Vance Wood Mugo Contest - spring 24

[Mikea454]

Nursery stock purchased in last 3 months, just cleaned off the needles over dirt for photos, otherwise untouched. Back is still bare where it was forgotten against a wall at the garden center (for years I'm guessing). Rain seems to be sufficient in that big pot, I'm not sure I've watered it yet - so it may have been completely forgotten. Hope I can create something in all those tangles and whorls.

 

[Mikea454]

just under two months* (I think I found the receipt).

I am intimidated by this unfettered growth. haven't done a major nursery jacking yet and this seems more all over the place than all the other nursery stock I have waiting. I was expecting Fall or Spring prunes, hadn't read the Mugo guide wasn't thinking about pruning yet. Suggestions welcome (if not against the rules)

 

[Mikea454]

First thoughts, will like prune in two stages (because that looks like a solid 2/3 of the foliage if i make all those cuts) I'll focus first on the top whorl reduction and maybe one lower branch. then come back for the second one in 1-2 yrs.

 

[Mikea454]

Alternatively my brain keeps going back to this, but I'm pretty sure it breaks multiple rules of bonsai design.

 

[TrevorLarsen]

You have some good options. I would mostly be worried about creating inverse taper by having too many branches all coming from the same point. That will lead to bulges and not a nice taper. That was my one of my main focuses in what I trimmed off.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

@TrevorLarsen is correct, go for the cartwheel reduction in stages… but perhaps as or more important, identify areas to push those branches back.

Cheers,
DSD sends

 

[Mikea454]

something in between

 

[Mikea454]

Finally had a minute to get the mugo done (and pond basket finally arrived)
There were so many whorls I used all my pruning foliage to reduce the 5 branches to two or three to get light to the center and maintain some taper.

 

[Mikea454]

roots were pretty circled so I went light on my sawing 25% off the bottom and unentwined some of the worst offenders

 

[Mikea454]

wasn't planning on any wiring with the other stressors and the current heat, but some off the branches were tangling with each other - so just so gentle coaxing.

Hopefully it survives the work, the heat, and my vacation.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Great first start.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Mikea454]

how long after the work might the signs of stress manifest? Or better question, how many weeks before I can say it survived the pruning, repotting, root reduction event?

 

[Paradox]

how long after the work might the signs of stress manifest? Or better question, how many weeks before I can say it survived the pruning, repotting, root reduction event?

Couple of months

 

[TrevorLarsen]

how long after the work might the signs of stress manifest? Or better question, how many weeks before I can say it survived the pruning, repotting, root reduction event?

I agree with Paradox it could be months. Pines are notorious because they can die but still look green for months. It’s one of the things that makes them more tricky, or at least different from other species.

 

[Mikea454]

thanks Para, dang, was hoping to breath a sigh of relief. patience it is.

 

[Mikea454]

thanks Trevor

 

[Paradox]

thanks Para, dang, was hoping to breath a sigh of relief. patience it is.

As my sig says, Bonsai is an exercise in patience and it will teach you patience whether you have it or like it or not

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

how long after the work might the signs of stress manifest? Or better question, how many weeks before I can say it survived the pruning, repotting, root reduction event?

Timing can vary. A couple months is a good rule of thumb.

However, imho a tree’s condition after the first really hard heat wave will give a good indication if a tree has actually recovered from strenuous work.

Cheers
DSD sends