Mugo Pine Outdoor Bonsai
Are you a Bonsai enthusiast looking for a new challenge, or do you simply want an unusual Bonsai tree that few other people grow? The (dwarf) Mugo Pine could be the perfect green spiky Boi for you!
The Mugo Pine was first discovered high up in Central Europe's mountains in the late 18th Century, and then became extremely popular as a decorative plant, as well as for stabilizing sandy coastal regions. Since then, it has also become something of a curiosity in the Bonsai trade. This is typically not a tree for beginners, but its distinctive look - full of tight bunches of bright green needles - makes it truly eye-catching if you handle it correctly.
There are a few things to know about the Mugo Pine:
1 - It is an outdoor tree.
Mugos can tolerate a vast range of temperatures and being evergreen, it can even survive outdoors in the winter. That said, if your winters are particularly cold, you may want to bring it inside anyway. If not, be sure to give it some protection from the cold, such as blankets around the roots.
2 - Do not repot in the spring.
Most Bonsai trees should be repotted in the spring, but this is not true of the Mugo. It should be repotted in the summer, even as late as August. Repotting in the spring could easily kill it. Be careful, its roots are shallow and widespread, and are easily damaged.
3 - Only do major training / "insulting" once a year.
Mugos do not do well with frequent pruning, training, or other major changes to their growth. Any big alterations you want to make should only happen once a year, because it needs months to heal up and remain healthy.
In many cases, the best thing to do with a Mugo is simply stick it outside and let it do its thing. This is a tree that prefers to be left alone. So simply allowing it to grow as it likes, with only occasional pruning, can often yield beautiful results. The more you mess with it, the more skilled you will need to be if you want to keep it alive.
Training a Mugo Pine Bonsai and keeping it healthy can be a challenge and requires some patience - but if you stick with it, you will be rewarded with a gorgeous and distinctive dwarf evergreen.
Plus, none of your friends are likely to have one, so it is a guaranteed conversation-starter!
Stats -
- Medium Mugo Pine - 3 Years Old, 4-6" Tall
- Large Mugo Pine - 5 Years Old, 6-8" Tall
Important Shipping Guidelines:
- We cannot ship to a FPO, APO, P.O. Box or to locations in Alaska, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hawaii or anywhere internationally.
- All Bonsai are shipped FedEx ground direct from the nursery and will ship separately from other items purchased via the Bonsai Outlet.
- Shipments of Trees are released on Mondays and Tuesdays only to avoid being held in-transit over weekends.
- If extreme weather is expected, we may delay shipping your Bonsai tree to guarantee a healthy arrival; in such a case we will contact you.
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Will I Kill It?
Maybe, but probably not. Kids and pets are much harder to keep alive, so if you’ve ever had one of them you’ll be fine. Most Bonsai we sell need little more than sun & water.
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Are there specific Care Guides available for each species?
Yes there are, and you can find them HERE
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When will my Bonsai ship?
We ship daily. However, trees to the west coast ship on Mondays or Tuesday to avoid being held in-transit over the weekend. Shipments of Trees are released on Mondays and Tuesdays only to avoid being held in-transit over weekends.
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Can I track my Bonsai?
Yes, once your Bonsai ships you’ll get an email with a FedEx tracking number that you’ll be able to use on their website to see exactly when your tree will arrive.
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Do I need anything else to start an adventure in Bonsai?
Your Bonsai will arrive potted in a ceramic Bonsai pot that will compliment your tree and right off the bat that’s all you’ll need. If you’re looking for the basics beyond that, a Starter Kit and Humidity Tray are an excellent place to start.
