How to create Bonsai with specialist grower Craig Wilson.

This week on The Horti-Culturalists we're taking a deep dive into this most specialist of botanic arts, Bonsai! We'll meet specialist grower Craig Wilson who will show us around his private collection of evergreen, deciduous and native Australian Bonsai specimens. He'll take us through all the key care principals from root pruning to watering, repotting and fertilising, and we'll even begin a plants Bonsai journey with a first prune and repot! Matthew will overcome his horror of Bonsai and Stephen will revel in discovering what a sacrificial branch is!
The Bonsai trees in Craig's collection we cover in this story are:
Pinus radiata
Banksia integrifolia
Forsythia suspensa
Acer buergerianum
Ulmus suberosa parvifolia
Ficus rubiginosa
You can find Craig's nursery here: gentiananurser... but remember his Bonsai collection is private and not available to view, and he doesn't sell Bonsai.

[@craigfield9447]

Thanks gentlemen for a good informative discussion on Bonsai and Penjing. I’m interested in the art of Bonsai but have been mystified by the rules and regulations and why for.I remember reading a quote from a Bonsai master saying we westerners shouldn’t try to imitate Kyoto but create our own Kyoto with our own native species.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

I'm glad you found our video useful. Regards Stephen

[@brocktoon8]

Extremely interesting that the branches follow the roots! : O

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Isn't it! Thanks for watching!

[@margaretaklemming2492]

Thank you very much guys for this information and do the roots follow the branches as well? For example trees that stretch toward the sun or bend away from each other if planted to crowded? Do the roots compensate so the tree will stable up eventually?

[@halleyorion]

@@margaretaklemming2492 From what I have heard from arborists, yes. Trees will grow roots in the direction they lean because it stops them from falling over. This is why arborists fret about trees that have had a major root severed (e.g., when an underground pipe has to be replaced or a road widened) and will often remove the tree even if it is healthy; it’s at high risk of falling on a house, car, etc. in high winds because it can no longer support its weight on that side.

[@777greglee]

15 years or so ago, I spend each Friday with Craig, learning bonsai. He is so knowledgable and generous to a fault. Craig is a really lovely guy.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Well said. Regards Stephen

[@sandydarling9343]

Thankyou. I do like to watch Peter Chen but you do learn so much from watching a variety of people on this topic. Thanks guys

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Our pleasure! Regards Stephen

[@OjaiBonsai]

I just followed. Great video thanks. Cheers from Ojai California

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Welcome aboard! Regards Stephen

[@claramartins6727]

That was fantastic!. Very useful lesson.😊

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching - glad it was useful!

[@laurelscott4466]

That was so interesting! Bonsai is not my thing but learning about the way trees grow was a revelation. Than you.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Glad you enjoyed it! Regards Stephen

[@jaqmackie]

Very interesting. Enjoyed.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Glad to hear! Regards Stephen

[@TaderSamich]

Swirling roots can be fixed. At least on most deciduous. Ground layer.
Gnarly old tree in the discount pile can be reborn as a beautiful bonsai

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Very true! But perhaps not Craigs way of doing it. Regards Stephen

[@abigailknight2045]

He is hilariously blunt😅 Fantastic episode!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

no point in beating around the bush so to speak! Regards Stephen

[@rossmcleod7983]

Craigs the best, chuck out the rest! 😊

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@DanandPatKerr]

Hello Stephen and Matthew: this is an equipment not plant question. Do you have any recommendations for a particular brand of electric loppers? We are looking at them due to arthritis issues in our hands as we have a lot of grapes, plumbs, and apples to prune and this Bonsai root pruning could be difficult.
When you wire these roots down, are you trying to establish a downward pressure or just lateral stability?
Thanks again, we thoroughly enjoyed your show.
Pat and Dan Kerr, Bruce Mines Ontario Canada.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Sorry but I don't have any experience with powered secateurs so can't be any help there and as far as the wiring down of the bonsai it is a bit of both really. Glad you are enjoying our efforts. Regards Stephen

[@karlsorchidparty2395]

Very informative. Thank you. Guess I need to watch it twice. And, yes, gardens are gardens, because they are controlled by humans; so troture? Maybe a tiny bit, but than think og box or hedges... ❤

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Well said! Regards Stephen

[@1Kent]

Where bonsai are concerned I'm on team Matthew, I've got better things to do!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Ah but are they better things one might ask.
Regards Stephen

[@ceceliahuynh]

The bonsai guy, Craig, is rather curmudgeonly which is amusing.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching.