Mugo Pine research

Comparing suggestions from Walter Pall (central Europe), Karamotto, (Netherlands), and Vance Wood (Midwest U S), the watchword is FIND OUT WHAT WORKS IN YOUR CLIMATE. Since Central NY is essentially the same climate as the Midwest, if there is a difference, I will follow Vance Wood. Around here, we tend to avoid fall repotting except in emergencies.
Rob said he is surprised that mugo pines grow in Hawaii. Somebody pointed out that Pinus mugo has an extremely wide natural range, throughout Europe from the Alps to the Mediterranean. Therefore, if you treat it right, it is a very adaptable species.
Iris

i wouldnt worry about climate , we have gone from -5c (at night) to 26c (today) in just over two weeks and they are looking well , that was following Walters advice over the last three years .


Some further reading , from Hans van Meer's pages ,
http://www.karamotto.org/index.php?page=21

tim

how do you plant things on rocks? like the one above..

In Syracuse, we can go from 60 F (16 C) to below zero (-18 C) in a day & a half. Mugo pines are used in landscaping here. Bonsai are kept in the garage, cold-frame, etc. My hardy bonsai are in a sunporch (with the blinds drawn & a heater when necessary).
In a climate where it goes below freezing in winter, rock plantings are kept in a sheltered location. If a rock planting uses pines or other hardy trees, it is kept cool enough for the trees to go dormant, but above freezing, say, 33 to 45 F (1 to 7 C). I have a tropical rock planting that I keep under fluorescent lights in the winter.
Iris

Hello,
I just saw this videowhere Ryan Neil talks about removing all of the old needles. I hope hos explanation helps.

https://youtu.be/Yn1FiRw2JBo?t=35m32s

I have learned one thing about mugo pines: They start dying the day I order one. I have my last mugo pine on my patio now. It looks miserable, and I have done nothing but treat it well. When it goes, I will never have one of these monsters again.

I bought my first one this week. Im going to tell every one not to even look at it funny