Pine identification needed

Hi everyone, I just brought this pine from local bonsai show and I forgot to ask what variety it is, can you help me with the identification?

And second question, when is the best time to repot i from this ugly plastic thing to some nicer pot?

How many needles per fascicle?
Can you post some close ups of the candles and the bark (in focus)?

Hope this helps, the needles are there by 2 per fascicle.

Looks like Mugo Pine.

Mugo? Hmmm, maybe but I was thinking Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris).

Would be nice for identification if there were some cones, but ...

If we assume that one of you is right, are there any significant differences in what I can do to the tree? In particular, when they can be repotted?

Vitusus wrote:If we assume that one of you is right, are there any significant differences in what I can do to the tree? In particular, when they can be repotted?

First of all the bark does not look like Scots. Bark on a Scots Pine is a bit more cinnamon in color and the bark on a Mugo is much darker with no hint of cinnamon. Both trees can be treated in a similar manner. However repotting can be problematic. I do both species in the middle of the Summer but I live in Michigan and I don't touch the roots before the Summer solstice. You will probably be safe in your part of the world to go with early Spring.

Well, if I read the map correctly, Michigan is around 45th degree of northern latitude, while my place is around 50th degree so a bit more to the North. I guess that the summer repotting as a best time still could apply to my place as well, what do you think? I am not sure about the quality of the soil in the plastic container it looks quite heavy and not draining too well, hopefully it will survive in there by the summer, it's a few months only, I will let it grow by then and feed and water it.

On the styling note, I am thinking of using the part to the right in the design, and use the lef low branch as a sacrifice branch to thicken up the base of the tree, what do you think about it? After summer repot and some pruning of this year's growth to promote some back budding, I will leave it as it is till next year and it is well, I might wire it a bit next autumn? Or when is it best time to wire these?

Mugo

Hi all, let's see a little update of my mugo one year later, I repotted it last summer and now, if I read everything I found on mugos from Vance Wood and other sources, the good time for pruning for ramification and back budding is approaching. I plan to prune this year's growth to a few pairs of this year's growth and I also plan to cut the lowest left branch completely as it is just too low, and I have another replacement branch just a few centimeters above it.

What do you think about the plan and also, though it still might be very soon, I could use some design advice, maybe if you spot some structural flaws (I know it is hard from one picture), etc.

Thank you all.

Happy growing

Vitusus

A spring update of my mugo, I plan to repot it this summer after 3 years in the container, I need to change the planting angle most of all.

The tree is having strong buds which are just about to produce candles. I just wanted to ask if something should be done differently this year if I intend to do the summer repotting?

Hi Vitusus It's been a long time I didn't put my nose here in IBC. Just starting look at the posts and see whats interesting and new here. BTW [mluvim taky cesky muzes mi poslat PM jestli chces] this is very nice mugo. As my high respect to bonsai creation from this species and I already killed few, take really time and don't do many oparation in one year. If you plan do repot this year let it grow freely. Be very careful about time of repot. Wish you all the best and keep the tree live as long as you can. I have right now 2 mugos they are growing happily and soon I'll refresh all sources "how to" and have to start to do something with them. As bonsai grower you never give up first failure. Hope I was a bit helpfull.
Vlad