Nursery Stock Mugo Pine - Next steps?

Beginners
1

Dear Mirai community,

During a recent trip to a garden center, I discovered this Mugo Pine “Peterle” and simply couldn’t resist the temptation… :blush:
The tree seems already fairly developed for a nursery stock. It measures approx. 55 cm from the lip of the pot and the trunk is about 7 cm in diameter at the base. I think it has the potential to become quite an amazing bonsai and probably the center piece of my small collection. This is equally exciting and scaring, as I feel absolutely unsure where to start the development of this tree.
I’d love to hear your recommendations as to what I should do next… Repot this spring? Or firstly clean it out, structurally prune it and wait until next year to repot?
Any advice is most welcome.

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4 Likes
2

It has the most foliage and resources now, so I would say first step should be an initial repot when seasonally appropriate for your location.

3

I agree with repotting into a good bonsai soil. You should be able to get the outer roots established in good soil this time and then do the inner roots in about 3 years.