Mugo Pine No.1

[Shogun610]

If you cannot shorten internode length through pinching techniques trying to do so by the use of rafia and wire will ultimately fail.

I was just referring to raffia and wire on the top section of the upper trunk where it’s thin/ longer. But valid advice , I’ll certainly be using pinching technique.

 

[Vance Wood]

I was just referring to raffia and wire on the top section of the upper trunk where it’s thin/ longer. But valid advice , I’ll certainly be using pinching technique.

You might be able to shorten the area in question but generally raffia and wire on really young growth is not a good idea. You have to start figuring out to reduce the active growth or you will have a tree not worth of the effort.

 

[Shogun610]

You might be able to shorten the area in question but generally raffia and wire on really young growth is not a good idea. You have to start figuring out to reduce the active growth or you will have a tree not worth of the effort.

Thanks , all good stuff to take into consideration, I think this tree has options and potential. Looking forward to sharing its progress next growing season.

 

[Shogun610]

I missed the mark repotting in spring .. 90% sure this is a Scots. I poked more holes in the nursery container. The needles were super long last year and were browning , it has bad draining. But what’s left I’ll let it grow out to close those wounds.

 

[Vance Wood]

I'm not so sure it's Scotts. Scotts Pines have a slightly exfoliating bark with light btown to orange under bark, even a cinamon color. This tree does none of that.

 

[Shogun610]

I'm not so sure it's Scotts. Scotts Pines have a slightly exfoliating bark with light btown to orange under bark, even a cinamon color. This tree does none of that.

Oh maybe Mugo then? Either way I don’t want it hahah, jk I’ll just plant it in the ground and forget about it for a few years.. or maybe to a top down bare root method and have it in a grow bag

 

[Vance Wood]

There are possibilities for this tree if you can conjure up the imagination to see what's right before your eyes. Not everything has to be a classic Myogi shape to qualify as bonsai, bungin is a good alternative.

 

[Shogun610]

There are possibilities for this tree if you can conjure up the imagination to see what's right before your eyes. Not everything has to be a classic Myogi shape to qualify as bonsai, bungin is a good alternative.

Hmm okay okay … I’m looking at it now , would you use the top branch as the apex or would you use that lower branch as new leader

 

[Vance Wood]

Hmm okay okay … I’m looking at it now , would you use the top branch as the apex or would you use that lower branch as new leader

Cut out the long needles, just the long needles, and then post another picture and let's see what you have.

 

[Shogun610]

Cut out the long needles, just the long needles, and then post another picture and let's see what you have.

 

[Vance Wood]

View attachment 446020

If you look at the highest branches (upper right) you will notice the way the growth looks. This is the way you want the rest of the tree to develop. You need to fertilize vigorously and perhaps think about planting the tree into a colander for a couple of years and allowing it to grow un-checked for a couple of years. I think there are fine bones present for a really good bonsai in a few years. Just be careful not rush it. You need a lot of new growth in areas where there is little so that you can reduce it down again to more healthy growth.

 

[Shogun610]

If you look at the highest branches (upper right) you will notice the way the growth looks. This is the way you want the rest of the tree to develop. You need to fertilize vigorously and perhaps think about planting the tree into a colander for a couple of years and allowing it to grow un-checked for a couple of years. I think there are fine bones present for a really good bonsai in a few years. Just be careful not rush it. You need a lot of new growth in areas where there is little so that you can reduce it down again to more healthy growth.

What if I wired it up to reduce heigh if that top right section just to set it , I do want to put this into a colander

 

[Vance Wood]

What if I wired it up to reduce heigh if that top right section just to set it , I do want to put this into a colander

You can slip pot it into a colander without disturbing the roots other than loosening the roots growing around the external perimeter of the pot.

 

[Shogun610]

And this one did not survive , root rot , went to put into collander and work on roots and all roots fell off .. so that makes 2 casualties this and the lodge pole. I think this one I did not take out of the deep wet nursery soil fast enough