This is very helpful and timely, as I need to repot a ficus. I have learned a lot from watching your videos, and have gained the confidence I need to work on my trees. I have had good success using unscented, non-clumping cat litter in my bonsai soil mix. I pass it through a colander and only use the coarse grains.
I see part of the temple you were casting is out looking great on the bench. Hope we return to that project someday. Great video today the tree looks so much better and I'm sure it will be happier for it. All the best to you
I like your strive for perfection and petseverence especially when it comes to roots. And what I like even more is that most of the times the tree survives these big cuts and al the effort pays off.
Nigel : Cuts basically every roots the tree has. The tree survives and grows well. Me: I move my Bonsi 10 cm away from the usual spot . The Bonsai dies
@@TheBonsaiZone little OT, I have a Ginkgo plant that I've been growing from seed , planted it last year, it's the first Winter for her, what should I do? It lost all of the yellow leaves, it's only a stick right now, better outside in the cold? Inside the house? Into my cacti greenhouse? Here in Italy we can reach low -5/10 max during winter :) Thanks!!
Although "drastic", it is strangely soothing to watch your root work. I have planted a couple of collected trees in a grow bed and find my self discussing the radial root development in my head with a Canadian accent! We will see what they look like when I dig them next spring . . . My Moreton Bay Fig is due some root work, so it might be next!
Such a great video. Thanks ! Sometimes roots do need a severe rebuild! Can't wait to see the progress from here. Gorgeous specimen. The small leaves really are a draw, even w/ the blimp roots. Lol 💪🤠👍☁️🌙☁️
Don’t underestimate the value of this tree. I see great potential and even more importantly you must appreciate the love hate relationship. The big rivalry between what you want and what lnature gives you. A constant challenge with little rewards along the way
that potato at 5:10 :O holy cow! those roots will be in my nightmares. and yet somehow, the most satisfying videos are the ones with the most brutal root-chopping in them. it almost seems like you're doing everything you can to kill this tree, but it just keeps coming back for more. i guess trees like that earn a begrudging respect, of sorts. :P
Really thats the smallest yet healthy ficus benjaminas leaves Ive ever seen. Its hard to get to that point with this species. I love the new root, looks better in proportion 👍
Hi Nigel, better late than never! Were you aware that Ficus benjimina is classified as a Strangler Fig? That's something I stumbled upon fairly recently.
Hello Nigel, My ficus only has bulbous roots with water roots at their tips. I cut them almost all back once hoping to get more water roots and less bulbous ones, but that didn’t work. Just finished repotting and sadly I ended up with more potato roots. I’m growing it in a deep pot to grow my ficus faster because it is still in training. Do you have any pointers on what to do? Would really appreciate your professional advice. Thanks ✌🏽 Patrick
Hi Nigel you mentioned Safe T Sorb as part of your soil mix. Peavy (previously TSC) doesn't seem to carry that anymore. Do you know if Qualisorb (Calcined Diatomite) from Canadian Tire would be an acceptable alternative?
I just bought some at my nearest Peavey (Bradford) 2 weeks ago. I just checked the website and I see it listed. Search "40lb industrial safety absorbent" - $19.99 ..
@@BlueJayBonsai Well I'll be! Thanks so much. Safe T Sorb on the website didn't come up with anything close. looks like some Home Hardwares also carry it so that's my backup.
You can also order online at Home Hardware. They will ship to one close to you so you don’t have to drive around. I just got three bags from the one near me in Toronto. I ordered on Thursday and it was ready for pick up the following Tuesday. Pretty fast.
Nigel sir, 1. never seen you apply any sort of fungicide on those big cuts on roots or branches. How come ?? And 2. How you prevent seedlings from dampingoff infections and growup??
Hi, I just subscribed to your channel cause I just got me frist Bonsai and I believe its a Ficus. I want to know if I could get get your email so I could send u pictures of it? I want to know how to take care of it, how long I should leave it in the pot it came in, and when I will be able to repot it in a real Bonsai pot I like the look of the square ones. If u could get back to me I'd really appreciate it. Thanks alot for the videos. Tommy for Wisconsin..
This particular Ficus benjamina is a special variety called "Too Little" and naturally has very small leaves for a benjamina. This variety used to be patented but the patent is now expired and is free to propagate.
I have one in a huge pot and I want to transplant it out in the garden. I don’t want to dig really deep. Can I cut most of its roots before I transplant it? Will it survive?
Mr Derrick, Ficus farmer here used combination graft small Bud into root cuttings. They said most of ficus species, the root alone cant grow new leaves.
Hi Nigel, have you heard about Azadirachta indica(neem tree), I would like to suggest you to look for it on the internet. Can you please make a bonsai out of it? I would like to see it:)
@@TheBonsaiZone absolutely! Just the other day, me and my friend saw a Ficus microcarpa Bonsai at a cafe here in Pune. It was kind of in a rough condition. Your video made it more clear to me. Thanks
Nigel, you've turned me into a sidewalk crack moss harvester. My neighbors are perplexed, but it works great! Thanks!
😂😂😂😂 people over here in the hood think I am crazy
It's absolutely the best way!
Awesome Charles, it's best to do it right out in the open, if you do it early in the morning or late in the evening, people will begin to talk! Lol!
This is very helpful and timely, as I need to repot a ficus. I have learned a lot from watching your videos, and have gained the confidence I need to work on my trees.
I have had good success using unscented, non-clumping cat litter in my bonsai soil mix. I pass it through a colander and only use the coarse grains.
I am really curious to see how this one recovers. Finger's crossed!
it will. theses ficuses are one of the strongest species i know. i have done so many hard prunings, and they always come back. truly a miracle.
My little girl say you tree is "not Looking nice but roots looks like a Fairytale" so now i like The roots to
Thanks Anders, I'll let the roots recover and then the work will continue on the top of the tree!
Nigel I have started praying for the little ficus. That was a lot of cutting on the little guy.
"This video isn't for the faint of heart when it comes to root pruning"
*Maniacal cackle*
I see part of the temple you were casting is out looking great on the bench. Hope we return to that project someday. Great video today the tree looks so much better and I'm sure it will be happier for it. All the best to you
I like your strive for perfection and petseverence especially when it comes to roots. And what I like even more is that most of the times the tree survives these big cuts and al the effort pays off.
I really like this style for some reason even with how ridiculous it is but I have never seen it anywhere really other than your videos
Thanks, Nigel!
Nigel : Cuts basically every roots the tree has. The tree survives and grows well.
Me: I move my Bonsi 10 cm away from the usual spot . The Bonsai dies
Lol, this tree is still doing really well!!
@@TheBonsaiZone little OT, I have a Ginkgo plant that I've been growing from seed , planted it last year, it's the first Winter for her, what should I do? It lost all of the yellow leaves, it's only a stick right now, better outside in the cold? Inside the house? Into my cacti greenhouse? Here in Italy we can reach low -5/10 max during winter :)
Thanks!!
Aussie Dave here Nigel, I have many ficus including a Morten Bay fig.. but have never tied such server root pruning..well done..
Thanks to the Zone for the root pruning se
Although "drastic", it is strangely soothing to watch your root work. I have planted a couple of collected trees in a grow bed and find my self discussing the radial root development in my head with a Canadian accent! We will see what they look like when I dig them next spring . . . My Moreton Bay Fig is due some root work, so it might be next!
I hope they do well Rebecca, I think the Canadian accent will help a bit!
That Ficus is neat! I love starting seeds.
I have the same type of ficus and had to do a severe root pruning on it this spring and it bounced back with no problems at all.
Love the ficus! I wonder if it is possible to grow from the cut root?
Great job on the ficus Nigel.👍 The bog forest already is looking like an old forest, I can’t believe it’s only been since spring. ❤️
Cool! A Livestream! How's it going Bonsai friends?
This one should be named the butchers block ficus. Holy cow Nigel.
Such a great video.
Thanks !
Sometimes roots do need a severe rebuild!
Can't wait to see the progress from here.
Gorgeous specimen.
The small leaves really are a draw, even w/ the blimp roots. Lol
💪🤠👍☁️🌙☁️
Don’t underestimate the value of this tree. I see great potential and even more importantly you must appreciate the love hate relationship. The big rivalry between what you want and what lnature gives you. A constant challenge with little rewards along the way
that potato at 5:10 :O holy cow! those roots will be in my nightmares.
and yet somehow, the most satisfying videos are the ones with the most brutal root-chopping in them. it almost seems like you're doing everything you can to kill this tree, but it just keeps coming back for more. i guess trees like that earn a begrudging respect, of sorts. :P
Bonsai police! 🤣
Good to see they didn't knock on your door...
What you gonna do when they come for you?!!
Another great video Nigel, thank you so much!
Do you have any seeds you would sell & send to my amateur self in the U.K?
Amasing roots pruning you a Master
Great video 💕👌
nice tree nigel, i dont have any ficus in my collection, might invest in one in, another great video ;)
Thanks Houghton Bonsai!!
Really thats the smallest yet healthy ficus benjaminas leaves Ive ever seen. Its hard to get to that point with this species. I love the new root, looks better in proportion 👍
This variety has naturally small leaves, I have seen them with even smaller leaves on a well developed one!
From a unique rooted bonsai to an ordinary bonsai !
My aim is to grow miniature looking trees!
Hi Nigel, better late than never! Were you aware that Ficus benjimina is classified as a Strangler Fig? That's something I stumbled upon fairly recently.
Interesting!
Pretty 😍
i think you should prune the top of the tree too if you cut so much roots especially you will help the tree to recover faster
The roots become too large and potato like but you can do this kind of work to them and they bounce right back.
Hi Nigel, it's a shame this species of ficus grows thick fat roots, but you made a great work
Hello Nigel,
My ficus only has bulbous roots with water roots at their tips.
I cut them almost all back once hoping to get more water roots and less bulbous ones, but that didn’t work. Just finished repotting and sadly I ended up with more potato roots.
I’m growing it in a deep pot to grow my ficus faster because it is still in training.
Do you have any pointers on what to do? Would really appreciate your professional advice.
Thanks ✌🏽
Patrick
Đẹp quá chú ơi
Ikut belajar master
Hi Nigel you mentioned Safe T Sorb as part of your soil mix. Peavy (previously TSC) doesn't seem to carry that anymore. Do you know if Qualisorb (Calcined Diatomite) from Canadian Tire would be an acceptable alternative?
I just bought some at my nearest Peavey (Bradford) 2 weeks ago. I just checked the website and I see it listed. Search "40lb industrial safety absorbent" - $19.99 ..
@@BlueJayBonsai Well I'll be! Thanks so much. Safe T Sorb on the website didn't come up with anything close. looks like some Home Hardwares also carry it so that's my backup.
You can also order online at Home Hardware. They will ship to one close to you so you don’t have to drive around. I just got three bags from the one near me in Toronto. I ordered on Thursday and it was ready for pick up the following Tuesday. Pretty fast.
Can you do anything with the larger roots you removed? Can you pot them to see if they will grow new shoots or anything?
in in MA and i think you could find nice eastern hemlock or hophornbeam where you live!
I have a small Hemlock on the go, and they do sell the hop hornbeam's at the garden center!
@@TheBonsaiZone heckof foliage color on them in offseason
Just asking if you're using fertilizer to your bonsai?
Nigel sir, 1. never seen you apply any sort of fungicide on those big cuts on roots or branches. How come ??
And
2. How you prevent seedlings from dampingoff infections and growup??
Hi, I just subscribed to your channel cause I just got me frist Bonsai and I believe its a Ficus. I want to know if I could get get your email so I could send u pictures of it? I want to know how to take care of it, how long I should leave it in the pot it came in, and when I will be able to repot it in a real Bonsai pot I like the look of the square ones. If u could get back to me I'd really appreciate it. Thanks alot for the videos.
Tommy for Wisconsin..
hey Nigel, would you consider doing root pruning more often since the ficus is a hardy tree?
awesome
Thanks Giovanni!
When is the best time of the year to root prune a ficus ?
Im sure you’ve already answered this but will you have your 3D pots for sale somewhere ?
Amazing work! How did you get those little leaves on your ficus benjamina? I still watching your videos from Venezuela, best regards, and Thanks!!!
This particular Ficus benjamina is a special variety called "Too Little" and naturally has very small leaves for a benjamina. This variety used to be patented but the patent is now expired and is free to propagate.
I have one in a huge pot and I want to transplant it out in the garden. I don’t want to dig really deep. Can I cut most of its roots before I transplant it? Will it survive?
Generally yes, it is is watered well and has good soil!
We're did you get the root rake
oh so would it be best to graft this variety of ficus onto another so this becomes the branches only?
I'm sure you could graft the smaller foliage to a regular Ficus benjamina, maybe worth a try?
I feel like I need to hand you a hammer and a chisel so you can sculpt the roots!
What soil do you use?
Could another ficus grow from those roots you removed?
Yes, they will grow from root cuttings!!
Wonder if that tree will live after all the root removal
I've removed all the roots on my ficus before and it still likes.
Ficuses can take it
Ficuses can take a lot more. pines and junipers would be considered dead at that point
Nigel what is ur age ? And what is the work do u like in making bonsai ? I like root work and purning mostly 😊😊
Hello Gajendran, I am 59 years old, I enjoy all the aspects of bonsai, it's a lot of fun developing ordinary trees into nice bonsai!
cashew tree sap is like acid be careful when prune it, specially protect your eyes
Thanks Chamara, I'll wear gloves and eye protection!
What are the dimensions of the Pot??
Nigel, have you tried growing the root cuttings? Does it work for this ficus?
I've tried root cuttings, but no success. They can be grown from root cuttings, but it is harder to get them going than top cuttings.
Mr Derrick, Ficus farmer here used combination graft small Bud into root cuttings. They said most of ficus species, the root alone cant grow new leaves.
Hi Nigel, have you heard about Azadirachta indica(neem tree), I would like to suggest you to look for it on the internet. Can you please make a bonsai out of it? I would like to see it:)
*Fun fact:* Neem is a really great natural insecticide and fungicide.
How old is this Tree?
This tree is about 15 years old now!
I wonder if it's a losing battle to try to get the ficus roots to grow against their nature. Not criticizing; just wondering out loud.
The roots can be controlled and I have seen some really amazing specimen trees with awesome root bases!
Today I truly realised why Ficus bonsais get problematic.
Yes, they need constant work to keep them in check!! They are growers!
@@TheBonsaiZone absolutely! Just the other day, me and my friend saw a Ficus microcarpa Bonsai at a cafe here in Pune. It was kind of in a rough condition. Your video made it more clear to me. Thanks
What is your soil mix?
he likes half perlite half safetysorb
safetysorb?
Thanks
@@SabirChdhry oildri
👍
Thanks Bruce!!!
LOL BONSAI POLICE
Foist
Let's GOOOO Bonsai!
Lets Do Foist!
@@TheBonsaiZone Got to be good at something lol myabe this is it
Oh no! :( don't cut off the turtle back.
It did look like a turtle!
That table isn't level