I was always into bonsai trees but I never knew how much work went into them. I really like your videos, they are informstive and aesthetic. Keep up the good work!
This is my quick trick on dealing with all that. flush your toilet, roots usually grow in the direction of the gravitational pol. Now when doing root work go in the opposite direction you find that they unwind much more easily.
Wow, I can't imagine how much experience you must have with bonsai trees, it's just wonderful to watch you! I'd love to get a bonsai myself but I'm kinda scared that I'll do everything wrong and kill it. :/
I discovered your channel today and got in love with it! keep up the great work. I have never done anything like this but you mage me curious. it is inspiring
Powerful trunk. The guy you bought them off was wise to sell when he did as it looks like most his collection was on the verge of collapse. A hard decision for him i'm sure, but i'm certain he will be very pleased to see that they are all going to live very happily now.
Amazing Cotoneaster! I hope it thrives now! When I get trees that root bound I deploy water to wash out the old soil. It is pretty gentle on the roots but gets the soil out of hard to excavate areas.
Out of curiosity... could you have sprayed the root mass with a water hose once it was out of the pot to avoid doing damage to the roots instead of chop sticking it? Perhaps a combination of the two? Thanks for the video. Interesting to see trees in such conditions and how to help them.
I know nothing about bonsai but am really interested in it. Could you place the whole root structure in water to remove the bad soil or would that be more detrimental?
How is it doing now ? Has it survived ? Looking at that dead wood, that would be my first priority. A full gentle clean removing any surface soft stuff then Cyanoacrylate (super glue) then a partial root tease and a bigger pot. Letting it grow and get back to health.
Its doing great, so well, that I have pruned and wired. I would consider selling it at the right price, but because I’m not actively selling it, I’m not sure what that price is. My email is in the description of this video if you would like to make an offer.
Just reading Michael Hagedorn’s Bonsai Heresy on exactly this precise topic, ie solid, decomposed Akadama and solid root ball. Somewhat controversial and counter intuitive - I won’t spoil it for you 😄
@@grobonsai or leave it alone! Who am I to argue with anyone who has been in the presence of the Japanese bonsai gods? I once saw Corin Tomlinson from a distance 😂 I’ve got another 300 pages to go yet, who knows what other mind blowing stuff I’m going to find... I may need to lie down in a darkened room for a little while until the sense of vertigo stops.
@@grobonsai I’m saying nothing to nobody. That way I won’t get shouted at 😀 What Michael seems to be saying, and I’m paraphrasing and possibly misrepresenting a bit or skipping pertinent detail, is that many older Japanese trees don’t have the solid ball of decomposed stuff much disturbed just tickled at the edges, and that results in fine feeder roots in the actual solid rootball bit. I’m only relaying what I thought I just read. 😆 I guess the title is a dead giveaway that he is out to upset and confuse people. Pigeons and cats.
@@TheBonsaiGarden ah yes I’m with you. When the root system is healthy, I think that’s the important part of the jigsaw. If it isn’t healthy (black, smelly, devoid of fine root) then work is required. Yeah I see what you mean now 👍👍
What an awesome tree!!.... would it have been an option to clean the roots lightly. Then put it in a large training pot. Reducing any risk. Bringing back health. After a season clean the roots up knowing which were the strong roots? Guess it depends on country, season and what your heart/gut is telling you huh? Great stuff 👍🏽
I no longer think that’s a solution. My opinion is that as long as timing is good, a proper repot to correct any issues is the way forward. Learned via Mirai, and my own observations from working on this collection of trees I acquired over winter. Thanks for supporting the channel Graham
Their is likely a really obvious reason why it's not done like this but why not use a hose or something to gently rinse all the dirt out then. Pack in new soil?
I don't have any experience with bonsai, so there's probably a good reason, but why don't you swish the roots in some water to remove soil without damaging roots?
It is because I only want to remove the soil that doesn’t provide good environment for healthy fine roots. If I get water involved I lose control of what I wash off. Some practitioners do wash the roots but it’s my preference not to, in most cases, so we can build a pot full of fine roots without starting over each time it’s repotted. That allows controlled branch growth and fine twigs to grow. It just depends what we’re trying to achieve 🙂 hope that makes sense
It is Moso bamboo in 12-16cm diameter poles. It is available online but the minimum order and delivery make it pricey. If you would like some, send me a private message somewhere. I can send you some in exchange for a small amount of money 😊
In general gardening it means the soil is easily crumbled, hence readily planted. In the bonsai context, friable soil is intact bonsai soil particles, as opposed to broken down field soil, organic matter, or decomposed bonsai soil.
It is too imprecise - I want to have control over how much is removed and what remains untouched. It's hard work and my wrists don't thank me for it. But it's necessary for a valuable tree that isn't in the best health. Of course, everyone has different opinions and approaches, which I respect.
Lovely Bonsai, would be great in any collection. Soaking and washing the root ball would have been much gentler and safer and Cotoneasters don’t like Akadama- pumice, lava chip, molar clay, cut Sphagnum Moss and ground pine bark Would have possibly been safer.
It's a combination of ending sentences with a high tone that sounds like I'm going to say something else (annoys me too but i only notice during editing when it's too late!). And, not always having time to record a proper sign-off
Would love to see an update of how the tree (root system) has faired.
Good job Darren! That trunk looks like a cresting wave, its lovely
Thanks Toby, my eyes popped out when I saw it!
damn bro! that is probably 1 of the best looking cotoneasters ive seen, no lie! 👍🏼
Me too, was such a lucky find for me to pick up this tree
I can hear a sigh of relief from that tree. Well done.
I was always into bonsai trees but I never knew how much work went into them. I really like your videos, they are informstive and aesthetic. Keep up the good work!
This is my quick trick on dealing with all that.
flush your toilet, roots usually grow in the direction of the gravitational pol. Now when doing root work go in the opposite direction you find that they unwind much more easily.
That’s smart! That would have applied to a hawthorn I did recently, very noticeable - now you mention it
Excellent work. Love to see it's update in 4-6 weeks.
Thanks, hope to post an update soon as this was filmed in March just waiting for flowers to open
@@grobonsai awesome
I like the structural chop stick technique - keeping the root system centralised. I would also love to see an update on this tree
Hi Simon, I haven’t touched this tree yet except to remove any wire, probably update it late spring after the repotting rush
Wow, I can't imagine how much experience you must have with bonsai trees, it's just wonderful to watch you! I'd love to get a bonsai myself but I'm kinda scared that I'll do everything wrong and kill it. :/
Great video. Thank you. I really like your narration. That explains why you were doing what you were doing.
I appreciate that! Thanks for the feedback
Risk it now or watch it weaken and *then* have to do it - the right choice was made, regardless of the outcome - though it looks like a good job to me
Thanks, I agree (obviously 😁)
So glad I found this channel, exactly what I needed
I’m glad too! Thanks
I'd love to see an update on this beautiful tree :)
Very jealous of this addition to your collection. Congrats!
It was a very lucky find
Great job Darren! And amazing tree!
Thanks Rafi!
Cotoneaster is very hardie and fast growing, so it will survive for sure and it will be very happy for that new soil.
Definitely, thanks for watching
I discovered your channel today and got in love with it! keep up the great work. I have never done anything like this but you mage me curious. it is inspiring
Awesome! Thank you!
I've that type of knife a lot with good results.
What a great challenge and you did a nice work with the old cotoneaster!
Hope we can follow it later on :)
Thanks for watching 🙏
Powerful trunk. The guy you bought them off was wise to sell when he did as it looks like most his collection was on the verge of collapse. A hard decision for him i'm sure, but i'm certain he will be very pleased to see that they are all going to live very happily now.
His wife listed them for sale while he was at work, but he accepted it was the right decision haha He couldn’t bring himself to do it
@@grobonsai hahah incredible!!! I love it
Always great content Darren. Thank you 😎🍺🍺
Amazing Cotoneaster! I hope it thrives now! When I get trees that root bound I deploy water to wash out the old soil. It is pretty gentle on the roots but gets the soil out of hard to excavate areas.
I choose not to use that method, but I’m glad you have success that way 👍
@@grobonsai I really enjoy your videos and the way you share your decision making processes. It is very helpful!
Out of curiosity... could you have sprayed the root mass with a water hose once it was out of the pot to avoid doing damage to the roots instead of chop sticking it? Perhaps a combination of the two? Thanks for the video. Interesting to see trees in such conditions and how to help them.
Great work! Learned a lot from this video.
Glad it was helpful!
Time to preserve a part of the wood, that is not yet degraded too much.
Let us know how the tree is doing. Good job. 👍
Definitely! Will do
Good tree ... nice bonsai material 👍🏿👍🏿🥰🥰
An unwanted bread knife with a serrated edge (large serrations) cuts through matted root balls easily. Thanks Darren.
Good idea, cheers Al
It looks amazing....I just said wow..👍👍❤️❤️ love from india man❤️
Thanks 🙏
this is a huge plant with a great plant.
Couldn’t believe my luck when I saw it!
Well done! big thumbs up
Thank you 🙏
Great video, well done
Thanks Richard 👍
I don’t even know what that is but it’s impressive
Thank you for watching! I really do appreciate when people who don't practice bonsai stop by and give my channel their valuable time :)
Wow beautiful tree
Thanks 🙏
Oh boy... Good luck :)
Thanks Ana 🙏
Darren, please excuse the beginners question but can I ask what you were adding to the new pot at 9:15 please?
Good job friend. Super
Thanks so much
very beautiful
Why not use compressed air to clean out the old soil?
That’s a good question I don’t know but it would save time
I know nothing about bonsai but am really interested in it. Could you place the whole root structure in water to remove the bad soil or would that be more detrimental?
I know nothing of this, but why wouldn't you use water vs your chop stick?
Good one
Thanks 😊
When are you doing an update on this tree? I'd love to know how it survived the rescue operation.
Very soon (ish)! It will take some time to edit though. I guess several weeks until it will be ready. Thanks for your interest
Good look ❤️
How is it doing now ? Has it survived ? Looking at that dead wood, that would be my first priority. A full gentle clean removing any surface soft stuff then Cyanoacrylate (super glue) then a partial root tease and a bigger pot. Letting it grow and get back to health.
Its doing great, so well, that I have pruned and wired. I would consider selling it at the right price, but because I’m not actively selling it, I’m not sure what that price is. My email is in the description of this video if you would like to make an offer.
Just reading Michael Hagedorn’s Bonsai Heresy on exactly this precise topic, ie solid, decomposed Akadama and solid root ball. Somewhat controversial and counter intuitive - I won’t spoil it for you 😄
Is it ‘Add more decomposed soil’?
@@grobonsai or leave it alone! Who am I to argue with anyone who has been in the presence of the Japanese bonsai gods? I once saw Corin Tomlinson from a distance 😂
I’ve got another 300 pages to go yet, who knows what other mind blowing stuff I’m going to find... I may need to lie down in a darkened room for a little while until the sense of vertigo stops.
So cryptic! Are you saying I shouldn’t have repotted this tree? I don’t follow
@@grobonsai I’m saying nothing to nobody. That way I won’t get shouted at 😀
What Michael seems to be saying, and I’m paraphrasing and possibly misrepresenting a bit or skipping pertinent detail, is that many older Japanese trees don’t have the solid ball of decomposed stuff much disturbed just tickled at the edges, and that results in fine feeder roots in the actual solid rootball bit. I’m only relaying what I thought I just read. 😆
I guess the title is a dead giveaway that he is out to upset and confuse people. Pigeons and cats.
@@TheBonsaiGarden ah yes I’m with you. When the root system is healthy, I think that’s the important part of the jigsaw. If it isn’t healthy (black, smelly, devoid of fine root) then work is required. Yeah I see what you mean now 👍👍
What an awesome tree!!.... would it have been an option to clean the roots lightly. Then put it in a large training pot. Reducing any risk. Bringing back health. After a season clean the roots up knowing which were the strong roots? Guess it depends on country, season and what your heart/gut is telling you huh? Great stuff 👍🏽
I no longer think that’s a solution. My opinion is that as long as timing is good, a proper repot to correct any issues is the way forward. Learned via Mirai, and my own observations from working on this collection of trees I acquired over winter. Thanks for supporting the channel Graham
Gro Bonsai .... knowing the individual plant is primary 👍🏽
My favourite tree
👍👍👍
When was this filmed ? I thought it was to late for any type of repot
Late March
Great work. Beautiful looking tree. Hope it survives. Thanks
Thanks again Matt 🙏
Has it survived? How is it going?
Wow, how do you get a trunk like that?
Does washing roots help in this scenario
Gentel washing wold expose the whole root and then you could treat it.
I prefer not to, especially if the tree is not healthy. I address only the problem areas, no need to disturb happy roots
Their is likely a really obvious reason why it's not done like this but why not use a hose or something to gently rinse all the dirt out then. Pack in new soil?
Darren, not sure if you read these comments but can I ask about the 'topped off with moss' bit at 10:45 please?
More info here Moss Top Dressing For Bonsai
ua-cam.com/users/shortskE29ula_SK4?feature=share
Thanks for the help, really appreciated.
Enjoy your videos. Was that dry moss you used and what type please?
Thanks, here’s a short vid explaining the moss ua-cam.com/video/kE29ula_SK4/v-deo.html
I would have just broke the pot instead of harm the Bonsai.
I couldn't be bothered with a chopstick/hook. I just hit mine with a bit of hose pressure. I don't see the sense of messing around with anything else.
I don't have any experience with bonsai, so there's probably a good reason, but why don't you swish the roots in some water to remove soil without damaging roots?
It is because I only want to remove the soil that doesn’t provide good environment for healthy fine roots. If I get water involved I lose control of what I wash off. Some practitioners do wash the roots but it’s my preference not to, in most cases, so we can build a pot full of fine roots without starting over each time it’s repotted. That allows controlled branch growth and fine twigs to grow. It just depends what we’re trying to achieve 🙂 hope that makes sense
Recently got into bonsai from your TikTok page. When you repot a plant do you immediately add fertilizer or do you wait a bit for the plant to adjust?
I don’t, I wait for strong growth. Some trees won’t skip a beat, others will pause
@@grobonsai thank you for the tip! If it’s not obvious your videos are amazing
Thanks so much!
Did it survive?
Awesome tree Darren. Can I ask where did you get those sticks? I use chinese chopsticks but they are quite weak.
It was a lucky find, that tree! Are you based in the U.K.? if so, I can hook you up with some
Yes, I am, in Chorley, but I do not want to abuse.
It is Moso bamboo in 12-16cm diameter poles. It is available online but the minimum order and delivery make it pricey. If you would like some, send me a private message somewhere. I can send you some in exchange for a small amount of money 😊
Nice bro
Thanks
How about an up date on this cotoneaster
Hi! What type of cotoneaster is this?
Hi it is C. microphylus
Can you make a another video of this tree. An up date please.
Coming soon
Is that sphagnum moss and how do you get it like that?
Here are the details ua-cam.com/video/kE29ula_SK4/v-deo.html
What does "fryable soil" mean?
In general gardening it means the soil is easily crumbled, hence readily planted. In the bonsai context, friable soil is intact bonsai soil particles, as opposed to broken down field soil, organic matter, or decomposed bonsai soil.
dear darren how is this tree doing, give us an update
Here’s a photo instagram.com/p/CPidDU2Dv_G/?
Wow I saw the updated picture on Instagram
Es normal que tenga raíces de fuera si lo tienes en el suelo húmedo y no podría morir
Ah ok, interesting, thanks
Why not use a jet of water from a garden hose to remove soil?
It is too imprecise - I want to have control over how much is removed and what remains untouched. It's hard work and my wrists don't thank me for it. But it's necessary for a valuable tree that isn't in the best health. Of course, everyone has different opinions and approaches, which I respect.
Bonsai
👍
🙏
Lovely Bonsai, would be great in any collection. Soaking and washing the root ball would have been much gentler and safer and Cotoneasters don’t like Akadama- pumice, lava chip, molar clay, cut Sphagnum Moss and ground pine bark Would have possibly been safer.
I disagree, but no surprise there
1 year update?
I’m working on it 😁
Do an asmr please
How do you think I should do it? ASMR doesn’t ‘do it’ for me, so I’m not sure how it works
Why do all your videos end abruptly? Most of the videos I watch seem to end mid sentence. Very strange
It's a combination of ending sentences with a high tone that sounds like I'm going to say something else (annoys me too but i only notice during editing when it's too late!). And, not always having time to record a proper sign-off
Haha first😁
🥇