Advanced techniques for Mugo pines.

[Grant Bowie]

grant how long is to long to leave wire on as mine was done a few months ago
dean

Mugo pines get lovely rough bark so you can leave the wire on until it starts to lightly bite in(so that it sets).However If you don't take it off then it can thicken very quickly and the wire can become completely embedded and difficult to remove.

I just got back from a workshop where I removed the very last of the wire today; so thats about 9 months in all the wire has remained on some portions of the tree. You can either selectively remove wire as it starts to bite or just remove all the wire in one hit; up to you and your habits.

i hope to repot the tree today but I will see how I go.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Well I got the Mugo repotted.

The roots were in great condition as it was only repotted about 18 months ago.

It fitted into the new pot well and 8 tie down holes allowed me to get it in really snug.

This may seem early but autumn happens in Canberra early and quickly; and I want enough time for the tree to settle in before winter and get some root growth going.

If I were in Sydney or Melbourne I would delay for another 4 to 6 weeks.

Grant

[Handy Mick]

Grant, for the report of your mugo, could this be a good time to repot other pines as well.
Mick.

[Grant Bowie]

Grant, for the report of your mugo, could this be a good time to repot other pines as well.
Mick.

Here in Canberra I will be repotting some more pines over the next few weeks; including Pinus densiflora(Japanese red pine) and Pinus thunbergii(Japanese black pine).

The time for potting and repotting will vary depending on where you live but yes I believe now is a good time.

Grant

[NBPCA]

Well I got the Mugo repotted.

The roots were in great condition as it was only repotted about 18 months ago.

It fitted into the new pot well and 8 tie down holes allowed me to get it in really snug.

This may seem early but autumn happens in Canberra early and quickly; and I want enough time for the tree to settle in before winter and get some root growth going.

If I were in Sydney or Melbourne I would delay for another 4 to 6 weeks.

Grant

Hi all,

It is now late June and the Mugo Pine that was unwired and then repotted on the 20th of February is doing fine.

Other trees that got repotted in late summer/early autumn in the NBPCA collection were an old red pine, an old Picea glauca "Albertiana Conica", an old black pine plus one of the loan bonsai(a black pine that was staying way too wet because of a very fine potting mix).

All were repotted into 40% Diatomite, 20% gravel, 20% Coco Peat(Coir Fibre) and 20% Pine Bark Mini Nuggets.

I am using the same mix at home and at the collection.
Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,

Just an update on my trial of trimming on a mugp pine.

The befores.

Mugo pine before trim.jpg

Mugo pine after trim.jpg

Trimmed.jpg

Trimmed (2).jpg

Early October

After trim last year.JPG

Not trimmed.JPG

Side by side.JPG

As you can see the Mugo pine that had virtually all the growth cut off last year has just exploded with lots of buds all over; whereas the untrimmed one has the usual growth.

Grant

[craig_w]

Hi,
Would it be safe to repot now? The new growth is starting to harden off.
By the look of it; it hasn't been repoted in a while.

Cheers Craig

[Grant Bowie]

Hi,
Would it be safe to repot now? The new growth is starting to harden off.
By the look of it; it hasn't been repoted in a while.

Cheers Craig

I am close to repotting a Scotts pine at the same stage; maybe in another week or two.

Some have done it successfully (an early summer repot) and I will try.

Any one with a comment and experience?

Grant

[craig_w]

No harm in trying then, I guess...

[craig_w]

Will try to repot over the weekend.

[Haydenmc]

Hi Guys
Grant, how is the experiment coming along. Ive recently got my hands on an old mugo that hasnt been repotted or styled at all in 10 years - just let grow in a way oversized pot. I slip potted into a poly at the start of summer and it has rewarded me with many back buds. It is just starting to get some bud swell and is looking very healthy.
What are your thoughts on the dont repot and major restyle in one season theory?
Id like to do one or the other over the next few months and im leaning towards a repot in to rough planting angle and restyle next winter.
Are you still treating yours like a JBP with a double prune each season?
regards

H

[Grant Bowie]

OK,

In my experimental mode over the last few years i found that the older the tree (Mugo) the less it will tolerate the complete candle removal in spring; no worries on a young plant (in good health)to force it to back bud but go gentler on the very old ones; only candles snap them.

As to repotting and major wiring or branch removal at the same time I would say a very big NO! Usually a minimum of 6 months difference or even better 12 months. For instance repot now and wire at the earliest in Spring but even better leave till autumn next year. Candles snap or candle prune OK in this spring. Or wire now and leave repot till spring or next autumn.

Watch for a new article I will be posting soon called "The tale of 32 Black Pines".

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

In specific response to your Mugo pine as is; if it was slip potted in summer and is in good health then it would be fine to do branch removal and wiring now. DO NOT make the mistake of taking off every bar branch in he first sitting; but do it gradually over a few years. You can kill a Mugo by taking off too much in one go. Also the new growth in spring will be more compact the more branches and buds you leave on each time. Go gently my friend and it will reward you boundlessly.

Grant

[Haydenmc]

Thanks Grant,

Really appreciate the helpful advice and informative first hand knowledge.
In the middle of moving house at the moment so hopefully I can get everything safely relocated then I'll look at a basic style this year and leave the root mass alone until next year. Although I have heard of people doing serious repots on mugo's around cup day down here. Any theories as to why they are happy to wait so late into a new growing season?

Thanks

Hayden

[Grant Bowie]

Thanks Grant,

Really appreciate the helpful advice and informative first hand knowledge.
In the middle of moving house at the moment so hopefully I can get everything safely relocated then I'll look at a basic style this year and leave the root mass alone until next year. Although I have heard of people doing serious repots on mugo's around cup day down here. Any theories as to why they are happy to wait so late into a new growing season?

Thanks

Hayden

I did repot a Scots pine and a Pinus contorta as the spring growth was hardening off last year with no problems; so there are at least 3 major times to repot Mugo, Scots and any single flush pines. Early spring as buds or before buds start to swell, early summer after spring growth has emerged and been snapped and hardened off, and autumn.

Grant