1 Year Ago This Bonsai Was a Branch 

I appreciate that!

Thanks maybe I should include more

Thanks mate!

Most species don’t easily root from thick cuttings, but if the species will root, yes it’s possible. Ficus, Portulacaria afra, willow are examples that do. Willow aren’t great subjects for bonsai. Many species it is possible but difficult, requiring special care such as constant humidity, temperatures and soil moisture content

Sounds easy enough? It’s not. This is a Jade plant which he clipped to make stalky. I had to do it, because my tote was full of old ‘40s~’50s planters. I bought tiny twigs in 2” pots. They grew into insane height in 1.5 years. If you cut them back, lower leaves about 1/8” from the base. They will scab/scar in 3 weeks. Prune the tops out, they will become stalky real quick. The tops get bushy and look like this within several months. Jade don’t take much water, as you can see how dry his is. Most of Bonsai are 50-70 years old that you see in local garden centers, which have been handed down to the next generation. Extremely difficult and grueling to shape. If you are into the look of Bonsai. Jade is your best bet, and comes in many varieties.

@@grobonsai You know That’s Right!

During the winter months in colder climates where you will have them indoors. They need very little water, see how he’s using mainly stone, tiny pebbles. In their natural habitat they do grow on or between the top of rocks.

Find a seedling. Hawthorns seed everywhere in my garden but others will seed too. It must be easier to work from that.

Thanks for watching and good luck with the pepper tree bonsai project!

Thanks 👍

Hehehe

Thank you! Cheers!

Cheers

Thanks! 😃 it’s only something I worry about when the roots are delicate

@@grobonsai I totally understand that concern.. its just now every time I have that worry..I'm going to be thinking cheese wire 😅

@@grobonsai What’s the cheese wire effect? I didn’t quite catch what you meant by that

Im afraid it died after I repotted it

​@@grobonsai that's a shame sorry to hear. Did you happen to repot + restyle in the same year?

IIRC I styled it one spring, repotted the following spring. It was a comedy of errors on my part, over watered after styling, removed too many roots too close to styling (and overwatering). So cross with myself I only just dealt with the carcass :( ah well won't be making those mistakes again :)

@@grobonsai I just went through something very similar with a jap. larch. Funny how they are such vigorous growers but also so sensitive to when they can be worked on!

Thank you!

Hi thanks, it is 1:1:1 akadama, pumice, lava rock. They like very airy soil, like cactus

Portulacaria afra are a bit unusual in that they don’t mind having little room for the roots. It also means that the soil dries faster because there is less soil without water sucking roots close by - which is a good thing for species that don’t like prolonged wet feet

Oh ok thank you!@@grobonsai

🙏👍

Thanks mate