50 YEARS of Bonsai: My Journey, Trees & Anecdotes with Joe (Age 82) 

He is also very humble and happily admits that he killed many trees during this long journey and that is an important part of the learning process :)

I am sure he is representative of so many bonsai enthusiasts who just go about their hobby quietly. So many beautiful trees :)

As you can imagine he had lots of interesting stuff to say. Very quiet but had strong opinions on lots of subjects - unfortunately most of it couldn't really be put in the video :(

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Haahaa - one of those privileges that comes with years. Some things are too good for RU-vid :)

I am so happy that this has worked out well for him. This will be a lasting tribute to his bonsai journey...which is definitely not complete yet!

It was an incredible mixture of home grown as well as purchased bonsai. All packed into quite a small area too.

Thank you Magnus - he is very humble about his own efforts.

I just wonder how many other people have similiar collections built up over the years - it would be great to document a few more :)

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat . 100%. I for one know of at 2 people in my locality who have prize worthy bonsai but never publish them. They members of the club but always seem to stay in background not wanting to share their pieces to the world. They very inspiring though and always provide proper guidance to members on styling and shaping.

It is just a shame I couldn't include some of the more controversial words he shared with me :)

It was another surprising yet satisfying day. I certainly didnt expect to be coming back with more trees :)

He reminded me yesterday that he forgot to show me the 100 year old tree he purchased back in the 80's. Such a gentleman

I hope this will be a nice little memory video for his family in later years. Such a wonderful example to us.

I think he shows what any of us are capable of doing. No instruction...just experience over 50 years :)

We had only chatted by email before this visit so it was wonderful to speak in person and see he is truly a genuine bloke.

You need the jacket if you really want to succeed :)

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat So that's your little secret..........

His collection and display method are brilliant

I am just so pleased for Joe that people have been watching this. It is always tough to guess what RU-vid will put in front of people :)

It was an incredible affternoon :)

Thanks to Joe for making this such a warm and interesting afternoon for me :)

I think I was lucky to have Joe so willing to chat. He surprised me with the poeple he had met and chatted with over the years. A lot of controversial comments had to stay onthe edit floor unfortunately :(

That semi-cascade mugo was magnificent up close :)

He reminded me so mcuh of my dad, even down to the cardigan. the one I am wearing was his before he died in 2020.

He took me by surprise and we chatted for nearly 3 hours. he actually had to kick me out :)

It is a beautiful set-up he has.

It was a priveledge to be able to chat with him for a few hours.

I talked him into the ground and it was Joe who eventually had to admit defeat and tell me it was time to rest :)

I think we all have that in us once we get bitten by the bonsai bug. I did laugh when he showed me his cuttings and talked about his plans for them :)

I still need to do a video onmjy Hinoki - Joe was an absolute pleasure to chat with

So mcu experience around us - it is easy to forget sometimes :)

He surprised me when he satrted talking about some of the 'greats' in Uk Bonsai.

It is just all the red tape and insurance and stuff like that which is the issue. I shall think it through over the winter :)

I am looking forward to seeing that pyracantha develop next year :)

That is the funniest comment I have heard so far. Love it :)

Hi, i have made that suggestion in a couple of videos so it really is down to people reaching out to me. This visit was because of the support he has shown my channel and the amount of trees and longevity we could talk about. I have pencilled in a couple of visits so there will be more to come. The issue is a lot of people don't seem to enjoy garden tours - although mine tend to be more chat based than tree based :)

Unfortunately only the crassula flower :)

So many we didnt even get to talk about as well.

It was such a treat being able to visit and chat with someone who has supported me for so long.

It was definitely worth dropping byu to see him on the off chance he wanted to chat :)

You summed that up perfectly Phillip

Thanks kennet - so many enthusiasts just like Joe quietly go about their hobby in peace ;)

It was a little like 'Little & large' at some points :)

We had a really great afternoon and chatted about so much other stuff as well. he was very open and honest...more so than I could safely put in this video :)

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat 😂😂😂😂

I think he typifies what we can all achieve if we are patient and enjoy our hobby :)

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat yes your so right Xavier patience is a virtue and mostly the key to success I’m very new to Bonsai and I follow you guys for information and I read a few books my collection is only small mainly garden centre material but thank you for your great work keep up the great job you do kind regards Paul

@@pauletheridge7594 It all starts from there Paul. I had just 20 larch saplings and now I lok at them and can't believe how some of them look? Just time no real skill :)

I couldn't believe it when I saw he was wearing the same jacket. Mine belonged to my dad so it it felt very familiar seeing Joe wearing one too :)

I am just thakful that so many people have responded well to this video about a true Bonsai Gentleman

His garden is so well laid out but the history of each tree was a wonder. it was nice to meet somebody else who could provide so many back stories to his bonsai journey

Thanks - I am finally starting to look a little deeper into what Davinci can provide. I will be spending a lot of my winter learning more :)

He is an example to all of us - nice cat too

I am constantly reminded to be humble by the collections so many of you all seem to have. He was a real gentleman.

It was totally unexpected as you could probably guess from the commentary. he has been commenting on my videos since the early days. Such an honour to be allowed to interview him :)

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat ❤

I definitelyw ant to visit your garden Darren - but when the Duchess is in full bloom if that is ok?

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat of course, I’d be honoured indeed🌳

Thanks rraymond

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat thank you, coming up with some great videos and ideas. Keep up the great work

Cheers Bruce

That's the joy of bonsai - I would love to see some pictures :)

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat way beyond my technical knowledge, I have no idea how to send pics with youtube

@@EricShingles-p6q If you like you just send a couple to me at: expressionsbonsai@gmail.com

anh ấy rất thân thiện và hào phóng

Took me totally by surprise :)

Bearing in mind I grew up in Australia and my children are half Spanish...maybe? If you can bring some hot sun with you I would be happy to see you :)

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat well I'll be coming with the sunshine 😁