Pinus montezumae - Montezuma Pine, Gardenbonsai

The Pinus montezumae or Montezuma Pine is an evergreen Needletree growing to 20m by 7m. It is hardy to zone 9. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen from January to February. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Thrives in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils. Established plants tolerate drought. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. A very variable tree. Most of the trees cultivated under this name in Britain are in fact P. rudis. A very vigorous tree, especially in girth, for its first 60 years but then rapidly declining in vigour and not usually living much longer. It is often cultivated for its wood in warm temperate zones. The cones open and shed their seed whilst still attached to the tree. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus. Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby reducing the amount of plants that can grow beneath the tree. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.  

Height: 280 cm
Container: Ø 120 cm, height: 55 cm