Ponderosa Pine in Mid Atlantic States?

[penumbra]

I know a lot less about bonsai pines than deciduous trees so I am stymied here. Saw a Ponderosa pine that I really love. It would be over $500 so I want to here from others growing this pine in my general region. I would really appreciate your advice. The tree is well established and in a bonsai pot. It appears very healthy. Tree health in general is very recognizable for me. I have never spent that much money on a single plant before, so I am just a bit shy.

 

[shimbrypaku]

I have a few ponderosa pines in North NC, they seem to like it here.
I leave them on the bench year round, no special treatment, only time I place them on the ground was this year, 9 degree cold spell.

Thanks

 

[rockm]

I know a lot less about bonsai pines than deciduous trees so I am stymied here. Saw a Ponderosa pine that I really love. It would be over $500 so I want to here from others growing this pine in my general region. I would really appreciate your advice. The tree is well established and in a bonsai pot. It appears very healthy. Tree health in general is very recognizable for me. I have never spent that much money on a single plant before, so I am just a bit shy.

In my experience, ponderosa can be a little iffy around here. For instance, I have a friend who lost all of his ponderosa that he'd had for a decade to a fast moving fungus two summers ago (humidity isn't a friend to Ponderosa, BTW--although they have no trouble with no shelter in this area's winters). I have one (a double trunk), on the other hand, I've had for almost 20 years. Haven't done much with it. Got it from Andy Smith. It's lost one of trunks a while back, but the other one is going strong. If you're going to splurge on one, I'd get an initial inexpensive one from Andy and see how it goes for a couple of years.

Also if you get one, bet the most developed one you can. Trying to "build" one from a lesser trunk is a long hard slog. What you buy is pretty much what you will have in 25 years...

 

[shimbrypaku]

Agree on the fungus issue, I treat all my pines with Bondie infuse fungicide granules.

Thanks

​

 

[GGB]

I have heard mixed results from folks slightly North of you. Sounds like long term health can be a problem. for some.... sometimes... I personally avoid the species

 

[shimbrypaku]

My ponderosa were from Andy.
My oldest one is going on 7-8 years now. So that’s my only experience with them.

I treat them in September, late December and then again in March, same as my black pines.

Thanks

 

[penumbra]

Thank you everyone. Fungus was a concern for me considering its native range.
But I really like the tree. I'll have to think on it. Logic may be the best route.

 

[rockm]

Thank you everyone. Fungus was a concern for me considering its native range.
But I really like the tree. I'll have to think on it. Logic may be the best route.

I wouldn't pass a good one up. They're doable here, just takes some extra effort (like pre-emptive spraying as Shimbrypaku says) and a little equity know-how. A site that get full sun is essential as well. Shade is the enemy. They're pretty easy since they're so bendy. They're bent into shape, not pruned, so lots of wayward branching (even thick-ish) aren't an issue, as they can be wired into appropriate places.

 

[shimbrypaku]

I agree on the full sun comment, shade is the enemy of pines.
Thanks

 

[Dav4]

There are several very good pondies being grown in eastern TN. I believe altitude is your friend if you keep them east of the Mississippi. Routine preventative fungicides, lots of sun and ventilation, and an open, inorganic soil mix would be advisable.

 

[rockm]

There are a lot of VERY good pondies around the DMV, as well. There are some here that make special trips to Col., etc. to dig there own every couple of years. Ponderosa pine expert Larry Jackel, now bonsai specialist/curator of the Denver Botanical Gardens has been a pretty regular guest of clubs in the Potomac Bonsai Association...He has given classes on Ponderosa that have been well-attended. I think he's still making the club and venue rounds these days, including up at Nature's Way Bonsai in Pa., which is also a source for western collected trees, BTW.

That said, the species really takes some extra care to keep in these parts.

 

[TacomaBonsai95]

There is a subspecies of ponderosa native to puget sound... I have one from a nursery in washington and it does really well in wet conditions. Maybe this would be a good thing to look into.

 

[Vincent Tanner]

I wouldn't pass a good one up. They're doable here, just takes some extra effort (like pre-emptive spraying as Shimbrypaku says) and a little equity know-how. A site that get full sun is essential as well. Shade is the enemy. They're pretty easy since they're so bendy. They're bent into shape, not pruned, so lots of wayward branching (even thick-ish) aren't an issue, as they can be wired into appropriate places.

This is good info to read! I’m in Eastern CT, and I have a small Ponderosa Pine arriving from Andy Smith tomorrow. Thanks for this info!

 

[Vincent Tanner]

Agree on the fungus issue, I treat all my pines with Bondie infuse fungicide granules.

Thanks

​

I see that you treat in March, September, and December. Would you mind sharing any other details? I’m gonna pick up a bag of those Bondie Infuse Fungicide Granules for my Ponderosa. (Is this the one?) I’m curious how much and how you apply. The instructions seem to be for spreaders and per 1,000 sq ft.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[mj_barb]

@penumbra @Vincent Tanner I see you both have “Ponderosa Problems” threads after this. Do you regret buying them?

I was planning on getting one from Golden Arrow if he is at the National Show but I have no experience with them. I may get a cheaper one and see how it does for a few years.

 

[penumbra]

@penumbra @Vincent Tanner I see you both have “Ponderosa Problems” threads after this. Do you regret buying them?

I was planning on getting one from Golden Arrow if he is at the National Show but I have no experience with them. I may get a cheaper one and see how it does for a few years.

The one I bought is a bonsai close to show. I both love it and regret buying it. It has not pushed new growth at all since I bought it and two very small branches have died. I give it as much sun as I can but it just sits there. Presently it accounts for some stress in my bonsai world and I am regretting it. I have a couple of others in development that seem to be doing fine.

 

[rockm]

@penumbra @Vincent Tanner I see you both have “Ponderosa Problems” threads after this. Do you regret buying them?

I was planning on getting one from Golden Arrow if he is at the National Show but I have no experience with them. I may get a cheaper one and see how it does for a few years.

I've had a Ponderosa from Andy for over 15 years. It's pretty tough, BUT it was originally a two tree combination and the best tree died a couple of years ago. Ponderosa are not easy around here. They don't appreciate the humidity and wetter conditions.

I don't regret buying it, but I'm glad I didn't spend big bucks for it. I got it for $65 in one of Andy's burlap special sales (recently collected trees only a few months out of the field). If I were you, I wouldn't splurge on an expensive one. Get a cheaper one and see how it does and learn how to care for it.

As a rule of thumb, Western collected conifers don't do well east of the Mississippi. They can be very finicky. I know one person who had a number of Ponderosa for years and was very good with them--they had progressed to very nice bonsai over five or more years. Then, they lost almost all of them to a fast-moving fungus driven by a particularly soggy spring. Also the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum almost lost a pretty valuable collected California Juniper because of too much water. They changed over to a VERY free draining soil mix after that and nursed the tree back. Took a few years.

 

[Paradox]

The reasons above is why I have no interest in western trees that come from very dry, low humidity conditions. My climate is too wet and humid and I don't need another headache tree to take care of.

 

[Shogun610]

Ja , I got a Ponderosa from a burlap deal and it’s doing alright… I only water it once every 3-5 days depending if it rains or not .
I have Blue spruce , black hills in my own collection and they do well out here because they can still handle moisture since they’re spruces.. I have no RMJ but at the studio they have a lot of growth and seems to adapt well to 6B.. Ponderosa don’t seem to be as robust here though even though then limp on by.

 

[Vincent Tanner]

@penumbra @Vincent Tanner I see you both have “Ponderosa Problems” threads after this. Do you regret buying them?

I was planning on getting one from Golden Arrow if he is at the National Show but I have no experience with them. I may get a cheaper one and see how it does for a few years.

Mine is from Andy at Golden Arrow and it’s very strong and healthy here in Eastern CT. I’ve had it since February. If you read my thread, Andy reached out to me and explained the “problems” I was having were from vicious hail storms they had out West over the last two years. All the new growth is super strong and healthy.

I’ll make a progress thread for it when I do the first style or repot in a year or two.