Description
Pinus parviflora (Japanese White Pine) Seeds
Zones: 4 to 7.
Native to Japan.
The Japanese White pine is a an attractive evergreen conifer with a dense pyramidal form when young, but developing more open branching and a flatter top in mature trees. It has bluish-green needles up to 3 inches (7 cm) long in bundles of five. Cones are oval shaped, reddish-brown, thick, leathery in texture and 2-4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long. Bark is greyish and develops a scaly platy texture on mature trees.
Since the Japanese White pine is a dense, slow-growing evergreen with a smaller stature it is an excellent ornamental planting for smaller landscapes. Its irregular silhouette makes it very popular as a bonsai specimen in Japan and sought after by bonsai enthusiasts around the world.
The Japanese White pine does best in moist well-drained soils and prefers a site with full sun.
Size: Height 25 to 50 ft; Width 25 to 50 ft.
Germination Instructions
Scarification: Scarify the seeds by lightly sanding or filing them and placing them in water to soak for 24-48 hours before beginning stratification.
Stratification: Seed requires 60 days warm moist stratification followed by 90 days cold moist stratification at 3° C (37° F) to 5° C (41° F).
- Soak seeds in water for 24-48 hours.
- Place seeds in sandwich bag(s) with a bit of damp sand or vermiculite to keep moist.
- Keep at room temperature for about 60 days. Occasionally lightly spray water to keep seeds and sand moist.
- Place the bag(s) with seeds in refrigerator for about 90 days.
- After the required time take the seeds out of the refrigerator and sow the seeds in pots 1/4 inch deep and cover lightly. Water gently so as not to wash away the seeds. Keep soil moist but not wet.
