In a message dated 3/8/2004 2:25:21 PM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

I've reviewed Dirr, and all the bonsai books
with decent species guides, but nothing tells me how well
Pieris
buds back from a drastic trunk chop.

Jim:

I spent a few years working with Pieris. Bottom line: The
illusion is acceptable; it tolerate root pruning well; if you
trunk chop, be certain to do it when the temperatures are
sufficient to push growth. You will need to keep it in full sun
at that time and Superfeed. Be certain to leave leaders or
sacrifice branches to ensure sapflow.

The bark can be attractive, but I do not believe Pieris is on
the top of my bonsai species list--unlike Japanese White
Pine. );-))

Michael:

Which one did you work with? This specimen has 1/5 inch long 1/4
inch wide leaves, which is much better than the 3-inch leaves of
other Pieris cultivars at the nursery. Dirr says 'Pygmaea'
leaves are 1/2" to 1" long. The nursery had this one growing in
the shade, which may be why leaves are a bit larger.

It was the need to leave leaders that I was wondering about.
This one has 3 trunks about the size of a broomstick; the one I'd
like to cut would be leafless if I cut where I want.

Maybe I have to do it in stages over a few years????

I've seen pictures (in BT, I think, but I've lost my index of BT
galleries) of some very nice Pieris bonsai.

Thanks, Michael.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Only where
people have learned to appreciate and cherish the landscape and
its living cover will they treat it with the care and respect it
should have - Paul Bigelow Sears.

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Ken Rutledge++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++