Adam, you do such a good job with your videos: clear, concise without leaving out salient details, informative without being pedantic, and above all optimistic in approach. Thank you for your continued efforts. So delighted to watch your work and learn every time!
Hey Darkfire! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! I truly appreciate your support and am thrilled to hear that you find the videos helpful and enjoyable. It's my passion to share the beauty and art of bonsai in a way that is clear, informative, and uplifting. To me Bonsai is not only just about shaping trees; it's also about fostering a sense of connection with nature and sharing knowledge and joy with others. 😊
Good call on the pond basket. It would probably still have thrived after the root work but you assured it. Beautiful little tree. I'm glad it is in your hands, it really wasn't quite so remarkable before you restyled it.
I use colanders and net pots for all my young trees. When I wire them in, rather than having the wire coming up from the bottom, I insert a long piece of wire horizontally from one side to the other then back to the first side, so that it goes on both sides of the trunk. Once I twist the ends of the wire it locks the tree in very securely. Also it stiffens the sides of the net pot so that the soil is less disturbed
That is a great idea Adam and I shall do exactly the same with my two Itoigawa as well. I actually want to use my second one as a mother plant for future cuttings so i don't have to spend a fortune on new stock :)
Ive just repotted a Hinoki I had in a pond basket and mostly Akadama. Big thing I noticed was just how dry the middle of the soil mass was. Likely best to water these type of plantings by occasionally dunking the whole thing in a bucket when needed, especially so with granular soil.
A great knowledgeable instructional video Adam, I am using sphagnum moss a lot more these days when repotting trees as I think it helps the roots to recover quicker creating a finer root system and retains moister were the roots need it to develop those finer roots.All the best with your trees Adam.
hey Adam, you should make a video about how to reproduce the sphagnun 'cause thats really interesting Anyway i'd leave the sphagnun over the soil, it would really help you keep the moisture during the summer days Keep it going, bro !!
I like to look in swamps with an active spring but in the warmer area where lots of sun peeks through. I find that kind of moss near blueberry bushes quite frequently in high light areas
Hey Arekushisu! I don't propagate the moss myself. I usually collect it locally from a forest. (with permission of course!) I'll definitely keep this in mind for a video though! 😄🌳
Could this also work for a fukien? I have 2 carmona retusas with compost type of soil. They look very muddy. The bigger carmona retusa - I received in November 2023. It has an S shape and its roots are breaking the top layer of the compost soil in its pot. The second carmona retusa is new and smaller and has an upright shape. I received just yesterday, and it has a similar situation with the soil. The smaller one is the one I would like to try this with. I want to develop the tree. Cheers and thank you for the amazing tutorials. 🙏🏼
I thought you cannot take all the soil at one time from pines and junipers because you just got rid of all the symbiosis the roots have with the good bacteria of the soil. I wonder if it survived... When I first started making bonsai I killed every pine and juniper due to completely cleaning the old soil at once... Tell me how did it do? Thanks.
Amazing video brother any plans on the future to add to you collection an acer plamatum in the future? I think Will be awesome to follow along your journey with it! Keep it up 💪
Hey! Repotting it in December in Southern California might just work out fine due to the milder climate. 🌞 Just make sure to handle it gently, especially since it's pot-bound. When you do repot, prune any circling roots and place it in fresh soil to give those roots some breathing room. Keep an eye on it after repotting, as it might need a bit of extra care during this time. Good luck with your Shimpaku Juniper!
Hi Adam, great video! Just a tip (that I unfortunately did a few ago). Never bare root a juniper, leave around 50% of the original soil. Junipers like most conifers rely on mycorrhizal fungi in the root system. if you do bare root then using some of the old soil to repot can help the tree. Hopefully the tree stays healthy!
I was just about to comment the exact same thing. Bare rooting junipers is dangerous, especially on an expensive Itoigawa. Cutting too much root as well will revert the tree back to juvenile foliage, which is no big deal in the long run, but it'll take a number of years to get that mature foliage back. Great video though, Adam. It's well shot, it sounds good, the picture is crisp, and you speak clearly which makes you a clear natural bonsai lesson communicator.
Thank you for the advice! As the tree was strong I felt it was ok to do so! Will definitely keep a close eye on this tree to ensure that it survives well 🤗
I used sphagnum and it started rotting and the soil became white and mouldy sort off so I took it off its doing good now but my one wasnt fresh and new
@@notionbonsai thanks for the response. I plan to repot my ficus I received as a gift or the first time. You have a great channel. Please don’t stop making videos!
You're correct that bare-rooting junipers can be risky, especially for older or more established trees, as they have a sensitive root system that can easily dry out or become damaged during the process. However, in certain situations and with proper care, bare-rooting younger junipers can be successful. Each bonsai and situation is unique, so what works for one tree may not necessarily work for another. It's essential to assess the health and vigor of the tree, as well as consider factors such as root development and the time of year before deciding whether to bare-root. If you prefer to err on the side of caution, it's perfectly valid to avoid bare-rooting junipers altogether and opt for less invasive repotting methods. 🌿😀🌳
Loved it!!! This time I learned more about the basket, Thank you! I knew it promoted root growth, but didn't know about the roots when they exit the basket. ❤🌿✂️🥰 can't wait to see how your plants come through in Spring/Summer.. BTW how is your Gran's tree?
Hi Susan. Glad it had some useful information for you! My grannys tree is just about to start flowering for spring 🙂 Unfortunately she passed away on the 12th March this year 😥
Yes, it is possible to mix bark into the bonsai soil mix. Bark is a common component of many bonsai soil mixes, as it provides organic matter and helps retain moisture. However, it's important to keep in mind that not all types of bark are suitable for use in bonsai soil. Some types of bark can decompose too quickly and cause the soil to become overly acidic or compacted. It's best to use a high-quality, aged bark that has been screened to remove any fine particles. Additionally, the proportion of bark in the soil mix should be carefully considered, as too much can reduce drainage and oxygen availability to the roots. 😄
Y do you remove all the soil from the tree it's not good you should only take half because it has microbial fungus called mycorrhiza that helps the tree grow nice and strong,just wanted to let you know 😊 you don't have to listen to me after all it's your bonsai and you can do whatever you like with it...
Idk why he didn't keep some of the soil, but usually, you'd want to get rid of the soil to get rid of any insects, fungus, or to thoroughly check for root rot as well. But then again, idk😂
Indeed indeed. I'm not saying this tree won't survive but this is not the way i would repot a itoigawa. Also not the right time of the year. But hey thats me. I don't bare root anything except the usual decideous suspects.
Recycle your wire bits with( Rio grande ) they'll take anything and determine the right price for it. Preferably in a large quantity as it might start to cost you
It makes me happy to see you so happy and excited!) It's been a year since the video was made, hope it's doing great!
Really well explained Adam, excellent!!
Thanks Nigel! 🤗🌳🪴
Adam, you do such a good job with your videos: clear, concise without leaving out salient details, informative without being pedantic, and above all optimistic in approach. Thank you for your continued efforts. So delighted to watch your work and learn every time!
Hey Darkfire! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! I truly appreciate your support and am thrilled to hear that you find the videos helpful and enjoyable. It's my passion to share the beauty and art of bonsai in a way that is clear, informative, and uplifting.
To me Bonsai is not only just about shaping trees; it's also about fostering a sense of connection with nature and sharing knowledge and joy with others. 😊
Thanks Adam once again for your advice and educational advice👌
Good call on the pond basket. It would probably still have thrived after the root work but you assured it. Beautiful little tree. I'm glad it is in your hands, it really wasn't quite so remarkable before you restyled it.
Thanks for the kind words Taco! 😊I hope it pushes out a lot of healthy growth this year!
Another superb video Adam. Effortlessly packed with lots of info. Keep up the great work. 👍
Thanks very much Jason! 😄There will be lots more videos to come!
I use colanders and net pots for all my young trees. When I wire them in, rather than having the wire coming up from the bottom, I insert a long piece of wire horizontally from one side to the other then back to the first side, so that it goes on both sides of the trunk. Once I twist the ends of the wire it locks the tree in very securely. Also it stiffens the sides of the net pot so that the soil is less disturbed
Ahh nice Bob! They work just as well! Thank you for sharing your experience!!
That is a great idea Adam and I shall do exactly the same with my two Itoigawa as well. I actually want to use my second one as a mother plant for future cuttings so i don't have to spend a fortune on new stock :)
Aw nice Xavier! I look forward to your video on it 😄 Yeah why not! Propagate them as much as you can! 🌳🌳🌳
Ive just repotted a Hinoki I had in a pond basket and mostly Akadama. Big thing I noticed was just how dry the middle of the soil mass was. Likely best to water these type of plantings by occasionally dunking the whole thing in a bucket when needed, especially so with granular soil.
lovely tree adam, will make for a stunner! great video as always.
Hey thanks very much Niall! 🙂
catching up on older posts. Thanks for the information and entertainment. I'm getting into bonsai, and love the info found in your videos.
Excellent video, Adam
👍👍👍
Thanks Andy!! 🪴🌳
A great knowledgeable instructional video Adam, I am using sphagnum moss a lot more these days when repotting trees as I think it helps the roots to recover quicker creating a finer root system and retains moister were the roots need it to develop those finer roots.All the best with your trees Adam.
I've found this also Joe! Spaghnum is almost like magic! Thanks very much 🙂
Great explanation and demonstration Adam. I learn so much from your videos.
Thanks very much Raymond 🤗
Great looking little juniper!
Excellent work ! Indeed sphagnum moss helps after repotting or even for first placing an airlayered in a pot. 👏
Hey thanks! 😊
love to see a pond basket. good video Adam
Thanks Adam! 😄🌳
Nice video. Be interested to see how you get on. 👍
Hey thanks! 🤗
Love itoigawa, maybe my favourite as I have a few, nice wee tree you have there buddy
Aw nice! It's such a nice species to work on!
Well done mate, that bonsai is looking great a little belter 👌🏼
Thanks Harry!! 🤗🤗
hey Adam, you should make a video about how to reproduce the sphagnun 'cause thats really interesting
Anyway i'd leave the sphagnun over the soil, it would really help you keep the moisture during the summer days
Keep it going, bro !!
I like to look in swamps with an active spring but in the warmer area where lots of sun peeks through. I find that kind of moss near blueberry bushes quite frequently in high light areas
Hey Arekushisu! I don't propagate the moss myself. I usually collect it locally from a forest. (with permission of course!) I'll definitely keep this in mind for a video though! 😄🌳
Good job Adam, thank for your great idea
Hey thanks! It's not my original idea but a useful technique to keep in mind for good healthy roots!
Thats an awesome tree! Wish we could get Itoigawa here in New Zealand.
Thanks Matt! I wish we could get it here too!! I had to order this one from a nursery!
You already know how to do it😍
😄😄
Great work Adam ..
Thank you Michael!
Thanks a lot.
Thanks for watching Gloria!
Great !! Greetings from Portugal! 👋✌
Hey thanks Bruno! Aw nice! I go to Albufeira every year with my family. Beautiful place!
@@notionbonsai Very nice! I lived in Albufeira about 25 years ago..! :) I have family there :) Is a nice place to vacation in summer! :)
Penjelasan anda sangat baik mudah di pahami.
Terima kasih banyak Aden 😊
Could this also work for a fukien? I have 2 carmona retusas with compost type of soil. They look very muddy. The bigger carmona retusa - I received in November 2023. It has an S shape and its roots are breaking the top layer of the compost soil in its pot. The second carmona retusa is new and smaller and has an upright shape. I received just yesterday, and it has a similar situation with the soil. The smaller one is the one I would like to try this with. I want to develop the tree.
Cheers and thank you for the amazing tutorials. 🙏🏼
Beautiful wee tree Adam.
Thanks Sam!
Cool basket, I've never come across those short ones. Mine are all either cubes or regular garden 6 inch pot shape
I think I found these ones on ebay for like £2 each! 😄Nothing wrong with a cube! I might actually prefer more room haha!
I thought you cannot take all the soil at one time from pines and junipers because you just got rid of all the symbiosis the roots have with the good bacteria of the soil. I wonder if it survived... When I first started making bonsai I killed every pine and juniper due to completely cleaning the old soil at once... Tell me how did it do? Thanks.
Amazing video brother any plans on the future to add to you collection an acer plamatum in the future? I think Will be awesome to follow along your journey with it! Keep it up 💪
Thanks Celso! I have a few maples already! Just up-potted one in a short video yesterday!! 🤗🤗
Another fantastic video…..wat is the soil mix u use generally for young trees in training baskets please
Hey thanks Joe! I mentioned it in the video 🤗 It's a mix of pumice, akadama and lava rock.
I have a shimpaku juniper but I don’t know what type, it’s also pot bound idk if I can repot in December I live in southern California
Hey! Repotting it in December in Southern California might just work out fine due to the milder climate. 🌞 Just make sure to handle it gently, especially since it's pot-bound. When you do repot, prune any circling roots and place it in fresh soil to give those roots some breathing room. Keep an eye on it after repotting, as it might need a bit of extra care during this time. Good luck with your Shimpaku Juniper!
Hi Adam, great video!
Just a tip (that I unfortunately did a few ago).
Never bare root a juniper, leave around 50% of the original soil.
Junipers like most conifers rely on mycorrhizal fungi in the root system.
if you do bare root then using some of the old soil to repot can help the tree.
Hopefully the tree stays healthy!
I was just about to comment the exact same thing. Bare rooting junipers is dangerous, especially on an expensive Itoigawa. Cutting too much root as well will revert the tree back to juvenile foliage, which is no big deal in the long run, but it'll take a number of years to get that mature foliage back.
Great video though, Adam. It's well shot, it sounds good, the picture is crisp, and you speak clearly which makes you a clear natural bonsai lesson communicator.
Thank you for the advice! As the tree was strong I felt it was ok to do so! Will definitely keep a close eye on this tree to ensure that it survives well 🤗
I used sphagnum and it started rotting and the soil became white and mouldy sort off so I took it off its doing good now but my one wasnt fresh and new
Ohh noo sorry to hear that!! Spaghnum shouldnt go mouldy as it has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Was probably really old!
@@notionbonsai not sure it might also have dried out
the soil mixture u use for ur bonsais, is that equal parts akadama, pumice and lava rock?
Yeah it is 1:1:1 😊😊
@@notionbonsai thanks for the response. I plan to repot my ficus I received as a gift or the first time. You have a great channel. Please don’t stop making videos!
I thought it was a bad idea to bare root junipers?
You're correct that bare-rooting junipers can be risky, especially for older or more established trees, as they have a sensitive root system that can easily dry out or become damaged during the process. However, in certain situations and with proper care, bare-rooting younger junipers can be successful.
Each bonsai and situation is unique, so what works for one tree may not necessarily work for another. It's essential to assess the health and vigor of the tree, as well as consider factors such as root development and the time of year before deciding whether to bare-root.
If you prefer to err on the side of caution, it's perfectly valid to avoid bare-rooting junipers altogether and opt for less invasive repotting methods. 🌿😀🌳
Hiiii nice video!!! Can you maybe do a bonsai collection tour for your next video? That would be awesome!
Thanks GaBe! Maybe!
@@notionbonsai 🥰
Loved it!!! This time I learned more about the basket, Thank you! I knew it promoted root growth, but didn't know about the roots when they exit the basket. ❤🌿✂️🥰 can't wait to see how your plants come through in Spring/Summer.. BTW how is your Gran's tree?
Hi Susan. Glad it had some useful information for you! My grannys tree is just about to start flowering for spring 🙂 Unfortunately she passed away on the 12th March this year 😥
@@notionbonsai OH my goodness🤗😪😇 I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my hugs and prayers for you and your family.
Can we mix some bark bark into the mix ?
Yes, it is possible to mix bark into the bonsai soil mix. Bark is a common component of many bonsai soil mixes, as it provides organic matter and helps retain moisture. However, it's important to keep in mind that not all types of bark are suitable for use in bonsai soil. Some types of bark can decompose too quickly and cause the soil to become overly acidic or compacted. It's best to use a high-quality, aged bark that has been screened to remove any fine particles. Additionally, the proportion of bark in the soil mix should be carefully considered, as too much can reduce drainage and oxygen availability to the roots. 😄
Very cute little grand tree, well done!
Where have you found Itoigawa? At Herons? Cheers!
Hey! I've ordered it from a nursery online 🙂Wattston Bonsai I think it was called!
Happy Saint Paddy's day.
🍀🍀
Can we get an update?
The update to this video has been done already 😊 th-cam.com/video/ITatg6ba5tI/w-d-xo.html
why dont i get a notification when you upload a video even though i activated the bell on your channel? 😅
Aw noo! I'm not sure!! Must be a glitch with TH-cam! Maybe try turning it off and on? 🙂
I’m just starting out with a 6 year old itoigawa, can I prune, shape & repot it now so it can grow for the next years or is it too soon?
It's best to do one at a time with Junipers. You can style it now and repot next year 🤗 Just make sure that it is in good health first!
@@notionbonsai alright thanks for the reply!
an apple bonsai is possible ?
Hey Hatem! Yeah they are! I have a few videos about Apple Bonsai on this channel 😊
@@notionbonsai thank you bro
I'd be really surprised if this tree survived the heat waves last summer.
It did! It's important to protect your trees from extreme temperatures if you get any 😄
@@notionbonsai I'd love to see an update on this particular tree please
Y do you remove all the soil from the tree it's not good you should only take half because it has microbial fungus called mycorrhiza that helps the tree grow nice and strong,just wanted to let you know 😊 you don't have to listen to me after all it's your bonsai and you can do whatever you like with it...
Idk why he didn't keep some of the soil, but usually, you'd want to get rid of the soil to get rid of any insects, fungus, or to thoroughly check for root rot as well. But then again, idk😂
I usually get rid of as much soil as possiblr but I won’t wash roots out to keep as much fungus as possible
Indeed indeed. I'm not saying this tree won't survive but this is not the way i would repot a itoigawa. Also not the right time of the year. But hey thats me. I don't bare root anything except the usual decideous suspects.
@@simonveghel3937 yes mate you doing bonsai right
@@koatsiebaznd7948 cool
Recycle your wire bits with( Rio grande ) they'll take anything and determine the right price for it. Preferably in a large quantity as it might start to cost you
Thanks for the advice!! I'll keep this in mind! I like to recycle wire that I take off trees also! 🤗