I'm leaving all my 'digging' until March/April time. I've got the Oaks in the garden and the larger one(s) in the wild plus the two Scots Pines. Then, apart from keeping my eye out for a pink Hawthorn, I will stick with the trees I have. (Yeh - like you believe that!!!)
Xavier, until I saw your video I was convinced I was doing wrong by doing yamadori in December. What a relief 😀. Now everything changes. Usually in winter we have less work and more time to do such things. Perfect time for yamadori since it works.
I think you have summed up one of the primary reasons I do it in the early winter. Traditionally we are told Spring is when you should do these things but... I just find it clears up my entire early spring days for the 'must do' work of repot and pruning. All the best for 2023, Xav
It should be fine Magnus - the golden rule of Yamadori is too remove the most roots straight away whilst the tree still has all of the orgiinal energy. I will never be able to remove that sort of root mass again.
The first time I did this I left far too many roots in place...but a few years later I am getting braver and braver with what I remove. next year I may just cut them all off :)
Another super video. I really identify with that really tired feeling potting up trees in the dark. I've done that a few times. I understand that you will be leaving these for a couple of years to just grow, but I'm also really looking forward to some updates in the spring to see how they are getting on.
You will defintely see updates on growth but you will also be seeing the previous years collected trees being looked at for initial repots. Cheers, Xav
Excellent. I tend to do te same leaving them a year or so depending on the species. I have a large yew which is now almost a year collected, but I may well leave it another year before styling, but I might be tempted in the summer.
Michael, as I mentioned in the video - these will be left alone to allow the roots to gain as much energy from leaf mass as is possible. What I will be doing this year is looking at the roots of the ones I dug up the porevious year. But...I shall definitely be showing you how these look around mid April. Cheers, Xav
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat we all need a break sometimes. Plus going back to the basics after already having knowledge of what you are doing and bring in new ideas that can work better.
I'm not the only one that runs out of daylight! I will be digging up more trees once I get the overwintering thing down pat. We are sitting about -19C now. It has warmed up. I learned much from your awesome Yamadori videos! Thank you for that! Have Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year Xavier!😄
Thanks Marysol. I fear your winter conditions are a lot more challenging than mine right now. With current temperatures I could still dig up more trees today! It is wonderful that we can share our bonsai journeys in this medium. God Bless and all the best for Christmas and New year. Xav
Great information Xavier. Answers some questions I had of your previous collection video. Looks like they’re off to a great start. Thanks, keep growing
Hi Xavier. I have seen a Sloe Bush near me with lovely trunk movement and i will be digging this up soon. What would you recommend for the soil mix. The mix i use is pine chip bark grit and cat litter. Or would it need more nutrients
Hi, sounds like you know exactly what you are doing. The only difference wiht my mix is Ive also added vermiculite and fine gravel. But that is really just to bulk it out a bit. It would be great to see a few pictures if you are able to send them. Cheers, Xav
Love this !! Just dug up a hornbeam on Friday 13th 😅 gives me a bit of hope being you dig in dec, I forgot to clean cut the roots and it’s in a box now I’m wondering if I can pull it back out and sort them out what’s your thoughts ? New sub here 👍
Thanks for putting up with me! I would advise against pulling it back out unless you know there are some pretty big ugly roots that you will need to remove. You have done exactly what I did the first few times I dug up from the ground. To be safe, I would just leave it and enjoy it budding out in the spring. When it comes to repot in 2 years time, if it is very healthy with lots of new growth, then you will be able to do some 'reasonable' root pruning. Just bear in mind, next time, that that first opportunity is the time to do all the heaviest root removal. Cheers, Xav
I Guarantee if you plant that elm root it will grow.. at least mine did.. I threw some roots in a Dirt pile when I Collected my elm and three new trees started growing.. and I'm thinking put a rock around the big ugly root and BAM!! ROOT OVER ROCK...
Mainly because I found this was the best time to collect oaks. Also, the chap who plants and runs the fields says there is very little difference in timings. I know biology suggests otherwise but in practice I find the tree responds quicker the next year. Cheers, Xav
I'm leaving all my 'digging' until March/April time. I've got the Oaks in the garden and the larger one(s) in the wild plus the two Scots Pines. Then, apart from keeping my eye out for a pink Hawthorn, I will stick with the trees I have. (Yeh - like you believe that!!!)
Sound like a plan to me Roger - have a great Chrsitmas.
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat And you and 'yours'.
Xavier, until I saw your video I was convinced I was doing wrong by doing yamadori in December. What a relief 😀.
Now everything changes. Usually in winter we have less work and more time to do such things. Perfect time for yamadori since it works.
I think you have summed up one of the primary reasons I do it in the early winter. Traditionally we are told Spring is when you should do these things but...
I just find it clears up my entire early spring days for the 'must do' work of repot and pruning.
All the best for 2023, Xav
Some brave root pruning there. 😯
It should be fine Magnus - the golden rule of Yamadori is too remove the most roots straight away whilst the tree still has all of the orgiinal energy. I will never be able to remove that sort of root mass again.
The roots of trees grown in fields are thick and difficult to cut. Thank you for your hard work. 🤗💞
The first time I did this I left far too many roots in place...but a few years later I am getting braver and braver with what I remove. next year I may just cut them all off :)
Nice , glad to hear someone else is using Vaseline.
Why pay a fortune for putty when you can get something easy to find and just as effective. Cheers Sharon.
Great work. It's good to see it all completed from pick to pot... I look forward to next year..
Thanks Rob - now for the hard part...waiting 2 years :)
Nice video Xav. Please keep us updated just to let us all know that they are all sprouting. 👍👍
I will do my best and I am sure they will all send out new shoots next year. No work until 2024 though :)
Great job, I’ll follow your steps one day!
Far too much respect going my way Stef! I look forward to seeing you do just that - next year maybe?
Some brave cutting there!
Grts
Kennet
Hopefully, they should all be fine Kennet, but each year I seem to be harder and harder on my root removal. Cheers, Xav
Another super video. I really identify with that really tired feeling potting up trees in the dark. I've done that a few times.
I understand that you will be leaving these for a couple of years to just grow, but I'm also really looking forward to some updates in the spring to see how they are getting on.
You will defintely see updates on growth but you will also be seeing the previous years collected trees being looked at for initial repots. Cheers, Xav
Excellent. I tend to do te same leaving them a year or so depending on the species. I have a large yew which is now almost a year collected, but I may well leave it another year before styling, but I might be tempted in the summer.
Thanks for sharing. Lets see how it goes. Happy Christmas!!!!
Happy Christmas and New year to you also my friend. God bless Xav
Can we have a update on these please ...
Michael, as I mentioned in the video - these will be left alone to allow the roots to gain as much energy from leaf mass as is possible. What I will be doing this year is looking at the roots of the ones I dug up the porevious year. But...I shall definitely be showing you how these look around mid April. Cheers, Xav
Great job Xavier. You broke down this process spectacularly. Keep up the great work with this bonsai for beginners series.
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for that Matt - I thnk a bit of a bonsai break is well overdue for me :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat we all need a break sometimes. Plus going back to the basics after already having knowledge of what you are doing and bring in new ideas that can work better.
Nice 👍
Thanks Andy. Have agreat Christmas. Xav
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat you too fella.
I’ve given you a little shout out on my next Christmas vid 👍
@@Bonsaicrazy Too soft - but thank you. have a brilliant Christmas Andy.
Good luck with your yamadoris Xavier! 🤞Can’t wait to see the new growth in the spring! 🐦💙
New growth!!! No - these are being made into brush handles in the spring :)
Interesting to see what happens next year
I will make sure you all get to see that - whether you want it or not :)
I'm not the only one that runs out of daylight! I will be digging up more trees once I get the overwintering thing down pat. We are sitting about -19C now. It has warmed up. I learned much from your awesome Yamadori videos! Thank you for that! Have Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year Xavier!😄
Thanks Marysol. I fear your winter conditions are a lot more challenging than mine right now. With current temperatures I could still dig up more trees today! It is wonderful that we can share our bonsai journeys in this medium. God Bless and all the best for Christmas and New year. Xav
Great information Xavier. Answers some questions I had of your previous collection video. Looks like they’re off to a great start. Thanks, keep growing
Cheers Matt - I thought about doing one 45 minute episode but decided even I wouldnt have the patience to sit through that in one go :)
Hi Xavier. I have seen a Sloe Bush near me with lovely trunk movement and i will be digging this up soon. What would you recommend for the soil mix. The mix i use is pine chip bark grit and cat litter. Or would it need more nutrients
Hi, sounds like you know exactly what you are doing. The only difference wiht my mix is Ive also added vermiculite and fine gravel. But that is really just to bulk it out a bit. It would be great to see a few pictures if you are able to send them. Cheers, Xav
Love this !! Just dug up a hornbeam on Friday 13th 😅 gives me a bit of hope being you dig in dec, I forgot to clean cut the roots and it’s in a box now I’m wondering if I can pull it back out and sort them out what’s your thoughts ?
New sub here 👍
Thanks for putting up with me! I would advise against pulling it back out unless you know there are some pretty big ugly roots that you will need to remove. You have done exactly what I did the first few times I dug up from the ground. To be safe, I would just leave it and enjoy it budding out in the spring. When it comes to repot in 2 years time, if it is very healthy with lots of new growth, then you will be able to do some 'reasonable' root pruning. Just bear in mind, next time, that that first opportunity is the time to do all the heaviest root removal. Cheers, Xav
Lovely stuff 🌳💚
What is your success rate collecting yamadori in early winter mate?
I have collected about 50 oaks and of those lost 10 (over 3 years). All other species have been fine - no deaths. Cheers Xav
I guess I may go dig up some prickly pears. Lol
You may have a point there...
I Guarantee if you plant that elm root it will grow.. at least mine did.. I threw some roots in a Dirt pile when I Collected my elm and three new trees started growing.. and I'm thinking put a rock around the big ugly root and BAM!! ROOT OVER ROCK...
Great news Marcus - I have had that happen a number of times over the years. Cheers, Xav
Is there any reason you're doing this work now rather than at bud swell (March) when carbs have been shunted upwards to the buds?
Mainly because I found this was the best time to collect oaks. Also, the chap who plants and runs the fields says there is very little difference in timings. I know biology suggests otherwise but in practice I find the tree responds quicker the next year. Cheers, Xav
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat OK mate, good luck with them.
Been trying to reach you by email!
You are so impatient!!!
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat
Stop it. Literally burning the roots🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I have never ever heard of that bonsai myth - but Jelle did set himself for that reply! Cheers Xav