Advanced techniques for Mugo pines.

[Mick B]

Gerard,
OK, I am not sure how to do this yet; ie post a picture. But I will given some time.
Best
Mick

[ricardo]

hey all how long do the new buds take to appear it been about
4 weeks since i cut back and i was under the impression that i
should of seen some budding by now have i done something wrong?
ricardo

[NBPCA]

hey all how long do the new buds take to appear it been about
4 weeks since i cut back and i was under the impression that i
should of seen some budding by now have i done something wrong?
ricardo

Hi Ricardo,

I am getting a small amount of bud activity after 3 1/2 weeks. The Mugo I have done the trim on was in moderate health and hasn't been repotted for quite a while. I imagine it would do better if it had been more feertilised etc.

A Black pine I did around the same time is going gang busters.

Grant

[ricardo]

im starting to think its not getting enough sun although a jbp whitch is next to it
that i cut back at the same time has new buds all over it???
should i give it more sun? cut it back more, or just relax??

[Grant Bowie]

im starting to think its not getting enough sun although a jbp whitch is next to it
that i cut back at the same time has new buds all over it???
should i give it more sun? cut it back more, or just relax??

Mugos seem to like full sun.

Grant

[Mick B]

1pix.gif

[NBPCA]

Mick sent me some photos.

Large Mugo on Rock.JPG

Colse up of buds.JPG

This is the first step to compacting and styling.

My own tree at home is also around the same stage and it has budded back well into areas of old needles and wood.

I will take some photos of my tree as well,

Grant

[NBPCA]

Mick wanted me to point out the buds that are further back down the old wood. This tree could be cut back to these buds to create new short branches.

I would cut back to these buds if wanted as the spring growth is starting to swell or elonate and grow.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Potential trimming method for MUGO.OK, here is what I think I will do this coming season to this 60 year old Mugo Pine..[]

Mugo pine 30th October 2010.JPG

August/September/October. I will allow the spring growth to elongate and lightly candle snap the candles that are growing the strongest. This will distribute the vigour to the medium and weaker areas of the plant. If you had some outrageously strong candle growth you could completely remove it without any fear as it will bud back immediately.
November/December. Once the new growth has fully opened out and hardened off I will remove all the new growth and cause it to bud back all over the tree. I would only do this on a very vigorous and healthy plant which mine is.
December/January. The pine will put out a series of new buds at the area where you have cut off the new growth and it should also bud back down into last years growth and possibly back into another two or three years worth of growth. They mostly put out new buds where needles are still hanging on but can bud back into bare wood (although always where needles have once been).
January/February. I don’t expect the new buds to elongate this season but to just sit there in readiness for next season. This means that there are no new needles this year on the tree and it will survive for the rest of the season on last years needles. For this reason you could only do this program once every three or four years. Some buds may however put out a small amount of growth but I have never seen it fully elongate after a cut back; but with a very vigorous and healthy tree that is well fertilised; who knows?
April/May. You could trim off old needles that are three or four years old if you haven’t already done so. My tree would only have needles from two years so I would not trim anything off this year.
August/September/October next year. The new buds that set last November/December should now start to swell then elongate. There should be no internodal gap this year as the new growth is from forced buds. I would lightly candle snap the more vigorous growth or possibly remove the very strong growth completely.
Result. The first year I should have no elongation of the silhouette of the tree but lots of new buds( including buds back on older wood) ; the second year I should have a nice compact but slightly elongated silhouette with small needles and no internodal gaps. This should be a good set up for the future of this tree.

Anyhow that is my plan. I will see how it goes but be willing to alter as conditions dictate.

Grant

[Pup]

This tree is looking very nice Grant, wanna swap.

Cheers mate Pup

[Grant Bowie]

This tree is looking very nice Grant, wanna swap.

Cheers mate Pup

Your WA Quarantine people would set fire to it at the border.

Grant

[Pup]

This tree is looking very nice Grant, wanna swap.

Cheers mate Pup

Your WA Quarantine people would set fire to it at the border.

Grant

Ah shoose, we have had enough fires here for a bit so it looks like we dont have a swap then, might just have to let them go back with you any way.

[dragon]

guys
this is my mugo after it was styled and repoted at the end of lastyear i have gone for the cascade style i will try to get better picture of it.
dean

[Grant Bowie]

Looks like a good start.

With Mugos be carefull not to leave the wire on too long as the branches sort of rebel against the wire when it beocmes tight. They twist and can turn upwards.

Grant

[dragon]

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