parhamr
Omono
Here’s a ‘Slowmound Dwarf’ mugo I’ve been working on for 7 years. I wish I had more to show, but this is charged with energy and about to push on some interior buds.
I boarded the Mugo train last December when I came across this little Pumillo at a local nursery and couldn't pass up the trunk for the price. It could be a beautiful little tree, shohin even. But, I fear I'm headed for a train wreck in zone 10b. You don't see Mugos anywhere in the landscaping here--so I don't think they survive long term without dormancy. Really, the local nursery shouldn't have been selling them, but people like cute little pines at Christmas. I mean, I knew they didn't survive here and I still bought one like a sucker! 
As much as I love this guy, I'd rather see him survive long term. I'm gonna attempt some root work this summer to fix the circling nebari (since hot weather seems to be when you can work Mugos hard, yes?). If it survives that operation, I'll probably see if someone in Nor Cal would like to trade for a JBP that I know will survive here. I'd trade out of state, but I don't want to hassle with Ag Restrictions.
As much as I love this guy, I'd rather see him survive long term. I'm gonna attempt some root work this summer to fix the circling nebari (since hot weather seems to be when you can work Mugos hard, yes?). If it survives that operation, I'll probably see if someone in Nor Cal would like to trade for a JBP that I know will survive here. I'd trade out of state, but I don't want to hassle with Ag Restrictions.
Attachments
Japonicus
Imperial Masterpiece
My 4 mugo trees soon to open up. All being treated for needle cast.
The 2nd one I love how short the needles are but struggling to find a fix for the structure and inverse taper.
var 'Congesta' candles beginning to open ^
This one and the ones in the pond basket were separated from each other from a 1 gallon nursery can 7/2018
The 2nd one I love how short the needles are but struggling to find a fix for the structure and inverse taper.
var 'Congesta' candles beginning to open ^
This one and the ones in the pond basket were separated from each other from a 1 gallon nursery can 7/2018
Moridin
Shohin
Ticket on the train is still going strong 
Moridin
Shohin
So I was wondering, I know @Vance Wood and many others do repots on mugos in june-august and I just realized with how hot as hell it is hereat that time that's probably not the best case scenario for me. That being said is my window already past for now and should I wait or does the same apply for here in Norcal?
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Are you sure it needs repotting? When was it last repotted? Its in a pretty big pot right now. If its only been a year or two, you dont need to repot this year.
If my research is correct, Sacramento highs are in mid 90s in July-Aug?
I believe Vance will probably tell you that he has repotted in July when temperatures are that hot and that any time after father's day is ok
I have repotted in July with success but I personally prefer to repot them in early spring which Vance will disagree with but it is what works for me and my trees respond better when repotted at that time than in July-August. Right now you are in between both time periods (too late for spring repotting, too early for summer).
Elihatt
Sapling
Terrible picture but a thick base. Hard to get branches out of the way enough on these hedged mugos to see the trunk. 
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
The best thing to do is observe the root tips, when it cools enough for them to begin growing again, Repot at the very next full moon.
Air temps are not a tell all for root growth.
Roots will grow when they have the resources and need the resources roots will provide.
Sorce
Moridin
Shohin
It's never been repotted apart from slipping it out of the 1 gal can it came in into this larger pot with some soil added, when I got it from the nursery it was literally bulging out of the pot it was in. The main reason for wanting to repot it is to get it in some better free draining soil than the nursery soil it is in at the moment.
Thank you sir sounds like a plan.
Nice mugo. Just out of curiosity, how long have you had it? Does it do well in 9b? (I'm trying to detemine the limits of mugo survival in California's zones.)
Moridin
Shohin
I've had it for about 6 months and it seems to be doing well here.
Ah, not that long then. I've heard a lot of folks say mugos struggle in zone 8, and only one who's said they kept one alive more than a couple years in zone 9. They really need winter dormancy. I think mine is doomed here, but maybe yours will survive if it gets enough chill hours in the upper valley. If after 3 or 4 years it starts to decline for no apparent reason, it probably won't be anything you did. Just the climate.
Moridin
Shohin
It seems to be doing fine in the time I have had it. Its sat outside all winter, we usually run 30's-40's mainly during that time but we will see and time will tell. I do like the tree but it was a cheap nursery purchase so I'm not too worried.
Worst case scenario I have multiple friends in the foothills (20 mins away) that I could bring it too to sit during winter.
VAFisher
Masterpiece
Here's my Mugo after 5 years of work. From 2016 to 2021
I was looking at the back and considering a switch of back to front. Something to consider
I was looking at the back and considering a switch of back to front. Something to consider
Japonicus
Imperial Masterpiece
I saw the pic with it in the pond basket, wasn’t overly impressed.
Now I see why you posted today. Well done sir
VAFisher
Masterpiece
Was playing around with the idea of switching the front on this tree and doing away with one of the lower branches and the back branch. Would like to get some thoughts on whether this seems like an improvement for this tree.
Japonicus
Imperial Masterpiece
maybe that one, but you could just sell it to me for a song, and not have to worry about all that.
Cover up the back branch with a thin pillow case and see what ya get
Japonicus
Imperial Masterpiece
I'm thinking what I'm seeing as the back branch is what I blended out here?
Cleaning the needles from underneath, wiring the pads out and the back branch gone
will be a large difference. Is the back branch hinting at causing a knuckle sandwich or inverse taper?
It could be that simply reducing the branch some and wiring it over out of the left branch territory
would be a start. 2D pics can be dangerous when it comes to suggestions ya know.
I want to say all the branches need to angle down more, but the bottom right branch
may need a shoulder cut to lower it. I've never done one yet, but was suggested by Adair.
The next pair of branches up, in this pic already have a sloping down tendency that would be easy
to continue out to the ends, basically uncurling the upwards swoop.
VAFisher
Masterpiece
Cool. Thanks for the thoughts. My original intent with that back branch was to fill in that negative space between lower left and the next branch up. It's always been awkward and doesn't look bad gone though.
Lazylightningny
Masterpiece
Which was does the apex lean? Toward or away?
