Usually I vote for conservative modifications but in this case, thinking drastic cutting may be your choice. Your explanation of why you are considering that makes sense to me.
Love Portulacaria afra's and variegated are the really cool, I have several and waiting for their first pruning in a few months...Always enjoy the content and engaging comments...Great pruning tips...Thanks for sharing...Sequim, Wa...
Looking forward to part 2...I like the back as the front as it seems to have more future potential (in my opinion)...Excellent advice concerning slowing down the process...TFS, Dave...
I use an old window screen to sift the lava rock to get rid of the dust. My current soil mix for bonsai succulents (crassula jade and portucaria afra) is 80% bonsai soil and 20% succulent and cactus soil. Straight up bonsai soil dries too quickly for me in the summer heat. Having a small percentage of organics helps retain moisture. The bottom line is to know your environment and the trees' requirements.
That variegated PA will be quite the beauty one day. The multi trunk one is quite cool as well! The last beefy PA one is so cool. Good idea on just examining that one for a bit … thinking it through will benefit it for the future. I think you are on to something by snipping that lowest branch that extends a few inches. I like the idea of keeping the current front and twisting it. Try to rest up that voice! 😅
I never had problems with lava rock. I even have a jade growing in one also. In my Ted's mix, which he uses in his nursery stock, his trees grow great. Like you said, to each his own. What works best for you, stick with it. All what we can do and to afford. As for our pruning the roots, wash first and then prune. After all, rocks in the soil, even the landscapers hit and just sharpen their tools.
That is one cool trunk on the last tree. Best to sleep on how you want to style it. Part 2 will be cool to see the work done on this tree. Enjoy your basketball games.
@@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom yeah, it’s a cool little pot. It’s funny when I started and was afraid to spend any money on anything, now I put a tiny PA in a Sara pot. Though of my 6-8 Sara pots, I paid for 2. I’ve won a lot through my club.
Little Jade bonsai did an experiment with 2 very similar sized PA's...one planted in a smaller pot and the other one in a larger pot. There was amazing growth in the larger pot.
I've stopped using lava rock too. I found that roots, on maples anyway, actually avoid the lava. Ryan Neil said some samples contain toxic levels of boron. I also don't like the texture as much as pumice. This spring all my trees will finally be lava free!
My golden rule for PA'S is to NOT do major root prune and pruning of the tree at the same time....The tree's seem to struggle to recover if I prune everything at the same time.
@@DavesBonsai hey, opened up that PA, and it was actually a twin trunk, the one side rotted off. now its in bonsai soil and a pot that has drainage. im glad i asked, and thanks so much for your advice Dave!!
This tree is to cool for a drastic cut, but you are the creator of this tree. I know that after you sleep on it, your subconscious will give you the solution.
Usually I vote for conservative modifications but in this case, thinking drastic cutting may be your choice. Your explanation of why you are considering that makes sense to me.
Very much enjoyed this video Dave, thank you
Love Portulacaria afra's and variegated are the really cool, I have several and waiting for their first pruning in a few months...Always enjoy the content and engaging comments...Great pruning tips...Thanks for sharing...Sequim, Wa...
Looking forward to part 2...I like the back as the front as it seems to have more future potential (in my opinion)...Excellent advice concerning slowing down the process...TFS, Dave...
I use an old window screen to sift the lava rock to get rid of the dust. My current soil mix for bonsai succulents (crassula jade and portucaria afra) is 80% bonsai soil and 20% succulent and cactus soil. Straight up bonsai soil dries too quickly for me in the summer heat. Having a small percentage of organics helps retain moisture. The bottom line is to know your environment and the trees' requirements.
Cool ports. I like the pots you are putting them. I have no luck with ports, only jades. Yours are terrific.
That variegated PA will be quite the beauty one day. The multi trunk one is quite cool as well! The last beefy PA one is so cool. Good idea on just examining that one for a bit … thinking it through will benefit it for the future. I think you are on to something by snipping that lowest branch that extends a few inches. I like the idea of keeping the current front and twisting it. Try to rest up that voice! 😅
Great trees Dave. I have no luck with PAs, but I love seeing nice ones. Thanks for the shout out. Cheers
I never had problems with lava rock. I even have a jade growing in one also. In my Ted's mix, which he uses in his nursery stock, his trees grow great. Like you said, to each his own. What works best for you, stick with it. All what we can do and to afford. As for our pruning the roots, wash first and then prune. After all, rocks in the soil, even the landscapers hit and just sharpen their tools.
That is one cool trunk on the last tree. Best to sleep on how you want to style it. Part 2 will be cool to see the work done on this tree. Enjoy your basketball games.
Thanks for the shoutout Dave! 🎉 and also the PA episode - I just LOVE them. Really like the Sara pot, I haven’t seen many of her small ones.
@@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom yeah, it’s a cool little pot. It’s funny when I started and was afraid to spend any money on anything, now I put a tiny PA in a Sara pot. Though of my 6-8 Sara pots, I paid for 2. I’ve won a lot through my club.
Little Jade bonsai did an experiment with 2 very similar sized PA's...one planted in a smaller pot and the other one in a larger pot. There was amazing growth in the larger pot.
I like the front as the front but angled....then do a Nigel-inspired hard prune 😊
I've stopped using lava rock too. I found that roots, on maples anyway, actually avoid the lava. Ryan Neil said some samples contain toxic levels of boron. I also don't like the texture as much as pumice. This spring all my trees will finally be lava free!
My golden rule for PA'S is to NOT do major root prune and pruning of the tree at the same time....The tree's seem to struggle to recover if I prune everything at the same time.
An older gentleman has me using chicken grit for aeration.
I love it!
And it's cheap at $8 for a 50 lb bag.
@@t3dwards13 yeah plenty of people using that as well.
my PA has one trunk that looks shriveled, maybe dying? would it be worth my time to try to get cuttings to root from it?
@@airford13 if it’s soft down below, it’s likely root rot. If the top half is still firm, chop bottom off and try as cutting.
@@DavesBonsai hey, opened up that PA, and it was actually a twin trunk, the one side rotted off. now its in bonsai soil and a pot that has drainage. im glad i asked, and thanks so much for your advice Dave!!
This tree is to cool for a drastic cut, but you are the creator of this tree. I know that after you sleep on it, your subconscious will give you the solution.