Was given this Mugo Pine 'Mops' for free today. What next?

[Tntthunder]

Basically got a free Mops today and I am not sure what to do with it.

I'm guessing I should develop it to make it thicker and put movement in it, but so far trying to move/bend the base it seems too short/thick to bend. Also not sure to do with all the foliage. I understand why it is called a "mop".

Any advice/suggestion?

 

[Paradox]

You need to decide what you would like the tree to be.
Do you want it to stay small or do you want to grow it out to be bigger? That will help you decide what to do. Keep in mind that if you want to grow it bigger, it will take a lot of years to do that.

First thing I would do is go around the tree and every place there are more than 2 buds coming from the same spot, reduce to 2.

For example in the picture on the lower left is 3 buds all together. Pinch out the middle one and keep the 2 smaller ones on each side. If there are 4 buds in a spot, select the 2 smaller if possible that are opposite each other to keep and remove the 2 biggest etc. This will help balance energy.

You might also be able to wire some of the branches to give shape and let more light into the tree.

You can also thin needles to let more light into the tree. Pull needles on the top and the bottom of branches leaving the side ones there.

Letting more light in will help promote back budding.

 

[penumbra]

Just keep it alive until spring after your bud selection. Study it this winter and study others to get an idea of how you should proceed.
It looks healthy so don't jump the gun and do too much too soon.

 

[Paradox]

As penumbra said, you can absolutely wait until spring for the rest after bud selection.
There is no rush and you can spend the winter learning your alternatives and deciding what to do

 

[Tntthunder]

As penumbra said, you can absolutely wait until spring for the rest after bud selection.
There is no rush and you can spend the winter learning your alternatives and deciding what to do

So basically pinch the buds now and then wait until next spring to make more decisions?

So far I am thinking of slip potting it and just continue to grow it and put movement into it. I am ok waiting years to let it grow. What time of year would these best be done do you think?

However I will definitely take the winter time to learn more about pines. Thank you both for the advice.

 

[penumbra]

What time of year would these best be done do you think?

Late winter to early spring.

 

[Paradox]

So basically pinch the buds now and then wait until next spring to make more decisions?

So far I am thinking of slip potting it and just continue to grow it and put movement into it. I am ok waiting years to let it grow. What time of year would these best be done do you think?

However I will definitely take the winter time to learn more about pines. Thank you both for the advice.

Just an FYI. Terminology can be problematic. "Pinching" buds has a different meaning to many with regards to bonsai than what I am recommending. So to be clear, I am telling you to carefully remove buds in areas where there are more than 2 so that only 2 remain. If the space is kinda tight for human fingers, you can use tweezers for this.

Also, as penumbra stated, late winter to early spring just as the buds start to swell is the best time to repot.

Yes, waiting for spring for other decisions will give you time to learn and figure out what you would like to do with this tree. There is no rush on the rest.

 

[Paradox]

However I will definitely take the winter time to learn more about pines. Thank you both for the advice.

For the start of your education on pines, you will want to learn about single flush pines which is what mugos are along with scots pines.

Do not follow techniques used for double flush pines such as Japanese black pines and Japanese red pines. Those are treated differently than single flush pines and it can get confusing until you get to know the differences better.

 

[Tntthunder]

For the start of your education on pines, you will want to learn about single flush pines which is what mugos are along with scots pines.

Do not follow techniques used for double flush pines such as Japanese black pines and Japanese red pines. Those are treated differently than single flush pines and it can get confusing until you get to know the differences better.

Would you happen to know any reliable places or posts on this site to learn about single flush pines? Still learning how to navigate these forums, any particular pine resources and such?

 

[Paradox]

Would you happen to know any reliable places or posts on this site to learn about single flush pines? Still learning how to navigate these forums, any particular pine resources and such?

Unfortunately it's going to be a bit of a hunt.
There is the pines section below but it covers all pines. They aren't separated out by species or type. Also not everyone posts pine threads only in there. Under resources, there is a guide about mugo by Vance Wood.
It is very good but I would disagree with his repotting schedule for your area and follow what others in your part of the world do which is late winter or early spring as I described above.

Fortunately, spring is several months away
You have lots of time for reading

 

[p_anova]

Bonsai4me has lots of useful info as well. I believe there is a section on mugos for you to look at. Good luck!

 

[kalgodric]

Compiled Vance Wood on Mugo Pines

Lazylightningny submitted a new resource: Compiled Vance Wood on Mugo Pines - Posts compiled from Bonsai Nut by Vance Wood from 2010 onward on mugo pine care and development Compiled Posts by Vance Wood on Mugo Pines UPDATED WITH VANCE'S REVISIONS 8/13/2014 Vance, I have gathered posts you...

www.bonsainut.com

Here's a link to an amazing amount of info on the mugo

 

[Tntthunder]

Compiled Vance Wood on Mugo Pines

Lazylightningny submitted a new resource: Compiled Vance Wood on Mugo Pines - Posts compiled from Bonsai Nut by Vance Wood from 2010 onward on mugo pine care and development Compiled Posts by Vance Wood on Mugo Pines UPDATED WITH VANCE'S REVISIONS 8/13/2014 Vance, I have gathered posts you...

www.bonsainut.com

Here's a link to an amazing amount of info on the mugo

Awesome, thank you!

 

[AshleyMammal]

(Disclaimer I'm no expert) After bud selection, I'd have a gentle dig around that surface layer of pine chips to find out what your nebari looks like then use this to determine a possible future front.

At the minute the trunk is dead straight and I think I'd have trouble getting nice movement in it, so instead I'd have a mind on tilting the tree (including the pot) to one side slightly to create the sense of movement., a new leader can then be chosen.

If it were mine I think I would keep it nice and small as it's already nice and compact.

I've killed pines doing too much too soon, so take it steady!

 

[Tntthunder]

(Disclaimer I'm no expert) After bud selection, I'd have a gentle dig around that surface layer of pine chips to find out what your nebari looks like then use this to determine a possible future front.

At the minute the trunk is dead straight and I think I'd have trouble getting nice movement in it, so instead I'd have a mind on tilting the tree (including the pot) to one side slightly to create the sense of movement., a new leader can then be chosen.

If it were mine I think I would keep it nice and small as it's already nice and compact.

I've killed pines doing too much too soon, so take it steady!

I struggle a bunch finding Nebari as I am not entirely sure what I am looking for. I get I am looking for nice thick and radial roots but how far do I dig for that?

I have seen thicker roots on some trees right near the surface, others to get to thick roots it seems there are tiny roots on the trunk above them etc.


When I find the nebari should I leave it exposed? If it has roots above them to I cut them? Let them dry and die or re cover and so on. It's a bit daunting to sometimes dig so much soil away

 

[Paradox]

I struggle a bunch finding Nebari as I am not entirely sure what I am looking for. I get I am looking for nice thick and radial roots but how far do I dig for that?

I have seen thicker roots on some trees right near the surface, others to get to thick roots it seems there are tiny roots on the trunk above them etc.


When I find the nebari should I leave it exposed? If it has roots above them to I cut them? Let them dry and die or re cover and so on. It's a bit daunting to sometimes dig so much soil away

If you can't find them, don't worry about it.
You'll be able to see what you have when you repot it

 

[amcoffeegirl]

It’s nice. I like it.