Cultivating Mugo Pines

Vance Wood

Without doubt my favorite tree for bonsai is the Mugo Pine. For many years this tree has been looked upon as the proverbial red headed step child in the world of bonsai. I would like to know how many members of the group have Mugos and some of your experiences with them. I have been consentrating on this tree for about forty years and have discovered some unconventional things about it.

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bmor

Hello Vance. I have two small dwarf ones that are really not anything showable at this point. Just letting them grow at present but will watch the thread to see what your experiences have been.
cheers
Bill

David Yedwab

Vance, Welcome here. I have one mugo from a club raffle -- been working it now almost 2 years. It's doing well but far yet from presentable.

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David Yedwab

Candy_J_Shirey

Vance -

I am also interested in your experiences with mugo. My disappointment with mugo has been the lack of back budding and it has not been one of my favorite species for bonsai.

However, my mind is not closed and I am open and willing to learn the positive aspects and readjust my opinion.

At this point, I care my mugo the same as I care for my black pine.

Why is the mugo your favorite bonsai species?

Vance Wood

For anybody interested in getting into Mugos the best material usually is found in 3 gal or larger sizes. Anything smaller usually has little in the way of an interesting trunk.

Will_Heath

Vance as you know, I have a few mughos also, I am becoming quite fond of them. It was your work that got me interested in this little known pine.

Will

Vance Wood

Candy: Mugos actually back bud really well if you pinch them the right way. The truth is they are not Black Pines, and though you can get away with treating them in that manner, they do not respond the same way. In fact some of the things I do on a regular basis with Mugos would probably kill a Japanese Black Pine.

You ask why this is my favorite tree? Cheap, avaliable in many sizes, BACK BUDS WELL, needles reduce well, forms wonderful foliage pads, can be repotted in the summer, really forgiving for a pine and when cultivated correctly they look almost like a five needle pine.

Alasdair

Ive been on the look out for a mugho now for a while, but haven't found one i like yet. The all seem to be 6 inches tall with a massive gash in the top where they have been reduced and are sold as bedding plants for your rockery. Any tips on what to look for in a good mugho to start as a bonsai?

Thanks.

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I can feel another "I wish that was my tree" moment coming on...
Currently studying BSc Plant Biology at the Universty of Wales, Aberystwyth

Adam_MA

Vance,
I actually have had my eye on a couple of these at one of the local bonsai shops. I have hesitated because I haven't been able to find much in the way of care info for these trees.
Would you mind sharing your experience with things such as watering, soil, feeding, and winter care with us all?

Thanks
Adam