. I may get another next spring and try again.

 

[0soyoung]

My Pieris died, didn't make it through last winter. I don't know if it was the cold or the very wet area I stored it. I may get another next spring and try again.

They can be kept as a tropical plant --> indoors in a brightly lit window, over winter or year round.