What pine is easiest for a newbie?

That question might be an oxymoron but my wife, after going to a bonsai show with me this weekend, insisted that I must have a pine. I warned her that it will be very slow and difficult but she retorted if I am not up to the challenge. With blessings to spend the money for a new tree, who am I to argue? LOL

She really like JBP but I want to ask first before I invest on one. Also, please note that I am in zone 8b (Texas) and not sure which variety can handle the heat best.

Any advise will be much appreciated. Thanks!!!

hi Dario

well trained my man

Black pines are the easiest in my opinion - they are a warm loving tree, grow best when dry and are so easy to prune - i'm in 9b and have to work hard with white pines but blacks are both easy and rewarding - if you want to increase a branch or trunk just let the candle grow. If its big enough totally cut off the first candle and new small ones form the same year plus back buds - it really is that easy. You can prune quite hard and they bud too - it is a pine that thinks it is a deciduous tree

the good thing about a black pine is the methods are proven, documented and the results are fairly certain - there are many native pines but lots are poor bonsai subjects or not yet fully understood.

Start some bp seeds too - very cheap, very rewarding, and they aren't slow growing either.

cheers Marcus

From Florida, I agree with Marcus.

Stay away from 5 needle or white pines- you're way to hot. Pinyon or some other natives may work but I'd agree with Marcus and Bill and would suggest a JBP. They'll do well in your climate, are readily available in all phases of development,and are one of the classic bonsai materials.

Thanks guys. I will be hunting for JBP then.

I really appreciate the help and I am glad it is in line with what my wife wants.

Bob, interesting comment about Pinyon pine...I will check the (deep south TX) nurseries when we go visit for those if they have any.

a cheap one - maybe practise on some nursery material

paulf wrote:a cheap one - maybe practise on some nursery material

I like cheap! LOL...but I also value my time so I will most likely try to get a bigger, middle of the road, rough material with "potential".