purple pines?

remraf

Seedling
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Hello
I grew JBP again this year and they were doing
great until cold weather,suddenly turning purple.!!
Can anyone help? Should I give shelter right away?
THANKS
 

Graydon

Chumono
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I'm no expert with pines and cold weather but I have seen younger JBP turn a bit of a purple color in the needles even here in Florida last winter. I would not be concerned. Did you start them from seed? How old are they?
 

remraf

Seedling
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yes,I started from seed, One year old.
Two years ago grew twenty or so,lost all but
one-wrong soil. This time changed soil and most have
large buds and anywhere from 4 to 6" tall. It really
surprised me how different some grew.
When I saw how purple I was concerned.zone 5
 
Last edited:

Brent

Mame
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Remraf

The purple color is normal, as Graydon says. This is simply a reaction to cold or freezing weather. However, in your zone, I would give them some winter protection, zone 5 may be too cold for exposed roots on young plants. DO NOT KEEP THEM INDOORS. If you have an unheated garage or sheltered location where you can mulch them to keep them above about 15F, it would be wise to do so. As long as the temperature stays below 40F most of the time, they won't need light, so don't worry about that. There are many ways to accomplish this. There is an article on my website about overwintering schemes:

http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/overwint.htm

Brent
EvergreenGardenworks.com
see our blog at http://BonsaiNurseryman.typepad.com
 

remraf

Seedling
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excellant THANK YOU
 

Vance Wood

Lord Mugo
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Remraf

The purple color is normal, as Graydon says. This is simply a reaction to cold or freezing weather. However, in your zone, I would give them some winter protection, zone 5 may be too cold for exposed roots on young plants. DO NOT KEEP THEM INDOORS. If you have an unheated garage or sheltered location where you can mulch them to keep them above about 15F, it would be wise to do so. As long as the temperature stays below 40F most of the time, they won't need light, so don't worry about that. There are many ways to accomplish this. There is an article on my website about overwintering schemes:

http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/overwint.htm

Brent
EvergreenGardenworks.com
see our blog at http://BonsaiNurseryman.typepad.com

I agree, JBP's do not do well in Zone 5 without winter protection. I used to work in the nursery trade many moons ago when JBP's were not uncommon in the nurseries around here. However, once the Austrian Black Pine became more available the nursery chain I worked for stoped stocking the JBP (because they return on them was so high) and replaced them with the Austrian/European strains.
 

Bill S

Masterpiece
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I have seen these JBP's go both ways here in Mass, zone 5. We have a couple of members who have them planted right out(one along side a driveway), we also use cold frames for most trees, including azaleas which don't do well below freezing, and they do well, but we are also now called zone 5B here now, where you are could be 5A, which would be at least a bit nastier. If you are 5A I would suggest mulching over, in an unheated garage, or shed, as Brents artcles no doubt talk about.

remraf definately take in Brents articles, he has some real good stuff at his site, he's also one of our best sources for info, and stock.

Good Luck - I have pm'd by the way.
 
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