All aboard the Mugo train!

[Paradox]

Got some cheap, good material from Lowe's! I saw the twin trunk and knew it was the one (as usual with these places, the root flare was buried so much I had to dig to see). Just repotted and won't insult it too much until next year. I've never really done pines. Hopefully, I can figure out how to best store it in the winter here in Zone 4...

Put it up against the foundation of your house, north or east side preferably. Bury the root mass in mulch and let it get covered by snow.

 

[Bonsai Noodles]

Just throw it on the ground!

Sorce

Still deciding on whether I want to dig a hole or put it in the garage!

 

[sorce]

Still deciding on whether I want to dig a hole or put it in the garage!

I don't know if a smiley face is sufficient to understand I understand that as what may not be sarcasm!

Sorce

 

[Moridin]

Still growing strong it seems

The heat wave coming should see how well

 

[James W.]

Is there any benefit to structural pruning of mugo seedlings in their second growing season?

I know most mugos have the habit of forming octopus-like branches from one location and swelling in those areas. I'd like to prevent that as much as possible. Most of my seedlings are fine, but all of the ones I did the seedling cutting technique on have drastically different growth habits and are basically staying short and producing branch after branch down low.

Would it be in my best interest for the future of these trees to try to reduce some of these branches early?

Simple answer is "Yes"
I have some I have been growing from seedlings I purchased, I have reducing junctions to 2 or 3. Seems to be making nicer trees to work with.

 

[sorce]

This been sideways since spring.





Sorce

 

[sorce]

I think these cane off of that one, in spring, that's why it's needles are bigger.

Been in this potting mix from a bag in this pot I left out to winter. The big drain hole is covered with a piece of porcelain so it stays this wet.

These buds have pushed in the last couple weeks.


Sorce

 

[Pine_nut]

@sorce Are those cuttings?

 

[sorce]

@sorce Are those cuttings?

Yeah!

Sorce

 

[Pine_nut]

Yeah!

Sorce

How did you get them to root??!!?!

 

[sorce]

How did you get them to root??!!?!

Not sure they rooted yet, but I've never seen activity afterwards, so it's a good sign!

Sorce

 

[Moridin]

Well my only day off for a while with the new store going crazy so I went to town on this. 50% root ball reduction and only took about 25% of foliage off until I figure out a final design. If it dies it dies since it was a $20 tree when I was rolling through the nursery, but I hope it doesn't.

 

[Japonicus]

Well my only day off for a while with the new store going crazy so I went to town on this. 50% root ball reduction and only took about 25% of foliage off until I figure out a final design. If it dies it dies since it was a $20 tree when I was rolling through the nursery, but I hope it doesn't.

It shouldn't die just from the potting up.
I'm having issues with using the pond basket.
I love the growth I've gotten on the division I put in it, but the soil just gets too dry.
Don't remember the soil mix, but it can't deviate much from what I normally use,
but I think I should've used more pine bark and more Monto clay with the pond basket
as with my maples and other deciduous.

 

[stu929]

Picked this guy up on clearance last year. Very thick narly base. Think I got him for 10 bucks. Now I just need to learn enough to work it and not kill it lol.

 

[Bonsaidoorguy]

I got this little mugo about four years ago now. True to it's claim it has stayed quite small while putting on some growth. Next spring I think it's time for a repot as it takes a minute now for water to penetrate. Any suggestions? It's been doing pretty good.

 

[Pine_nut]

I found this large Mugo in late October of last year. It weighed about 65 Lbs because it had so much clay soil. I was so happy to get it repotted and remove a lot of the clay. I didn’t remove more than 50% of the soil. It’s now in an Anderson flat with well draining soil. I wanted to prune more but decided against it since I lost one from pruning it too hard.

It’s starting to look a little less like a bush and more like a tree. Still a ways to go though.

 

[Paradox]

I found this large Mugo in late October of last year. It weighed about 65 Lbs because it had so much clay soil. I was so happy to get it repotted and remove a lot of the clay. I didn’t remove more than 50% of the soil. It’s now in an Anderson flat with well draining soil. I wanted to prune more but decided against it since I lost one from pruning it too hard.

It’s starting to look a little less like a bush and more like a tree. Still a ways to go though.

Nice trunk on that one. If you're in the middle of the heatwave some parts of the U.S. are experiencing, keep it in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade for a few weeks and watch the water. New soil tends to dry out fast until the tree starts to occupy it

 

[Pine_nut]

Nice trunk on that one. If you're in the middle of the heatwave some parts of the U.S. are experiencing, keep it in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade for a few weeks and watch the water. New soil tends to dry out fast until the tree starts to occupy it

Thanks for the heads up!
BTW, the first two pictures were supposed to be labeled for October 2020. I tried to edit the post but it won’t let me change it now.

 

[Jure_v]

I found this large Mugo in late October of last year. It weighed about 65 Lbs because it had so much clay soil. I was so happy to get it repotted and remove a lot of the clay. I didn’t remove more than 50% of the soil. It’s now in an Anderson flat with well draining soil. I wanted to prune more but decided against it since I lost one from pruning it too hard.

It’s starting to look a little less like a bush and more like a tree. Still a ways to go though.

I am interested in which way you changeg the soil and how it works with watering some part clay which stay wet long time and some well draining soil. Or in this case clay wont get wet at all since the water run trough too fast. I have some mugos in sota soil and like to transplant this summer.

 

[Japonicus]

I am interested in which way you changeg the soil and how it works with watering some part clay which stay wet long time and some well draining soil. Or in this case clay wont get wet at all since the water run trough too fast. I have some mugos in sota soil and like to transplant this summer.

These timelines in this link are for Northern US, but after Summer solstice is after Summer solstice anywhere you're from

Tutorial - Compiled Vance Wood on Mugo Pines

Compiled Posts by Vance Wood on Mugo Pines UPDATED 5/20/2018 Vance, I have gathered posts you made on B-Nut over the years from the archives. I have consolidated this info below. I appreciate your sharing your years of experience with this...

www.bonsainut.com

Vance touches on balled and burlapped (B&B) in this resource as well, if you're dealing with that heavy clay.

I have some mugos in sota soil

What is "sota soil"?