Tony hasn’t been at this for long but his grasp of the techniques and ability to communicate them has helped me to understand things I’ve taken years to absorb. Loving this channel.
I'm loving this channel too. There isn't another bonsai practitioner who is as casual and at the same time as expert as Tonys Bonsai AND who manages to look like Jason Statham like Tonys Bonsai does. :)
Good morning Tony. So I just had to share. I figured, with your sense of humor you would get a kick out of this. I’m at work, having breakfast at the company diner. I’m watching this video with my ear buds in. But I’ve got my phone propped up against my coffee cup. And as you’re using your hand, gesturing at the thickness of your (Hazel I think you said) Bonsai trunk. I hear the woman sitting at the table behind me giggling. I could hear them saying “what is he watching?” Evidently they liked the shape of your Nebari. 🤣🤣
🤣🤣You know what Dan, when I edited that scene, the thought did cross my mind just for a second that it was a bit dodgy, but I thought nobody will notice. Thanks for sharing that. Made me laugh!
I had wandered about your clumping method. As a kid , I would braid trees together to eat them grow in the woods. Softer trees looked awesome. Trying to get black walnut trees to braid was hard. They just wanted to snap. The reason for the black walnut , was for the grain of the lumber they would have produced at my age now. Things like wild fruit trees that grew fast , and limber did great. Plus they made the better tasting peaches. After my fruit trees would grow so much , it's like they would get a disease at the braiding. That's why I didn't know if clumping trees would survive
I love the fact that you stated that multiple techniques can be used together. I'm very new to this. I have a few plants I'm growing to eventually train into bonsai plants and a random lime tree that was a gift that I'm going to make into a bonsai out of necessity. It's going to be too big to be a house plant, and it's too cold here for it to be out all year. I'm going to start working on this lime tree as soon as I feel mildly confident. It's just too big as is. I know it'll not get as thick or nice if I start with it being smallish, but it already won't fit in my indoor greenhouse. O.o Thank you for the amazing information!
I find it liberating to watch your bonsai videos Tony. You have tress most of us can relate to. Not like the pro. which bonsai tress is far out of reach and most people never come close to on there bonsai journey. When that said, i myself is not into competition even if i had trees for it. For me it´s all about the love for the divine nature.
I couldn't agree more. I attended my local bonsai group once, and they were all stood around comparing and marking trees out of five and I was a bit confused. I get so much pleasure just walking around looking at trees being present. That's the real joy!
@@TonysBonsai* I think it´s sad so many is hooked on competition, but what they do is there business. I here you Tony. That is how i feel when walking in nature og just watching my own trees. Keep up the great videos.
Wow wow wow. I am getting a serious education. Your Mum's Silver Birch are beautiful & so is your little one which are the same age, amazing. That in a pot or in the ground thing is unbelievable. Thanks for showing me that, WOW. Oh that's right, happy birthday you old bugger. Ha.
Great video. I believe you could easily add air layering to this list. Your thicker sacrificial branches or even tops of other bonsai you chop could easily be made into another thicker bonsai. Thanks.
I realise this is not for your climate, but Figs for me are so fast including the fusion method of multiple stems. With some of my Figs I've made downward cuts in the trunks into the roots and then kept the wounded areas open with satay skewers and toothpicks. The bark tries to heal, the base of the plant swells out in a flare and every few months i can put new downward cuts to fasten the effect, and I just move the skewers and toothpicks into new positions. But Figs are fast here and grow most of the year. I'm in tropical Australia. You have the cold types for bonsai, I have to adapt to what can survive our heat and humidity. I found your video very helpful.
Hi Geoff. I actually just received my very first ficus. It's a tiger bark, and perhaps will be able to have a go at the technique you mention. Sounds very interesting thanks
@@TonysBonsai I'm not sure on cold tolerance of Ficus species where you are. If you have a part of your home which never gets below 10 Celcius, (no idea in fahrenheit), you could try our native Ficus rubiginosa(Port Jackson Fig/Sydney Fig) and Ficus religiosa from India. Easy to grow from seed and plenty available on line. The F. religiosa has a beautiful shaped leaf and by regularly defoliating it you can reduce the leaf size to be more in proportion to a bonsai specimen. Also F. religiosa is deciduous, so as autumn starts you can reduce the water to nothing for several months. Only water when you see spring growth. Worth trying from seed.
Thanks for that information Geoff. My house regularly goes below 10C in the winter at night. Maybe a few years ago when I used to have my heating on constant, but with the price of gas over here I don't do that anymore. I have just picked up some ficus Benjamina in the supermarket though which will be a fun addition
@@TonysBonsai Although F. benjamina is not deciduous as such, it is tough. You can reduce the foliage, ease off on watering, even reduce light, and it will go into a semi dormancy. Try to keep it above 5 C. A freeze will either kill it or badly damage it. It's a good plant to use as a guide on minimum temperatures. I see constant stories about people across the UK doing it really tough with costs and having to choose between food and heat. I think of the most vulnerable there every day.
Thanks for this great collection! Didn‘t know the one with the roots. I love your honest and personal communication - feels friendly, sympathically, but still professional.
@Tony, not sure if you noticed this mate, but at 2:07 O could see quite a few aphids on the new leader. Hope you can take care of that before it becomes an issue! Cheers.
Yes, I think it makes sense to work mainly on native trees because they are naturally suited by our environment, so we tend to be able to get away with a bit more.
Alot of great advices Tony, both the better known and the lesser known. You got a talent on spreading knowledge in a casual but serious way at the same time. I hope your channel grows even more, but above all we want to see more positive things and people like you in this crazy world we live in atm.
Thanks for that mate. I love bonsai. I was just about to write a reply thanking you and explaining my approach, but instead, I'm going to make a short video about it. Thanks for the content idea. the cheques in the post!
I should be doing my bonsai right now - not watching you with my coffee! Perfect and clear explanation for trunk chop. Keeping a small branch below and above the cut site makes it much better for good healing. The only thing to be aware of for sacrificial branches is when you are dealing with basally dominant material to make sure the tree doesntput all its energ down low at the expense of the higher stuff. Im thinking azaleas primarily.
Hi Nina. Really glad you are enjoying my videos, and if you're learning something then that's a bonus too! I'm sure you'll be creating some great trees!
A potential technique number #7 is the trunk pricking approach. I've seen it done by Ben Seattle (I think tho my memory is dodgy) on UA-cam. He suggested using a table fork to regularly prick the trunk of a bonsai, and claimed the resulting scarring thickened it up over time. I've never used it myself because to my mind you're increasing the risk of damage/infection. I think he applied cut paste to try to minimise this risk.
Yes, I've hear of this technique, but I've never tried it. I think it creates scar tissue and effectively swells the bark. I will have a go on one of my trees as an experiment!
@@TonysBonsai How is the experiment with pricking the trunk going? Is it working to make the trunk thicker? Do you have a video on the experiment? Also here is a Bonsai Empire video in which I heard about this method of injuring the trunk so that it produces tissue and thickens the trunk - the segment on this method starts at 7:00.
Cheers mate. None of my trees are proper finished bonsai, but I think I have a few which may well go on to quite nice trees in the future. I have some small field maples myself. When they are really young, they can be wired into some great shapes. I have one I'll be repotting in the spring into a mame pot.
I am only just getting into bonsai, inspired by a present of a starter kit which wasn’t very successful, but, these videos have been so helpful, really appreciate them and enjoy them, really interesting 👍
Hi Joseph. I suppose the starter kit did its job in terms of getting you into bonsai at least. In the next few weeks/months many garden centers have lots of cheap hedging materials like beech, hornbeam, hawthorn etc, and they are great trees to start with. The supermarkets all start stocking up with loads of cheap japanese maples (acers) in the spring and they are also a great starter trees too. Clear some space in your garden becasue you'll soon have a collection!
Thank you, Tony for a really informative video. With a video a day, surely you will be running out of specimens soon lol. I can imagine you shinning over your neighbours' fences and working on the trees in their gardens in the dead of night! I look forward to seeing you first night time video as you whisper into the mic so as not to wake up the neighbours hahaha.
Thanks for making a very informative video. No fluff, just the things that matter! I've got a few Trident Maples in the ground. They're getting taper by trunk chops, and it's amazing how much ramification you can get in a year by constantly cutting the branches and feeding like mad! Best wishes from Australia 🙂
You Aussies do love your bonsai! I have often wondered why some nations seem to appreciate it more than others, and I was really surprised when I first saw how many of my viewers are from down under. Your tridents sounds like they are developing very nicely. Keep on growing!
Great tutorial Tony! Well explained and good info- also nicely edited with good camera angles. Love all your material growing different ways. And…. The New York Brooklyn shirt was a plus! My wife grew up there and we lived there for many years. Keep up the great video and bonsai !!
Thanks Peter. I'm not much of a traveler, but New York is a place I would love to visit one day. Just to wander around and get a hot dog from one of those street vendors would be brilliant!
@@TonysBonsai it’s a crazy place with some great gardens! When I lived there i designed and built rooftop gardens- but I think bonsai is more difficult!
Hi Tony, I’m a relative newcomer to Bonsai ( 3 years), and love your videos. I saw a video on you tube on how to develop thick trunks on pines; tightly wrapping thick wire at the base ( leaving space between the wire spirals) , which forces the trunk out between the wires.. when the wire is removed the trunk will also fill out to fill the wire grooves. Going to try it on some of my pines next spring ! Keep up the good work !
Hi Alan. That's an interesting technique, and one which I have yet to explore, but I think It's definitely worth a try. Let me know how your experimentation goes!
I have an eye on several trees in the yard plus I'll be getting some live oacorns and this video will certainly get me started off quickly. Packed with much info. Best to know up front than years after having begun! Subscribed.
Thank you, and I hope I helped to shave a year or two off your learning journey. Acorns are pretty easy to grow so I have high hopes that you will soon have some nice little oak trees.
@@TonysBonsai no sorry, I don't know if Birch A/L, not been at it long myself and I'm thinking of trying to A/L something come spring. Can't see why not though? Sure a quick trawl of you tube will tell you.
Tony, if there is anyway I could influence future content it would be how you collect yamadori, the thought process, the physical process, the ID stage, the after care etc :-) love all your content
Hey Tony, another technique we have been doing here is splitting the base trunk into 4, and splitting the root base, it will help thickenning the trunk faster, you can start splitting the big cutting branch, it also help root to spread
@@TonysBonsai yepp it is verry dangerous techniq, sometimes you just need a very healthy plant with strong runner branch to get the wound heal faster, and try to split periodicaly
Thats a drastic step and could result in death of the plant. Also it would take years to heal the terrible wound created by splitting the trunk. It would be better to grow plenty of roots using high moisture and draining medium such as moss or cocopit to develop the roots. Fertilize in very small doses regularly and use humic acid so that the plant can absorb fertilizer faster. Humic acid comes from decomposed organic materials.
Good video mate thankyou I'm a big fan of the clump style and air layering branches I have done it a few times I'll shape a branch an cut it back , let it heal for a month or two then airlayer it
6:56 could those sacrificial branches be turned to roots?? imagine training those downward as to create the same effect as what you do with the remaining roots from cutting the tap root
The first oak you talked about you left the larger brach at the apex to grow as a sacrifice. I’m wondering why it was left to take up energy instead of the energy going to the intended leader that will be kept?
It's a good question mark. When I made the initial chop last year, I cut it to a healthy branch that was growing strongly. For twelve months that branch grew as the new apex getting thicker and pulling sap up the tree to help heal the wound I created when I made the chop. Becasue it has now thickened sufficiently, I was able to make the second chop to the low branch which is thinner and will now add taper. Had I made that cut any sooner, there would have been far less growth, and I wouldn't have had a second change in thickness which would have meant less taper. ua-cam.com/video/6O_EHPQ5zpU/v-deo.html If you watch the above video (at 21.20) I do the same thing on a silver birch. Since making that video, the trunk has thickened significantly and the section I left at the top has really grown on strongly whereas the branches which I pruned have been kept under control. Next spring I will chop off the trunk and allow one of the thin branches to become the new leader and that will add nice taper.
Hey Tony. Just catching up on your vids. Loved this vid, awesome stuff and you're absolutely right about creating clump style. You can get great nebari, a thick trunk and nice taper all at once pretty quickly. Combine that with planting in the ground for amazing results. Again love that little silver birch.
Hi Daniel. This spring I created six clump styles and all apart from one are doing well. I think I'll do a video now on the one which isn't doing so good as I need to do something with it! Glad you're enjoying the videos!
@@TonysBonsai Stick it in the ground would be my advice. Not a sure fire fix but probably its best shot. Or the sphagnum moss trick. Yes really enjoying the vids mate keep them coming. Looking forward to seeing you work that mature juniper.
Currently im developing a technique to thicken the trunks of my few plants at my balcony. It already worked on basil plant which was weak and leggy. Now its trunk and branches are thickening and the old bark is peeling off exposing the new layer. Same is true for my bonsais which were an inch or two height a year ago, now a strong plant with thick trunk. Fertilize well every time you water them. Use DAP every week or two. Try to develop roots by using better soil or use additives which condition the soil. If you have plenty of roots then only you have better chances of thick trunks. Do not remove the leaves frequently in the initial phase of bonsai. Let it grow upto 3 feet and then decide the next plan.
hey tony, be carefull with these three branches down low on the oak. You very quickly get inverse taper due to the branch collars thickening. Best to just have one sacrifice. As for the first oak, I am surprised it has not closed more, there is a risk of that side now dying back. Next time, best to wait untill it is clear it is really rerouted sapflow and started to heal.
Yes, I suppose that dieback is always a risk, but I have a feeling that it will be fine and that new leader will charge onwards and upwards next year, but time will tell. I have always toyed with the idea of chopping it back lower down anyway, so I wouldn't be bothered as It would make a decent chunky short tree I think.
Hi Tony. As always: a realy good video!! Great explanation and you do this in a very natural way!! I tried a go at my first UA-cam Video last week; it was a disaster haha. i was stuttering more then talking and is not easy to talk in a natural way like you do. I was hoping to start my own UA-cam Channel, but i don't know about that now.
Hi Michael. You are making one giant mistake. You are presuming that being able to just talk naturally talk to the camera is a skill that some people have and some don't. That's not true. It is a skill that can (and for most of us has to be) learned. Before this channel, I had another channel about landscape photography (it's actually bigger than this channel but I don't use it anymore), and I learned how to talk to the camera while building that. My first attempts were very awkward and it took me ages to get to the stage where I could just talk without feeling self-conscious. There is no doubt that it comes easier to some people, but I remember chatting with a chap who was creating landscape photography vlogs several years ago. He was extremely awkward and it was uncomfortable watching him. I gave him a few tips, and he is now still vlogging and has over 6000 subscribers. You can do it, but you have to improve by simply creating videos. I do several takes with many of my pieces to camera. I am always stuttering and mispronouncing words or mumbling, but when I realise that's what I'm doing, I just start over and often the third of fourth attempt is the keeper and far better than the first effort. that's the beauty of digital. we have unlimited free access to recording. If you decide to have another go, just remember that your first few videos basically don't get seen by anyone anyway 🤣. After creating ten videos on this channel, I had ten subscribers! Good luck, and do it because you enjoy it.
Hi Mark. At some point, the tap root has to be removed, but if there are not many roots emanating from near the top of the tap root, I think it would be a good idea to remove it slowly over a couple of re-pots to allow enough fine feeder roots to develop.
Hi Tony, I am just about to start my journey into bonsai and I'm doing research on British trees, what would you recommend as a yamadori first tree as I am surrounded by such a wide variety? Thank you for sharing your knowledge I'm sure it's going to make my journey so much easier.
On the wired together clump style you could have used a sheath of innertube or something similar to protect the truck from the wire damage. I use it a lot , an old innertube goes a long way!
Yes, good advice Jacob. I have recently started using vet wrap on my clump style trees to protect the bark. I think the marking on that maple clump will eventually heal, but it might take a few years.
No worries, I don't take comments personally mate. The innertube is a good idea which I will definitely have a go at. I'm going to make several clump styles next spring using different methods of holding to make comparisons on which works best.
Hi Brian. My soil mix is roughly melrose pine bark, perlite, compost and grit in equal measures. It seems to work pretty well. Where about do you live?
Great video as always Tony and very informative, but just looking at your oaks and seeing how healthy they are, puts mine to shame. My oaks always suffer from powdery mildew which is very unsightly and seems to stunt their growth (I live in the south east uk). I notice that the majority of mature oaks around here also suffer from the same affliction, but your oaks don't seem to display this fungus. Do you spray them with fungicide or is powdery mildew not the same problem in your area?
Hi Bob. I know exactly what you mean. The trees in my garden seem to do ok, but the ones planted in my parents garden get covered in the stuff. Around a week ago the oak in this video with the large green leaves was absolutely covered in it, along with some hawthorns and a sycamore. I know it's not the pc thing to do, but I just blasted it with a chemical fungicide and it worked a treat. The hawthorn will need one more treatment in a few days when we are forecast some dry weather for a few days. This is the stuff I use www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0017RMKGM?psc=1&smid=A19I2UD8WQV96D&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp
@@TonysBonsai Peter Chan does this a lot, growing trees in pots in gravel beds. The roots grow out of the pot nourishing the tree. Nearly gives himself a hernia trying to lift them up 😊
Hello guys. If i want to make a single branch more thicker. Do i need to prune them and creat a new leader? Or i will just leave it to grow longer and longer? Kinda confused. Thank you in advance.
To thicken a trunk or branch, you should allow it to grow. The problem is that it will also grow long, so when it has thickened up, you will need to cut it back to a new leader to add taper
@@TonysBonsai thanks a lot tony. 🙏 Im ok with the cut back. Just want to know what to do with the branch to get it thicker coz im confused if i prune it and let it grow long again. Or just leave it to grow. But you answered it. Thank a lot man. 👍👍👍
@@TonysBonsai 1 more thing. The branch that im trying to thicken produces new shoots. What will i do? Cut the shoots and let only the leader grow long? Or i will just leave them and let them all grow?
Hello Tony, I have a question for ya. You said you just repotted nr. 2, if I remember correctly 3 days ago. Is it still safe to repot them? Or do you do a repotting "light"? (like raking the top to get to the rootbase and cut off the bottom to fit it in a pot you like) Really useful video, by the way!
Hi Bart, and that's a good question. This is definitely not a good time of year to be repotting a tree and working on the roots. The only reason I did it with that particular tree is becasue it is a privet which is really tough and can put up with a lot of abuse. I have not repotted any of my other trees since springtime apart from the odd juniper which again can take rootwork at a different time of year.
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Tony hasn’t been at this for long but his grasp of the techniques and ability to communicate them has helped me to understand things I’ve taken years to absorb. Loving this channel.
Thanks Jacob. really glad you are enjoying my videos. Love this feedback!
I was just about to say that! So proud of your evolution as a bonsai practitioner… Great technique’s man!
@@viktorsbonsai Cheers viktle. I just love messing about with trees, and hopefully, I'll end up with some decent bonsai in the future!
very true.
I'm loving this channel too. There isn't another bonsai practitioner who is as casual and at the same time as expert as Tonys Bonsai AND who manages to look like Jason Statham like Tonys Bonsai does. :)
The best thing you say over and over in this video is “the reason why i do this is…” what a great video. Thank you very much.
Brilliant video. Just the right length. No maddening 'musak.' I've learnt more from Tony, than I have from the last 50 Bonsai Videos !
As someone just starting to research and begin my own journey I can't thank you enough for this!
Learned a ton and got loads of inspiration. Thanks! Birch bonsai here we go!!
Good morning Tony. So I just had to share. I figured, with your sense of humor you would get a kick out of this. I’m at work, having breakfast at the company diner. I’m watching this video with my ear buds in. But I’ve got my phone propped up against my coffee cup. And as you’re using your hand, gesturing at the thickness of your (Hazel I think you said) Bonsai trunk. I hear the woman sitting at the table behind me giggling. I could hear them saying “what is he watching?” Evidently they liked the shape of your Nebari. 🤣🤣
🤣🤣You know what Dan, when I edited that scene, the thought did cross my mind just for a second that it was a bit dodgy, but I thought nobody will notice. Thanks for sharing that. Made me laugh!
Thanks Tony.
Thank you very much. I am already planning what I should spend it on. Much appreciated.
I had wandered about your clumping method. As a kid , I would braid trees together to eat them grow in the woods. Softer trees looked awesome. Trying to get black walnut trees to braid was hard. They just wanted to snap. The reason for the black walnut , was for the grain of the lumber they would have produced at my age now. Things like wild fruit trees that grew fast , and limber did great. Plus they made the better tasting peaches. After my fruit trees would grow so much , it's like they would get a disease at the braiding. That's why I didn't know if clumping trees would survive
I love the fact that you stated that multiple techniques can be used together.
I'm very new to this. I have a few plants I'm growing to eventually train into bonsai plants and a random lime tree that was a gift that I'm going to make into a bonsai out of necessity. It's going to be too big to be a house plant, and it's too cold here for it to be out all year. I'm going to start working on this lime tree as soon as I feel mildly confident. It's just too big as is. I know it'll not get as thick or nice if I start with it being smallish, but it already won't fit in my indoor greenhouse. O.o
Thank you for the amazing information!
Great job Tony I have been doing a lot of you tube watching/ research on bonsai and you have helped me a lot !
Thank you, I'm glad you are enjoying watching. I love the UA-cam bonsai community. So many great people creating thoroughly enjoyable content
Very good explanations. Thx. Stay well. Loris
Excellent demonstraton Tony!
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've just subbed and I'll check out some of your videos later!
I find it liberating to watch your bonsai videos Tony. You have tress most of us can relate to. Not like the pro. which bonsai tress is far out of reach and most people never come close to on there bonsai journey. When that said, i myself is not into competition even if i had trees for it. For me it´s all about the love for the divine nature.
I couldn't agree more. I attended my local bonsai group once, and they were all stood around comparing and marking trees out of five and I was a bit confused. I get so much pleasure just walking around looking at trees being present. That's the real joy!
@@TonysBonsai* I think it´s sad so many is hooked on competition, but what they do is there business. I here you Tony. That is how i feel when walking in nature og just watching my own trees. Keep up the great videos.
Wow wow wow. I am getting a serious education. Your Mum's Silver Birch are beautiful & so is your little one which are the same age, amazing. That in a pot or in the ground thing is unbelievable. Thanks for showing me that, WOW.
Oh that's right, happy birthday you old bugger. Ha.
🤣I'm glad you enjoyed the video Jason, and regarding my age, I just turned 47, and I don't feel a day over 46 🤣
Brilliant show today tony I must say your passion for all the trees you do rubs off on all of us and your experimented skills really helps us all
Cheers mate. Glad you enjoyed it, and like the show - the experimentation must go on!
Great video. I believe you could easily add air layering to this list. Your thicker sacrificial branches or even tops of other bonsai you chop could easily be made into another thicker bonsai. Thanks.
Fantastic video mate, you’re doing a great service for people getting into this hobby. Thank you! 💪🏼💚
What a nice comment, thanks mate and keep up the good work yourself!
What a absolutely fantastic indepth video of showing how to build trunk thickness. How can I have missed this video😅 great work mate
This one must have slipped through the net mate!
Thank you so much for your nice video,i'm just a beginner. Greeting from the small island of Capri in Italy
Hello Alessandro. What a lovely place you live in. I bet you can collect some really nice wild olive trees in Capri.
I’ve only seen the club technique with Adenium, desert roses as they do terrific with that. Great to see with deciduous varieties.
Cheers B. Glad yu enjoyed it
I realise this is not for your climate, but Figs for me are so fast including the fusion method of multiple stems.
With some of my Figs I've made downward cuts in the trunks into the roots and then kept the wounded areas open with satay skewers and toothpicks. The bark tries to heal, the base of the plant swells out in a flare and every few months i can put new downward cuts to fasten the effect, and I just move the skewers and toothpicks into new positions.
But Figs are fast here and grow most of the year.
I'm in tropical Australia.
You have the cold types for bonsai, I have to adapt to what can survive our heat and humidity.
I found your video very helpful.
Hi Geoff. I actually just received my very first ficus. It's a tiger bark, and perhaps will be able to have a go at the technique you mention. Sounds very interesting thanks
@@TonysBonsai I'm not sure on cold tolerance of Ficus species where you are. If you have a part of your home which never gets below 10 Celcius, (no idea in fahrenheit), you could try our native Ficus rubiginosa(Port Jackson Fig/Sydney Fig) and Ficus religiosa from India.
Easy to grow from seed and plenty available on line.
The F. religiosa has a beautiful shaped leaf and by regularly defoliating it you can reduce the leaf size to be more in proportion to a bonsai specimen.
Also F. religiosa is deciduous, so as autumn starts you can reduce the water to nothing for several months. Only water when you see spring growth.
Worth trying from seed.
Thanks for that information Geoff. My house regularly goes below 10C in the winter at night. Maybe a few years ago when I used to have my heating on constant, but with the price of gas over here I don't do that anymore.
I have just picked up some ficus Benjamina in the supermarket though which will be a fun addition
@@TonysBonsai Although F. benjamina is not deciduous as such, it is tough. You can reduce the foliage, ease off on watering, even reduce light, and it will go into a semi dormancy. Try to keep it above 5 C. A freeze will either kill it or badly damage it. It's a good plant to use as a guide on minimum temperatures.
I see constant stories about people across the UK doing it really tough with costs and having to choose between food and heat.
I think of the most vulnerable there every day.
Thanks for this great collection! Didn‘t know the one with the roots.
I love your honest and personal communication - feels friendly, sympathically, but still professional.
Thanks Paul. I'm glad you enjoyed this, and I really appreciate the positive feedback!
@Tony, not sure if you noticed this mate, but at 2:07 O could see quite a few aphids on the new leader. Hope you can take care of that before it becomes an issue! Cheers.
Thank you for that. I hadn't noticed them no. I'm going to head out and check them now!
Another great video Tony, very clearly and concisely demonstrated and explained 👍
Legs out, it must be summer 😂
Cheers mate. I think my old pins have had their airing for the year now!
I like the fact that you use native species, makes it all so interesting.
Yes, I think it makes sense to work mainly on native trees because they are naturally suited by our environment, so we tend to be able to get away with a bit more.
Alot of great advices Tony, both the better known and the lesser known.
You got a talent on spreading knowledge in a casual but serious way at the same time.
I hope your channel grows even more, but above all we want to see more positive things and people like you in this crazy world we live in atm.
Thanks for that mate. I love bonsai. I was just about to write a reply thanking you and explaining my approach, but instead, I'm going to make a short video about it. Thanks for the content idea. the cheques in the post!
Excellent tutorial Tony. Thanks, keep growing
Cheers mate!
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and information it's really appreciated as a beginner.! You have inspired me so much.
Thanks Aanda. I'm no expert to be honest, but these are just a few things I've picked up since starting my journey!
@@TonysBonsai your videos are easy to watch and follow which makes a huge difference when learning something new. Gives confidence. 🙂
That's great to hear. 🙂
It’s really helpful to be constantly reminded not to cut every single branch and leave away in bonsai. 👍😘 Thanks Tony 🙋♀️
Great ideas. This was an excellent video Tony. Thank you for all the research and experimenting you’ve done to make this video possible.
Thank you. It's a real pleasure creating videos, and I'm always happy that people are enjoying learning with me
Very informative. Much appreciate the time you put in produce this video.
I should be doing my bonsai right now - not watching you with my coffee! Perfect and clear explanation for trunk chop. Keeping a small branch below and above the cut site makes it much better for good healing. The only thing to be aware of for sacrificial branches is when you are dealing with basally dominant material to make sure the tree doesntput all its energ down low at the expense of the higher stuff. Im thinking azaleas primarily.
Good point mate. My azaleas are very young at the moment, but I'll try to remember that in the future. I've just sent you an email by the way.
@@TonysBonsai is it a bill for all your good advice😲
@@TonysBonsai just sent you a reply.
Hey Tony...another great video. I always learn something new from you...its all starting to make sense! Look forward to the next one.
Hi Nina. Really glad you are enjoying my videos, and if you're learning something then that's a bonus too! I'm sure you'll be creating some great trees!
@@TonysBonsai I'm getting there..First time airlayering 🤞this year
Good luck with the air layer!
@@TonysBonsai il admit I had a cheeky early look at it yesterday nd I totally have roots whooo 🥳
Brilliant news. leave it a few more weeks and it will have tons!
I learned so much from this video. Thank you, Sensei.
A potential technique number #7 is the trunk pricking approach. I've seen it done by Ben Seattle (I think tho my memory is dodgy) on UA-cam.
He suggested using a table fork to regularly prick the trunk of a bonsai, and claimed the resulting scarring thickened it up over time. I've never used it myself because to my mind you're increasing the risk of damage/infection. I think he applied cut paste to try to minimise this risk.
Yes, I've hear of this technique, but I've never tried it. I think it creates scar tissue and effectively swells the bark. I will have a go on one of my trees as an experiment!
I’ve used this technique to improve inverse taper. It worked quite well. Thanks, keep growing
@@TonysBonsai How is the experiment with pricking the trunk going? Is it working to make the trunk thicker? Do you have a video on the experiment? Also here is a Bonsai Empire video in which I heard about this method of injuring the trunk so that it produces tissue and thickens the trunk - the segment on this method starts at 7:00.
You have some absolutely stunning trees Tony!! I'm a bit jealous!!
I'm waiting for the thaw to pot my very small field maples
Cheers mate. None of my trees are proper finished bonsai, but I think I have a few which may well go on to quite nice trees in the future. I have some small field maples myself. When they are really young, they can be wired into some great shapes. I have one I'll be repotting in the spring into a mame pot.
I am only just getting into bonsai, inspired by a present of a starter kit which wasn’t very successful, but, these videos have been so helpful, really appreciate them and enjoy them, really interesting 👍
Hi Joseph. I suppose the starter kit did its job in terms of getting you into bonsai at least.
In the next few weeks/months many garden centers have lots of cheap hedging materials like beech, hornbeam, hawthorn etc, and they are great trees to start with. The supermarkets all start stocking up with loads of cheap japanese maples (acers) in the spring and they are also a great starter trees too.
Clear some space in your garden becasue you'll soon have a collection!
@@TonysBonsai that’s ok as I am back with my parents atm and they have a 9 acre back garden at the farm so no worries about space
Nice one Tony, simple explanations.
Thanks Joe. I tried to keep this one simple and easy to follow.
Good information Tony!
Thanks Raymond. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you Tony....i have been following a few channels...but i found your video to be most comprehensive. Liked & Subscribed 😃
Thank you for subscribing. Much appreciated.
Very informative Tony. Thanks.
Thanks Mick. Glad you enjoyed it!
You talk about trees like Steve Irwin talked about animals ❤
"Look at this magestic tree" i love it
Trees are fascinating entities, seeing them do there job is magical.
Thank you, Tony for a really informative video. With a video a day, surely you will be running out of specimens soon lol. I can imagine you shinning over your neighbours' fences and working on the trees in their gardens in the dead of night! I look forward to seeing you first night time video as you whisper into the mic so as not to wake up the neighbours hahaha.
You paint a funny picture Nikki! As for the night video. Probably a good way to go viral - Stealing Japanese maples by night 🤣🤣
Earned a new sub, fantastic execution of all the tecniques. Coming from an amateur myself :)
Hi Alesssio. Like you I'm very much learning about bonsai, so I'm just sharing my journey mistakes and all.
Thanks for making a very informative video.
No fluff, just the things that matter!
I've got a few Trident Maples in the ground.
They're getting taper by trunk chops, and it's amazing how much ramification you can get in a year by constantly cutting the branches and feeding like mad! Best wishes from Australia 🙂
You Aussies do love your bonsai! I have often wondered why some nations seem to appreciate it more than others, and I was really surprised when I first saw how many of my viewers are from down under. Your tridents sounds like they are developing very nicely. Keep on growing!
@@TonysBonsai thanks!
Great video Tony thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks Michael. Gotta keep thickening up those trunks!
Thank You Tony, you are teaching me loads about Bonsai techniques.
Great tutorial Tony! Well explained and good info- also nicely edited with good camera angles. Love all your material growing different ways. And…. The New York Brooklyn shirt was a plus! My wife grew up there and we lived there for many years.
Keep up the great video and bonsai !!
Thanks Peter. I'm not much of a traveler, but New York is a place I would love to visit one day. Just to wander around and get a hot dog from one of those street vendors would be brilliant!
@@TonysBonsai it’s a crazy place with some great gardens! When I lived there i designed and built rooftop gardens- but I think bonsai is more difficult!
What a cool job that was. If I went back in time I think I would quite like to do something like that.
Really well put together video Tony. A lot of good useful information and clearly put. 👍👍
Thanks Guy. Glad you enjoyed it mate. I try to keep changing the angles etc to keep some dynamism to it.
Such a good helpful video!
Beautiful. I liked your video and loved watching it
Thank you. Your food looks lovely. Can't wait to make some recipes.
Great video Tony thanks for your time and expertise!!🙏
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for this comprehensive video! 💮
My pleasure. Thank you.
Hi Tony, I’m a relative newcomer to Bonsai ( 3 years), and love your videos. I saw a video on you tube on how to develop thick trunks on pines; tightly wrapping thick wire at the base ( leaving space between the wire spirals) , which forces the trunk out between the wires.. when the wire is removed the trunk will also fill out to fill the wire grooves. Going to try it on some of my pines next spring ! Keep up the good work !
Hi Alan. That's an interesting technique, and one which I have yet to explore, but I think It's definitely worth a try. Let me know how your experimentation goes!
Very interesting Tony well done lots of info x😊❤️
Thanks Jane. 🙂
I have an eye on several trees in the yard plus I'll be getting some live oacorns and this video will certainly get me started off quickly. Packed with much info. Best to know up front than years after having begun! Subscribed.
Thank you, and I hope I helped to shave a year or two off your learning journey. Acorns are pretty easy to grow so I have high hopes that you will soon have some nice little oak trees.
Good man! Thanks!!!
Excellent vid again Tony, very informative. Could try an air layer on the #5 Japanese Maple instead of chopping. Just a thought. 🤔
That's a good idea. Do you know whether or not birch air layer? I've never tried one
@@TonysBonsai no sorry, I don't know if Birch A/L, not been at it long myself and I'm thinking of trying to A/L something come spring. Can't see why not though? Sure a quick trawl of you tube will tell you.
Stunning red color at 11:50 of those Japanese maples, especially with it being summer and all. Any clue what variety they are?
Yes, they were just sold as standard acer japnica atropurpuream I think, although it is possible that they were the bloodgood variety.
Great video! Thanks Tony 😊
Thanks👍very interesting and informative
Quality content Tony, thanks for sharing!!
Thank you Mem. Really appreciate the positive comment!
Tony, if there is anyway I could influence future content it would be how you collect yamadori, the thought process, the physical process, the ID stage, the after care etc :-) love all your content
Good idea Mem. I will be creating a couple of Yamadori collecting videos next spring for sure. Perhaps a silver birch and a hawthorn.
@@TonysBonsai can’t wait mate!!!! Keep the content juicy!!
Picked up a few tips here ! Cheers m8 👍
Hey Tony, another technique we have been doing here is splitting the base trunk into 4, and splitting the root base, it will help thickenning the trunk faster, you can start splitting the big cutting branch, it also help root to spread
That sounds like quite a radical technique Anjar, and is definitely the kind of thing I might try next year!
@@TonysBonsai yepp it is verry dangerous techniq, sometimes you just need a very healthy plant with strong runner branch to get the wound heal faster, and try to split periodicaly
Thats a drastic step and could result in death of the plant. Also it would take years to heal the terrible wound created by splitting the trunk. It would be better to grow plenty of roots using high moisture and draining medium such as moss or cocopit to develop the roots. Fertilize in very small doses regularly and use humic acid so that the plant can absorb fertilizer faster. Humic acid comes from decomposed organic materials.
Good video mate thankyou
I'm a big fan of the clump style and air layering branches I have done it a few times I'll shape a branch an cut it back , let it heal for a month or two then airlayer it
Sounds like a good system Stephen. I also love my clump styles. The hard bit is leaving them and not peeking to see how they're fusing!
Really enjoyed this vid, thanks Tony😊
Glad to hear that you enjoyed it Nerina. It's one of my most popular videos to date
Fantastic video thank you for teaching me new skills. New subscriber 👍
I like your experiments, thanks for sharing!
Love your informative videos. Thank you!
Thank you. It's great to hear that people are enjoying my content, much apopreciated.
6:56 could those sacrificial branches be turned to roots?? imagine training those downward as to create the same effect as what you do with the remaining roots from cutting the tap root
The first oak you talked about you left the larger brach at the apex to grow as a sacrifice. I’m wondering why it was left to take up energy instead of the energy going to the intended leader that will be kept?
It's a good question mark. When I made the initial chop last year, I cut it to a healthy branch that was growing strongly. For twelve months that branch grew as the new apex getting thicker and pulling sap up the tree to help heal the wound I created when I made the chop.
Becasue it has now thickened sufficiently, I was able to make the second chop to the low branch which is thinner and will now add taper.
Had I made that cut any sooner, there would have been far less growth, and I wouldn't have had a second change in thickness which would have meant less taper.
ua-cam.com/video/6O_EHPQ5zpU/v-deo.html
If you watch the above video (at 21.20) I do the same thing on a silver birch. Since making that video, the trunk has thickened significantly and the section I left at the top has really grown on strongly whereas the branches which I pruned have been kept under control. Next spring I will chop off the trunk and allow one of the thin branches to become the new leader and that will add nice taper.
Great video! Thank you for posting, and just subscribed. 👍
Hi Gus. Glad you enjoyed it mate!
Hey Tony. Just catching up on your vids. Loved this vid, awesome stuff and you're absolutely right about creating clump style. You can get great nebari, a thick trunk and nice taper all at once pretty quickly. Combine that with planting in the ground for amazing results. Again love that little silver birch.
Hi Daniel. This spring I created six clump styles and all apart from one are doing well. I think I'll do a video now on the one which isn't doing so good as I need to do something with it! Glad you're enjoying the videos!
@@TonysBonsai Stick it in the ground would be my advice. Not a sure fire fix but probably its best shot. Or the sphagnum moss trick. Yes really enjoying the vids mate keep them coming. Looking forward to seeing you work that mature juniper.
Currently im developing a technique to thicken the trunks of my few plants at my balcony. It already worked on basil plant which was weak and leggy. Now its trunk and branches are thickening and the old bark is peeling off exposing the new layer. Same is true for my bonsais which were an inch or two height a year ago, now a strong plant with thick trunk. Fertilize well every time you water them. Use DAP every week or two. Try to develop roots by using better soil or use additives which condition the soil. If you have plenty of roots then only you have better chances of thick trunks. Do not remove the leaves frequently in the initial phase of bonsai. Let it grow upto 3 feet and then decide the next plan.
Tony anytime you want to you could send me that first tree. Cheers Tony. Love that willow.
Ha ha, I'll send it over in a private Jet when I hit 10m subs!
@@TonysBonsai my bonsia channel is low key cost effective bonsia. I recommend you twice in my last videos. I hope I can get you more subscriber's.
hey tony, be carefull with these three branches down low on the oak. You very quickly get inverse taper due to the branch collars thickening. Best to just have one sacrifice. As for the first oak, I am surprised it has not closed more, there is a risk of that side now dying back. Next time, best to wait untill it is clear it is really rerouted sapflow and started to heal.
Yes, I suppose that dieback is always a risk, but I have a feeling that it will be fine and that new leader will charge onwards and upwards next year, but time will tell. I have always toyed with the idea of chopping it back lower down anyway, so I wouldn't be bothered as It would make a decent chunky short tree I think.
Tony thanks.
Hi Tony. As always: a realy good video!! Great explanation and you do this in a very natural way!! I tried a go at my first UA-cam Video last week; it was a disaster haha. i was stuttering more then talking and is not easy to talk in a natural way like you do. I was hoping to start my own UA-cam Channel, but i don't know about that now.
Hi Michael. You are making one giant mistake.
You are presuming that being able to just talk naturally talk to the camera is a skill that some people have and some don't. That's not true. It is a skill that can (and for most of us has to be) learned.
Before this channel, I had another channel about landscape photography (it's actually bigger than this channel but I don't use it anymore), and I learned how to talk to the camera while building that.
My first attempts were very awkward and it took me ages to get to the stage where I could just talk without feeling self-conscious.
There is no doubt that it comes easier to some people, but I remember chatting with a chap who was creating landscape photography vlogs several years ago. He was extremely awkward and it was uncomfortable watching him. I gave him a few tips, and he is now still vlogging and has over 6000 subscribers.
You can do it, but you have to improve by simply creating videos.
I do several takes with many of my pieces to camera. I am always stuttering and mispronouncing words or mumbling, but when I realise that's what I'm doing, I just start over and often the third of fourth attempt is the keeper and far better than the first effort. that's the beauty of digital. we have unlimited free access to recording.
If you decide to have another go, just remember that your first few videos basically don't get seen by anyone anyway 🤣.
After creating ten videos on this channel, I had ten subscribers!
Good luck, and do it because you enjoy it.
Just go for it and perhaps a bottle of scotch will stop the stuttering🙈
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat 🤣🤣But what does he then do about the slurred speech? Mime?
Hi Tony and thank you for a very informative video, can you cut the tap root off an oak bonsai to fit a new pot. 🙏🏻🌳🎋
Hi Mark. At some point, the tap root has to be removed, but if there are not many roots emanating from near the top of the tap root, I think it would be a good idea to remove it slowly over a couple of re-pots to allow enough fine feeder roots to develop.
@@TonysBonsai thank you 🙏🏻
Hi Tony, I am just about to start my journey into bonsai and I'm doing research on British trees, what would you recommend as a yamadori first tree as I am surrounded by such a wide variety?
Thank you for sharing your knowledge I'm sure it's going to make my journey so much easier.
Unfortunately Tony has passed away. :(
Great video tony!!🌲
Thanks John. Glad you enjoyed it.
On the wired together clump style you could have used a sheath of innertube or something similar to protect the truck from the wire damage. I use it a lot , an old innertube goes a long way!
Yes, good advice Jacob. I have recently started using vet wrap on my clump style trees to protect the bark. I think the marking on that maple clump will eventually heal, but it might take a few years.
@@TonysBonsai it’s not a criticism, I’m forever marking branches! 😂🙄
No worries, I don't take comments personally mate. The innertube is a good idea which I will definitely have a go at. I'm going to make several clump styles next spring using different methods of holding to make comparisons on which works best.
Excellent video ty
Great stuff. Now to find out how that fusion is coming along 11 months later.
Great video mate! 👍
Thanks Clyde. Much appreciated!
Hi Tony good video but what mix do you use , I think i must have missed it on one of your video's i live not far from you .
Hi Brian.
My soil mix is roughly melrose pine bark, perlite, compost and grit in equal measures. It seems to work pretty well.
Where about do you live?
Great tips! Thank you sir!
Pretty great video, thanks.
Thank you. Much appreciated!
@@TonysBonsai I appreciate all your hard work!! Wish I had friends into this
really well explained Tony, thank you vewry much.
Anyone else get ad for a "tool enlargement" before this video came on?
Is UA-cam trying to tell me something hahahahaha
🤣🤣I hope that's not the AI watching my videos!
I was here when i was ure 13th subscriber well done tony
I had so few subscribers when I started my channel (I was getting around one per video) each one made my day, so a massive thank you!
Thank you sir!
Hi Tony,i I from Bulgaria
Nice cannel, i subscribed for you
Thanks
Thank you for the support. Really appreciate it, and I love Bulgaria. I visited Borovets a few years ago and it was lovely!
Really interesting vid.
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it
Great video as always Tony and very informative, but just looking at your oaks and seeing how healthy they are, puts mine to shame.
My oaks always suffer from powdery mildew which is very unsightly and seems to stunt their growth (I live in the south east uk).
I notice that the majority of mature oaks around here also suffer from the same affliction, but your oaks don't seem to display this fungus. Do you spray them with fungicide or is powdery mildew not the same problem in your area?
Hi Bob. I know exactly what you mean. The trees in my garden seem to do ok, but the ones planted in my parents garden get covered in the stuff. Around a week ago the oak in this video with the large green leaves was absolutely covered in it, along with some hawthorns and a sycamore.
I know it's not the pc thing to do, but I just blasted it with a chemical fungicide and it worked a treat. The hawthorn will need one more treatment in a few days when we are forecast some dry weather for a few days.
This is the stuff I use
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0017RMKGM?psc=1&smid=A19I2UD8WQV96D&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp
Try growing a tree in pot on the ground letting the roots grow into the ground you benefit from faster growth but more refined tree
Sounds good. The best of both worlds!
@@TonysBonsai Peter Chan does this a lot, growing trees in pots in gravel beds. The roots grow out of the pot nourishing the tree. Nearly gives himself a hernia trying to lift them up 😊
Peter Chan just loves his bonsai. His passion is infectious!
Where do the suckers finish and the branches start
excellent
Hello guys. If i want to make a single branch more thicker. Do i need to prune them and creat a new leader? Or i will just leave it to grow longer and longer? Kinda confused. Thank you in advance.
To thicken a trunk or branch, you should allow it to grow. The problem is that it will also grow long, so when it has thickened up, you will need to cut it back to a new leader to add taper
@@TonysBonsai thanks a lot tony. 🙏 Im ok with the cut back. Just want to know what to do with the branch to get it thicker coz im confused if i prune it and let it grow long again. Or just leave it to grow. But you answered it. Thank a lot man. 👍👍👍
@@TonysBonsai 1 more thing. The branch that im trying to thicken produces new shoots. What will i do? Cut the shoots and let only the leader grow long? Or i will just leave them and let them all grow?
If you want any branch to thicken, the best way is to just leave it and remove nothing
@@TonysBonsai thanks man. Happy new year. God bless you, your family and your channel.
Hello Tony, I have a question for ya. You said you just repotted nr. 2, if I remember correctly 3 days ago. Is it still safe to repot them? Or do you do a repotting "light"? (like raking the top to get to the rootbase and cut off the bottom to fit it in a pot you like)
Really useful video, by the way!
Hi Bart, and that's a good question. This is definitely not a good time of year to be repotting a tree and working on the roots. The only reason I did it with that particular tree is becasue it is a privet which is really tough and can put up with a lot of abuse. I have not repotted any of my other trees since springtime apart from the odd juniper which again can take rootwork at a different time of year.
@@TonysBonsai I see, but would like a juniper be tough enough too? Just picked one up...
I did some root work to a nana prescumbens juniper a couple of weeks ago and it is doing fine.
@@TonysBonsai Just gonna do it, was only 2 euros and have a backup... 😉 Livin on the edge!
🤣 Go for it mate! 🤟🤟🤟
Hello what time of the year you can do this olease?
Hi Bobby. Are you talking about the trunk chops? The best time is winter for many trees, but I've done it all though the year, but not in spring
Good stuff! Subscribed
Cheers, I really appreciate the support!