Too Late to Pot Nursery Mugo?

[RVMcC]

I just got a mugo (Spaan's Pygmy) from a local nursery. Vance Wood's compiled posts says you can repot nursery mugos from Father's Day through August. Is August 6th too late, or am I still ok to put the tree in a pond basket?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[0soyoung]

Right on time, IMHO.

 

[jimib]

I’ve repotted both mine in August with no issues ..I’m in zone 6

 

[RVMcC]

Right on time, IMHO.

Thanks!

 

[RVMcC]

I’ve repotted both mine in August with no issues ..I’m in zone 6

Thanks! I'm in zone 5b

 

[roberthu]

I think it really depends on how much growing time do you have left this year. 5b is pretty close to 6 so I'd say you are still fine but also be careful about temp drop. If there is any potential of early frost, I'd protect it in a garage or something in the night just in case. The later you repot, the less time there is for the root to grow which means more susceptible to cold damage.

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Nice Start!

Sorce

 

[0soyoung]

mugo (Spaan's Pygmy)

btw, I think you have a (pinus contorta contorta) "Spaan's Dwarf" shore pine, not a mugo.

 

[Waldo]

I have also repotted mine in Sept. and Oct. No, worries. Doing fine.

 

[MaciekA]

btw, I think you have a (pinus contorta contorta) "Spaan's Dwarf" shore pine, not a mugo.

I concur with this assessment, the overall upward habit and shoots look very similar to some shore pines I have. I would be hesitant to repot a shore pine in Toronto half way through August though. You may want to consider bottom heat if you do end up giving it a try.

 

[0soyoung]

I would be hesitant to repot a shore pine in Toronto half way through August

I honestly cannot understand why.
First frost isn't until November, roughly 3 months away and only about 3 weeks before it typically happens in Portland, OR. According to historical records, temperatures in Toronto typically range between 36F and 47F in November.

 

[EvergreenCanuk]

when you all say repot, does that include a root prune? Or just slip in

 

[sorce]

when you all say repot, does that include a root prune? Or just slip in

It better mean a root prune or someone is getting slapped.

Though, there are many levels of "root prune".

Sorce

 

[0soyoung]

In the context of a tree in a nursery pot I presume that

repot = soil replacement, at least partially if not totally

.

 

[BonjourBonsai]

It better mean a root prune or someone is getting slapped.

Succinct!

 

[EvergreenCanuk]

I wouldn't repot this time of year. Save it for late winter / early summer so you have something to do. Otherwise, your taking on plenty of unnecessary risk imo.