A lot of the bonsai masters, seem to not want to reveal their ‘secrets’, but you are the exception to that generalization- thank you so much for sharing your bonsai ‘secrets’ with the rest of us!
Yeah that's one of the things that's always kinda bugged me about how much ancient technology/art (bonsai, woodcarving, forging...) that's been lost because the last master never got around to passing on what he knew.
Nigel, just want you to know that you have all the attributes of a great teacher. You are deliberate, clear, offer very good explanation for why you do things. I have learned a lot from you and most of all you give me courage and encouragement as I work w plants in my yard.
I can listen to you talk and watch you prune all day long. When I showed my dad and told him I thought you reminded me of a plant artist Bob Ross he definitely agree !! Thank you for being a little positive in my day, on so many days, it is a joy to watch you work !
Thank you from the bottom of my tiny wee pots. Watching these methods have given me the confidence to continue doing exactly what you've just showcased. I'm glad to know I'm on the right track and can rely on you for any troubleshooting and expert advice. Happy Mame and already looking forward to your next video! Cheers Mandie
I though about bonsai after receiving an old brass shallow pot from my father from his military days, after watching 100+ hours of bonsai channels on youtube i can clearly see who the winners are, this channel reveals the most important lessons in bonsai i.e. why and how to do something and the thinking behind it. Another great channel i found was an Indian channel in Hindi language but with english subtitles called Bonsai tricks and a lot more. Thank you for sharing.
I learned a TON about the rooting system and how growth happens! From a new into growing life, this has been VERY insightful! Thank you for taking the time to make these videos.
Nigel you are truly a root whisperer you have scared me to death with how much you trim at times. This next spring you have given me courage to prune like crazy and take the next step in my previous bonsai trees
For some reason, this question has stumped me for a while now and no amount of internet digging has answered it. This video explained it better than any other resource I've found and answered my question within the first 5 minutes. Thank you Nigel
Thanks for the reply, as I live in Spain and it is now early summer conditions) I will try pruning now. The bonsai in question has become very leggy. Keep up the good work and interesting videos.
As someone who is just starting out on her bonsai journey, I'm so grateful for such a clear explanation of how to properly prune to keep bonsai small AND how to properly repot a small tree. Many thanks!
Thanks Nigel. It's always so relaxing watching you maintain your trees. I enjoy showing your techniques to my friends. Great video. Stay warm and safe. :)
Thank you for all your inspiring videos and helpful advice. Thank you for caring so much for the wellbeing of all creatures and making a stand for those without voices. Blessings to New Years Eve for you and your family and of course for all the green Projekts under your care
Brand new to bonsai and also in the KW area so your videos are of particular interest to me. Thank you for making this so easy to understand and not over-complicating things! I really wish I had discovered bonsai earlier in my life so I had some strong trees to work with!
On a less serious note, I keep hearing an undertone of Michael from The Office in your voice. That is not to detract from your value by providing such useful information, sir. I believe that because you are a bonsai person you will be happy and 'chill' enough to understand my intention is pure. Lol. Great video. I am a newcomer to bonsai but am so appreciative of the effect it has on my emotional state. Have a great day, Nigel. Keep up the good work.
Hello, Nigel. This is Edwin from Colombia. Big fan. I have learned a lot from your videos, but this one has been the most educational one I've watched so far, and though I haven't watched all of your posts, I've watched a lot of them. I also have ficus religiosa and microcarpa bonsai and I'm planning on growing mini bonsai of both species and what I've learned from this video will be very useful. Thanks a lot!
The tree relies on energy stored in the roots, trunk and branches to grow new foliage on the tree. It is similar to generating the new leaves on deciduous trees in spring. This does drain the tree of energy, so it should only be done on a really healthy vigorous tree. The new leaves should be allowed to grow and replace the lost energy stores in the tree.
I have watched many Bonsai videos on RU-vid & of course other sort of videos. The differnce is the depth you explain. I have cleard many doubts after watching this video because you explain why you do it(scientifically). Most importantly you do not begging for likes, shares or subscribe. In that sense you are a real teacher. Kudos !!!
Its very easy to understand as u show three different plants step by step very cute as they are remarkably small thanks a lot being a beginner tips are very helpful
This would be an excellent video. We've seen the tree benches covered in a think layer of snow but never had a discussion or explanation of how he winterizes. Although, as much snow as they get up there you have to remember that type of snow basically acts like an insulator. The trees under that pile of snow are kept close to 32F because the really cold air can't get to them.
I bought a shelf green house on eBay for $35 . It keeps my tropical trees warm and humid during Australian winters (which are no where near as cold as Canada’s obviously but we still get frost etc)
Nigel did you ever make that video? Where I live we barely have a winter so my interest is curiosity but I think there are others who it would be a great practical help. And we miss you during your winter.
Hi Mr.Saunders I would like to ask you some questions: 1. Is it okay to start reducing the planet in December or in late January. 2. Taking much of roots wasn't dangerous on planet. 3. What's the kind of your soil is?? Lastly am a big fan of you and your amazing bonsai I hope you could help me am still new
hi. he is reducing the plant in late december. i don't think theres a big difference weather you do it then or in january - depending on plant ofc. he has videos on bonsai soil
Nigel s., I am watching from my home Canada. I always fond of making Bonsai but couldn't making, after watching your step by step demonstration feel like can do it. I love to see your more tutorials to make Bonsai, your description is clear and meticulous. Some people they put, wear,net etc. Those are not very clear to me. Subscribing your channel more. Zeenat.
Thank you very much for your videos! I recently purchased 2 Japanese maples trees and did not know what to do with them. I have been looking for information, which I have seen plenty of information that did not help me much. However, your videos are very helpful they helped me understand a bit better. You give such a clearer picture and understanding on how to care for them, keep them healthy and small. Again thank you
glad I stumbled on to this video. just got a new small elm tree and tea tree in the tiny bonsai pots your tree is in, they have a 1 inch thick trunk and want to keep them small. now I know what to do
They can, but generally a healthy plant will seal and repair itself without any problems. Some people claim a sealing paste is good to apply, others say it is not! Here is what Walter Pall says... walter-pall-bonsai.blogspot.ca/2009/01/about-sealing-wounds-on-trees.html
CyniuxD if it is a tropical you need to do it before summer or after summer (I think but I'm sure you can do it any time of the year depending on the tree and just baby it). if it is a tree that goes dormant then you can cut most of the roots off and most of the top off as well before spring. I found a maple and I cut it to have 2 small roots and 3 inches of trunk and when it grew it was fine. im not sure about ever greens.
Is that a cannabis bonsai in the background? Lol I'm sure it's a money tree or some other imposter. But sure did make me laugh lol. Love your work. I have recently gotten into bonsai and you have helped me more than anything.
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone Thanks Nigel. After posting this question I found another of your videos on soil mixes 😀 It's all starting to make sense.
The Bob Ross of bonsai? 😊😬 This is wonderful, thank you for the informative and very pleasant video. Lovely to watch and listen, and I’ve learned a thing or two!
The soil is 1/2 perlite and 1/2 turface. It is really good for root growth and keeping the trees healthy. You do need to add fertilizer to your water, like hydroponics.
So even right after repotting you use fertilised water? Wouldn't that burn freshly cut roots? I understand that your mix is poor in nutrients but great for root growth. I use premixed bonsai soil with akadama on top and bottom, would that still work after such hard root pruning? Cause now I really have a dilemma :D Thanks, love your videos!
I just can't get use to you calling rocks "soil" lol. I understand that rocks are what you commonly use on Bonsais, but to call them soil...it's very odd.
@@TheBonsaiZone so what are they ? They look like pebbles and I was wondering the same. Doesn't the tree need soil ? I mean yeah, ficus grows everywhere around here, be it in wall cracks etc.
@@PaperBarrack They look like pebbles, which they are. But they are NOT pebbles of rock, which are non-absorbent. They are pebbles of "Akadama" and "Turface", which are both types clay. Clay pebbles are absorbant, but also hold their shape, to allow for drainage of water, and circulation of air. What you don't see in those pebbles are included coarse sand, and Frit, to aid in drainage and minerals. This mix is typical for DECIDUOUS TREES, as opposed to conifers, which prefer a more organic, mulchy type of soil. You and others may wonder where the brown stuff is. Thats dirt. Different thing. Doesn't work on this small scale because it doesn't drain quickly, it turns to mud. These trees he's working on, you can do a 50/50 deciduous(pebble)/conifer(mulch) mix. It would be a littler more "dirtier".
I just found your channel and watched this video. You explained everything nicely, demonstrated how to do it etc. The best instructional video I've seen thus far. Thank you so much. I do have a question. I recently bought my second bonsai but am having problems identifying it. Do you have a video on that?
I planted eight "quercus petraea" seed and, this morning, two of this grow!!! one of my best success because I think they are not easy to grow!! hello from Italy! P.S. sorry if I write this comment one Years late! happy new years!
Yo nigel, I just got a very nice ficus microcarpa because I loved yours so much. Now I have a microcarpa bonsai, 2 ficus Benjamina "too little", and a ficus salicifolia/ nerifolia! Next up on the list of bonsai to add is a ficus religiosa!
I am just starting with 4 tree types, this is great what you have here. The 4 I have are Pinus Thunbergii, Jacaranda Mimosiolia, Pinus Aristata, and Picea Marina. They are just sprouting less than 1 inch for each . So excited to start this journey.
Thank you very much for this detailed video on bonsai. I was very nervous about root pruning until watching your video. I'm starting a rosemary bonsai and hope it will survive.
Happy holidays from Australia! I found your video about starting Bonsai when I was starting out and have been watching ever since, they're so helpful and relaxing. I Look forward to seeing your videos into the new year :)
Do you have any cherry trees? I got a cutting from a sucker on my cherry willow, and am pretty sure the rootstock is just a wild cherry. I am so thankful for the knowledge you spread helping ordinary people like myself be able to create our own masterpieces in an artform many people are misinformed of.
Thanks Enezeuvie, I find them very exciting also! Large trees are awesome too, but sometimes the well done small ones amaze me more. I remember a show I went to once, and the best tree in the show was a small tree about 6 inches tall. It looked larger than any other tree in the show in including some that were almost a meter tall. This experience taught me, it's not about size of the bonsai, but the quality and attention to detail.
Hey I was in Florida for the Christmas holiday and went to the botanical garden in West Palm Beach. I spotted a Ficus Religiosa that had a nice fluted trunk, so I took some photos. I can send them along to you if you'd like! The texture may give you some inspiration.
This is intriguing. I rent a room in someone else's house, so I have little space and no outside yard. I wonder if this method could allow me to grow tiny fruit trees and berry bushes and everything else I no longer have room for. Thank you for sharing this video with us! You are a good teacher. I am subscribing and will follow to learn more.
I have a green pepper plant that I keep trimmed like a bonsai tree and I got about 5 peppers off of it last fall. I think the bonsai techniques can be applied to most garden plants to keep them small and compact.
I started growing a star fruit tree from seed and i have it growing in a soup can under a lamp in my room. I live in an apartment so i was thinking of turning it into a medium to semi large bonsai tree sence i don't have much space. You seem like you know what you're doong so your videos will be quite helpful. Subscribed
Thank you and I hope your tree grows well! Here is a good article that might help.... www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/starfruit/container-grown-starfruit.htm
I've been watching most of your videos. THANK YOU!! for sharing. For being so educational. Calm. And nice =o))) yo sound super humble and actually inspired us to start our own bonsai trees. Best Wishes and your "panther" cat is the cutest
I had a bonsai that I tried to repot a few years ago to follow the instructions for doing so after three years. It seemed to be quite healthy before I touched it. I ended up killing it. I still miss it.
Gday nice sir! i'm a big fan of your channel (seen all of your single videos at least 2 times :D) and just started some bonsai trees myself too so i am a complete beginner .. your advices are priceless and I do have a question if I may - at 5:17, you cut that quite thick Jade's branch - What was the purpose of growing it if you ended up removing it ? was it initially part of the tree's design and you changed your mind in the meantime or did you grow it for a different reason ? thank you in advance!
It was grown to help fatten up the trunk below. I will be repeating this operation several times in the trees life, to improve the taper of the trunk. This is the hard part of building a trunk, you let all these nice branches grow, and then you prune it back to a short single trunk again. Eventually you get a nice old looking trunk. After the trunk is formed you can start to grow the actual branches you will use. If you don't prune it back like this, your branches will be the same thickness as the trunk.
Thanks for the video on bonsai soil composition! Clearest explanation out there. Have you or anyone you know of used coarse kitty litter in place of turface?
Yes, some types of cat litter are fired, so the particles don't break down with water. You would have to test this out before using it, some types just turn to a gooey mess when water is added.... bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basicscatlitter.htm
Ok this is the tree i have friend gave me a a cutting of off her big one and now my cutting is bigger than her! Ive been cutting it to keep it in the shape i want but the bark is still very young only just starting to thicken up. Im so happy i now know what it is ive got it in a huge pot was going to up pot it now i think i wont!
