Repotting & Styling A Customers Bonsai Collection 

PS: after Many attempts and a very welcome success I finally air-layered a silver maple with a nicely spiraling trunk. I realized from your tutorials I wasn't using enough spagnum medium. I feel a bit more like an accomplished Bonsai Artist. My trees were started about 8 years ago and they are beginning to look like something now. Sacred Bamboo, Procumbens Nana, American and Chinese Elms, including a nice forest grouping, Three species of Ficus, one is root over rock, one is 3 fused Benjaminas, and apples and callery pears started from seeds. Thanks very much for all you have taught me Peter. What a wonderful hobby. 😊

They say that trimming bonsai is like hairdressing

I wish I lived so close so I could as well😊

The best part of this hobby and the people give their trees away for this work. I will never understand this

Why peal the bark back on the limbs that get cut?

​@derbogus9680 some people get too old, or are unable to in other ways.

Nice to meet you again Johnny. We have known each other for over 30 years. I remember you when I used to give talks and demos at Southend Bonsai club when 125-130 people used to come to their meetings - those were the glory days of the clubs!!! Stay Blessed !

Lucky you!

I really want to do one of those if I'm ever in the uk

Have you made one?

@@peterchan3100 No I haven't but have read it's possible. Not quite where how to begin one.

The roots that come into contact with the air die and the soil is washed away with every watering.

@@jonawolf8023 Mmm, makes sense, thanks

Substrate with a high organic content (humus, peat, leaf litter...) can store moisture and nutrients well, which is important if you live in a dry climate or you cannot water several times a day. The disadvantage is that you have little control over the nutrients available and these materials decompose, which means in a long-term lack of air in the soil, which can lead to root diseases or the death of the tree. Mineral substrate (gravel, akadama...) cannot store moisture and nutrients, which means you have to water and fertilize frequently, but you have very good control over the growing conditions. At the same time, these substances do not decompose, so there is always enough air in the soil to promote optimal root growth. In summary: both have their advantages and disadvantages, you can balance them out a bit by mixing them.

I had the same question! Thanks!

email us a picture and I will try and advise

@@peterchan3100 I really appreciate this offer Peter, however I won’t waste your time. I ‘bit the bullet’ recently and pruned a load of in growing shoots and twigs. The tree looks a little sparse in places but will recover nicely. Thank you very much for everything.

Previous owners on the property must have been Asian decent as the tree looks like a mini bonsai already.

The tree is taller than me and I am 6’ 4

Hamelia patens?

@@jonawolf8023 Euonymus alatus Burning bush Celastraceae > Euonymus > Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Siebold

@@jonawolf8023 Euonymus alatus )) Burning bush Celastraceae > Euonymus > Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Siebold

As Peter Said, when some people get a bit older it becomes a lot of physical work to do in a single small time frame. Not to mention that it gives Peter an income and keeps the bonsai economy going. …..maybe just come to terms with the fact that everybody has different levels of commitment they can give to a hobby 🤷🏼‍♂️

This gentleman is getting on in years and is not able to do it now but he still loves his trees. So please understand where some people are coming from. We all get old one day if we are so lucky.

I disagree, at least regarding these trees. Most of these trees are over 20 years old. Firstly, they are alive, they appear healthy, and they show the appearance of past pruning. Sure, Peter can show improvements and offer suggestions regarding styling, but the trees are in acceptable shape for an older hobbyist or nonprofessional. I am over 70 years old and I can tell you that my trees suffer a bit because of a chronic back ache and general weakness in the limbs. Some of my trees ( one is 65 years old) are so heavy I can barely lift them. I say kudos to the owner.

There is nothing wrong with having a master come and touch up and correct your work. The customer may not be confident enough to make radical but needed changes but can clearly maintain the plants.