The IBC Mugo Train

My ticket to ride the Mugo train. I picked this tree up at the August Milwaukee Bonsai Soc, Swap Meet. Got it from another member who had been working on it for 2 or 3 years. I have done nothing with it yet. Except water it and keep it in full sun.

I'll take a serious look at it next summer. Unless I get the urge to trim out downward needles and wire it sometime over the winter.

Leo Schordje wrote:My ticket to ride the Mugo train. I picked this tree up at the August Milwaukee Bonsai Soc, Swap Meet. Got it from another member who had been working on it for 2 or 3 years. I have done nothing with it yet. Except water it and keep it in full sun.

I'll take a serious look at it next summer. Unless I get the urge to trim out downward needles and wire it sometime over the winter.

It is potentially good tree and of course you are entitled to do with it as you see fit but; there is a major flaw with this tree and I think you probably see it.  The first branch  is almost as large as the trunk, If the tree were mine that would be my first major project,to remove this puppy come next summer.  Of course with all Mugos you stubb the branch to limit die back.  It is better to have a jin than a major die back to the ground. If you look at the second picture you have a pretty nice bonsai starting right there if you are able to bring that apical branch up a bit more and compact the rest of the foliage.

Hi Vance - Thanks!

The tree was repotted early in 2015 according to the previous owner, so I left it alone to recover, and get a feel for how vigorous or weak this one it. It was pruned several times by the previous owner, including sometime in 2015. So a little time off from being worked on is likely best for this one. I like your suggestion, that first branch is too thick, too bare, and too straight.

I will follow your suggestion.

It has one other major flaw that I'd like your help on.

Feeling around the nebari, the trunk branches into just 2 major roots, that go some distance in the pot without subdividing. Will new surface roots to make a nebari, develop on their own with time? Do I need to ground layer this? What would you do?

Leo Schordje wrote:Hi Vance - Thanks!

The tree was repotted early in 2015 according to the previous owner, so I left it alone to recover, and get a feel for how vigorous or weak this one it. It was pruned several times by the previous owner, including sometime in 2015. So a little time off from being worked on is likely best for this one. I like your suggestion, that first branch is too thick, too bare, and too straight.

I will follow your suggestion.

It has one other major flaw that I'd like your help on.

Feeling around the nebari, the trunk branches into just 2 major roots, that go some distance in the pot without subdividing. Will new surface roots to make a nebari, develop on their own with time? Do I need to ground layer this? What would you do?

Yes in time new roots will develop Mugos are notoriously shallow rooted though you probably will never hear that bit of information.

Vance Wood wrote:Mugos are notoriously shallow rooted though you probably will never hear that bit of information.  

thats why you are the conductor on this loco loco...

Some time in a colander will help develop better roots. Why do you think Vance invented his growboxes? Not for ficus roots I'd wager.
  Mine is called Mitchs mini if I remember Vance. It looks just the same as when I bought it. Except for backbudding. It did a little of that all on its own,with no help from me.
  Remember,we discussed cutting the top leader off and a couple branches. I got it when I was down for the show last time.
Ain't the train ride fun?
Thanks to Vance for sharing all of his hard earned knowledge.
Now,I know there are more members here with these trees.
So quit your lurking and get them on the train. That's what its for.

M. Frary wrote:  Mine is called Mitchs mini if I remember Vance.

at one point i think vance referred to mine as "B&B" which i know does not stand for bed & breakfast...
i wonder what type mine is...

beer city snake wrote:

M. Frary wrote:  Mine is called Mitchs mini if I remember Vance.

at one point i think vance referred to mine as "B&B" which i know does not stand for bed & breakfast...
i wonder what type mine is...

B&B; Balled in Burlap. I include this in the list because it is a way these trees are sometimes found and they have their own set of problems. The trees are cultivated in a soil that has a very high percentage of clay because it holds together well when the tree is wraped in burlap for distribution to garden centers. As some point this issue has to be delt with by totally removing all of the old soil over time.

ahhh... i see...

thanks for clarifying.

my plan was only gradual soil exchange over time as i believe that may be best for pines in general.

I jump on board.

Here is a picture of a Mugo i have, and i have a question about it. I bougt it with twisted needles, i was wondering if it's a Cultivar with twisted needles. Or is there someting wrong with it. This year i redused watering. Thinking i might overdue it and thats why the needles are curling.  It's growing fine, no problems whatsoever.

Cheers

Many Mugos are reported to have twisted needles, the Mugus cultivar seems to have this trait more than others.  To the best of my knowledge there is nothing wrong with the tree.  I like it.

I don't know how much you have been watering the tree but Mugos like more water than most Pine species.

nice to hear it's healthy,thank you.

cheers

Thanks Orlando. Nice mugo!

DITTO !
i think those twisty needles are a nice feature on a nice tree.

Thanks for the compliments. Hope to see more Mugo joining the ride.

i dont know where zanesville is in oHIo, but it looks like you are enjoying this el nino weather with some late season work !
i'm sure all us passengers are looking forward to seeing where this one is going...

I am an hour east of Columbus. And you are right about the weather it's 71 today. that picture was from October I have an updated one I will post when I get home. I need some suggestions on what to do next.

not sure why it posted sideways but this was all I had the nerve to cut off before winter. I think the first pic might be the front but im not sure. Any input is welcome and appreciated. I still have a long way to go.

Hi Curts83 - I drove past Zanesville several times on the way to the Dawes Arboretum. Lots of billboards for antique shops along I-70. Have friends in Columbus, I get there often and the Arboretum was one of our regular day trips. The Dawes' bonsai collection is small, but nice to see. They could really use a bonsai professional to do some major restyling of their trees, but many of the trees are quite old. Nice to see. I realize I am spoiled by the bonsai collection at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

I wouldn't do anything more to your nice mugo until next summer, as Lance recommends, wait until after Father's Day. Late June. Looks like there is a nice nebari hidden in there. It will be fun to see what you do with this tree.

Thanks Leo, I enjoy going to Dawes as well. The collection there seems to be getting smaller I think which is dissapointing. There just aren't many people in this area interested unfortunately. As for the antique shops you are right they seem to be on every corner. Thanks for the advice I'm not doing any more work for a while that's for sure.