Need advice on raising trees

[CaptainChewbacca]

I'm growing a pair of bristlecone pine saplings, and I need to find a source of info on how to care for them. I managed to germinate them from seeds and I've got them on a fertilizer that's low on nitrates and high on phosphates, but I need more advice. I'd appreciate any help given on the care of my buddies.

[The Third Man]

I'm not familiar with the species in question, but I've grown other saplings. I'd advise using the biggest pot possible, feeding quite heavily during growing seasons, and keeping a careful eye on their water consumption - trees (dependent on species) can transpire an impressive amount of water and can get dry surprisingly quickly. Try to keep soil PH reasonably appropriate to the species too.

[CaptainChewbacca]

Well, the thing is Bristlecone Pines can thrive on a half-inch of water per-year. I also don't know what "appropriate PH" is for them.

[Agent R]

Bristlecones, eh? Very .

In terms of pH, bristlecones can tolerate levels into the alkaline range, but the site I got this from doesn't specify what the exact tolerance levels are. (The bristlecone entry is a little less than 2/3 of the way down the page.)

Bristlecones are born survivors, but they don't seem to tolerate urban pollution very well, according to this site.

This site contains information on how they grow in the wild, maybe it'll help you get them to grow wherever you're growing them.

Good luck with your little buddies.

[Jaepheth]

I took a single Horticulture class, which of course makes me an expert in this field. You ALWAYS want to use mulch.

[CaptainChewbacca]

Thanks for the links, that helps some. Funny note: I've been reading about bristlecones and how the oldest is about 4600 years old. BUT, there was an older one that was 4900 years old, which got cut down by a geography grad student doing a survey in the 70's. How'd you like to have THAT guy's footnote in history? "Killed the oldest thing on earth!"