Dwarf Mugo Pine Help

[ReplicantRoots]

I just picked up this dwarf mugo pine from the local nursery. I'm in US zone 7B in the high desert southwest. Is now a good time to repot and prune this tree to begin shaping?

 

[yashu]

I think Mugo can be repotted later in the season so you’re probably safe. That said, you’re talking about doing 3 different things in one shot. Maybe pick one, like pruning, to see what you have hidden in there and then let the tree recover. If it does well and pushes healthy candles this season you might consider some initial wiring in the fall and maybe a repot next spring. There’s no rush and and it has never hurt anyone to wait between taking big actions on a tree. @Vance Wood is the Mugo guru around here and could probably offer you some good advice for your particular climate. He has many extremely informative threads on Mugo if you use the search function and put his name in the search by author box.

 

[TrevorLarsen]

This is a life saver for Mugos. Follow it completely and you will succeed.

Tutorial - Compiled Vance Wood on Mugo Pines

Compiled Posts by Vance Wood on Mugo Pines UPDATED 5/20/2018 Vance, I have gathered posts you made on B-Nut over the years from the archives. I have consolidated this info below. I appreciate your sharing your years of experience with this...

www.bonsainut.com

 

[ReplicantRoots]

Thanks for the advice! I’ll read up on Vance’s posts.

 

[Shibui]

That said, you’re talking about doing 3 different things in one shot. Maybe pick one, like pruning, to see what you have hidden in there and then let the tree recover. If it does well and pushes healthy candles this season you might consider some initial wiring in the fall and maybe a repot next spring. There’s no rush and and it has never hurt anyone to wait between taking big actions on a tree.

Great sentiments re not pushing too hard with conifers.
Mugho are single flush pines though, so if pruned in spring, you should get buds forming but they won't open and extend into candles until spring the following year.
I occasionally get some back buds along the branches but 90% of new buds form right where the shoots were cut which means cut back as far as you dare if you want to reduce branch length.
I guess we should also point out that, like most pines, branches may die if there's no healthy needles left so make sure each branch has some good foliage when you trim.

 

[Gabler]

@Vance Wood is the Mugo guru around here

Vance Wood Obituary - Clinton Township, MI

Celebrate the life of Vance Wood, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Resurrection Funeral Home.

www.dignitymemorial.com

 

[Mike Westervelt]

Sorry to hear of Vance's passing

 

[TrevorLarsen]

Vance Wood Obituary - Clinton Township, MI

Celebrate the life of Vance Wood, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Resurrection Funeral Home.

www.dignitymemorial.com

Very sad, but his knowledge and hard work has, and will continue to benefit the hobby for a long time.

 

[19Mateo83]

Vance Wood Obituary - Clinton Township, MI

Celebrate the life of Vance Wood, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Resurrection Funeral Home.

www.dignitymemorial.com

Sad…

 

[yashu]

Vance Wood Obituary - Clinton Township, MI

Celebrate the life of Vance Wood, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Resurrection Funeral Home.

www.dignitymemorial.com

Oh geez

That was a very nice obit.

I’m thankful for the gift he left us all in the threads of this forum.

 

[bonsaichile]

Vance Wood Obituary - Clinton Township, MI

Celebrate the life of Vance Wood, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Resurrection Funeral Home.

www.dignitymemorial.com

Such a loss. A true gentleman, generous with his knowledge. Reading hos obituary, I got the impression that he lived a full and fulfilling life, filled with passions (he was a music, a luthier, and a bonsai artist) and love. RIP