All aboard the Mugo train!

Vance Wood · Jun 26, 2017

It will probably be OK. However you would probably be able to use the nursery bucket until you find something smaller. I woul rather recomend something I am familiar with like the pond basket or the colander I have not used the bags and I am seriously concerned that the tree is not just going to rattle around inside the bag.

Johnathan · Jun 26, 2017

Vance Wood said:
It will probably be OK. However you would probably be able to use the nursery bucket until you find something smaller. I woul rather recomend something I am familiar with like the pond basket or the colander I have not used the bags and I am seriously concerned that the tree is not just going to rattle around inside the bag.

I have empty pond baskets as well. I will just use that

Vance Wood · Jun 26, 2017

At least a pond basket has a more or less a supported structure which I consider important.

Paradox · Jun 26, 2017

Johnathan said:
I have empty pond baskets as well. I will just use that

I think this is a better option as well.
I dont like the garden bags that you posted above. Ive found that they do not promote good air flow through the soil and they cause the soil to stay too wet for too long.
I had a San Jose juniper that was in one of those. It died because of the conditions I mentioned above.

Vance Wood · Jun 26, 2017

From the mouth of experience. Thanks Sandy.

Soldano666 · Jun 26, 2017

Heres one of my mugo boxcars. It was cut back and repotted last summer, about a week ago I removed the last 3 branches I wont be using in my design, and lightly wired out my basic shape. I have not cut back any new growth yet. @Vance Wood do you reckon I can cut back to the weaker inner shoots on branch 2 and 3 from the bottom up? I almost did already but theyr not quite hardened off yet and thought id seek some advice before making said cuts. Thanks for a'll your help good sir.

Soldano666 · Jun 26, 2017

And for shits and giggles heres a couple more awaiting summer hardening off. Same treatment as the mugo posted prior to this post.

Vance Wood · Jun 26, 2017

Soldano666 said:
And for shits and giggles heres a couple more awaiting summer hardening off. Same treatment as the mugo posted prior to this post.View attachment 150814 View attachment 150815

You can cut back to the weaker shoots but you should wait one more week. You've done very well.

Soldano666 · Jun 26, 2017

Vance Wood said:
You can cut back to the weaker shoots but you should wait one more week. You've done very well.

No prob and no rush. Thanks for your guidance vance

Johnathan · Jun 26, 2017

Paradox said:
I think this is a better option as well.
I dont like the garden bags that you posted above. Ive found that they do not promote good air flow through the soil and they cause the soil to stay too wet for too long.
I had a San Jose juniper that was in one of those. It died because of the conditions I mentioned above.

Thank you!

Polcyn · Jun 27, 2017

My first Mugo from nursery stock. I picked it out of about 10 because the nebari was impressive for its size. I've just cleaned out the inside a bit to see what future my Mogu has. Kinda stumped now.... any advice on my next step? Thx

Vance Wood · Jun 27, 2017

Without seeing the entire tree from all angles it is very difficult to give you much more than generalities. Oh goodie! I am assured that's what you are thinking. OK lets start with how long have you been growing bonsai? Knowing this helps in the kind of information we offer. For the time being go through all the branches and thin out all the dead needles if you find any and identify places where there a lot of little branches growing out of one spot on the trunk or a branch. This is just part of seeing what you have. Was there a tag on the tree identifying which Mugo you have?

Bolero · Jun 27, 2017

Polcyn said:
View attachment 150899 My first Mugo from nursery stock. I picked it out of about 10 because the nebari was impressive for its size. I've just cleaned out the inside a bit to see what future my Mogu has. Kinda stumped now.... any advice on my next step? Thx

You need to thin it out , too much going on...look at Soldano's last 2 pictures....Ideal.

Polcyn · Jun 27, 2017

Vance Wood said:
Without seeing the entire tree from all angles it is very difficult to give you much more than generalities. Oh goodie! I am assured that's what you are thinking. OK lets start with how long have you been growing bonsai? Knowing this helps in the kind of information we offer. For the time being go through all the branches and thin out all the dead needles if you find any and identify places where there a lot of little branches growing out of one spot on the trunk or a branch. This is just part of seeing what you have. Was there a tag on the tree identifying which Mugo you have?

I've been doing Bonsai for six months. This is my first pine of any kind. I will attach pictures of all four sides. Thx

Vance Wood · Jun 27, 2017

Bolero said:
You need to thin it out , too much going on...look at Soldano's last 2 pictures....Ideal.

Yes that's true but I am trying to determine whether or not the OP has enough back ground to understand that just willy-nillie eliminating branches all over the place with no understanding of what you are doing, why you are doing it, and where you hope this will take you, is a good idea. Yes Mugos are pretty much a process of removing stuff but that is followed by developing artistically what you have left.

Vance Wood · Jun 27, 2017

Polcyn said:
View attachment 150922 View attachment 150923 View attachment 150924 View attachment 150925

I've been doing Bonsai for six months. This is my first pine of any kind. I will attach pictures of all four sides. Thx

Could you take the same pictures one more time?? please??? This time remove the tree from it's container and with your fingers remove any of the lose stuff from the surface of the soil---- and no more for now. Once you do that take the same four photos without the pots then place the tree back into the pot. Post those pictures and we can discuss what are obviously well exposed and very understandable photos, for which I thank you.

Polcyn · Jun 27, 2017

Vance Wood said:
Could you take the same pictures one more time?? please??? This time remove the tree from it's container and with your fingers remove any of the lose stuff from the surface of the soil---- and no more for now. Once you do that take the same four photos without the pots then place the tree back into the pot. Post those pictures and we can discuss what are obviously well exposed and very understandable photos, for which I thank you.

I see what you mean..... definitely easier to see!

Vance Wood · Jun 27, 2017

The second and Fourth photos in this progression provide for the best viewing angle on the trunk. When doing Mugos you always start with the trunk and nebari if possible and work up remembering the base of the trunk is the most difficult problem to solve and the most obvious attention attracting feature of any bonsai. If you build your bonsai with this in mind you will have a decent bonsai. So for now you know, at least from what I can see from two dimensional photos, the two best fronts of he tree and the reasons for that. Now we need to determine what's next?

Let me know what you think when you have some idea. Small or large, don't pre-judge or think I would like this style or that style, look for what the tree is doing and see if it says anything to you.

Bolero · Jun 27, 2017

Excellent Mugo & you might even have more trunk under that top cover....
Definitely a Bonsai hiding in that little Mugo and Vance is the guy to bring it out.... stay in touch him and he can most likely guide you thru the process of exposing that Mugo Bonsai...

Vance Wood · Jun 27, 2017

This for Polycn: Here is a Mugo very similar to material you have. It was repotted and styled over several days this week. Of course this is no where a finished bonsai but I believe it has a direction that is clear to see. It was started with the same kind of material that could be held in one hand and had to be made by identifying traits from the base up. The stubs will be reduced and jined which will diminish the issue that I am sure some will point out as reverse taper.

All aboard the Mugo train!

Lord Mugo

Omono

Lord Mugo

Imperial Masterpiece

Lord Mugo

Omono

Omono

Lord Mugo

Omono

Omono

Sapling

Lord Mugo

Omono

Sapling

Lord Mugo

Lord Mugo

Sapling

Lord Mugo

Omono

Lord Mugo

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