The beginning of a majestic English Oak bonsai tree Gro Bonsai socials: Instagram: / grobonsai Facebook: / grobonsai TikTok: / grobonsai Email: grobonsai@gmail.com
I love working on oaks and have a fair few on the go right now. Yours looks pretty promising with the movement you have introduced. I started wiring my oaks at leaf fall to avoid the risk of scarring. I had a bad experience a few years ago when I underestimated just how quickly oaks put on 'girth'. But thankfully, as you mention - they bark up again pretty quickly and hide imperfections well.
As far as the void space on the bottom, a technique I've used is to use a plastic band to create a dam of sorts surrounding the root mass where the old pot would have been, and then between two sawhorses, I essentially pot it upside-down. Add the media, fill it in, then place the pot on top (bottom) of the root mass, flip it right side up, pull the dam and it slides right down into the pot. I'm sure there is an easier way, but doing it this way has guaranteed me that there won't be a single void in the root mass.
Potting soil isn’t always a bad thing it all comes down to your environment like I’m in California potting soils here have a peat or Spagna moss good for retaining water during the hot summer months and enough water retention so you’re not watering your tree excessively throughout the the mild winter but always mix it never by itself as potting soil doesn’t drain very well and will muddy up when over watered basically drowning your rootball but in the UK I can understand why potting soil is frowned on so heavily y’all get a lot of water over there. Cheers though great video man keep them coming
I heard somewhere that a larger size particle on a shallow pot only makes it shallower and that is detrimental to the tree because it doesn’t accomplish anything that we’re better of using a homogeneous size particle because it drains perfectly already what are your thoughts on that?
@@grobonsai oh okay. Would you be so kind and answer my second question it would mean a lot. It’s a different post on the comments that one is bothering me
I’ve been repotting several Bonsais on my CZcams channel too. It’s that time of year lol. It’s going to be a great looking tree sooner then 60 years 😂👍
when would you say is the best time to lift an oak in the uk? I trunk chopped one in February and I've read it best to lift at the end of growing season for oak (spetember ish) when they still have some leaves. would you agree please? thank you
Broken down akadama looks like a solid mass whereas intact you can see the 3 - 5mm particles that are still whole. Washing the rootball is too indiscriminate- it will wash everything away whether I want it to or not. Also, if the roots are dense, it’s not effective anyway. It is appropriate if I’m bare rooting the tree though
Welcome back. You were missed. Thanks, keep growing
I've missed your videos so much. Glad to have you back and hope all is well with you.
I'm just glad your okay and well. Its been a long time!
Glad to see you posting again!
I started to follow during your hiatus and I’m glad I can finally thank you!
Thank you for that message Stefano :)
@@grobonsai my pleasure! I enjoy watching your videos!
Nice!!!
YES!! A new upload! Cant wait to see the evolution of this tree!
It’s looking good man. And nice to see your back at it 💪
Cheers Ian, I've been watching your vids although I don't remember to comment very often :)
@@grobonsai its all good bro :)
Glad to see you back and posting again, my friend! Great example of your creativity and talents. Cheers, Dick from Vancouver.
Great video as always Darren! Love the bark on that oak! 😍
Welcome back!
Glad you're back.
Glad you are back!
I just love how your videos are cut. Thank you for the effort you have put in this wonderful video!
Glad you like them!
NICE TO SEE YOU BACK
Welcome back Darren. Great video. 👍
Glad to see you posting again 👍🏾💙
He returned! The base of the tree is already majestic. Love your videos, cool that you are back.
Great to see you're back! Looking forward to watching more of your work.
Great to see you back mate!!! Love the video!
Thanks for persuading me, I appreciate it
@@grobonsai you welcome mate!
Love the video! Great to see you back
Thanks Darren. Nice to see you back.
Delighted to see you posting again. Great video as always! Thanks 👍
Great video Darren! Nice to see you back and publishing again 😊👍
That oak trunk is fantastic!
Good to have you back Darren, love your videos!
That's a Wonderful plant! I love quercus
💥💯💥
Welcome back, I’ve missed your videos! 🤗👍🏼
Welcome back Darren! Cheers from Hungary!
Welcome back ❤
I love working on oaks and have a fair few on the go right now. Yours looks pretty promising with the movement you have introduced. I started wiring my oaks at leaf fall to avoid the risk of scarring. I had a bad experience a few years ago when I underestimated just how quickly oaks put on 'girth'. But thankfully, as you mention - they bark up again pretty quickly and hide imperfections well.
Nice to see you back 👍
Love your work man keep it up!
All is right with the cosmos; gro bonsai is back!
Glad to see you came back
As far as the void space on the bottom, a technique I've used is to use a plastic band to create a dam of sorts surrounding the root mass where the old pot would have been, and then between two sawhorses, I essentially pot it upside-down.
Add the media, fill it in, then place the pot on top (bottom) of the root mass, flip it right side up, pull the dam and it slides right down into the pot.
I'm sure there is an easier way, but doing it this way has guaranteed me that there won't be a single void in the root mass.
Good to see you back in action! Nice video.
love oak bonsai. that's gonna be something special.
yeah wow your back man it been a good while but your video was really good really hope and can't wait to see more from grobonsai
Potting soil isn’t always a bad thing it all comes down to your environment like I’m in California potting soils here have a peat or Spagna moss good for retaining water during the hot summer months and enough water retention so you’re not watering your tree excessively throughout the the mild winter but always mix it never by itself as potting soil doesn’t drain very well and will muddy up when over watered basically drowning your rootball but in the UK I can understand why potting soil is frowned on so heavily y’all get a lot of water over there. Cheers though great video man keep them coming
Agreed, cheers Christian
welcome back
Awesome tree!
Nice men, bonsai plants
Foist and foremost
Too fast for the rest of us! 😅
Daggum!! That was fast and furious!
Nice to see you back
super nice video...any update on how the tree looks like today?
Soon, waiting for the right time to do the next work
Your ability to work that big wire makes me jealous!
Finalmente ben tornato
Missed your videos man
Lovely Darren 👍 How long have you been immersed in the world of bonsai?
Did you develop all your own trees or have you bought a lot of trained trees?
Hi, 5ish years I think. I have a variety, some started from nursery stock, cuttings and such, some purchased
I heard somewhere that a larger size particle on a shallow pot only makes it shallower and that is detrimental to the tree because it doesn’t accomplish anything that we’re better of using a homogeneous size particle because it drains perfectly already what are your thoughts on that?
It’s true but I don’t use it for water drainage, it’s to allow slightly faster air exchange from the bottom once standing water has been absorbed
@@grobonsai oh okay. Would you be so kind and answer my second question it would mean a lot. It’s a different post on the comments that one is bothering me
5:21 I thought that was Parmesan
I’ve been repotting several Bonsais on my CZcams channel too. It’s that time of year lol. It’s going to be a great looking tree sooner then 60 years 😂👍
when would you say is the best time to lift an oak in the uk? I trunk chopped one in February and I've read it best to lift at the end of growing season for oak (spetember ish) when they still have some leaves. would you agree please?
thank you
I haven’t collected any so can’t say. Sorry. But best of luck 🤞
you should teach your neighbours how to trim Leylandai, 😂😂😂😂😂😂
hahaha that's mine and it's because I have too many bonsai that i don't get to it :)
@@grobonsai Ooooops, sorry, 😂😂😂
Could you give me a link to that polish online shop? :)
Here it is, shipping throughout europe, best akadama available ibuki-shop.com/
No loam soil?
No it’s a bonsai thing, all to do with the shallow pot and how water behaves
Can you clarify what gauge wire you use? You said 6mm, so would that be 9 or 10 gauge?
I'd probably go with 9 gauge for 6mm copper wire!
I honestly don't know. A quick google search suggests it's around 4 guage, but I have no idea how accurate that website would be - sorry
I’m having trouble accepting the fact that I might never see my trees finished do you deal with that? And if you do what do you do about it?
I know how I feel about this but I need to find the words. I’ll come back to this question
@@grobonsai thanks 🙏
get the dog to help you dig next time !
How do you indentify if the Akadam is intact or not?
Also isn't it easier to just clean up the roots with water? What happens if you try to just wash the old soil (and akadama) away?
Broken down akadama looks like a solid mass whereas intact you can see the 3 - 5mm particles that are still whole. Washing the rootball is too indiscriminate- it will wash everything away whether I want it to or not. Also, if the roots are dense, it’s not effective anyway. It is appropriate if I’m bare rooting the tree though
👍👌👌🍎
See you in 60 years!
Looking like he’s going through a divorce.
Why don't you cut it all! You had nothing left on it!!
yep that's what you do sometimes to create something great. it's a long term project as Darren alluded too.
Great to have you back Darren!
Welcome back!