All aboard the Mugo train!

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
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Me too!

I have only repotted about 3 trees so far.
Some got skipped for health reasons...

I realized yesterday...
With 8 New Boxwood, 4 Nugos...my shimp, a ton of blue rug, and my Albertas...

Most of my repots are going to be in summer!

Nice!

One Mugo over rock for Sure!

Sorce
 

GSCarlson

Shohin
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I got my ticket to the mugo train. In mid-March I purchased a small mugo at HD. I removed the bottom 1/3 roots in order to fit it into a pot I had on hand.
DSCF8442.jpg

None of their stock stood out as better than the others, so I chose this one because it had another tree growing in the pot. Bonus! I didn't know what it was, but it turns out to be a willow. I will separate the two in the future when I do root work on the mugo.
DSCF8488.jpg

Over the last couple months I have removed some branches from the main hub, and also some needles from the interior. This is how she looks now:
DSCF8515.jpg

I don't intend to do anymore work on her until summer of next year. Here is a vert. of the direction I would like to go in the future:
mugo vert.jpg

Choo-choo!
 

tree4me

Shohin
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Since I've been so anxious to start work on my mugos I just watched Lances series of videos, specific attention to this one
.

A few questions if I may sir,
Is this the type of work, hopefully, I can do this season?
I was wondering what soil mix you use. I have 1/1/1 mix akadama/hyuga/pumice. Should I add an organic to this for moisture retention since I will planting in a pond basket and evaporation will be at a maximum?
I see as you clean the top of the soil, the roots that are in that area are remove/raked away down to the larger surface roots, correct?
 

Vance Wood

Lord Mugo
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Since I've been so anxious to start work on my mugos I just watched Lances series of videos, specific attention to this one
.

A few questions if I may sir,
Is this the type of work, hopefully, I can do this season?
I was wondering what soil mix you use. I have 1/1/1 mix akadama/hyuga/pumice. Should I add an organic to this for moisture retention since I will planting in a pond basket and evaporation will be at a maximum?
I see as you clean the top of the soil, the roots that are in that area are remove/raked away down to the larger surface roots, correct?
This video was done in July of last year and the tree is doing fine. As to soil mix: I don't know what hyuga is, my spell checker is even fooled so if you could describe what this stuff is I will comment. I use equal parts by volume. Composted Pine bark mulch sometimes called garden Mulch, Red Lava gravel and Pumice if I can find it, and calcined clay. I have been using Espoma soil Perfector, in place of things like Turface it is calcined clay fire very hard and will not break down, and #2 or #3 swimming pool filter sand or sand blasting sand, it's the same stuff. I get a lot of push back by a lot of people but I use the composted Pine bark Mulch because I perfer to use it pond basket or not. I believe is provideds a good base for the formation of Microhiza.
 

tree4me

Shohin
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As to soil mix: I don't know what hyuga is, my spell checker is even fooled so if you could describe what this stuff is I will comment. I use equal parts by volume.

Hyuga is a light weight volcanic soil that's good for its moisture retention and water drainage properties. Its very porous pebbles have similar physical characteristics as pumice. The minerals inside help lower the pH levels and aid in the exchange of harmful gases to help prevent root rot. It's best used by mixing it with other soils such as akadama or bonsai potting soil.
 

Vindeezy

Yamadori
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Here are my mugos.
1st pic one of first trees have had 2 yrs now
2nd & 3rd I got last fall as a close out
4th is in a big container in front of my house .
 

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Vance Wood

Lord Mugo
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In placing a "like" doesn't mean I approve of where the trees are right now, just that you have them and have kept them alive. Now we have to start the long journey of turning them into bonsai. The case here you are looking at growing these trees into bonsai, most of what I do is envolved with cutting and working down much larger material into much smaller bonsai. I don't mean that to be critical but to point out the opportunities you are presented knowing that these trees will not become bonsai by themselves. Thanks all of you for taking the chance. As it is I enjoy working with the small trees, they can surprise me with what they do and how they respond. You have to keep your eyes open and your imagination active. Word of caution; Mugos do not usually do well as cascades.
 

Jurriemr2

Sapling
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In placing a "like" doesn't mean I approve of where the trees are right now, just that you have them and have kept them alive. Now we have to start the long journey of turning them into bonsai. The case here you are looking at growing these trees into bonsai, most of what I do is envolved with cutting and working down much larger material into much smaller bonsai. I don't mean that to be critical but to point out the opportunities you are presented knowing that these trees will not become bonsai by themselves. Thanks all of you for taking the chance. As it is I enjoy working with the small trees, they can surprise me with what they do and how they respond. You have to keep your eyes open and your imagination active. Word of caution; Mugos do not usually do well as cascades.

Do you know why Mugos don't do Well as cascades?

I have one overhere. I put iT in a plastic pot And want to make iT a cascade.
 

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Vance Wood

Lord Mugo
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The falling branch usually declines, but that does not mean you cannot, or should not do it. My problem is that many just starting out in bonsai can see the cascade or windswept style as the only option for design, and with young trees like many of these you should keep your eyes open and look for hidden agendas your skill level does not yet see. After all, it is in developing yourself that the Mugo makes great strides into the world of bonsai. As you grow the vision for the tree is going to change.
 

M. Frary

Bonsai Godzilla
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I was just going through and catching up on the likes.
When I realized something.
This here train is the longest thread without a single dust up!
In fact this may be the second longest thread ever! I'll go look.
No matter.
When I started this thread I didn't know or think so many would jump aboard!
It's simply awesome people.
And everyone should thank Vance for keeping up with it.
I just tossed him without asking at the beginning but he treats it like its his.
Which in all reality it is.
Without him we would all be left standing at the train depot.
With piles of dead Mugo pines.
Once again.
Thank you all and especially Vance Wood!
 

Soldano666

Omono
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I was just going through and catching up on the likes.
When I realized something.
This here train is the longest thread without a single dust up!
In fact this may be the second longest thread ever! I'll go look.
No matter.
When I started this thread I didn't know or think so many would jump aboard!
It's simply awesome people.
And everyone should thank Vance for keeping up with it.
I just tossed him without asking at the beginning but he treats it like its his.
Which in all reality it is.
Without him we would all be left standing at the train depot.
With piles of dead Mugo pines.
Once again.
Thank you all and especially Vance Wood!
Well put Mike.
 

tree4me

Shohin
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While settin' in the bonsai garden this morning checkin' out the mugos I rotated them for sun light and noticed these discolored branches. Is it lack of light, fungal, pest over/under water? It's only on one of them. Appreciate any input.

IMG_2784.JPG IMG_2782.JPG
 

tree4me

Shohin
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I was just going through and catching up on the likes.
When I realized something.
This here train is the longest thread without a single dust up!
In fact this may be the second longest thread ever! I'll go look.
No matter.
When I started this thread I didn't know or think so many would jump aboard!
It's simply awesome people.
And everyone should thank Vance for keeping up with it.
I just tossed him without asking at the beginning but he treats it like its his.
Which in all reality it is.
Without him we would all be left standing at the train depot.
With piles of dead Mugo pines.
Once again.
Thank you all and especially Vance Wood!

Agree. Thank you Vance for taking on the challenge as conductor of this train, as I know I am clueless on pines and especially mugos whose care differs from JWP and JBP, whose information is abundant.
 

Vance Wood

Lord Mugo
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While settin' in the bonsai garden this morning checkin' out the mugos I rotated them for sun light and noticed these discolored branches. Is it lack of light, fungal, pest over/under water? It's only on one of them. Appreciate any input.

View attachment 146682 View attachment 146683
It looks like, over the winter these branches were in the back opposed to the direction of light and got covered by mulch or something. I don't think you have anything to worry about.
 
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