Mugo Repot Update

[Paradox]

I purchased this mugo at a bonsai nursery in June/July



It was agreed that this pot just didnt work for it at all.

I purchased a nice new pot from Bonsai Outlet and repotted it today. Its a tad on the large side for it but Im not used to judging pot sizes for trees yet. I think it looks good in its new home anyway.

 

[edprocoat]

Nice looking Mugo, I liked the exposed roots in the first pot. Looks like its real healthy and has room to grow now.

ed

 

[Paradox]

You can still see some of the roots in the new pot. It was starting to look not so happy in the other pot with all those exposed roots so it was a good time to repot. Over time Im gona try to work with the roots to improve them. Seems like every mugo I come across has a massive circling rootball around the base of the trunk. I would like to find a way to slowly correct/fix that.

 

[Paradox]

So I have been studying this tree for a while now. Right now it seems to be trying to do 2 things or it was originally designed with one thing in mind then got switched to something else.

My first thoughts about this tree were to make it a cascade and it was repotted with that in mind (yes I know the pot is too big). But as I have looked at it more, I am thinking that maybe cascade isn't the way to go for this tree. Maybe it really wants to be a informal upright. The cascade branch is a bit big and it does have a reverse taper in it near the trunk, otherwise it doesnt really have much taper at all until you get pretty far away from the trunk.

Sorry for the background on the pics, the best place to get a picture right now was on the back of the truck.

 

[Paradox]

Here is what it would look like without the cascade branch. The second picture (right side) would be the front.

Of course this is just for starters, there are other issues with the top that will need to be addressed at some point.

 

[sean f]

I think it looks good as a cascade

 

[Vance Wood]

I think it looks good as a cascade

I am currently out of town attending the funeral of my wife's mother, and will not be home for another five or six days. My Son is currently taking care of my trees, house and gun collection in our absence. I would like to discuss this tree with you when I get home. Remind me about your question concerning the dircling roots, there is a way to handle this problem but I want to share it with you when I have more time and my own computer and access to my photos. It seems you have been successful in keeping the tree alive after the first potting routine----you have done well.

 

[Paradox]

I am currently out of town attending the funeral of my wife's mother, and will not be home for another five or six days. My Son is currently taking care of my trees, house and gun collection in our absence. I would like to discuss this tree with you when I get home. Remind me about your question concerning the dircling roots, there is a way to handle this problem but I want to share it with you when I have more time and my own computer and access to my photos. It seems you have been successful in keeping the tree alive after the first potting routine----you have done well.

Sorry to hear about the death of your relative. No problem, its not like Im in a rush, lots of time before it is the right time to do anything anyway.

 

[GrimLore]

That is a rather nice Mugo with a good future in your hands. Those "wild" roots could be trimmed in my experience if that is where you want to go. Myself if I freshly acquired that specimen I would let it go two seasons and then decide. NOT a knock, it has potential and are easy for me to work.

Grimmy

 

[Paradox]

I hardly ever start doing any serious styling work on anything immediately. I prefer to wait to allow myself time to study the tree and think about the possibilities first.

I normally repot first to get it into a good shaped training pot then let it sit for at least a year. During that time, I often go around and just look at the tree from each angle and just think about different options.

Once you cut something, there is no going back so I prefer to not rush into it.

 

[Paradox]

Happened to see this picture come up on the top of the forums.

I guess this sort of thing would be something to aim for.

 

[Vance Wood]

Happened to see this picture come up on the top of the forums.

I guess this sort of thing would be something to aim for.

That's one of my mediocre second rate bonsai according to some sources, but I like it.

 

[GrimLore]

That's one of my mediocre second rate bonsai according to some sources, but I like it.

Ray Charles does Bonsai critique

Grimmy

 

[Cadillactaste]

I am currently out of town attending the funeral of my wife's mother, and will not be home for another five or six days. My Son is currently taking care of my trees, house and gun collection in our absence. I would like to discuss this tree with you when I get home. Remind me about your question concerning the dircling roots, there is a way to handle this problem but I want to share it with you when I have more time and my own computer and access to my photos. It seems you have been successful in keeping the tree alive after the first potting routine----you have done well.

Condolences...

 

[Vance Wood]

As far as resolving circling roots according to my promise. I have mentioned previously that you divide the soil mass into thirds like cutting a Pizza with the tree residing in the middle. Depending on how severe this issue is will determine how long it takes to accomplish this little event.

After the original cutting 50% off the bottom of the soil ball, you visually divide the remaining soil mass into thirds and with a sharp saw cut into the soil ball vertically all the way to the trunk without cutting the trunk in those three locations. You should locate areas that are between existing roots as much as possible to make these cuts. This simple process will stop the further complicating of the circling roots. In a couple of years it will be possible to start raking out the old soil in these areas. I have found that for the most part, especially on older trees or larger trees, it is really difficult to straighten these roots out. It is better to cut them and regrow a new root system, but this has to be done slowly.

I hope this helps.

 

[Vance Wood]

Happened to see this picture come up on the top of the forums.

I guess this sort of thing would be something to aim for.

Just in case someone might be interested, this particular Mugo was developed from a 3 gallon nursery tree that cost me less than $20 in the late 90"s

 

[Joedes3]

Vance:
Do the needles naturally grow shorter when placed in a smaller pot?
Joedes

 

[Vance Wood]

Vance:
Do the needles naturally grow shorter when placed in a smaller pot?
Joedes

If you cut the new growth at the proper time they do. If you keep them in a small pot they will also grow smaller especially if you do not repot too often. However I really don't like to do it that way because you never know if you have pushed the tree too far and can't get it back from the brink. A good friend of mine lost one because he chose to keep the needles under control by whit holding water and other things. The best way to keep the needles small is to cut the new growth at such a time that the amount of new buds the tree produces limits the size of the needles once they open.