I started with my bonsai about 10 hears ago with a kit. I dtill have all 7 and am very proud of what i have done with them. Two are well on their way with exposed roots. I undersfand the point you were making though. Its just the satisfaction of looking at them and knowing they were once a seed in my hand is a great feeling i would encourage anyone to try. Now, willow if my favorite for something that can give fast results.
That’s a great achievement and growing your own trees from seed is very satisfying, but I would personally recommend doing that alongside caring for nursery trees. It’s not a great idea for beginners who may fail or lose patience. 👍
Just starting!!! Thank you for this video! You addressed things (i.e. watering) that I haven't seen much info on. It's generally my biggest concern, since I'm completely clueless about keeping plants healthy. Love your advice. I'll be voraciously reading and watching as much as possible
That’s great Mark. It’s not too long ago that I didn’t k know how to keep the plants alive either but you soon learn the basics. Good luck on your bonsai journey. 👍
Finally, somebody that recommends a "second" watering! Why can't people get this? I see people basically sprinkle some water on their plants (not just bonsai) for a few seconds and think that's enough. The (wrong) thinking is that it's such a tiny pot, it doesn't need that much. Then the water doesn't get past the top inch of soil. Overwatering is just as bad (worse?) because it washes all the nutrients out.
The Japanese have a saying that “for bonsai it rains twice” meaning that the first watering is allowed to drain into the soil, which makes it easier for the second watering to properly penetrate through. It is a mantra I repeat to myself while watering.
Thanks Jason. I am just sorting out the entries for the 1000 subscribers prize draw now and will put up a video at 4pm GMT tomorrow announcing the winners. Good luck and thank you for your support.
Just watched this on the big screen. Excellent production and an easy watch. I bet this will do well over time. I would add tip number 16 - Have fun and enjoy bonsai and don't take it too seriously. Bonsai in its excence is quite ridiculous, so see it for what it is and enjoy all aspects of this wonderful pastime.
@@TonysBonsai I frequently think to myself “this is a weird hobby”. We must all be mad 😊 I’m stealing your tip for the follow up video, “Another 15 essential tips”…
Good idea. I really enjoy this format of video and I reckon you can come up with another 15. At least one should also be relating to presence and being in the moment.
Had to pause this to leave my comment!! Love that you talked about watering, I’ve been leaning bonsai for about 3 years now and this year is the first year I think I had done things pretty well and what I remember most is watering, it’s true a bonsai apprentice mostly waters for the first year and I can tell you all I have done this year is mostly watering, like a mad man, day and night even… if you like bonsai get used to watering lol!!
Thank you for your feedback Aaron. Watering is such an essential skill - I find that my soil mix helps a lot since it avoids being water logged, whilst hanging onto moisture. 👍
This is such a lovely and incredibly informative tutorial.Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge. We just got our first Bonsai (Juniper) and are trying to learn as much as we can to care for it properly.
Great advice about 'bob a job'. I think when we are starting we often look for those short cuts to great results or misinterpreting actions taken by an expert and applying them badly. My biggest example is Herons. Sometimes, Peter Chan just looks like he is hacking blindly at a Maple or Azalea growth without thought...but we all know that he knows exactly where and when he can do these things. Skimming videos is also fatal if you are really trying to understand a technique. I have made so many mistakes hopping between different 'experts' without recognising that they are often just following the example set by another...Bob! this was probably the most important tip you gave Jason - great stuff. Understanding physiology was my truning point and I am still only a beginner...
I think a lot of what Peter Chan does is specifically aimed at introducing and demystifying bonsai for absolute beginners. A lot of his more vicious critics miss that point. Nobody with a £7,000 tree is going to use the quick methods he uses on a £10 picea. Anyone with that level of tree would surely have spent time researching more refined techniques and methods. I liken it to learning where the door handle and steering wheel are, before going on to become an F1 driver… And the guy has experience accumulated since the 1970s.
Great vid! I thought this would help me a lot. But not really I consider myself beeing a beginner. Watching this vid made me think I am not. But I am. Still lot of learning in front of me.😂👍
@@TheBonsaiGarden I have sent my adress to your mail. Looking forward to see if the book can provide new insights into this facinating hobby. Pack it well as there will be an unboxing vid on my channel.😀👍
Question - can I temporarily have a Juniper indoors over harsh cold winter conditions, if it's getting enough sunlight? Or special lighting added? What is the factor about it being indoors that causes it to decline? Inquiring minds (like mine) want to know. :)
Junipers are outdoor plants that grow and thrive in some of the harshest environments - mountains and arid deserts. They need bright sunlight and don’t like wet roots. Keeping them indoors is an artificial environment - and even by a window will provide less natural light. Also our homes tend to have central heating, low humidity and poor air flow - all of which will cause a steady decline. Many, many people have tried keeping them indoors without success. For a couple of days it would be fine. But for prolonged periods I would not recommend it. If you have a greenhouse or cold frame it might be better in there over winter if it gets particularly cold. Other local bonsai enthusiasts might be able to advise what they do to protect their trees in your local climate. Hope that helps.
@@TheBonsaiGarden I opted for a modified greenhouse - small plants in the center surrounded by taller/bigger planters, and covered with plastic. It's all I had available to do. Amazingly, here in DFW area of Texas, more survived than I expected - I lost maybe 10-15% of everything, and the evergreen plant material did better than everything else (of course). I guess planting things in shallow dirt with tall pots and those pots being black plastic was actually advantageous. NOW I have to get them out of those pots - hot temps coming!
Thanks for valuable information. About Chinese Junipers so far I bought 3 young ones and put them under the direct sun with best possible soil for development of the small Junipers but they all died because of intense heat under the direct sun which went over 42 degrees C. I am going to buy another one next week but I don't know what to do with the intense heat under the direct sunlight. If I put them under a tree shade then they don't get enough sun light and die eventually. What do you suggest I must do to give them enough direct sunlight without scorching them These Junipers are very expensive here at middle East. Pls help me what to do to keep them happy and growing. We are at the end of Summer month but the heat is still high. About 36 C. Appreciate your professional advise Thanks Sir.
Better to find a native tree which will grow in your environment. The junipers should get enough sunlight if in the partial shade of a tree. You may need to water them more regularly in such a scorching heat. Good luck 🤞
I use molar clay instead of Akadama. Particularly Kitty Friend cat litter from Pets at Home in the UK. Also sold as safety zorb or some similar name for oil spills. The stuff is high fired moler clay and is terracotta in colour, and relatively cheap. I pay about £16 for a 30ltr bag and mix with agricultural grit or agricultural sand and a small amount of regular garden centre compost.
Thats a great help. Ive been looking into improving my trees growth and development. So i will be changing the soil when i see new buds on the branches next year.
