First project

[Roy9954]

This is my first attempt to style this pinus mugo from the nursery. I have been doing research and they say best time to prune back and wire is late summer so I am assuming I will leave it in the nursery pot until the end of August and then attempt to prune it back and wire. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Shibui]

Pines generally do not like both top prune and root prune close together.
We tend to do one or the other and then follow up with the remainder of the work later in the year or the following year.
I find Spring is no problem for either top prune or repot. I haven't tried repot for Mugho in late Sumer but I've seen plenty of reliable growers doing it so must be OK.

I'd probably repot now, let the tree recover through summer and top prune either end of summer or next spring. Your colder climate may require different timing.
How much of roots are you planning to remove when repotting? How far back are you planning to cut the branches?

You need to be aware that Mugho is what we call a single flush pine species which means it only grows once in Spring. If pruned after the Spring flush the tree will usually produce buds but they won't open and grow until the following Spring.

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

I always followed this resource when I had Mugos. Worked really well.

https://www.bonsainut.com/resources/compiled-vance-wood-on-mugo-pines.23/

 

[just.wing.it]

It's too tiny, let it grow for a few years.
Repotting into something a bit larger would be good.
Wait until after Father's Day to do anything to Mugos, that was Vance's rule of thumb.
Been a good rule for me, however my mugos all dried out several winters ago, so I picked up 2 new ones to start over with this year.
I plan to put them into grow boxes or maybe a "colander" of sorts for a while.

 

[Roy9954]

Quick update everyone. I moved both trees outside a few weeks ago and started noticing browning of the leafs and now it is getting worse.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

When exactly did you bring them out?

The fukien may have gotten too cold. They drop leaves and die back if temps drop below 40deg. We had a few chilly nights by me in NJ a week and a half ago.

Not sure the other species but, possibly same issue or, if no transition period to full sun was provided, it could be sun scortch. Just leave them and see if they recover would be best option now. Watch your watering: no leaves or transpiration means the trees will need less water.

 

[Roy9954]

When exactly did you bring them out?

The fukien may have gotten too cold. They drop leaves and die back if temps drop below 40deg. We had a few chilly nights by me in NJ a week and a half ago.

Not sure the other species but, possibly same issue or, if no transition period to full sun was provided, it could be sun scortch. Just leave them and see if they recover would be best option now. Watch your watering: no leaves or transpiration means the trees will need less water.

I would say 3 weeks ago but at night I would bring them in my garage if it got cold outside below 40. They are Red Chojubai quince and european olive tree .