Your Larch variety and why

I've been looking into and considering some Larch trees but I'm curious to know which larch you all have and why you have that specific variety (as opposed to some other larch variety)?

I only have American Eastern Larch, mostly because it grows naturally here and if you go North you can dig them up off the side of the roads out of the ditches. Of course it may well be the best of the Larch Species for bonsai.

Bilbo what State do you live in ? or what Country...?
I use American Larch, indigenous to Michigan, my state of Residence...
They are plentiful and cheap to buy from bonsai shop vendors...
They come in all sizes, are straight trunked and foliage plentiful...
I make Forest, Grouping, Penjing, Saikei Settings from them...
They are very healthy, easy to Grow & Maintain, 2 1/2" minimum tray height or depth...

This is a partially filled tray of American Larch, 18"W x 14"H x 2"H tray, I have since added another 12 Am Larch to this setting but no Pics...It is a Work in progress.....

not sure, but larch might be hard in texas... ?

kevin stoeveken wrote:not sure, but larch might be hard in texas... ?

Good question.

I could post pictures of mine, or others from Michigan, Texas, Japan or the French Alps, but apart from showing off, I wouldn't answer your question "bilbo": if all larch species could grow anywhere, that would make sense, but that's not the case.

Larch are not like people: people can live and prosper anywhere, even in harsh conditions. Seeds are like water, they laugh at walls.

Trees are split in different subspecies because they have adapted on the local environment, contray to people it doesn't take a few yeas, it takes thousands of years.

As Kevin wrote, "larch might be hard in texas...".

Here, in a cooler, rainier climate, the Larch (Larix decidua) that grow in the mountains (the Alps) are very (very) difficult to keep healthy. Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) fares a bit better, but Dunkeld larch (Larix x eurolepis) is the most suitable to my local climate whime people some 300 miles away can have beautiful Larix decidua.

So posting images of larch growing in Michigan when someone from Texas asks for advice is totally irrelevant:

Distance from Texas to Michigan is 1,852 kilometers. This air travel distance is equal to 1,151 miles.

And it's not only a question of distance, it's a matter of environment.

"... you can dig them up off the side of the roads out of the ditches." <LOL>

Why don't you try and grow local species? It would save you a lot of hassle.

Bolero wrote:Bilbo what State do you live in ? or what Country...?
I use American Larch, indigenous to Michigan, my state of Residence...
They are plentiful and cheap to buy from bonsai shop vendors...
They come in all sizes, are straight trunked and foliage plentiful...
I make Forest, Grouping, Penjing, Saikei Settings from them...
They are very healthy, easy to Grow & Maintain, 2 1/2" minimum tray height or depth...

This is a partially filled tray of American Larch, 18"W x 14"H x 2"H tray, I have since added another 12 Am Larch to this setting but no Pics...It is a Work in progress.....

I'm in Irving, Texas (a suburb of Dallas).
Larch does not grow wild here and I haven't seen any in yards.
So, if I'm to have any, I'll have to purchase.

Nice grouping there.

kevin stoeveken wrote:not sure, but larch might be hard in texas... ?

To me, that's like throwing down a gauntlet, but you may have already suspected that to be the case...

What do you think, too hot? Too much sun? Both?

AlainK wrote:

kevin stoeveken wrote:not sure, but larch might be hard in texas... ?

Good question.

I could post pictures of mine, or others from Michigan, Texas, Japan or the French Alps, but apart from showing off, I wouldn't answer your question "bilbo": if all larch species could grow anywhere, that would make sense, but that's not the case.

Larch are not like people: people can live and prosper anywhere, even in harsh conditions. Seeds are like water, they laugh at walls.

Trees are split in different subspecies because they have adapted on the local environment, contray to people it doesn't take a few yeas, it takes thousands of years.

As Kevin wrote, "larch might be hard in texas...".

Here, in a cooler, rainier climate, the Larch (Larix decidua) that grow in the mountains (the Alps) are very (very) difficult to keep healthy. Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) fares a bit better, but Dunkeld larch (Larix x eurolepis) is the most suitable to my local climate whime people some 300 miles away can have beautiful Larix decidua.

So posting images of larch growing in Michigan when someone from Texas asks for advice is totally irrelevant:

Distance from Texas to Michigan is 1,852 kilometers. This air travel distance is equal to 1,151 miles.

And it's not only a question of distance, it's a matter of environment.

"... you can dig them up off the side of the roads out of the ditches." <LOL>

Why don't you try and grow local species? It would save you a lot of hassle.

Local varieties do not appeal to me, not even in the slightest.
To me, mesquite is a pure D nightmare. Around here it is considered a weed by most and only kept some places as a source of income by selling it for smokers.
When it comes to natural trees, in Texas, it's pretty It's pretty basic and uninteresting (to me anyway).

Bilbo, Gardening is Universal and not Rocket Science...American Larch should do well in Texas, just adhere to common sense gardening principles, Keep them outdoor in partial Sun/Shade, Water them frequently, like every day in Summer or in Temps above 80F, never let the Roots dry out...Fertilize April thru November, Miracle Gro....
There is nothing in Texas that will prevent them from growing....You are their Gardener.

American larch or Tamarack probably won't live long inTexas. They need a cold dormancy period. Frozen cold. They also love full sun. But not hot roots.
Alain. I do dig them up from the side of the road here. Vance was not kidding.