Can I style this mugo pine now?

[BonjourBonsai]

After watching the BSOP Tom Fincel lecture I thought I'd experiment with it myself on a number of nursery trees last year. I'm notorious for killing cedars, so I actually tried this on 3 cedars, a mugo pine, a fat larch, and a couple others that I'm forgetting. Bare rooted the top half and spread the roots as best I could. They all seem to be doing great so far and didn't appear to have skipped a beat, but the next couple months will let me know for sure as it warms up.

When did you do the work and what was the soil mix you used?

 

[caffeinated]

I did them throughout the year, even in the summer. Most of the root tips are in the bottom untouched half so they just keep on trucking. I used standard issue APL mix in the top half. The results he has been getting are. in a couple years, the top half is populated with great radial roots and then he just sawzalls off the bottom half. He shows lots of examples as he's documented the process really well. Obviously I won't know for another year or two what my roots will look like, assuming they survive into summer.

The video is really a pretty compelling watch. Make some popcorn and get comfy.

 

[BonjourBonsai]

I did them throughout the year, even in the summer. Most of the root tips are in the bottom untouched half so they just keep on trucking. I used standard issue APL mix in the top half. The results he has been getting are. in a couple years, the top half is populated with great radial roots and then he just sawzalls off the bottom half. He shows lots of examples as he's documented the process really well. Obviously I won't know for another year or two what my roots will look like, assuming they survive into summer.

The video is really a pretty compelling watch. Make some popcorn and get comfy.

Cool thanks. I'll take a look.

 

[IllinoisSam]

At the autopsy, it looked like the problem was root rot due to poor drainage. The soil I used was way too compacted and retained too much water.

 

[Paradox]

I'm sure the heat you had in your area last summer probably didn't help either. Last year was brutal for cooler weather species.

 

[Japonicus]

Update 3.3.2024.

It's dead, started heading south last fall. Now it's going into the bonsai graveyard.

Sorry for your loss.
I would've loved to had a nice single trunk mugo. Nothing close ever in my neck of the woods.
You said in the 1st post frost tonight, and wanted a "head start". Both are a resounding - no. Too close to frost and Winter to do either IMHO. Next time just repot in August on a mugo, and leave foliage to facilitate root recovery.
Then there was the soil issue.
Really sorry this one sank. Looks like it already had some bark.
Check out the resource tab for mugo pines.

 

[TrevorLarsen]

Sorry for your loss.
I would've loved to had a nice single trunk mugo. Nothing close ever in my neck of the woods.
You said in the 1st post frost tonight, and wanted a "head start". Both are a resounding - no. Too close to frost and Winter to do either IMHO. Next time just repot in August on a mugo, and leave foliage to facilitate root recovery.
Then there was the soil issue.
Really sorry this one sank. Looks like it already had some bark.
Check out the resource tab for mugo pines.

I agree with that plan. I have done 3 Mugos following Vance Woods guide and it has worked perfectly.

 

[IckyGuyBonsai]

For what it's worth, I did some experimenting with mugos as well as the top down repotting method with a nursery shore pine last year.

The couple mugos were younger than yours by the looks of it, but I went to town on them in midsummer, after the new growth hardened off, so July or August ish. #1, I went harder on the roots removing a good amount of the original root and soil mass. #2, I was a bit more conservative with. I still cut the existing rootball in half before teasing out the root ball and cutting in pumice. Both are looking like they'll live, though #1 is noticably weaker at this point, so I'll be watching how they grow this season.

The shore pine, different tree, but thought others might benefit from my experience. In early spring when I saw the buds start moving, I went in on the compacted nursery root ball. With a chopstick and hose I washed out the top half of the rootball (#10 nursery pot I believe), and replaced with pumice, not touching the bottom half or removing any roots besides cleaning up around the base of the trunk. It pushed vigorously throughout the season. My plan is to let it sit for a couple years at least before I go ahead and cut off the bottom. I'm hoping there will be plenty of roots up top by then.

Sorry to hear about the loss though, I'd love to come across a chunky single trunk like that

 

[Japonicus]

I agree with that plan. I have done 3 Mugos following Vance Woods guide and it has worked perfectly.

Well, I meant July to August.
August being late. October offers nothing for recovery before the tree shuts down for Winter. Reserves can only go so far.