This post started over in the Karaoke Bar, but I have decided to move it here since the discussion of this trees is getting more serious...
Yeah Vance I made that mistake... even though I had read Hans Van Meer's article which says in the early stages of Mugo development, old needles should be left on... that was a long time ago and I forgot...
So it is backbudding nevertheless, but yes, unpredictably. Most of the buds are way back at the base of the branches and there are big bare spaces with no buds.
So in july: just snip off all the new shoots?
And yes, I kind of think I have to cut off the apex. First of all, see that big ball-bulge where there used to be a whorl? That has to go. Second of all, its simply too tall for the proportions of the tree.
Red line shows what I consider to be the first option. There is already a bud where the new apex would be, should I make that cut, but it would take a few years to become strong.
Blue line shows a second option. Less likely, I probably won't do this.
As for doing it now, it had a pretty rough repot this spring... it was growing in 100% clay for probably 20 years and after washing most of that off and pruning a decent amount of roots, it is not very vigorous. It just sent out a weak set of 1-2" candles. I wasn't planning on doing anything to it this year, but what do you think?
Do you still think I should prune the top? And the new growth, considering that it is not super vigorous?
Thanks
Aaron
In July you need to remove all of this season's new growth back to just above where it started this spring. Resist the advise to remove all of the old needles as is recommended with JBP. This technique does not work as well with Mugos as it does with JBPs and limits the possibilities of being able to predict where back budding will take place. If you keep going the way you are going you will wind up with pom pom Mugos. The fact that you cut the needles leaving stubs is a thing in your favor that will help but it is much better to have active needles where you want back budding, otherwise it is a crap shoot. This is a good tree and in a few years you will have something worth bragging about. As to cutting the Apex? I would like to know what and where you plan to cut if you don't mind my input? I ask because I suggest that be done now. The active circulation being interrupted will add to the growing fire you are trying to stimulate with new buds.
Yeah Vance I made that mistake... even though I had read Hans Van Meer's article which says in the early stages of Mugo development, old needles should be left on... that was a long time ago and I forgot...
So it is backbudding nevertheless, but yes, unpredictably. Most of the buds are way back at the base of the branches and there are big bare spaces with no buds.
So in july: just snip off all the new shoots?
And yes, I kind of think I have to cut off the apex. First of all, see that big ball-bulge where there used to be a whorl? That has to go. Second of all, its simply too tall for the proportions of the tree.
Red line shows what I consider to be the first option. There is already a bud where the new apex would be, should I make that cut, but it would take a few years to become strong.
Blue line shows a second option. Less likely, I probably won't do this.
As for doing it now, it had a pretty rough repot this spring... it was growing in 100% clay for probably 20 years and after washing most of that off and pruning a decent amount of roots, it is not very vigorous. It just sent out a weak set of 1-2" candles. I wasn't planning on doing anything to it this year, but what do you think?
Do you still think I should prune the top? And the new growth, considering that it is not super vigorous?
Thanks
Aaron
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