After reading a bit about them, it seems they have a tendency to form a J-shaped crook near the bottom as a seedling. This one definitely has the crook. I also read that they have some axillary buds down by the crook that are ready to spring into action if the top section is burnt or severed. That could be useful.
I may order seeds and get them planted quick. I'm still on a learning curve with my other little pines
I read you live in Illinois? There should be a nursery of some kind around you and you should be able to find Mugo Pine at least. I realize that many of the trees you see discussed around here are not you standard nursery fare except in the area of very large landscape plants. Smaller Pines sadly are not much encountered except the Mugo and maybe some Dwarf Scots Pines. However those are legitimate species for bonsai.Non of the nursery's do much with pines around me. I will try to find a couple though see if I can figure them out.
Big box or major nursery chains are unlikely to find. My folks lived in Quincy for many years, both have passed, but there are nurseries there and around and the situation with Pines is pretty much as has been described, Mugos and Goliath Pines for the landscapes. There are not to many nurseries that offer JBP's or JRP's they are not too popular for landscapes and can be sensitive to severe winters.I'm about smack dab in the middle of IL just south of Peoria