So strange to imagine all that snow when we have 80 degree F weather here in south FL. Love the new Vietnam style bonsai pot! Following your adventures with 3D pots is so EXCITING!
Thank you Patricia, we are above freezing today, good thing, I was running out of water in my indoor barrel. Today I filled it with the snow melting off the rooftops. Lots of hard work!
You just put one after another great healthy tree on the table, like it's nothing. I really love that acacia she's gorgeous, i tried to grow them but it seems they don't get very well along with me. Thanks for your always enjoyable videos.
Sorry to hear about your Poinsettia! My first Bonsai tree is also a Poinsettia (approximately 5 years old now) so I really enjoyed imagining what it could turn into based on your tree.
Thank you for more great videos. The printed pots are looking good! They will need to be watered very regularly with the drainage holes and shallow profile, although you don't seem to have the heat we have here in Australia, so that will be easier on your trees. Waiting for your next video!
Nigel bonsai videos= happiness, everyday i open up my phone very eagerly to see ur work, but would get deeply disappointed if i dont find one.... this s my happy day again....
Hi again. Like your commitment and focus towards your bonsai. there was lot of learning for me in this vedio specially on soil mix. I was struggling to get good pots hope if I follow up your innovative approach I can fill that gap in my hobby of bonsai. Thanks a lot.
Really helpful, as always. This is inspiring me to tackle a Ficus Benjamina that has been growing (Southern UK) out of control in my wife's writing room. Wish me luck, and again, thank you :-)
I hope this doesn't seem weird, but when you rake out the roots a last time, it kind of reminds me of a young girl brushing her favourite doll's hair. Or a mother brushing her daughter's hair. It's just so careful and gentle.
Thanks Paul, I have a lot of Jades on the go. I think I'll have to make a large forest of them, I have so many! It's so hard to throw away the cuttings, and they almost all root!
I usually feel the leaves on jade. if they are firm, I don't water. then when the leaves feel a little floppy, I water well. the most common problem with growing them is the roots rotting i have never had that problem.
Hi Nigel, I just discovered this page randomly becouse your ficus religiousa caught my eye i also have one, from seed and its 4 years old already.. anyway keep up good work, your page is great! :)
Was really looking forward to this video after the other 2 parts! At first I was sceptical whether i liked the 3d printing and all but it's proven real fun and relaxing to watch you working so enthousiastically on them. Have you ever considered growing a Dwarf cavendish forest for fun? They can grow really fast and they are not exactly trees but because of the dwarfism they remain fairly small so it might be a fun change. They even provide their own saplings once you have one growing. Musa acuminata "Dwarf Cavendish" if you want to find them ;). Anyways, love your videos
The banana trees look like a fun tree for bonsai. Sadly, my plant room is right full at the moment, I can't add any more trees unless I get rid of some of the ones I have.....or build a bigger room!
+Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone ah too bad, maybe when spring comes around and you can put plant back outside :). I would love to see you work on bananas, and although thee arent that good for bonsai thee make a quick forest in only 1 or 2 years which might be fun at the club :)
+Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone ah too bad, maybe when spring comes around and you can put plant back outside :). I would love to see you work on bananas, and although thee arent that good for bonsai thee make a quick forest in only 1 or 2 years which might be fun at the club :)
I think the issue with turface is around its low cation exchange capacity, it uptakes water very well but then doesn't release it back to be available to the plant. For tropical plants in a greenhouse or plant room like yours i suspect it isn't a big drama since it is so humid, but i wouldn't be game to use it on ornamental deciduous or other species that are more reliant on water access personally. But hey, its working for you so stick with it! It's hard to find a good substrate locally and i am trying to put together a rough approximation of an akadama/lava rock/pumice mix. I have managed to find Akadama and pumice but i will need to find a replacement for the lava rock still. My current mix tends to break down around 2-3 years and have issues with retaining a lot of moisture so we all have our substrate battles to fight!
Hello Nigel, I am a huge fan of your videos, and you have inspired me to start a number of Future bonsai trees. I have also been enjoying 3-D printing bonsai pots sense your first video mentioning the idea. You mentioned sharing your 3-D print files, how may we get in contact with you about those? I could not see your email. I am especially interested in your Vietnamese style bonsai pot
The snow will bend the limbs, but I find in spring, they just bounce right back into position. I haven't noticed any snow damage to the actual branches or had any branches torn off. The blanket of snow is good protection from the wind and cold, I'll make an inspection video in spring to see the state of the trees. Hopefully all will survive, but I do always worry!
I've always heard that the forces of nature make a tree stronger: the wind moving it back and forth. I would think the same would be true of the weight of snow bowing the branches...and their moving back to position in the spring. Do you find that to be true, Nigel?
As always, such an engaging video, Nigel. During this video, I started wondering how you got into Bonsai and when. Maybe you could do a video for us? ...I bet you could also get very creative with such a video, too! Do you have your first Bonsai tree?
Hello Bonnie, I am working on a video right now with "Bonsai Talk" to answer this very question! I do still have my first tree from a seed. It is my Ficus microcarpa.... czcams.com/play/PLQouTWwmTQoySQ6udnExjnIkxlww48R9t.html
I kind of miss the 'Do something green today' line in the end of the video :D :( ... Anyway, really nice and enjoyable video, your 3D printed pots are just amazing, looking foreward to having some on my own (they are just being printed, or so I hope :D )
Hello Nigel another great veido. Would love to put a few of my trees in vietnam style pots. Please let me know where I found find the files I need to send to a 3d printing service. Thank again for your fine vedios
The radial roots will give the tree the look of an old tree you would see in nature and it helps develop a thick base on the trunk at the soil level. You will actually see the roots flare smoothly into the trunk as the tree gets older. Here is my video on this.... czcams.com/video/AcSu8SUQ0kE/video.html
To a degree, the roots will grow out from around the cut in a radial pattern, so the angle of the cut can affect the direction or flow of the new root growth. I try and make most of my cuts parallel to the surface of the soil. The new roots grow and flow in nicely with the existing roots.
I bought it at the Canadian National Exhibition this year in Toronto. You can order them on line also.... www.ebronzemart.com/store.php/eBronzeMart/pd8089340/wax_museum_quality_buddhist_monk_figure_extreme_art_1 The one I bought was smaller and cost only 20 dollars!
Hi Nigel, I just binge watched 3 hours of your videos while at work! Unfortunately without any sound...but it was still very entertaining watching you work. As a beginner to bonsai, I do have a few quick questions I'd love to ask you! I noticed that you never tie down the roots to the bottom of your pot. Is this step crucial or necessary when re-potting bonsai? I also noticed that you use the same potting mix in many of your videos. What kind of mixture do you prefer? Thanks Nigel, I'm a subscriber now!
Hello Christopher, I don't tie my trees down, mainly to avoid wire marks across the roots. Many trees that aren't re potted for many years will get a permanent scar from the hold down wires and some roots will actually grow around the wire and it will permanently be embedded into the roots. I have seen many really good trees with ugly straight lines across the roots from wire. I also like to feel how the tree wiggles in the pot as I work in the soil around the roots. Tightening the hold down wires can also shift the tree in the pot as you tighten and the planting angle may be altered. I place large rocks around the base of the tree until the roots grow enough to anchor the tree into the pot. These rocks help to cover the soil and stop surface evaporation after re potting. Wiring the tree into the pot is important if you have problems with wind, squirrels etc. It is best to do what feels right for you!
Hello Nigel. I"m a great fan of you. Everyday I spent at least some time to watch your videos. My son, who is only 6 years old, is also a fan of your work. He accompanies me when I enjoy your videos. We watched almost all your videos. I have one question to ask you, have you attempted a fusion of any kind of ficus? I have not seen any in your videos. If not, then, do you have any explanation?Thank you.
The only fusion Ficus I have is the one where I'm trying to restore the tree after the top died from the cold. Here is the playlist for that tree..... czcams.com/play/PLQouTWwmTQow33hNUHMspuLIADinmz-mM.html I generally just try and grow trees into a natural shape. I'm not a big fan of grafting or fusion in bonsai. I'm glad you two enjoy the videos, thank you very much!
Hello Nigel, Can turface be substituted with akadama for a ficus mix? I managed to get my hands on perlite but it is impossible to find turface in an area where I live.
madman3332 turface is generally used in place for akadama as it can be very expensive, it’s a really premium product. In my opinion akadama is better but some might even say turface is. So it’s upto you but yes you can
You can substitute turface with lava rock, pumice or akadama. I get my turface at the farm store for 17 dollars for an 18 kg (40 lb) bag. I end up sifting and removing about a third of the volume as dust and too fine a particle size.
The snow serves as isolation from the cold peaks. But i wonder how the roots are doing since behing elevated, nothing proteçts them from the cold from under. If these trees were planted in the ground, sure the snow would be a blanket isolation and the deeper soil a reservoir of mild temperature but i don't get how potted, specially elevated potted tree roots can survive the deep freeze. Insights?
The roots stay frozen for almost the entire winter and the snow on the branches helps the top from freeze drying in the dry winter winds. Many people place their trees in unheated garden sheds or greenhouses, but they also are the same temperature inside as the air is outside. I think it is more the freezing and thawing cycle that damages the roots, rather then the cold for many species. I will have a video on this coming soon, I'll discuss overwintering in a little more detail.
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone hahahhaha sorry sorry I'm just a big fan of yours you got me into this whole bonsai stuff and now my room is transforming into a small garden
Nigel when would you say the best time for a trunk chop would be? Spring before new shoots come in? Asking since I have a few trees that are starting to "wake up"
If you do a trunk chop in spring, you can loose a lot of sap through the wound. The tree will bleed for many weeks. The best time is in fall or winter while the tree is dormant and the wound has time to dry out and heal a bit. You can do the chops mid summer if the tree has gone dormant in the heat. It should have enough time to recover before winter, but it is best to protect it well in winter because it won't be as strong as a tree that has grown all summer. I would think that you could do a trunk chop now, it should have time to heal before the sap starts to flow in mid March. This is a general answer for most deciduous trees, it's always best to check out details for your specific tree on line.
There seems to be a lot of haters out there against every soil mixture that doesn't contain pine bark and akadama. I've been experimenting with aquatic plant substrate (halite, flourite, and zeolite) and so far I've seen excellent success. Some trees I've mixed in perlite as well to see which plants respond better. I say use what ever works! We don't have to use the exact same soils that bonsai masters from Japan use. We all have different climates/watering habits and if it works and it's cheaper than fancy akadama, then keep at it!
I always worry about my trees! Most of the trees that I grow are very hardy and can take the cold temperatures. I kept them outside on the bench all last winter and they did well. I did loose a few weaker seedlings, but that was about it. This winter was colder than the last one, so I'll see in spring what lives and what didn't. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
Mr Saunders, i'd love to get the 3d printing pot files so i can print them myselfe, is it possible for me to get them? Thanks for Sharing your knowledge with us
I think the combination of vermiculite and perlite might create too light a soil. The soil needs some weight to anchor the tree in the pot. Vermiculite may also hold a little too much soil and I think it can become mushy over time. There may be some brands which are suitable that I haven't tried.
If you get the right kind of cat litter it can work well. It has to be a fired clay particle that doesn't break down with water. Here is an article.... www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basicscatlitter.htm
The coldest it has gotten this winter is -22 C. Last winter was a warm one with the lowest temperature at -18 C. I hope all my trees survive, time will tell.
please shoot the videos with a smaller aperture, sure it's cinematic but it makes it hard to see all of what's going on with such a shallow field of view
Did you defoliate the tree? Or does it naturally happen in the plant room? I have a ficus religiosa that was started from seed last spring and it’s quite large. I trimmed it back once in mid summer and again shortly after I brought it indoors for the winter. It grew back it’s large leaves for a couple of months and now every new leaf is very small and falls off shortly after it opens. I think I should defoliate, and perhaps repot into proper bonsai soil.
The tree lost it's leaves naturally. It is located in a cooler spot near the door and it dropped it's leaves for the winter. They are just starting to grow back in now. I would check your roots and re pot into a bonsai soil mix. If the roots look fine, you can re pot them without trimming them. Be sure your tree is getting enough sunlight, warmth and water and it should do fine.
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone thanks so much for replying! It’s really special to me to get a response from you. I repotted my ficus religiosa in a larger pot with a bonsai soil mix very similar to what you use and the roots looked just fine. Starting the radial root pattern with them just like you often suggest. I won’t prune it back I don’t think. It appears very healthy still a few days later. I’m excited to see what this summer will bring as far as growth for this tree. You’re the man Nigel. Keep those videos coming
Bonjour and Always thank you you are like an oasis on a désert ;-0) just a question: do you add nutriments (?) When you spray water? Or is it later? Thanks again!
I do have a video on watering and fertilizing. I begin this on newly re potted trees right away, because I use such a weak solution of fertilizer. czcams.com/video/gXIIpxUqxdY/video.html
Nice video Nigel ! I have a question is there anyway I can send pics of my bonsai's to see what you think of them? Do you have an email I can send them too? If that's alright. And what can I spray to kill gnats around my trees?
Gnats are usually associated with too wet a soil, or standing water around the pots. They are harmless, but annoying! I would let your soil go almost dry between watering's and then water thoroughly again. This drying out of the soil should make them go away. A fan to provide more air circulation will also help keep them away and your soil will dry out a little faster. My email is ... thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone Nigel I have 90w natural daylight led bulbs on my bonsai's is that ok for my bonsai? Or should I use the 65w plant lights that I have put away. I notice not much heat comes of the 90watts they grow pretty good under the 90watts.And the the plant lights put off some heat . Which is better for my bonsai's
Hello I'm shuvayan from India.I have Chinese elm bonsai tree and some of the roots are coming out through the holes of the pot.What should I do now?And How can I prepare a good bonsai soil in home?
You can trim off the roots that are growing out of the drainage holes, it is normal for this to happen and doesn't always mean the tree is root bound. Check out Mammal Bonsai for his soil video.... czcams.com/video/1r6an_NbfJI/video.html
Yes indeed, deep pots actually drain better than shallow pots. Shallow pots need to be tipped on an angle to drain the excess water out. I will be printing some deeper pots in the future also.
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone oh nice! Do you have any tips on growing the cuttings? I’m gonna try to root them in water and also wanna try rooting them in soil. Is their any specific soil I need to use?
I guess the blue pot was designed for lazy people, so that the tree would have a little backup in harsh times^^ At first I understood "pommes", which means "french fries" in German O.o Nice pot an bonus for the crow ;)
Hi Nigel sir this was a great video.... I have a lovely reference picture of a full size tree from India for your next acacia project....how am I supposed to send it to you?
Hello nigel I have recently made some Vietnamese style bonsai pots made from cement I would love to send you an email so you can see them, I was wondering if you would kindly send me the file you use to print your Vietnamese style pots as they are amazing. Hope to hear back from you. Liam from bonsai beginning.
Reference pictures of what a full size box looks like in nature! Hilarious!! Maybe like this one? cargocollective.com/anthonyalvarez/IKEA-Box-Apartment BTW - that ficus religiosa looks really good in the pot. I think you are really onto something with those printed pots!
It's so relaxing watching you work. TY.
Thank you very much!
omg 20 years!!!!
Great work Nigel.
Those are Canadian years! I can only keep my trees outside for 4 months of the year, growth is slow at times!
I really like the effort you put into your videos. Very great quality, thanks for that.
Thank you very much!
So strange to imagine all that snow when we have 80 degree F weather here in south FL.
Love the new Vietnam style bonsai pot! Following your adventures with 3D pots is so EXCITING!
Thank you Patricia, we are above freezing today, good thing, I was running out of water in my indoor barrel. Today I filled it with the snow melting off the rooftops. Lots of hard work!
Binge watching and playing catch up. Love the 3D printed pots and repotting into them !
Thank you Iqbal, it's easy to get behind on watching each others videos, but I try, and I always enjoy and learn from them!
Thanks!
the new pot looks fantastic. cant wait to see its new finish and potting.
Thank you, It will be a good challenge to get the right weathered look to the pot. I can't wait to get a tree into it also!
You just put one after another great healthy tree on the table, like it's nothing. I really love that acacia she's gorgeous, i tried to grow them but it seems they don't get very well along with me. Thanks for your always enjoyable videos.
Thank you, I can't wait to get the Acacia in a nice pot and get it outside for the summer!
Could you do a more in depth video on open boxes? I have never gotten mine to look as natural as I've wanted to. Thank you for great content! :)
Be sure to open the flaps in a radial pattern!
LOL @ you two!!!
my search on google for reference pictures of natural open boxes, did not turn out as planned....
Thanks, I needed that!
Hahaha Awesome comment!
Sorry to hear about your Poinsettia! My first Bonsai tree is also a Poinsettia (approximately 5 years old now) so I really enjoyed imagining what it could turn into based on your tree.
I'll be sure to make a video when I cut this one back. Here is my original tree.....
czcams.com/video/cZfl8-g6sVE/video.html
Thank you for more great videos. The printed pots are looking good!
They will need to be watered very regularly with the drainage holes and shallow profile, although you don't seem to have the heat we have here in Australia, so that will be easier on your trees. Waiting for your next video!
Thank you Trevor, yes it is very rare to get above 35 C here. I'll keep a good watch on the small ones! I'm working on the next video right now!
Great video Nigel! I love the brown tray pot, the way you painted it, it looks beautiful, and the shape is also very beautiful. Love it!!!
Thank you M. K. I'll have lots more designs coming!
Nigel bonsai videos= happiness, everyday i open up my phone very eagerly to see ur work, but would get deeply disappointed if i dont find one.... this s my happy day again....
Thank you Sathya, a long video this time!
Hey, thanks for the shout out! - L. A. Nolan
Thanks
czcams.com/channels/UPnojoIz0Nrjet9XzGBD3Q.html
Hi again.
Like your commitment and focus towards your bonsai. there was lot of learning for me in this vedio specially on soil mix. I was struggling to get good pots hope if I follow up your innovative approach I can fill that gap in my hobby of bonsai.
Thanks a lot.
Thank you Vaman, lots more fun stuff to come!
Great video! I like the monk, it's so real
My kids think he is so creepy! Thanks!
Well yeah he is, but most men of that age are
Really helpful, as always. This is inspiring me to tackle a Ficus Benjamina that has been growing (Southern UK) out of control in my wife's writing room. Wish me luck, and again, thank you :-)
All the best with your Ficus Tom, thank you!
Love your Bonsai vids.. Thanks for sharing info.
Thank you Zuri! My pleasure!
I hope this doesn't seem weird, but when you rake out the roots a last time, it kind of reminds me of a young girl brushing her favourite doll's hair. Or a mother brushing her daughter's hair. It's just so careful and gentle.
Funny, because I rarely brush my own hair, I usually leave it a mess!
That is just your signature Nigel sir
you should grow a top knot nigel. would be very convenient for you.
Great video! Loved the printed pots and repotting. I also really liked that Acacia tree you had growing in the ( what looks to be) coffee can.
Thank you, I can't wait to pot it, I think a shallow oval pot would be best, and I think I have one!
Thank you for sharing! Love how you do bonsai out of almost everything :)
No house plant is safe!
another great video nigel, and more great pots well done m8, keep it up
Thank you YJ!
Brilliant video Nigel !
Thank you Owen!
A good use for the old pot would be for a jade. I usually use the feel of the leaves as a guide for when to water them.
Thanks Paul, I have a lot of Jades on the go. I think I'll have to make a large forest of them, I have so many! It's so hard to throw away the cuttings, and they almost all root!
I usually feel the leaves on jade. if they are firm, I don't water. then when the leaves feel a little floppy, I water well. the most common problem with growing them is the roots rotting i have never had that problem.
And this is the video that made me a subscriber!
Thanks, lots of good stuff in that video!
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone yes you have a very good channel here sir! Thank for sharing!
I'd love the STL file on that pot, Nigel. I do need to invest in some NGen filament too
Beautyful effects, congratulations my frends!
Thank you Paulo!
super video so interesting..
Thank you Colin!
Hi Nigel, I just discovered this page randomly becouse your ficus religiousa caught my eye i also have one, from seed and its 4 years old already.. anyway keep up good work, your page is great! :)
Thank you, lots more to come!
Thank you for your amazing videos. God bless you. Bonsai master
Thank you, I have a lot of fun making videos!
I cant believe he showed us his crack!
Awesome video as always keep up the good work! you will hit 100k subs in no time!
Thank you, great comment!
Was really looking forward to this video after the other 2 parts! At first I was sceptical whether i liked the 3d printing and all but it's proven real fun and relaxing to watch you working so enthousiastically on them.
Have you ever considered growing a Dwarf cavendish forest for fun? They can grow really fast and they are not exactly trees but because of the dwarfism they remain fairly small so it might be a fun change. They even provide their own saplings once you have one growing. Musa acuminata "Dwarf Cavendish" if you want to find them ;). Anyways, love your videos
The banana trees look like a fun tree for bonsai. Sadly, my plant room is right full at the moment, I can't add any more trees unless I get rid of some of the ones I have.....or build a bigger room!
+Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone ah too bad, maybe when spring comes around and you can put plant back outside :). I would love to see you work on bananas, and although thee arent that good for bonsai thee make a quick forest in only 1 or 2 years which might be fun at the club :)
+Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone ah too bad, maybe when spring comes around and you can put plant back outside :). I would love to see you work on bananas, and although thee arent that good for bonsai thee make a quick forest in only 1 or 2 years which might be fun at the club :)
Love the sound track
Thank you, it's free music from the CZcams library. They have some good tracks!
Nice video trees look great behind the scenes work paying off
Thank you TMG!
double repotting! howd we get so lucky!
the 3d printed pots are looking great
Thank you very much!
your vieatnam style Bonsai pot are really nice. I will try to make this style Bonsai pot with cement.
Thank you, I hope it goes well!
Very good video quality 👍👍👍👍
Thank you Angelo, nice to hear!
I think the issue with turface is around its low cation exchange capacity, it uptakes water very well but then doesn't release it back to be available to the plant. For tropical plants in a greenhouse or plant room like yours i suspect it isn't a big drama since it is so humid, but i wouldn't be game to use it on ornamental deciduous or other species that are more reliant on water access personally. But hey, its working for you so stick with it!
It's hard to find a good substrate locally and i am trying to put together a rough approximation of an akadama/lava rock/pumice mix. I have managed to find Akadama and pumice but i will need to find a replacement for the lava rock still. My current mix tends to break down around 2-3 years and have issues with retaining a lot of moisture so we all have our substrate battles to fight!
Thanks Tim, It can be hard to find the perfect soil, there are so many factors involved, even how many times a day you can water, can be a big factor!
Hello Nigel, I am a huge fan of your videos, and you have inspired me to start a number of Future bonsai trees. I have also been enjoying 3-D printing bonsai pots sense your first video mentioning the idea. You mentioned sharing your 3-D print files, how may we get in contact with you about those? I could not see your email. I am especially interested in your Vietnamese style bonsai pot
Thank you for your interest, here is my email.....
thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
I love the new music. It reminds me of the album Plantasia
Thank you, it's from the CZcams library. There are lots of pieces to choose from, which makes it tough!
Hey Nigel, don't you worry about the weight of the snow deforming the smaller branches of the trees?
The snow will bend the limbs, but I find in spring, they just bounce right back into position. I haven't noticed any snow damage to the actual branches or had any branches torn off. The blanket of snow is good protection from the wind and cold, I'll make an inspection video in spring to see the state of the trees. Hopefully all will survive, but I do always worry!
I've always heard that the forces of nature make a tree stronger: the wind moving it back and forth. I would think the same would be true of the weight of snow bowing the branches...and their moving back to position in the spring. Do you find that to be true, Nigel?
Good point, thanks for the insight.
As always, such an engaging video, Nigel. During this video, I started wondering how you got into Bonsai and when. Maybe you could do a video for us? ...I bet you could also get very creative with such a video, too! Do you have your first Bonsai tree?
Hello Bonnie, I am working on a video right now with "Bonsai Talk" to answer this very question! I do still have my first tree from a seed. It is my Ficus microcarpa....
czcams.com/play/PLQouTWwmTQoySQ6udnExjnIkxlww48R9t.html
Great video again
Plz give an update of bougainvillea mini forest shown in the last video of 3d printed pots
The buds are swelling up on it, I expect the leaves to come out any day now! I'll be sure to show it in an upcoming video!
I kind of miss the 'Do something green today' line in the end of the video :D :( ... Anyway, really nice and enjoyable video, your 3D printed pots are just amazing, looking foreward to having some on my own (they are just being printed, or so I hope :D )
I hope all goes well with your pots and do something green today, plant a tree!
Hello Nigel another great veido.
Would love to put a few of my trees in vietnam style pots. Please let me know where I found find the files I need to send to a 3d printing service. Thank again for your fine vedios
Great video...can u please tell the advantage of developing radial roots
The radial roots will give the tree the look of an old tree you would see in nature and it helps develop a thick base on the trunk at the soil level. You will actually see the roots flare smoothly into the trunk as the tree gets older. Here is my video on this....
czcams.com/video/AcSu8SUQ0kE/video.html
I was just thinking about that whats best for my trees vs whats available
A classic dilemma for most things in life!
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone Yeah Hahaha
happy valentines day much love!!!!!!!!
Thank you Dallas, 1/2 way through February already, I better get cracking!
I love your channel!! Looking at root pruning, does the angle you cut at determine the future direction of roots coming from the cut?
To a degree, the roots will grow out from around the cut in a radial pattern, so the angle of the cut can affect the direction or flow of the new root growth. I try and make most of my cuts parallel to the surface of the soil. The new roots grow and flow in nicely with the existing roots.
Thanks Nigel
Thanks for watching Fred, another video coming tomorrow!
very nice
Thank you Javier!
Bravo for your ED pots, very clever!!
Please can you tell me what the botanical name is your ficus religiosa ??
Ficus religiosa is the scientific name, here is more info....
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus_religiosa
Awesome video ,as usual. I especially like the monk statue. Where did you get it from?
I bought it at the Canadian National Exhibition this year in Toronto. You can order them on line also....
www.ebronzemart.com/store.php/eBronzeMart/pd8089340/wax_museum_quality_buddhist_monk_figure_extreme_art_1
The one I bought was smaller and cost only 20 dollars!
"I'm going to check some reference photos to see what open boxes look like in nature."
😂😂😂
Make sure your safety setting is turned on if you do a Google image search!
That made me lol. Too funny!
Hi Nigel, I just binge watched 3 hours of your videos while at work! Unfortunately without any sound...but it was still very entertaining watching you work. As a beginner to bonsai, I do have a few quick questions I'd love to ask you! I noticed that you never tie down the roots to the bottom of your pot. Is this step crucial or necessary when re-potting bonsai? I also noticed that you use the same potting mix in many of your videos. What kind of mixture do you prefer? Thanks Nigel, I'm a subscriber now!
Hello Christopher, I don't tie my trees down, mainly to avoid wire marks across the roots. Many trees that aren't re potted for many years will get a permanent scar from the hold down wires and some roots will actually grow around the wire and it will permanently be embedded into the roots. I have seen many really good trees with ugly straight lines across the roots from wire.
I also like to feel how the tree wiggles in the pot as I work in the soil around the roots. Tightening the hold down wires can also shift the tree in the pot as you tighten and the planting angle may be altered. I place large rocks around the base of the tree until the roots grow enough to anchor the tree into the pot. These rocks help to cover the soil and stop surface evaporation after re potting.
Wiring the tree into the pot is important if you have problems with wind, squirrels etc. It is best to do what feels right for you!
Hello Nigel. I"m a great fan of you. Everyday I spent at least some time to watch your videos. My son, who is only 6 years old, is also a fan of your work. He accompanies me when I enjoy your videos. We watched almost all your videos. I have one question to ask you, have you attempted a fusion of any kind of ficus? I have not seen any in your videos. If not, then, do you have any explanation?Thank you.
The only fusion Ficus I have is the one where I'm trying to restore the tree after the top died from the cold. Here is the playlist for that tree.....
czcams.com/play/PLQouTWwmTQow33hNUHMspuLIADinmz-mM.html
I generally just try and grow trees into a natural shape. I'm not a big fan of grafting or fusion in bonsai. I'm glad you two enjoy the videos, thank you very much!
Hello Nigel,
Can turface be substituted with akadama for a ficus mix? I managed to get my hands on perlite but it is impossible to find turface in an area where I live.
madman3332 turface is generally used in place for akadama as it can be very expensive, it’s a really premium product. In my opinion akadama is better but some might even say turface is. So it’s upto you but yes you can
You can substitute turface with lava rock, pumice or akadama. I get my turface at the farm store for 17 dollars for an 18 kg (40 lb) bag. I end up sifting and removing about a third of the volume as dust and too fine a particle size.
Mr. Saunders, can the 3D print deeper pots? I just noticed all your 3D pots on your previous videos were all shallow. They all still look nice though.
Yes, I'll be designing many different styles in the future, many will be deeper.
The snow serves as isolation from the cold peaks. But i wonder how the roots are doing since behing elevated, nothing proteçts them from the cold from under. If these trees were planted in the ground, sure the snow would be a blanket isolation and the deeper soil a reservoir of mild temperature but i don't get how potted, specially elevated potted tree roots can survive the deep freeze. Insights?
The roots stay frozen for almost the entire winter and the snow on the branches helps the top from freeze drying in the dry winter winds. Many people place their trees in unheated garden sheds or greenhouses, but they also are the same temperature inside as the air is outside. I think it is more the freezing and thawing cycle that damages the roots, rather then the cold for many species. I will have a video on this coming soon, I'll discuss overwintering in a little more detail.
Hello Nigel
I think some 3D print companies would sponsor you,
This way you could make even more pots
Edit: just a suggestion 👌
Thanks Martijn, I'm really liking the 3D printing, we'll see what the future brings!
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone really hope a company reaches out
the first root ,you can try to grow that as a cutting ...
Thanks, I'll have to see if I can find it, it may be lost in the old soil!
You dude ... I fucking love watching your videos when I'm high
Thank you... I think?
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone hahahhaha sorry sorry I'm just a big fan of yours you got me into this whole bonsai stuff and now my room is transforming into a small garden
Sounds good, stay green!
wait, did you? you checked the internet for reference to open a box?
Actually no, just a joke!
Make the next video about repoting your tiger bark tree
That video will definitely come soon, I'm looking forward to planting my new pot!
Can we use ⅓ of pumice,⅓ of perlite and ⅓ of lava rock ?
Only these 3 soil mixture is good for plant ?
Please help :)
👌👌👌...!!! Sir make video on How to fertilize these samall bonsai..?
Here is how I fertilize all my trees.....
czcams.com/video/gXIIpxUqxdY/video.html
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone
Thank you verm much...!!!
Nigel when would you say the best time for a trunk chop would be? Spring before new shoots come in? Asking since I have a few trees that are starting to "wake up"
If you do a trunk chop in spring, you can loose a lot of sap through the wound. The tree will bleed for many weeks. The best time is in fall or winter while the tree is dormant and the wound has time to dry out and heal a bit. You can do the chops mid summer if the tree has gone dormant in the heat. It should have enough time to recover before winter, but it is best to protect it well in winter because it won't be as strong as a tree that has grown all summer. I would think that you could do a trunk chop now, it should have time to heal before the sap starts to flow in mid March. This is a general answer for most deciduous trees, it's always best to check out details for your specific tree on line.
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone thank you separate question any major root pruning would also be done while the tree is dormant?
You're too funny, Nigel.
Thanks Durand, I always try to have fun!
Nigel do you ever worry about the roots getting too cold being exposed to the frigid air all winter?
There seems to be a lot of haters out there against every soil mixture that doesn't contain pine bark and akadama. I've been experimenting with aquatic plant substrate (halite, flourite, and zeolite) and so far I've seen excellent success. Some trees I've mixed in perlite as well to see which plants respond better. I say use what ever works! We don't have to use the exact same soils that bonsai masters from Japan use. We all have different climates/watering habits and if it works and it's cheaper than fancy akadama, then keep at it!
I always worry about my trees! Most of the trees that I grow are very hardy and can take the cold temperatures. I kept them outside on the bench all last winter and they did well. I did loose a few weaker seedlings, but that was about it. This winter was colder than the last one, so I'll see in spring what lives and what didn't. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
parabens belo video
Obrigado, a neve está derretendo hoje, estamos acima do frio!
A grand canal
The movie?
Mr Saunders, i'd love to get the 3d printing pot files so i can print them myselfe, is it possible for me to get them? Thanks for Sharing your knowledge with us
My email is....
thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
Thanks!
Beautiful and 007 was fun BLOE BONSAI HOLLYM
Hi, have you ever considered using vermiculite with perlite ?
I think the combination of vermiculite and perlite might create too light a soil. The soil needs some weight to anchor the tree in the pot. Vermiculite may also hold a little too much soil and I think it can become mushy over time. There may be some brands which are suitable that I haven't tried.
Great video Nigel! I Was wandering What you think about using cat liter as bonsai soil. Have you ever tried and What is your verdict
If you get the right kind of cat litter it can work well. It has to be a fired clay particle that doesn't break down with water. Here is an article....
www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basicscatlitter.htm
Please say, how much degrees of frost in winter as maximum of your region? I never seen wintering of bonsai under lot of snow.
The coldest it has gotten this winter is -22 C. Last winter was a warm one with the lowest temperature at -18 C. I hope all my trees survive, time will tell.
please shoot the videos with a smaller aperture, sure it's cinematic but it makes it hard to see all of what's going on with such a shallow field of view
I have to get some studio lights, it is too dark for nice photography. I'm going to get some LED lights very soon and that should help!
that intro though!
My winter wonderland here in the North!
Did you defoliate the tree? Or does it naturally happen in the plant room? I have a ficus religiosa that was started from seed last spring and it’s quite large. I trimmed it back once in mid summer and again shortly after I brought it indoors for the winter. It grew back it’s large leaves for a couple of months and now every new leaf is very small and falls off shortly after it opens. I think I should defoliate, and perhaps repot into proper bonsai soil.
The tree lost it's leaves naturally. It is located in a cooler spot near the door and it dropped it's leaves for the winter. They are just starting to grow back in now. I would check your roots and re pot into a bonsai soil mix. If the roots look fine, you can re pot them without trimming them. Be sure your tree is getting enough sunlight, warmth and water and it should do fine.
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone thanks so much for replying! It’s really special to me to get a response from you. I repotted my ficus religiosa in a larger pot with a bonsai soil mix very similar to what you use and the roots looked just fine. Starting the radial root pattern with them just like you often suggest. I won’t prune it back I don’t think. It appears very healthy still a few days later. I’m excited to see what this summer will bring as far as growth for this tree. You’re the man Nigel. Keep those videos coming
if you add a drop of dish soap and mix it, the wash will flow away.
Thank you Peter, great tip!
Bonjour and Always thank you you are like an oasis on a désert ;-0) just a question: do you add nutriments (?) When you spray water? Or is it later? Thanks again!
I do have a video on watering and fertilizing. I begin this on newly re potted trees right away, because I use such a weak solution of fertilizer.
czcams.com/video/gXIIpxUqxdY/video.html
What happened to your ficus Benjamin trunk on trunk style bonsai ??
It is just happily growing in the corner of my plant room! I'll be working on it soon.
Nice video Nigel ! I have a question is there anyway I can send pics of my bonsai's to see what you think of them? Do you have an email I can send them too? If that's alright. And what can I spray to kill gnats around my trees?
Gnats are usually associated with too wet a soil, or standing water around the pots. They are harmless, but annoying! I would let your soil go almost dry between watering's and then water thoroughly again. This drying out of the soil should make them go away. A fan to provide more air circulation will also help keep them away and your soil will dry out a little faster.
My email is ...
thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone
I'll be sending you pics of my bonsai's . Thanks for sending your email , and the information on the gnat problem.
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone
Nigel I have 90w natural daylight led bulbs on my bonsai's is that ok for my bonsai? Or should I use the 65w plant lights that I have put away. I notice not much heat comes of the 90watts they grow pretty good under the 90watts.And the the plant lights put off some heat . Which is better for my bonsai's
Beautiful snow....i wish
It sure can be beautiful at times!
dhirja singh ...You can have mine... I’m looking out my window at great big flakes, slowly drifting down... AND It’s May 19!! Dammit! LOL :)
Is a beautifull movie
Hello I'm shuvayan from India.I have Chinese elm bonsai tree and some of the roots are coming out through the holes of the pot.What should I do now?And How can I prepare a good bonsai soil in home?
You can trim off the roots that are growing out of the drainage holes, it is normal for this to happen and doesn't always mean the tree is root bound. Check out Mammal Bonsai for his soil video....
czcams.com/video/1r6an_NbfJI/video.html
+Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone thank u... :-)
Would it be okay to put bonsai in deep pots?
Yes indeed, deep pots actually drain better than shallow pots. Shallow pots need to be tipped on an angle to drain the excess water out. I will be printing some deeper pots in the future also.
Any new updates on the tamarisk soon?
It's outside under the snow you saw at the start of the video! I hope it makes it through winter fine. I'll make an update this spring.
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone oh nice! Do you have any tips on growing the cuttings? I’m gonna try to root them in water and also wanna try rooting them in soil. Is their any specific soil I need to use?
Nigel, sometimes your hand is in front the focus of the cam . and it is bad .
but you vidoes are awsome !
I know, I forget about the camera when I'm concentrating, bad Nigel!
I guess the blue pot was designed for lazy people, so that the tree would have a little backup in harsh times^^
At first I understood "pommes", which means "french fries" in German O.o
Nice pot an bonus for the crow ;)
Thank you, yes the pockets in the corners might be a good thing at times! Thanks!
These pots look amazing! If I can find 3D clay printer around my area, I’ll definitely ask for your file/design
Thank you, the pots will be available to order from Spectra 3D in the near future if you can't find a 3D printer.
Hello Nigel,
I like your videos about indoor bonsais, but when do you repot outdoor bonsais?
I re pot my hardy trees in spring, this is usually in April around here! It's coming fast, maybe too fast!
Thank you Nigel and good luck! I hope you have enough time!
Hi Nigel sir this was a great video....
I have a lovely reference picture of a full size tree from India for your next acacia project....how am I supposed to send it to you?
I would love to see it, my email is....
thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
Thanks!
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone Welcome sir I would love to keep on sending inspiring pictures for your future projects.
Hello nigel I have recently made some Vietnamese style bonsai pots made from cement I would love to send you an email so you can see them, I was wondering if you would kindly send me the file you use to print your Vietnamese style pots as they are amazing. Hope to hear back from you. Liam from bonsai beginning.
I lost all my 3D pot files when my computer crashed, but I am in the process of modelling them up again. My email is..
thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
ta lindo
Muito obrigado!
lol'd at 21:47 xD
Does anyone else see the evil face in the trunk around 17:00 minutes??
I do see a face!
Reference pictures of what a full size box looks like in nature! Hilarious!! Maybe like this one? cargocollective.com/anthonyalvarez/IKEA-Box-Apartment BTW - that ficus religiosa looks really good in the pot. I think you are really onto something with those printed pots!
Thanks, that's a cool box indeed! More printed 3D pots will be coming!
I'm getting hate for using sand. Haters all around ;)
It's a little more tricky to water, but it works well as a top dressing to the rough bonsai soil.
Second!
Thanks Brett, been some great skiing this year here!