All aboard the Mugo train!

[yashu]

FYI, the Home Depots in NY and NJ are selling 1 gal mugo pumilio, apparently from seed stock as there is quite a bit of variation in growth habit and needle color between trees. I picked up a Hagarumo lookalike- some really intense budding behavior and short needles. The root base isn't the best, but at minimum it's an interesting plant.

Can confirm, same deal in Maine/New Hampshire. My kiddo picked one up to try bonsai (solid bonding time) so I’m taking him to a repotting class at NEBG with it. The trees are $16 iirc… 3/4” to 1-1/4” trunks no noticeable grafts but he hasn’t dug down into it yet as we’re waiting for the class. Will post photos post repot.

 

[R0b]

Not sure if it was posted before but this was the winner of the 2023 Trophy in Belgium

 

[R0b]

Found two more from the Trophy when going trough my pictures, happy that somebody with some skills is taking care of these.

 

[jszg]

Does mugo ground layer? I know some varieties of mugo are propagated by cutting, and by analogy to white pine, varieties which can grow from cuttings perform better in air layers. Is it worth risking a tree to groundlayer for better roots, or try to muddle through with root grafts? My little pumilio has a worse root arrangement than I anticipated, but the foliage is really quite pretty.

(Hope you don't mind if I @Vance Wood , have you had success with groundlayering?)

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Does mugo ground layer? I know some varieties of mugo are propagated by cutting, and by analogy to white pine, varieties which can grow from cuttings perform better in air layers. Is it worth risking a tree to groundlayer for better roots, or try to muddle through with root grafts? My little pumilio has a worse root arrangement than I anticipated, but the foliage is really quite pretty.

(Hope you don't mind if I @Vance Wood , have you had success with groundlayering?)

They do ground layer, but it can take a decade and it's not very reliable.
If you have the opportunity, scots pines graft well onto mugo. And scots pines seeds are usually pretty cheap. Plant a bunch of them around your trunk and two years later you can approach graft them onto it.

 

[yashu]

As promised, photo my kid’s $16 Mugo pumilio from Home Depot. Has a decent trunk for a little tree and has good movement but he’s holding off ‘til fall to do any pruning as advised by his instructor so the tree can recover. The root mass was a big knot which necessitated the deeper pot.

Had to tell him a bad joke to get a smile

 

[Carol 83]

As promised, photo my kid’s $16 Mugo pumilio from Home Depot. Has a decent trunk for a little tree and has good movement but he’s holding off ‘til fall to do any pruning as advised by his instructor so the tree can recover. The root mass was a big knot which necessitated the deeper pot.

Had to tell him a bad joke to get a smile
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It's so great that he has interest in bonsai as well. Such a great opportunity for you two to hang out.

 

[yashu]

It's so great that he has interest in bonsai as well. Such a great opportunity for you two to hang out.

It’s true. My older son and I get along very well and always have but the younger has always felt more comfortable with Mom, a “mommas boy” if you will. The last few years we’ve found some common interests and this is one of them so it’s been a lot of fun.

 

[Carol 83]

It’s true. My older son and I get along very well and always have but the younger has always felt more comfortable with Mom, a “mommas boy” if you will. The last few years we’ve found some common interests and this is one of them so it’s been a lot of fun.

Nothing wrong with a momma's boy, I have one! But his dad and him have spent a lot of time working on his fishing boat together and that has brought them closer. Good for you that you share this same hobby and found a connection, they grow up SO fast.

 

[Johma]

hello everyone. I’ve been on here a while, I don’t post much. I found this mops a few weeks ago and thought I would share. I went to 5 different nurseries. They all had what I call dead spiders. The last stop had this. I cleaned out the dead needles and the base. Other than that I’m waiting till it’s time for basic root work and branch selection.

My question is how much time do I have with the top with 3 branches 1 has to go but I’m not in a hurry

 

[James W.]

hello everyone. I’ve been on here a while, I don’t post much. I found this mops a few weeks ago and thought I would share. I went to 5 different nurseries. They all had what I call dead spiders. The last stop had this. I cleaned out the dead needles and the base. Other than that I’m waiting till it’s time for basic root work and branch selection.

My question is how much time do I have with the top with 3 branches 1 has to go but I’m not in a hurry

Good find for a mops!
I have found that summer repots per Vance Wood method can be problematic in our climate, I have about 50% survival. Our summers are much hotter than Mr. Wood's. I do better with an early repot and remove only 1/4 of the foliage. So my suggestion is to repot now and remove the (1) most problematic branch.

 

[Doogliebop]

hello everyone. I’ve been on here a while, I don’t post much. I found this mops a few weeks ago and thought I would share. I went to 5 different nurseries. They all had what I call dead spiders. The last stop had this. I cleaned out the dead needles and the base. Other than that I’m waiting till it’s time for basic root work and branch selection.

My question is how much time do I have with the top with 3 branches 1 has to go but I’m not in a hurry

Looks like a great candidate. I can already see a bonsai within the branches. Great job holding out until you came to that one. It paid off.

 

[Johma]

Good find for a mops!
I have found that summer repots per Vance Wood method can be problematic in our climate, I have about 50% survival. Our summers are much hotter than Mr. Wood's. I do better with an early repot and remove only 1/4 of the foliage. So my suggestion is to repot now and remove the (1) most problematic branch.

I’ve been meaning to contact you. Thanks for the info. My candles have extended am I late or do you wait for them to harden. Have you tried late September for repotting

 

[James W.]

I’ve been meaning to contact you. Thanks for the info. My candles have extended am I late or do you wait for them to harden. Have you tried late September for repotting

This is the time of year I find the best selection of mugos to buy, I try to get them potted ASAP. I have not tried fall repots.

 

[Yorkie]

Weather is picking up here in England and the buds are growing nicely

 

[bonsai-max]

My WIP Mugo....

 

[Paradox]

Wow over a year since anything was posted in this thread. I got called back to it because someone liked a post of mine.

RIP Vance. You are missed

 

[Deleted member 47471]

In training
In contest
RIP Vance Wood

 

[BonjourBonsai]

Here's a general question. 3 years ago, I cut off half the root ball of 3 nursery mugos. This spring, I repotted 1 and it went well. The other 2 have been growing since with decent growth and appear healthy. I just acquired 2 new pots for them. Could they handle a late summer repot into the new bonsai pots given that mugos generally can handle that kind of thing?

 

[Paradox]

Here's a general question. 3 years ago, I cut off half the root ball of 3 nursery mugos. This spring, I repotted 1 and it went well. The other 2 have been growing since with decent growth and appear healthy. I just acquired 2 new pots for them. Could they handle a late summer repot into the new bonsai pots given that mugos generally can handle that kind of thing?

How hot is it in your area now?