Made those mistakes over the last 18 months (just started at 85yrs of age ) but in my defense, it is the first time I have seen this explanation. Oh well, back to the nursery, in more senses than one !!!
One rule of thumb I've only heard once and never since, I forget the source however, is that the height of the tree should only be about six times the trunk diameter. So, for example, if you have a one inch trunk nursery stock, you should only be planning for a tree that is six inches tall. This keeps the perspective nice.
I think you have just savedme from spoiling a very nice 18" Hemlock ! There are so many branches (All Very painful to handle !) that it is going to be a problem trying to see which ones to remove, any advice please ?
You think you know pain?! I was born in monkey puzzle, raised in monkey puzzle, i was shaped by monkey puzzle, you mearly adopted hemlock. @@alandouthwaite6980
Bonsai is a long term commitment in a time when people's attention span is that of a goldfish. I too want something pleasant to look at almost immediately without breaking the bank. So, I purchase 3 small juniper plants and style them in 3 stages, first one is traditional bringing the plant down to the bare trunk save for a few small branches, second one I trim about halfway there, and the third one i trim "biginner" style. With 3 inexpensive pots and starter soil i have invested about $100 for an interactive ever changing piece of art. I'm a hobbyist without a large income. As informative as your video it is also intimidating for beginners and hobbyists/ amateurs who may want to get into bonsai but watch a video with a background of a ton of supplies on a large shelving unit and think wow do I need all that just for a hobby? Occasionally remind people they can start and enjoy the hobby without extensive investment or a huge knowledge of horticulture. A lot of people can be amateur hobbyists for life and break all the rules but their trees are still alive and they enjoy doing it. For some it may be more of developing a relationship with a plant without worrying if it looks like a "proper" bonsai.
A good set of points, and thank you for making them. The shelves of pots in the background were one part accident in the sense that I built them to house my pot collection, and then didn't have a better background available. You are right that it can send the wrong message. I try to show the long-term commitment in my videos - in this case by first taking raw material and styling it, but then later showing a piece that is further along, alongside something I have been working for 15 years. Cheers.
I love this, it is always the most difficult part to master... letting go of those established branches and being able to envision what everything will become
Hi Eric, Thank you for all the amazing content! I just landed after a roundtrip flight from Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles and now I’m on my way home to the sunny coast, Noosa, Queensland. I found your incredible channel just days before my big trip. Your cinematography and narration gave me instant comfort and buy-in. I knew straight away that I was hooked and would be diving deep into the channel. I downloaded 85 of your videos to have on hand, ready to study during the 36 hours of flights in my near future. I typically feel guilty watching “hobby stuff” during my busy schedule. I’m the CEO of an Aussie burger chain and a father of two young ones. However, I sneak in as much bonsai time as my supportive wife allows, including watching quality videos, growing random material, and practicing my techniques. Your video workshops are BY FAR the most immersive and informative I have ever engaged with. The investment in time spent watching went straight to my roots and quickly became the most beneficial nutrients to the development of my branches of knowledge. I WATCHED ALL 85 videos and am hungry for more! I now feel like a better person for it and CAN’T WAIT to get home, buy some new nursery stock, start propagating clippings, and watch even more videos to put what I’ve learned into practice! I am a beginner, but I think finding you and your wisdom is perfect timing. I chose bonsai as an outlet to cope with PTSD just as the pandemic reared its ugly head. I jumped in headfirst (as I do with all my obsessions) and wound up with 30+ plants out back of all different types. I was living in Las Vegas at the time. The extreme climate and my inexperience made it tough. It was a real mess getting so into it without a real scope, understanding, or rhyme to my reason. However, my family and I made the big decision to sell all of our earthly possessions and immigrate to the huge island of Australia. A hard prune of life had begun! I trained the head butcher at the hotel where I was cheffing with everything I knew up to that point, so he could adopt most of my collection when we left. It lives on today. I gave a few pieces to my dad, and they too thrive. In fact, while visiting him during this long trip, I enthusiastically maintained the several pieces of mine he has, with great results (thanks to you). Your videos taught me more in 15 hours of viewing than the 50-odd months I’ve been practicing bonsai. I was at the right place at the right time to observe and absorb all the passion you’ve captured in your productions. I CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH!! Although I have heaps of learning and growth left to reach your level, you let me in, shared the vibe, and made me feel what it’s like to make a breakthrough to the next level. Honestly, your video mentorship was the highlight of my trip. I inadvertently attended a master class (for free!) that hit deep in my soul and provided the propagation I needed to experience a breakthrough and reinforce knowledge to keep the garden vigorous and fruitful. Again, thank you 🙏 If you are ever on the east coast of Australia, I would be happy and honored to provide you and your crew with as many California-style smash burgers as you can possibly eat while you’re here. It’s the least I can do after providing my bonsai enlightenment.
Hi - thanks for your very flattering remarks. I'm a bit speechless, but the good news is that I have no plans to stop making videos. I find the ones where I can show sequences of work over time to be the most interesting, so I'm planning more of those. The idea of the channel has always been to create short videos that are packed with the essential information for growing trees from scratch. And it meshes with Bonsaify.com which sells starters and small pots and trees. Cheers.
Haven’t even started, but yes - the beginner one is exactly what I’d do - afraid to cut down too much, loose the growth, and try to shape already too thick branches into a shape. Thanks, immediate subscribe
It's never easy to cut foliage off a tree and it is definitely the first big mistake. That finished juniper you brought in is wonderful, I love that tree.
wow as a visual learner this was so good seeing them side by side.....I'm definitely guilty of the beginner version lol. I've been practicing on "weed" trees/shrubs that grow in my yard (blackthorn, mulberry, rose of Sharon, various evergreens, boxwood, privet, cherry, clover, even ivy) and because I like big bonsai so much I've been fusing saplings together over chicken wire trunk shapes because I'm terrible at this kind of pruning lol. I would never think to shape the tree like you did but I can see how visually it is just more appealing!
keeping branches in scale with the trunk is actually the best advice for styling a bonsai tree. i seen another youtuber just chopping off limbs leaving one branch to grow the trunk out, but he didn't explain style. his oldest tree was massively scarred and ugly.
Thank you for this lesson. Now I know why I only liked a couple of my junipers. Our local club is having a juniper styling event for our next meeting. I'll be be putting what I've learned here to the test. I've often said that the only failure is when you learn nothing from your failure. That is incorrect. The second failure is when you learn nothing from your success.
This is the best instructive video on designing young junipers (or any variety tree) I have seen. I have numerous junipers, and I have always done what you say you don’t do! Kudos! I will definitely use these techniques on my trees going forward! Keep doing these great videos.❤
I agree, I bought a creeping juniper about a year ago, and I did very light pruning. This year I want to be bolder with it. I think this comes from the fear of killing the tree.
Thank you. This makes so much sense, but I've been scared to cut off thicker branches and lose all the size even though I kinda felt it was the right thing to do for proportion replicating an old full grown tree
This was very helpful. I would just find myself staring at nursery material I bought and I’d think to myself, “ok what do I do now?”. I wish I would’ve seen this video a couple of years ago.
Well, you just displayed my first bonsai tree... and it was, of course, the bad example. lol. thank you so much. I knew it looked wrong but couldn't figure it out. Time to trim it up a bit again.
Very interesting - particularly regarding truck size and composition. Also helpful to see how you approach the application of "jin" in your work. Thank you very much!
This is great info that's very well presented. Totally changes how I'll approach converting my big box store purchased plants into bonsai. Thanks, Eric!
One of your best videos for beginners. As a beginner I need to start chanting the mantra less is more! I think we are not confident to make bold changes to the tree when we start. Loved the junipers side by side at the end.
Thanks! I would caution that I have also seen beginners cut too much from trees. The point isn't only that less-is-more, but that you should be contemplating the scale of the plant and don't assume that the size it has at the beginning is the final size. Mixed in there is a caution about how older and larger branching (from standard nursery material) is mostly not suited to bonsai styling.
I enjoyed watching your explanations of styling a Juniper to a point were we would be happy to call it a styled bonsai, thank you so much for spending your time doing these videos, unfortunately I am in the U.K. and we don’t see as many Juniper types as you do, they are not popular sellers in garden centre outlets around the U.K. as with most plants fashion dictates what is on sale.
Just grow from seed. I'm in the southwest. I don't bother with cold stratification, just bang the seeds in some propagators and keep them in partial shade with the lids off, then move them into the sun on bright sunny days. This year I planted all my seeds in the middle of june. I had maples germinate in just a few days, rainbow eucalyptus in around a week, birch, juniper and a few others which I haven't identified yet (I don't do labels either) in 2 weeks, giant redwood in less than 3 weeks, and now on week 4 (with week 3 being mostly wet) I've got jacarandas starting to sprout. All nice and strong. The only thing which hasn't germinated yet is the Baobab, but they're the only seeds with which I've done what others say you must. I've now planted the last seed in sand and soil and will just leave it out in a sunny spot. I bet it grows just fine.
That makes so much sense. Thank you for breaking this down in the K.I.S.S. method. My confidence is feeling a bit higher to go hard on the initial cut. Thank you!!
I’ve been told i have a natural eye for it im a sculpture artist and have been into bonsai for 4 years now…my rule of thumb for beginners (as if I’m not one) is to make the branches below longer then above as trees in nature have shorter branches the further up you go. think about it in triangles
I've watched many of your vids, this one caused me to subscribe. Just over 10 minutes of how and why was perfect! Would have been cool to maybe take that "Beginner" initial design and take it to the next level of mature design. Thank you. Perhaps in the future?
Another typical beginner mistake I call "Ikea-bonsai". That is, following some instructions and going step-by-step, never to revisit any of the prior steps. eg; Step 1: Clean out dead, weak, and unnecessary foliage. Going on to step 2, eg; selecting the front and trunk angle. However, ignoring newly-discovered dead/weak foliage, because you've moved on. Experienced hobbyists, etc. are continuously cleaning out dead, weak, or unnecessary foliage and are open to new fronts and angles throughout the entire design process.
I thought the mistake "Ikea-bonsai" was getting one of those factory ginseng bonsais from Ikea that come half dead. But that "mistake" gave me my first bonsai and brought me here so I think it's still a win.
OK that was REALLY helpful. I'm someone who LOVES having large houseplants, larger the better. But as I transition to smaller house after the next one, I want to have Bonsai started, ready to take up space that will be more limited & your demo was great.
Thank you for sharing. I wish I could find conifers with nice trunks and NEBARI Like these two specimens. your vid is very helpful. Thank you again for sharing.
As i was driving to my class today i was observing the J. Virginiana, Eastern Red Cedar-a "weed" tree in the fence lines and fields. Up on the bluffs they have a totally different habit, for junipers are so variable and adaptable. The upright trees are climbers- branches to the ground and equally spaced in a big sphere. The lazy trees and the trees in the bluffs are twisted and cling to the rocks. They often group in groves and over all will show the drift of the prevailing wind.
We all do things differently..before taking scissors to a tree, I’d remove it from the pot, scrape the soil down a bit, and get a look at it before trimming. If too many branches need more just..rank development, I’d maybe trim the roots a bit so they have an head start in the right direction and put it repot back into the pot for further growth. If it’s destined for transformation right away, then, I’d remove it and look first.
Great video with very helpful demonstrations showing not only what to do but also why. One thing that would improve the video for me would be to use a simple grey background. Your stock shelves, while interesting, mask the details your are trying to show.
Thanks! Very useful info, I wish there were videos like this for each doubt I have! Now I feel confident enough to tackle the junipers I’ve been basically just growing for the last 3 years! (Cool upbeat music too! 🤟)
Guilty! I am so grateful for your demonstration and your clear explanation with two trees. Your videos always demonstrate ideas/ techniques that so many others avoid or dont address. Thank you very much and hope one day you make it down to the San Diego Bonsai Club.
Why has it taken me several years of casual interest and owning bonsai trees to learn this most important lesson? I have always tried to save the larger branches and never connected the reason they never look right is because the large branches are not to scale for what we are trying to do. Thank you. Your first example really was a slap in the face to your point.
Agreed as a beginner this looks too harsh in one session for me, there's letting the material dictate design and a force of will by the artist, but in the end I just want the plant to thrive not kill over. Lol
![ลองสุ่มไอโฟน 990 โกงมั้ย? [ โกงมั้ยครับ ep.101 ] | DOM](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bfsWe0j492k/mqdefault.jpg)
Made those mistakes over the last 18 months (just started at 85yrs of age ) but in my defense, it is the first time I have seen this explanation. Oh well, back to the nursery, in more senses than one !!!
Never too young to start bonsai Alan!!
@@KitakuBonsai Ha !!! If only I had found this interest in my 20's !!!😪
@@alandouthwaite6980 You live on in your bonsais 🙂
@@alandouthwaite6980 good for you starting this great hobby. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with your trees.
Best wishes 🇦🇺
@@greasylimpet3323 Thanks a lot, I no longer see shrubs and bushes only potential bonsai !!! Stay safe and well
There no mistakes, just a learning curve. Been growing bonsai for 40 years
One rule of thumb I've only heard once and never since, I forget the source however, is that the height of the tree should only be about six times the trunk diameter. So, for example, if you have a one inch trunk nursery stock, you should only be planning for a tree that is six inches tall. This keeps the perspective nice.
As in the diameter or circumference of the trunk?
can you do this calculation based off of the goal size you want it to be in the future? I like bigger bonsai esp for varieties that have larger leaves
This would be DIAMETER since that's what you see visually when you look at the composition. Your eyes have no idea what the circumference is
@@vancelanger7749I mean, I piece of string would give me the circumference pretty quickly lol
Like they say, you'll are missing the forest looking at the trees.
I think this could be echoed to most deciduous trees also!! Keep the small branches and remove the too thick ones!
Indeed, developing branches too early will result in branches almost as thick as the trunk. It feels like a waste to cut them off but it’s necessary.
I think you have just savedme from spoiling a very nice 18" Hemlock !
There are so many branches (All Very painful to handle !) that it is going to be a problem trying to see which ones to remove, any advice please ?
@@murray821😢😢
You think you know pain?! I was born in monkey puzzle, raised in monkey puzzle, i was shaped by monkey puzzle, you mearly adopted hemlock. @@alandouthwaite6980
@@alandouthwaite6980i was born in bullhorn acacia, raised by bullhorn acacia, i was shaped by bullhorn acacia, you mearly adopted hemlock
You explained that really clearly. I like that you demoed the beginner approach side by side with the experienced method for getting better scale!
Agreed. Very well done!
Bonsai is a long term commitment in a time when people's attention span is that of a goldfish. I too want something pleasant to look at almost immediately without breaking the bank.
So, I purchase 3 small juniper plants and style them in 3 stages, first one is traditional bringing the plant down to the bare trunk save for a few small branches, second one I trim about halfway there, and the third one i trim "biginner" style.
With 3 inexpensive pots and starter soil i have invested about $100 for an interactive ever changing piece of art.
I'm a hobbyist without a large income.
As informative as your video it is also intimidating for beginners and hobbyists/ amateurs who may want to get into bonsai but watch a video with a background of a ton of supplies on a large shelving unit and think wow do I need all that just for a hobby?
Occasionally remind people they can start and enjoy the hobby without extensive investment or a huge knowledge of horticulture.
A lot of people can be amateur hobbyists for life and break all the rules but their trees are still alive and they enjoy doing it.
For some it may be more of developing a relationship with a plant without worrying if it looks like a "proper" bonsai.
A good set of points, and thank you for making them. The shelves of pots in the background were one part accident in the sense that I built them to house my pot collection, and then didn't have a better background available. You are right that it can send the wrong message.
I try to show the long-term commitment in my videos - in this case by first taking raw material and styling it, but then later showing a piece that is further along, alongside something I have been working for 15 years. Cheers.
@@Bonsaify the background is great
I love this, it is always the most difficult part to master... letting go of those established branches and being able to envision what everything will become
Hi Eric,
Thank you for all the amazing content!
I just landed after a roundtrip flight from Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles and now I’m on my way home to the sunny coast, Noosa, Queensland. I found your incredible channel just days before my big trip. Your cinematography and narration gave me instant comfort and buy-in. I knew straight away that I was hooked and would be diving deep into the channel. I downloaded 85 of your videos to have on hand, ready to study during the 36 hours of flights in my near future.
I typically feel guilty watching “hobby stuff” during my busy schedule. I’m the CEO of an Aussie burger chain and a father of two young ones. However, I sneak in as much bonsai time as my supportive wife allows, including watching quality videos, growing random material, and practicing my techniques.
Your video workshops are BY FAR the most immersive and informative I have ever engaged with. The investment in time spent watching went straight to my roots and quickly became the most beneficial nutrients to the development of my branches of knowledge. I WATCHED ALL 85 videos and am hungry for more! I now feel like a better person for it and CAN’T WAIT to get home, buy some new nursery stock, start propagating clippings, and watch even more videos to put what I’ve learned into practice!
I am a beginner, but I think finding you and your wisdom is perfect timing. I chose bonsai as an outlet to cope with PTSD just as the pandemic reared its ugly head. I jumped in headfirst (as I do with all my obsessions) and wound up with 30+ plants out back of all different types. I was living in Las Vegas at the time. The extreme climate and my inexperience made it tough. It was a real mess getting so into it without a real scope, understanding, or rhyme to my reason. However, my family and I made the big decision to sell all of our earthly possessions and immigrate to the huge island of Australia. A hard prune of life had begun!
I trained the head butcher at the hotel where I was cheffing with everything I knew up to that point, so he could adopt most of my collection when we left. It lives on today. I gave a few pieces to my dad, and they too thrive. In fact, while visiting him during this long trip, I enthusiastically maintained the several pieces of mine he has, with great results (thanks to you).
Your videos taught me more in 15 hours of viewing than the 50-odd months I’ve been practicing bonsai. I was at the right place at the right time to observe and absorb all the passion you’ve captured in your productions. I CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH!!
Although I have heaps of learning and growth left to reach your level, you let me in, shared the vibe, and made me feel what it’s like to make a breakthrough to the next level. Honestly, your video mentorship was the highlight of my trip. I inadvertently attended a master class (for free!) that hit deep in my soul and provided the propagation I needed to experience a breakthrough and reinforce knowledge to keep the garden vigorous and fruitful. Again, thank you 🙏
If you are ever on the east coast of Australia, I would be happy and honored to provide you and your crew with as many California-style smash burgers as you can possibly eat while you’re here. It’s the least I can do after providing my bonsai enlightenment.
Hi - thanks for your very flattering remarks. I'm a bit speechless, but the good news is that I have no plans to stop making videos. I find the ones where I can show sequences of work over time to be the most interesting, so I'm planning more of those. The idea of the channel has always been to create short videos that are packed with the essential information for growing trees from scratch. And it meshes with Bonsaify.com which sells starters and small pots and trees. Cheers.
Haven’t even started, but yes - the beginner one is exactly what I’d do - afraid to cut down too much, loose the growth, and try to shape already too thick branches into a shape. Thanks, immediate subscribe
It's never easy to cut foliage off a tree and it is definitely the first big mistake. That finished juniper you brought in is wonderful, I love that tree.
wow as a visual learner this was so good seeing them side by side.....I'm definitely guilty of the beginner version lol. I've been practicing on "weed" trees/shrubs that grow in my yard (blackthorn, mulberry, rose of Sharon, various evergreens, boxwood, privet, cherry, clover, even ivy) and because I like big bonsai so much I've been fusing saplings together over chicken wire trunk shapes because I'm terrible at this kind of pruning lol. I would never think to shape the tree like you did but I can see how visually it is just more appealing!
Thank you. Now I can turn $1 clearance juniper into something that begins to look like bonsai.
Eric, I do appreciate you taking the time to answer me. Thank you very much.
Truly an excellent video. I don't think I've ever seen a side-by-side comparison like that before.
It’s definitely helpful!👍
My first couple of attempts look just like the 'beginner example'. This is such great advice and has got me excited for the next project.
I'd have bought the 'beginner' example as after watching the whole video, I *still* prefer it.
keeping branches in scale with the trunk is actually the best advice for styling a bonsai tree.
i seen another youtuber just chopping off limbs leaving one branch to grow the trunk out, but he didn't explain style. his oldest tree was massively scarred and ugly.
Thank you for this lesson. Now I know why I only liked a couple of my junipers. Our local club is having a juniper styling event for our next meeting. I'll be be putting what I've learned here to the test.
I've often said that the only failure is when you learn nothing from your failure. That is incorrect. The second failure is when you learn nothing from your success.
Thanks! This is a mistake I make all the time. Thanks! That's one mistake down, another 99 to solve and fix.
This is the best instructive video on designing young junipers (or any variety tree) I have seen. I have numerous junipers, and I have always done what you say you don’t do! Kudos! I will definitely use these techniques on my trees going forward! Keep doing these great videos.❤
Knowledge is power! Keep learning and growing - pun intended 😂
100% Agree!
Yes me too .. I search for something that I can adapt which is fun but not the real thing.
If you have been happy with the results of what you've been doing to date, then don't change just because one person says he doesn't do it that way.
It's so helpful how you did the side by side work on those trees to demonstrate this point!
Super helpful right? Good stuff.
I agree, I bought a creeping juniper about a year ago, and I did very light pruning. This year I want to be bolder with it. I think this comes from the fear of killing the tree.
I needed to see this video so badly, I think this is the key I've been missing. I think I might pick up a new victim on my way home from work!
Thank you. This makes so much sense, but I've been scared to cut off thicker branches and lose all the size even though I kinda felt it was the right thing to do for proportion replicating an old full grown tree
Thanks so much for this explanation. Its a huge principle to work with: The scale!!!
This was very helpful. I would just find myself staring at nursery material I bought and I’d think to myself, “ok what do I do now?”. I wish I would’ve seen this video a couple of years ago.
This video is one the best ones I’ve seen on how to start from nursery stock! Thank you!
That's a great explanation for how to get the proper scale of trunk to branch size. Thanks for your time and wisdom. 😉
Definitely really helpful!
Great advice in this video that you don’t hear on other bonsai videos. Thank you!
Well, you just displayed my first bonsai tree... and it was, of course, the bad example. lol. thank you so much. I knew it looked wrong but couldn't figure it out. Time to trim it up a bit again.
Very interesting - particularly regarding truck size and composition. Also helpful to see how you approach the application of "jin" in your work. Thank you very much!
This is great info that's very well presented. Totally changes how I'll approach converting my big box store purchased plants into bonsai. Thanks, Eric!
This is a great explanation and happy to see Nigel Saunders weigh in. Inspiration from both of you. Thanks
One of the best bonsai video i've watched till now! Really thanks!
Great video thank you for explaining, the importance of removing the large branches, when starting out
One of your best videos for beginners. As a beginner I need to start chanting the mantra less is more! I think we are not confident to make bold changes to the tree when we start. Loved the junipers side by side at the end.
Thanks! I would caution that I have also seen beginners cut too much from trees. The point isn't only that less-is-more, but that you should be contemplating the scale of the plant and don't assume that the size it has at the beginning is the final size. Mixed in there is a caution about how older and larger branching (from standard nursery material) is mostly not suited to bonsai styling.
Learning how to know when to make big cuts is sometimes the hardest or scariest thing to master.
I enjoyed watching your explanations of styling a Juniper to a point were we would be happy to call it a styled bonsai, thank you so much for spending your time doing these videos, unfortunately I am in the U.K. and we don’t see as many Juniper types as you do, they are not popular sellers in garden centre outlets around the U.K. as with most plants fashion dictates what is on sale.
Just grow from seed. I'm in the southwest. I don't bother with cold stratification, just bang the seeds in some propagators and keep them in partial shade with the lids off, then move them into the sun on bright sunny days.
This year I planted all my seeds in the middle of june. I had maples germinate in just a
few days, rainbow eucalyptus in around a week, birch, juniper and a few others which I haven't identified yet (I don't do labels either) in 2 weeks, giant redwood in less than 3 weeks, and now on week 4 (with week 3 being mostly wet) I've got jacarandas starting to sprout. All nice and strong.
The only thing which hasn't germinated yet is the Baobab, but they're the only seeds with which I've done what others say you must. I've now planted the last seed in sand and soil and will just leave it out in a sunny spot. I bet it grows just fine.
Thanks for your Tutorial. this is one of the best video about Bonsai
That makes so much sense. Thank you for breaking this down in the K.I.S.S. method. My confidence is feeling a bit higher to go hard on the initial cut. Thank you!!
Deine Gestaltung dieser Bäume gefällt mir gut❤
I've never seen this explained. Wow I've wasted so much time and trees. This is a great video and makes so much sense. Thankyou
The tree you've been working on for 15+ years is so amazing because it DOES look like a miniature huge tree from the forest.
What he did was really cool! A technique I have not seen yet! Well done sir! Very nice looking trees.
I would love to see a video explaining how to cut the roots from a larger nursery grown tree so they can eventually turn into a shohin.
I’ve been told i have a natural eye for it im a sculpture artist and have been into bonsai for 4 years now…my rule of thumb for beginners (as if I’m not one) is to make the branches below longer then above as trees in nature have shorter branches the further up you go. think about it in triangles
Thank you for that I have been doing it the other way, keeping larger branches .and it's off to my greenhouse to practice.
Spending time in a greenhouse is always a treat!
I loved this approach. They look amazing
Those junipers at the end of the video are beautiful!!
A really great video and you hit that major stumbling block perfectly. I still find it difficult with junipers to get that scale correct. Cheers
You should explain where to cut. Where not to cut also the idea behind u stripping bark off some. I’m new to planting anything really
That's a smashing good cut. The first two trees where very interesting.
Very good info. Thank you.
Great job 👍 👍 👍.
Beutyfull juniper. I working on precumbens nana.
Best Regards. Peter.
I've watched many of your vids, this one caused me to subscribe. Just over 10 minutes of how and why was perfect! Would have been cool to maybe take that "Beginner" initial design and take it to the next level of mature design. Thank you. Perhaps in the future?
Excellent video …. We have all made these mistakes at one point or the other.
One of the best of many videos i've watched on beginner bonsai, thanks!!
Would love too visit these two trees again 1 year later. Great video, thanks!
It's funny - I made that video, then never published it. And now I can't recall why I didn't think it was worth sharing.
@@Bonsaify Quite funny indeed. Now you know what you need to do :)
Fascinating video thank you. Very enlightening.
Super helpful right??
Great examples on the approach in the use of nursery materials - very helpful explanations. Thank you.
Nursery material can have some great potential if you pick the right one! 👍👍
This video really opened my mind Thanks!
Ichiban! Superb demo and love the results, excellent little trees!
I'd like to see an update on the one you cut all the larger branches off. Did it survive that?
Not a bad idea. Yes, it is happily growing with new spring tips now.
I did not like it…. I LOVED IT!
Thank you for a very clear and detailed instructions…
Well done and great for a beginner like me.
All the best!
Another typical beginner mistake I call "Ikea-bonsai". That is, following some instructions and going step-by-step, never to revisit any of the prior steps. eg; Step 1: Clean out dead, weak, and unnecessary foliage. Going on to step 2, eg; selecting the front and trunk angle. However, ignoring newly-discovered dead/weak foliage, because you've moved on. Experienced hobbyists, etc. are continuously cleaning out dead, weak, or unnecessary foliage and are open to new fronts and angles throughout the entire design process.
I thought the mistake "Ikea-bonsai" was getting one of those factory ginseng bonsais from Ikea that come half dead.
But that "mistake" gave me my first bonsai and brought me here so I think it's still a win.
I just bought my 1 st bonsai tree tonight 😅 so pretty excited to learn the art of bonsai 🎉 but also scared lol 😅
Super valuable insights!
OK that was REALLY helpful. I'm someone who LOVES having large houseplants, larger the better. But as I transition to smaller house after the next one, I want to have Bonsai started, ready to take up space that will be more limited & your demo was great.
Great lesson. You are a good teacher and a genius. Thanks so much.Bonsaify.
Thank you for sharing. I wish I could find conifers with nice trunks and NEBARI Like these two specimens. your vid is very helpful. Thank you again for sharing.
As i was driving to my class today i was observing the J. Virginiana, Eastern Red Cedar-a "weed" tree in the fence lines and fields. Up on the bluffs they have a totally different habit, for junipers are so variable and adaptable. The upright trees are climbers- branches to the ground and equally spaced in a big sphere. The lazy trees and the trees in the bluffs are twisted and cling to the rocks. They often group in groves and over all will show the drift of the prevailing wind.
Seeing those different patterns in nature can feel like a bit of an enlightenment right?
Amen brother. Well done and said. Thanks, keep growing
Thanks for the great insight. I've been guilty of these beginner mistakes.
Perfect example for starting off. Wish I had this knowledge bevor
Awesome! Just the kick in the pants I needed, thank you!
We all do things differently..before taking scissors to a tree, I’d remove it from the pot, scrape the soil down a bit, and get a look at it before trimming. If too many branches need more just..rank development, I’d maybe trim the roots a bit so they have an head start in the right direction and put it repot back into the pot for further growth. If it’s destined for transformation right away, then, I’d remove it and look first.
Nice specimens especially the last 2 depicted.
I make these beginner mistakes. Thank you for this!
Great video Eric.
Another cracking and informative video, brilliant 👍🏾 thank you from UK
Thank you!! This is the most informative video I have watched 🙏🏻
Great video with very helpful demonstrations showing not only what to do but also why. One thing that would improve the video for me would be to use a simple grey background. Your stock shelves, while interesting, mask the details your are trying to show.
Thanks for the feedback! Funny enough, the next video I made I did just that! Cheers.
Good, quick, essential lesson. Thanks.
Thanks! Very useful info, I wish there were videos like this for each doubt I have! Now I feel confident enough to tackle the junipers I’ve been basically just growing for the last 3 years! (Cool upbeat music too! 🤟)
Agreed! Junipers can be challenging at times.
Thank you Eric, this video was very helpful. I feel a bit more confident tackling my next project.
Guilty! I am so grateful for your demonstration and your clear explanation with two trees. Your videos always demonstrate ideas/ techniques that so many others avoid or dont address. Thank you very much and hope one day you make it down to the San Diego Bonsai Club.
Super helpful! Really appreciate your perspective and your explanations on bonsai dos and donts 🙌🏼
Good pointers help us all grow and advance our art. 👍
Bonsai phill very good video nice shape tree s beautiful bonsai s thanks
Me gustan mucho sus trabajos.
Será posible subtitular en castellano?
Muchas gracias.
Salud.
Nice video! Like so many others have said.... I really liked the examples and comparisons, too. That really helps illustrate the point. Thanks!
Very helpful video, l wish someone would guide on tropical trees too.
Why has it taken me several years of casual interest and owning bonsai trees to learn this most important lesson?
I have always tried to save the larger branches and never connected the reason they never look right is because the large branches are not to scale for what we are trying to do.
Thank you. Your first example really was a slap in the face to your point.
Thanks for the demo. How do you go from a huge rootball in a standard plant pot to the small bonsai pot please?
Great video! Really helpful information for a beginner like me.
Brilliant! Great video!
It's neat. Thank you for the education.❤
Agreed as a beginner this looks too harsh in one session for me, there's letting the material dictate design and a force of will by the artist, but in the end I just want the plant to thrive not kill over. Lol
update: th-cam.com/video/uG0oW6n8tzE/w-d-xo.html
one of the best videos so far!
Wow just wow. Learned a lot today.thanks!!!
Do you know where you got though Junipers? I would love to know so I could clean on up and grow it myself.
Where are you located? Ping me on email.
Another great video !
Just got my first little bonsai...I hope I dont kill it! Really want to get another species too but we'll see how this one goes first.