All aboard the Mugo train!

I know you have stressed the importance of watering and Mugos liking being watered not wet. Since I've repotted them, when I water I tilt the pot to help the aeration of the soil since the soil I used has more organics, about 30%, than my normal mix.
What do you consider "Organic" I use at least 30% composted Pine bark mulch in my mix. Some people poo-poo the idea of an organic element at all, I don't. What are the other elements in your soil mix?
 
What do you consider "Organic" I use at least 30% composted Pine bark mulch in my mix. Some people poo-poo the idea of an organic element at all, I don't. What are the other elements in your soil mix?

Organically, I used some of the mix that the tree came in with the nursery pot. It seemed to be a light compost mix. The rest is akadama, hyuga and pumice. The drainage layer is 1/4" lava rock. Over the last 3 weeks I have watered well 4 times in the morning as temps in the afternoon have been 90's +.
 
Organically, I used some of the mix that the tree came in with the nursery pot. It seemed to be a light compost mix. The rest is akadama, hyuga and pumice. The drainage layer is 1/4" lava rock. Over the last 3 weeks I have watered well 4 times in the morning as temps in the afternoon have been 90's +.
Even when the temperatures are in the 90's watering four times in the Morning seems a bit extreme. Even four times a day should be looked at carefully for signs of over-watering. For me even in this kind of heat three times a day if enough. Mugos don't seem to mind going dry from time to time. I just worry about trees with current root trauma being over watered. The point is you have to watch the water and not arbitrarily water too much, to the point where the tree does not dry out. It is the presence of standing water that creates root rot. There are two times in a Mugos cycle that you have to withhold water: Right after the shoots have been clipped and right after the tree has had the roots disturbed. How do you know? Even in a pond basket, colander, bonsai training planter or some other device, if you scratch down below the surface of the soil down to the first knuckle and it is dry it's time to water. If it is still moist let it go for another couple of hours until it is dry down to the first knuckle.
 
Did you mean this exactly?

No afternoon water?

I've watered on 4 different days over the 3 weeks, in the morning. I haven't watered in the afternoon as of yet and don't water conifers in the evening hoping it will help prevent fungus.

Even in a pond basket, colander, bonsai training planter or some other device, if you scratch down below the surface of the soil down to the first knuckle and it is dry it's time to water. If it is still moist let it go for another couple of hours until it is dry down to the first knuckle.

I do test the soil with my finger, that's why so far the infrequent waterings. I usually test the existing root ball not the new soil.If it seems dry I soak well twice and then set the pot on angle to help drainage
 
This is the untill now surviving one
It does have some parts die but also some new growth and green beneath the bark
@defra Looking at the OP for this, what is your soil mix? LOL I found it in the OP. What are your watering practices? Enjoying the shared info this morning
 
Vance, on your new nursery mugos that are root and foliage reduced by half as you have described, what aftercare do you provide? Shade vs sun, water or withhold water, wind protection, to feed or not, etc. Thanks for your input.
 
:) So then you know exactly where to look for the answers :)
Like other members have said already (and not once...) Mr. Wood has responded and replied every question asked.
 
My intention was to stress out that we should use the search facility before we ask...
More so on a subject which has been discussed for a loooong time :)
 
Updates.... My 2 fav that dont seem like they've skipped a beat, I lightly styled and did some branch removal the past 3 or so summers with them. They were my first mugos ever. I did some practice on other mugos in between then and now before I got around to repotting these. Ill save you the bordem of looking at those messy joints.
these were both pulled from 3 gal containers about 3 weeks ago, a big mess of circling roots had to be untangled. I removed and disturbed more roots than I felt comfortable but i wanted the tangle of roots fixed.... And due to previous cut backs summers past i diddnt have to go ham on the tops. Seemed logical 0723171303.jpg Next up was purchased this year, cut back hard and repotted as an expieriment on how much I could get away with. I should have opted on less of a cut back and a more gentle repot, but hey this is how we learn. We can read all day but it comes from hands on expirence. Im hoping with continual misting, careful watering, and dappled shade, I can keep some of it alive. Most of the browning is only old needles. So i have my fingers crossed for this learner burner0723171304.jpglast up. This mugo was repotted and cut back last summer. Somemore branches removed this spring. And shoots pruned a coulple weeks ago, wire is about due to come off soon as well. Only question I have is about these new buds I wont be needing. Do I..... rub em out now to direct energy to were I want the buds to get the healthiest? Or is this a spring activity? Thanks again for your continued support sensi @Vance Wood 0723171307a.jpg 0723171309.jpg
 
@defra Looking at the OP for this, what is your soil mix? LOL I found it in the OP. What are your watering practices? Enjoying the shared info this morning

I only water when the soil dries up let me think out loud

Its placed partial shade below the bench so it stays fairly drie from rain and wont drie as quickly as it would in full sun
Also the few roots it has and the size if the growbox and organics from the original soil it came in mixed in the soil keeps it moist longer too

Conclusion
Realy only one or two times a week i think and its around 25-30 celcius now here

Also as extra aftercare i mist the foliage allot weekends when home 6 + times a day
Work days morning noon evening evening so 4 times a day
 
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