Japanese Black Pine In The Philippines

I have always been addicted to the beauty of Japanese bonsai. Unfortunately, most of the best Japanese bonsai I see in the internet are trees that are not available here in the Philippines.  I investigated to find out why and learned that it is because Philippines is in a region that provides weather or climate conditions that are not suitable for trees such as maple and pine trees.  Havinf that in mind, I kept on reading and researching just to become confused again.  As I search on about tropical countries’s ability to sustain the life of Pines and or Maples, I found that there are successful growers in Indonesia and Malaysia. One thing that really marked in the course of my inquiry is a response from an Indonesian Bonsai artist.  He posted a grown maple in FB. It was taller than him, and he is obviously from Indonesia. I messaged him and asked how he did it  considering that we are in a tropical country and he simply said “God made them grow”.  Well, I thought that that a good start. If he can, why can’t I?

Long before I researched on weather Pines will grow in my place, I have already ordered some seeds from eBay.  I received it after more than a month. It was well sealed.  After about a week when my tools for planting are ready, I planted it. 

In less than 3 weeks shoots started to appear. and they kept on coming emerging from the ground. Little pine needles are soft and fragile.  I had to be very gentle in handling the pot in order not to shake them.  Just a simple shake could cause the seedling to lose its stand from the ground as its roots have not established yet.  Any major movements could disturb the delicate root hairs that may lead to the little plant’s immediate death.

Of the 30 seeds I sown here, these are just the few that came to life.  They hopefully live longer and soon join my bonsai collection.

See you again on my update on these seedlings.