With my Acacia trees and some rocks, I create an African landscape. Check out the playlist "Acacia bonsai from seeds" to see earlier videos of these trees.
I have at least 100+ more of these Acasia seedlings come up in my yard every winter then die off in summer. This year I’ve picked a heap and will keep alive and try and do my own forest 🌿 thanks again ❤️
I just love all your miniature landscape environments, adding the animals in some is such a lovely idea. I hope to be able to create some like this, I’m just starting out with bonsai from seeds and cuttings.
Nigel your the man!! Been doing bonsai for about two years now. This far in and I've been seeing great results with the trees I started from the beginning because I've been patient. Also trial and error. Wanted to learn everything in one week when I first started lol. Now 47 trees later..... I want to thank you for all your videos. Help me Like crazy !! Me and my girlfriend keep up with your videos like they're our new favorite TV show!! The art of bonsai has saved my life from a dark past and so have your Videos. Thank you for everything you've done for me and the bonsai community!!
Thanks so much for your comment, it's very nice to hear! I really enjoy making the videos and I'm glad they can be helpful to you and your girlfriend and your 47 trees! Happy growing and stay tuned for season three!
That's pretty nice looking, Nigel. I look forward to seeing updates on these trees over the years. You inspired me to try growing some bonsai (or apo-bonsai) from seed this year. I have them on the way to me at the moment, and I'm looking forward to growing them.
Amazing! The landscape is so beautiful..I learn a lot about root pruning from your videos. Hope this landscape grows more beautiful. Thanks for sharing Nigel.
Thanks Nigel- working on pruning an 30 year old schefflera- and harvested a eastern white pine from a hike this weekend- love your Tree groupings- appreciate your enthusiasm- Chris
Gosh I feel like I'm so late to the party. I just now started watching your videos on these trees. I finished the seedling one, first pruning, and now this one. I'm excited to see how your trees grow and you've inspired me to begin my own bonsai garden. I hope all goes well with your trees! I wish my trees the best but I'm not sure my results will be as great as yours
I know you're concerned about too many trees, but it still looks beautiful. Instead of middle of the savanna, it's like the fringe of the forest before you're covered in jungle.
I think I'm going to make the hill very large some day so the trees will look smaller and more part of the hill rather than tall trees sticking up out of the landscape. I've been studying the Kopje landscapes, and am getting lots of ideas!
Hi Nigel, great video as always. Very inspiring to see how you start this landscape. You inspired me again to also start a landscape with my small trees. Thanks
Hi nigel, I have been so impressed by your videos. I am a huge bonsai lover. Looking forward to see more videos on variety of bonsais in future. Cheers!
it does look dense for an African acacia landscape but it also resembles a lush, tropical, central American kind of scene. perhaps more moss to simulate lower vegetation but if there are some die-backs may be you'll get the more African setting you're going for. great video Nigel. greetings from the Philippines
I've been looking forward to your update! They look great! I hope mine look like that some day, I planted them on 28 December but looking good so far, thank you!!
nice video Nigel. can u make a video on you visiting beach, collecting the rocks. and also make a video on how do you decide on styling the landscape and how do you collect the resources for it. I mean, the images, materials and the trees... please...!! :-) :-) :-)
hi nigel you are the most inspiring creator of the plantation I have ever watched, thanks for your share, will you please guide us how to make bonsai soil?
Great video! I have a small acacia tree I started from seed in 2018 that I haven't trained at all except for some very minor trimming. I used to have about a dozen more seeds but I've misplaced them so I'm afraid to harm this tree that I love to watch grow. Maybe one day I'll find more seeds and be able to do something like this.
Hey Nigel, what a beautiful idea I must say I like the natural look. Your are amazing especially South Africa bonsai. This is going to be great. I have a Acacia Dealbata and is this a different species to the South African one. Thank you for some great advice 🎋🪴🌲
I just guess when mixing the soil quantities together, it may have a little more perlite than normal. I am trying out the fir bark from the orchid society for the first time in my soil. I may never notice a difference, but I'll keep my open for any problems or benefits.
Hi Nigel, Very nice video, I'm also working on a fever tree forest which I hope will one day be a good representation of the fever tree forest in northern Kruger. Mine are only a few weeks old now.
I just checked out the Fever trees in northern Kruger national park, very inspirational indeed! I hope you send me a picture some day of your forest! thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
I like these kinds of videos because they are great for those just getting into bonsai, like me. I took mature cuttings off a eucalyptus tree and they are also growing buds but no roots??? You think I should stick them in soil or keep them in water? Keep up the great work 👍
I would keep them in soil. All my Acacia cuttings in the water died quickly, the ones in the soil are still alive. I'm hoping thy will grow roots eventually!
Nigel Saunders thanks Nigel 🤞the eucalyptus is sprouting like crazy, I hope they root. I also started some mango trees from seed, they're already 6" tall after 40 days.
I have to buy most of my pots used from bonsai shows and club silent auctions. Good pots are so expensive! I really like the mica pots, they last forever and won't break, chip or crack.
From what I understand, which is very little ;-), that is the main difference between Japanese and Chinese bonsai. The Chinese style try to look like a scene or landscape. I can't remember the name. Penjin maybe? They use animal figurines and things. Awesome trees.
Yes the Chinese Penjing, is to give the viewer a feeling of being in nature or to take a small piece of nature and have a miniature representation of that scene. Japanese bonsai is all about placing the focus only on the tree.
Hi Nigel, I'm writing from Germany and first of all I have to say a big compliment and thank you for your videos and presentations. One quick querie I have is regarding your soil you use. Are you going to reuse your soil when repotting or will you dispose of the soil used before? Regards Andreas
I always use new soil, I just don't want to transfer pests or disease to another tree by re using soil. If you sterilize the old soil, I think it would be OK, but new soil seems to absorb water better than the old stuff. I think the old soil gets algae on the surface of the particles, or too much mineral build up, it just doesn't seem to work as well.
I like the fact that you didnt bother wiring the mesh screen onto the terracotta tray :-) I have seen so many pics and videos of that being wired, almost like a grand ritual and often wondered why. The soil and the tree are heavy enough to hold the screen in place. Nothing is going to nudge the screen off the drainage holes unless the pot is kept tilted. Besides, in less than a month the new roots will grip those mesh screens. So, I don't understand why people even bother with it, specially mini /mame bonsai pots. That pot is so tiny that the screen can't even slide off the drainage holes :-)
After watching your videos, vinny, I don't even use screens anymore. Of course, I don't use bonsai pots. I simply find pots or bowls with a likely size and shape then drill a whole lot of little holes in the bottom. I use aquarium gravel as the screen because it has a fairly uniform size and is larger than my drill bit :-)
well, I began watching your videos at the end of last summer ( beginning of summer for Nigel's videos) and aside from a few plants my inexperience claimed, they seem to be doing quite well. I usually drill 10-15 holes. 3/16 of an inch in diameter (about a centimeter each?) into a cereal bowl size containers. It gives it nice even drainage. I don't wire the roots in place, and now I rarely wire the branches. I think I would have to credit you both with what success I do have because since I stopped wiring branches / roots, and began using many small drainage holes my plants are healthier. So thanks to you both.
Hi Nigel I love acacia trees. In my country "robinia pseudoacacia" type grows that I love its flower smell. I want to make a bonsai for myself. In your videos I did not see any usage of wires! So do you keep your bonsais small just by cutting their branches?
Yes, most of the work I do on my bonsai is by pruning. The black locust tree is native to the south eastern United States. I think I have one in my back yard!
With a terracotta pot you can usually get away with drilling with a masonry drill bit. You may want to go for a diamond-tip glass/tile drill bit though, just to be safe!
hey mate, bit off topic but i am trying my first bonzaii, its a moreton bay fig that i found in a crack in concrete about 4months ago. cut trunk and roots right back, has grown around 7 inches since through summer ( i am in south queensland, Australia) it is now a month into autumn, when should i prune/ re pot or should i leave it for a while. think this tree is native to this area and new growth looks very healthy. thanks mate, very helpful videos, u literally have tought me everything i know ( very little) about bonsaii.
I would re pot when you have good growing conditions for recovery. I find it is best to re pot mid summer here, but I also re pot late winter when my trees are indoors and I get good sunlight in the windows. The y need sun, warmth and humidity to recover from re potting, you may be able to re pot any time in Queensland, but I would think your tree will be slightly dormant in the winter and spring may be the best time for you. They make a great bonsai!
Hey Nigel Newb question. Why doesn't the trunk continue to get larger in a pot, but it continues to sprout new branches? Also, I am attempting to germinate some seedlings. I will be moving in about 3 years could I get good growth out of them in pots or should I plant in ground and dig up before I move?
The trunk does get larger in the pot, but you need to let the top of the tree grow very tall and then cur it back to make the height shorter. Repeating this process will get you a short tapered trunk. If you let your seedlings grow in pots, they will get tall and the trunks will get thicker. Planting in the ground also works well, but you need to make sure your tree gets watered when it is young. Both pot grown trees and trees in the ground will give a similar result.
Nice your soil mix is only two types of rock can u explain ur soil mix and in this type of soil will the plant stay because it doesn't have and red or black soil
The soil is similar to the soil used in hydroponics, the trees rely on the fertilizer to keep them healthy. Check out my video on watering and fertilizing.... ua-cam.com/video/gXIIpxUqxdY/v-deo.html
Did you notice any die-back after pruning these trees from the previous video about them? Being Acacias, so many local bonsai enthusiasts here in South Africa claim one needs to cut above the node that's above the node you want to keep, but so far in practice I can't seem to get a definite answer. I'm hoping that you may have noticed details such as this, if it is indeed the case. It may just be that these bonsai enthusiasts had put unnecessary stress on the trees if this had not occurred for you
I'll be doing an update video soon on these trees and I'll be sure to check how the roots are doing and the top where I pruned them. Stay tuned I hope to get the video done in the next couple of weeks!
I love watching your videos. I've been following along now for the last year or so. I even have a few trees started now. some from seed and others nursery stock. dwarf umbrella tree (nursery), McIntosh Apple (seed), clementines (seed), luna croton (nursery), Yuca cane (nursery), Aloe Vera (donation), and a bunch of different cacti. Where do you get some of your trees? like, the white cedar, or some of your more exotic species? Have you any thoughts on the rainbow tree? I was thinking of ordering seeds online
Hello AndyBoBandy, some of the trees are collected, some from seeds and others from cuttings. I get the occasional one from nurseries, but they are so expensive these days. I have ordered seeds on line and have had good luck with them. The Rainbow Eucalyptus would make a really interesting tree as a bonsai, here is a discussion....... www.bonsainut.com/threads/rainbow-eucalyptus-for-bonsai.9363/
I will . I only use the one fertilizer 20-20-20 (with micro nutrients) in my watering can. Fertilizing can be as simple or as complex as you want. I'm sure I could improve my trees health by researching the best techniques and fertilizers. Making a video will be a good incentive for me to do so.
thank you so much! you are an great teacher! the way you explain things makes it very easy to understand! I'm just starting my journey and I'm trying to research very thing I can.
Im about to start with the bonsai hobby...can i ask you a few questions Nigel? I just dont want to kill my first treen^^ And where can i ask you? UA-cam PN oder Facebook or something?
I have only drilled holes in terracotta pots. I used a drill designed to drill into cement. I think for ceramics, you would need a high speed die grinder with an abrasive bit and lots of coolant!
hi "nigie" ,, i been watching so many of your videos now i have given you a petname, its just nigie =)=) im sorry if i offend,, really not my intention. your our hero nigie. all beginners guide to start bonsai. but ive been watching many of your pine videos,, i was wondering, i maybe missed one but, do you do any pruning to roots of pine trees in any of your videos ? i have 4 pines by now, (sylvestris pine) and looking for videos about howo prune the roots and when ,, seen some of your videos about when and howto prune candles but, not roots, is this a thing you maybe will video one day nigie ? :) if not, i totaly understand that you cant care for eeevery tree in this world :) btw , the little pine you adviced me to put out, , i didnt , i only put it halfway outside, in our ,, shoe room kinda.. and it didnt do too good :\ i put it all the way outside yesterday,, but now its standing in snow and -1 ! i may have to say a prayer for it later :):) thanks for all info nigie. #nigiethebonsaihero
aha, i will watch it again and again untill my trees smiles like yours., so the plan is anyway ! :) thanks nigie =) *bow down for the master of bonsai*
Be sure it is in a well draining soil mix and then just let it grow. You can prune and shape the tree in a period of time when the tree isn't growing so vigorously.
It will be very difficult and frustrating and maybe impossible? You can ask at some of the bonsai societies in India for advice, but it would be much better to stick to native trees that don't need a cold dormant rest period. facebook.com/The-Indian-Bonsai-Society-Mumbai-547387198704889/
The Acacia trees will be going outdoors in two weeks and I will be pruning them just before this.They are growing well and I think they will love to finally get some sunshine again!
It is coming soon!!!!! I'll have to bring them inside in about a week. The weather is going to get cold with frost in the forcast. I'll have to cut them back before then.
Nigel Acacia trees cant be pruned and dont like bonsai rocky soil they like ground and dirt they dont like being mess with those roots (I live in South Africa trust me I know )They are going to die just leave and give them water I studied South african trees and trees need ground around their roots ,dont rake all of it of
I have at least 100+ more of these Acasia seedlings come up in my yard every winter then die off in summer. This year I’ve picked a heap and will keep alive and try and do my own forest 🌿 thanks again ❤️
I just love all your miniature landscape environments, adding the animals in some is such a lovely idea. I hope to be able to create some like this, I’m just starting out with bonsai from seeds and cuttings.
Nigel your the man!! Been doing bonsai for about two years now. This far in and I've been seeing great results with the trees I started from the beginning because I've been patient. Also trial and error. Wanted to learn everything in one week when I first started lol. Now 47 trees later..... I want to thank you for all your videos. Help me Like crazy !! Me and my girlfriend keep up with your videos like they're our new favorite TV show!! The art of bonsai has saved my life from a dark past and so have your Videos. Thank you for everything you've done for me and the bonsai community!!
Thanks so much for your comment, it's very nice to hear! I really enjoy making the videos and I'm glad they can be helpful to you and your girlfriend and your 47 trees! Happy growing and stay tuned for season three!
These acacias will be the best trees you will ever have and ever want. Best in show.
That's pretty nice looking, Nigel. I look forward to seeing updates on these trees over the years.
You inspired me to try growing some bonsai (or apo-bonsai) from seed this year. I have them on the way to me at the moment, and I'm looking forward to growing them.
Thanks Yohann, I hope your trees grow well!
Amazing! The landscape is so beautiful..I learn a lot about root pruning from your videos. Hope this landscape grows more beautiful. Thanks for sharing Nigel.
Thanks Anita, I'm thinking of making the scene two to three times larger some day, hopefully all will go well!
Thanks Nigel- working on pruning an 30 year old schefflera- and harvested a eastern white pine from a hike this weekend- love your Tree groupings- appreciate your enthusiasm- Chris
Thanks Chris, that hike sounds like a good idea, I'm overdue for one!
Oh my gosh the update of tree at the en is such a good idea. I would love to see your apple bonsai
Thanks again for the Instagram pages, they are really awesome! The apple tree will be coming.
@@TheBonsaiZone hii sir can I get a link where I can get same bonsai soil u r using sir.
Your videos are my therapy thank you 🙏🥰
Mosses are resurrection plants.
They are always happy when they get water and warmth. Even after they have been dead/dry for a while.
The moss is getting greener each day!
Very nice job Nigel. Hope this will be a nice rock forest eventually.
Thank you!
WOW! What a beautiful landscape. I like how you started with the hardscape first. Great idea!
Thanks Patricia, more to come on this one!
That's a good work, Nigel.
Thank you chemacruzortiz!
Hi Nigel. Thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos. Have a couple of trees too. Very helpful and informative videos. Keep up the good work.
Gosh I feel like I'm so late to the party. I just now started watching your videos on these trees. I finished the seedling one, first pruning, and now this one.
I'm excited to see how your trees grow and you've inspired me to begin my own bonsai garden. I hope all goes well with your trees!
I wish my trees the best but I'm not sure my results will be as great as yours
Happy growing Wilson, best of luck!
Another great landscape. I’m hooked for life. Thanks
Thank you Matt, it looks like it is doing well so far this year!
I like this. Well done, Nigel.
Thanks Gary!
You had me at "Hi there, Nigel Saunders here".
Thank you!
I know you're concerned about too many trees, but it still looks beautiful. Instead of middle of the savanna, it's like the fringe of the forest before you're covered in jungle.
I think I'm going to make the hill very large some day so the trees will look smaller and more part of the hill rather than tall trees sticking up out of the landscape. I've been studying the Kopje landscapes, and am getting lots of ideas!
Hi Nigel, great video as always. Very inspiring to see how you start this landscape. You inspired me again to also start a landscape with my small trees. Thanks
I hope it turns out well, happy growing!
I am wondering, do you also have bonsai olive trees? I can't remember I have ever seen a video of you about an olive.
Hi nigel,
I have been so impressed by your videos. I am a huge bonsai lover. Looking forward to see more videos on variety of bonsais in future. Cheers!
Thank you, more to come!
Enjoyed this video a lot very inspiring...Thanks for sharing...
it does look dense for an African acacia landscape
but it also resembles a lush, tropical, central American kind of scene. perhaps more moss to simulate lower vegetation
but if there are some die-backs may be you'll get the more African setting you're going for.
great video Nigel. greetings from the Philippines
Thanks Neal, once the trees get established, I'll be doing some more work on the landscape. Hopefully all will go well!
Another excellent video, great job.
Thank you, a humble start!
I've been looking forward to your update! They look great! I hope mine look like that some day, I planted them on 28 December but looking good so far, thank you!!
Good to hear Rebecca, it looks like mine are starting to grow again, it didn't take them long after the re pot.
That is a great video Nigel! I am impressed by the growth speed of these seedlings. A very nice landscape in the future I am sure of it :)
Thank you! I would hate for anything to go wrong, I'll do my best to keep them alive!
maestro eres un artista,gracias por el video
Gracias por el comentario amable y todo lo mejor para usted!
gracias por el esfuerzo de contestar en español. gracias maestro
nice video Nigel. can u make a video on you visiting beach, collecting the rocks. and also make a video on how do you decide on styling the landscape and how do you collect the resources for it. I mean, the images, materials and the trees... please...!! :-) :-) :-)
Hello Helen, I'll do that, it will be a while before it's beach weather, but I can make a video showing the thought process.
Thank you!
Thank you so much.... :-)
very nice. I like the additional update.
Thank you Robert!
hi nigel you are the most inspiring creator of the plantation I have ever watched, thanks for your share, will you please guide us how to make bonsai soil?
I do have a soil making video......
ua-cam.com/video/p522AYawgOI/v-deo.html
very good Nigel... congratulation my friend... hug
Thank you, more to come on this one!
Great video! I have a small acacia tree I started from seed in 2018 that I haven't trained at all except for some very minor trimming. I used to have about a dozen more seeds but I've misplaced them so I'm afraid to harm this tree that I love to watch grow. Maybe one day I'll find more seeds and be able to do something like this.
And mine also smells! Less so now than when it was first growing I think.
I was like 800 and I live in south africa and have a 8 year old acacia tree they get really nice
Thanks Roline, good to hear!
great updates on these trees...Keep us updated PLEASE Nigel! - Cheers
It's coming, so busy these days!
busy is good. And where did you get that little rake? I'd like to buy one since it looks sturdy and durable
Hey Nigel, what a beautiful idea I must say I like the natural look. Your are amazing especially South Africa bonsai. This is going to be great. I have a Acacia Dealbata and is this a different species to the South African one. Thank you for some great advice 🎋🪴🌲
beautiful!!!
Good Stuff, love following these from the seeds.
It is hard to believe they were small seeds less than a year ago!
Looks nice. I like the little one too...
greets
Kennet
Thanks Kennet, plus 16 C here today, makes me want to start re potting!
Nice video and great channel with lots of ideas! and also very useful to improve my English!
Greetings from Spain!
Good to here Eduardo!
Is that a new blend of soil? It looks like more perlite than normal, hey you should sell soil! A special KW blend! Love the planting , keep it up!
I just guess when mixing the soil quantities together, it may have a little more perlite than normal. I am trying out the fir bark from the orchid society for the first time in my soil. I may never notice a difference, but I'll keep my open for any problems or benefits.
That was great thanks Nigel :-)
Thank you, definitely a fun project!
looking good with new hair style
Maintenance pruning!
Hi Nigel,
Very nice video, I'm also working on a fever tree forest which I hope will one day be a good representation of the fever tree forest in northern Kruger. Mine are only a few weeks old now.
I just checked out the Fever trees in northern Kruger national park, very inspirational indeed! I hope you send me a picture some day of your forest!
thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
Nice video and good idea about updates at the end but, what happen to the catch phrase of do something green today?
Thanks, I may start it up again, in the mean time, Stay green!
Good idea with the additionnal update at the end of the video...
It will be a regular feature, I still hope everyone stays green!
Nice haircut, Mr Nigel!
Clip and grow of course!
Nigel Saunders Haha!
I'd like to see a vid of you comparing the two mini bonsai kits because I've been thinking of getting one
I haven't seen mini bonsai kits around here, but if you get some seeds and a pot, they should work!
Yeah been considering that to :)
Hey looks Good!
Thanks Ricardo!
Very simple and easy thanx alot
I like these kinds of videos because they are great for those just getting into bonsai, like me. I took mature cuttings off a eucalyptus tree and they are also growing buds but no roots??? You think I should stick them in soil or keep them in water? Keep up the great work 👍
I would keep them in soil. All my Acacia cuttings in the water died quickly, the ones in the soil are still alive. I'm hoping thy will grow roots eventually!
Nigel Saunders thanks Nigel 🤞the eucalyptus is sprouting like crazy, I hope they root. I also started some mango trees from seed, they're already 6" tall after 40 days.
thank you sir
I envy on your pot collection
I have to buy most of my pots used from bonsai shows and club silent auctions. Good pots are so expensive! I really like the mica pots, they last forever and won't break, chip or crack.
Beautiful and informative! thanks!
Thank you Jacob!
From what I understand, which is very little ;-), that is the main difference between Japanese and Chinese bonsai. The Chinese style try to look like a scene or landscape. I can't remember the name. Penjin maybe? They use animal figurines and things. Awesome trees.
Yes the Chinese Penjing, is to give the viewer a feeling of being in nature or to take a small piece of nature and have a miniature representation of that scene. Japanese bonsai is all about placing the focus only on the tree.
We need another update Nigel!
Hi Nigel, I'm writing from Germany and first of all I have to say a big compliment and thank you for your videos and presentations. One quick querie I have is regarding your soil you use. Are you going to reuse your soil when repotting or will you dispose of the soil used before? Regards Andreas
I always use new soil, I just don't want to transfer pests or disease to another tree by re using soil. If you sterilize the old soil, I think it would be OK, but new soil seems to absorb water better than the old stuff. I think the old soil gets algae on the surface of the particles, or too much mineral build up, it just doesn't seem to work as well.
Tnx
Nice Kopje landscape Nigel
Thanks, more to come on this one, I'm thinking of making the Kopje much larger, like 5 times!
I like the fact that you didnt bother wiring the mesh screen onto the terracotta tray :-) I have seen so many pics and videos of that being wired, almost like a grand ritual and often wondered why. The soil and the tree are heavy enough to hold the screen in place. Nothing is going to nudge the screen off the drainage holes unless the pot is kept tilted. Besides, in less than a month the new roots will grip those mesh screens. So, I don't understand why people even bother with it, specially mini /mame bonsai pots. That pot is so tiny that the screen can't even slide off the drainage holes :-)
Thank Vinny, I think you must be part Vulcan, your logic makes sense!
After watching your videos, vinny, I don't even use screens anymore. Of course, I don't use bonsai pots. I simply find pots or bowls with a likely size and shape then drill a whole lot of little holes in the bottom. I use aquarium gravel as the screen because it has a fairly uniform size and is larger than my drill bit :-)
+Nigel Saunders Takes one to know one ;-)
+Frank WilsonII Hi Frank, if the result is good give me credit. If it is bad, then blame Nigel. Ha ha :-D
well, I began watching your videos at the end of last summer ( beginning of summer for Nigel's videos) and aside from a few plants my inexperience claimed, they seem to be doing quite well. I usually drill 10-15 holes. 3/16 of an inch in diameter (about a centimeter each?) into a cereal bowl size containers. It gives it nice even drainage. I don't wire the roots in place, and now I rarely wire the branches. I think I would have to credit you both with what success I do have because since I stopped wiring branches / roots, and began using many small drainage holes my plants are healthier. So thanks to you both.
Hi Nigel
I love acacia trees. In my country "robinia pseudoacacia" type grows that I love its flower smell. I want to make a bonsai for myself. In your videos I did not see any usage of wires! So do you keep your bonsais small just by cutting their branches?
Yes, most of the work I do on my bonsai is by pruning. The black locust tree is native to the south eastern United States. I think I have one in my back yard!
I think I want to try and enjoy😊😊
Hi Nigel. Can you help me out with a possible suitable style for my Kei apples about three years old still in training. Thanks. Jan. South Africa
So Beauty. How do you make the holes in the plate
With a terracotta pot you can usually get away with drilling with a masonry drill bit. You may want to go for a diamond-tip glass/tile drill bit though, just to be safe!
Thank Jasper and Norma!
nice video!
Thank you Elder for watching!
How long does it take for the moss to grow and attach itself to the soils and rocks
hey mate, bit off topic but i am trying my first bonzaii, its a moreton bay fig that i found in a crack in concrete about 4months ago. cut trunk and roots right back, has grown around 7 inches since through summer ( i am in south queensland, Australia) it is now a month into autumn, when should i prune/ re pot or should i leave it for a while. think this tree is native to this area and new growth looks very healthy. thanks mate, very helpful videos, u literally have tought me everything i know ( very little) about bonsaii.
I would re pot when you have good growing conditions for recovery. I find it is best to re pot mid summer here, but I also re pot late winter when my trees are indoors and I get good sunlight in the windows. The y need sun, warmth and humidity to recover from re potting, you may be able to re pot any time in Queensland, but I would think your tree will be slightly dormant in the winter and spring may be the best time for you. They make a great bonsai!
thank u very much
I’m not feeling it either.
I do love the concept though. And I’ll be watching to see how this evolves.
I've been letting the trees grow all summer,and I will be pruning them very soon, It's hard to fit all my trees inside!
Very nice 👍 did the cuttings of those trees make it ?
So far they are looking good!
Great channel! Subscribed :)
Thank you!
In the south of the US we have Mimosa which looks a lot like these acacia. Do you think Mimosa would work for bonzai?
Mimosa trees are excellent bonsai material! I have started a whole pot full this spring. A video will be coming.
Amazing
Thank you Muhammad!
Hey Nigel Newb question. Why doesn't the trunk continue to get larger in a pot, but it continues to sprout new branches?
Also, I am attempting to germinate some seedlings. I will be moving in about 3 years could I get good growth out of them in pots or should I plant in ground and dig up before I move?
The trunk does get larger in the pot, but you need to let the top of the tree grow very tall and then cur it back to make the height shorter. Repeating this process will get you a short tapered trunk. If you let your seedlings grow in pots, they will get tall and the trunks will get thicker. Planting in the ground also works well, but you need to make sure your tree gets watered when it is young. Both pot grown trees and trees in the ground will give a similar result.
Nigel Saunders Thank you!
Nice your soil mix is only two types of rock can u explain ur soil mix and in this type of soil will the plant stay because it doesn't have and red or black soil
The soil is similar to the soil used in hydroponics, the trees rely on the fertilizer to keep them healthy. Check out my video on watering and fertilizing....
ua-cam.com/video/gXIIpxUqxdY/v-deo.html
Did you notice any die-back after pruning these trees from the previous video about them? Being Acacias, so many local bonsai enthusiasts here in South Africa claim one needs to cut above the node that's above the node you want to keep, but so far in practice I can't seem to get a definite answer. I'm hoping that you may have noticed details such as this, if it is indeed the case.
It may just be that these bonsai enthusiasts had put unnecessary stress on the trees if this had not occurred for you
I'll be doing an update video soon on these trees and I'll be sure to check how the roots are doing and the top where I pruned them. Stay tuned I hope to get the video done in the next couple of weeks!
I love watching your videos. I've been following along now for the last year or so. I even have a few trees started now. some from seed and others nursery stock.
dwarf umbrella tree (nursery), McIntosh Apple (seed), clementines (seed), luna croton (nursery), Yuca cane (nursery), Aloe Vera (donation), and a bunch of different cacti. Where do you get some of your trees? like, the white cedar, or some of your more exotic species? Have you any thoughts on the rainbow tree? I was thinking of ordering seeds online
when is the best time to get out in the forest to collect seeds?
Hello AndyBoBandy, some of the trees are collected, some from seeds and others from cuttings. I get the occasional one from nurseries, but they are so expensive these days. I have ordered seeds on line and have had good luck with them. The Rainbow Eucalyptus would make a really interesting tree as a bonsai, here is a discussion.......
www.bonsainut.com/threads/rainbow-eucalyptus-for-bonsai.9363/
hi! I was wondering if you could do a video about what fertilizers you use? do you only use them in your water?
I will . I only use the one fertilizer 20-20-20 (with micro nutrients) in my watering can. Fertilizing can be as simple or as complex as you want. I'm sure I could improve my trees health by researching the best techniques and fertilizers. Making a video will be a good incentive for me to do so.
thank you so much! you are an great teacher! the way you explain things makes it very easy to understand! I'm just starting my journey and I'm trying to research very thing I can.
Is there any problems with using the moss which one finds in places like public paths or t he like?
I don't think so, unless it is part of a park or garden. Moss is generally considered undesirable on most sidewalks and driveways.
Super landscape
What is the composition of this substrate?
It is 1/2 perlite and 1/2 turface. I have added about 15 percent composted fir bark to the mix also.
Thanks
its really nice!!
would u pls tell, what is name of this tree???
These are African Acacia trees, I have Sweet thorn and Fever tree varieties.
Im about to start with the bonsai hobby...can i ask you a few questions Nigel? I just dont want to kill my first treen^^ And where can i ask you? UA-cam PN oder Facebook or something?
You can email me at...
thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
How do you drill holes into pots without breaking them?
I have only drilled holes in terracotta pots. I used a drill designed to drill into cement. I think for ceramics, you would need a high speed die grinder with an abrasive bit and lots of coolant!
hi "nigie" ,, i been watching so many of your videos now i have given you a petname, its just nigie =)=) im sorry if i offend,, really not my intention. your our hero nigie. all beginners guide to start bonsai. but ive been watching many of your pine videos,, i was wondering, i maybe missed one but, do you do any pruning to roots of pine trees in any of your videos ? i have 4 pines by now, (sylvestris pine) and looking for videos about howo prune the roots and when ,, seen some of your videos about when and howto prune candles but, not roots, is this a thing you maybe will video one day nigie ? :) if not, i totaly understand that you cant care for eeevery tree in this world :) btw , the little pine you adviced me to put out, , i didnt , i only put it halfway outside, in our ,, shoe room kinda.. and it didnt do too good :\ i put it all the way outside yesterday,, but now its standing in snow and -1 ! i may have to say a prayer for it later :):) thanks for all info nigie. #nigiethebonsaihero
Here is a video where I prune the roots on my Austrian pine....
ua-cam.com/video/w4R0TJgAJe8/v-deo.html
Hope your tree makes it!
aha, i will watch it again and again untill my trees smiles like yours., so the plan is anyway ! :) thanks nigie =) *bow down for the master of bonsai*
i have phils. acacia trees but i do not how to bonsai them! Their leaves never grow smaller.
Small leaves come with time and lots of branching. Just keep trimming back the long shoots and slowly it will become more tree like.
How i care ficus microcarpa in reany seasion? From india; plz replay
Be sure it is in a well draining soil mix and then just let it grow. You can prune and shape the tree in a period of time when the tree isn't growing so vigorously.
Thank you so much
hello, could someone give me a link to the jade bonsai video? I couldn't find it
I don't have a specific Jade video, but I do some work to one here....
ua-cam.com/video/mpmPXzFivDo/v-deo.html
Ok thanks. Just since you showed one in this video, I just assumed that you had a video on that one
you know, when you look in the dictionary: canadian. there is a picture of Nigel.
what is the name of landscape bonsai plant
They are commonly known as Acacia trees.....
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia
can you make any video for it plz sir
Updates will be coming, I just moved them to full sun today and they need pruning badly!
does moss grow in Africa?
The moss is used to represent grass, but I don't think moss would grow in the dry regions.
hey sir I want to grow a maple tree in India can I grow it?
It will be very difficult and frustrating and maybe impossible? You can ask at some of the bonsai societies in India for advice, but it would be much better to stick to native trees that don't need a cold dormant rest period.
facebook.com/The-Indian-Bonsai-Society-Mumbai-547387198704889/
Very true. It's not suitable for Indian climate.
nice hair cut nigel hehe
Thanks, just some profile pruning!
Any Update Nigel??
The Acacia trees will be going outdoors in two weeks and I will be pruning them just before this.They are growing well and I think they will love to finally get some sunshine again!
where can I get these acacia seeds
Here is one place....
www.rarexoticseeds.com/en/catalogsearch/result/?q=acacia
thank you!
Bean soup
Makes me hungry!
Think I've misunderstood what exactly 'soil' is as to me that looks nothing like soil! Best get back to basics.
Where is the update? It's September, Nigel where are the Acacia now?? :D
It is coming soon!!!!! I'll have to bring them inside in about a week. The weather is going to get cold with frost in the forcast. I'll have to cut them back before then.
That's so exciting! I can't wait!
FOIST
Amazing as always!
Nigel Acacia trees cant be pruned and dont like bonsai rocky soil they like ground and dirt they dont like being mess with those roots (I live in South Africa trust me I know )They are going to die just leave and give them water I studied South african trees and trees need ground around their roots ,dont rake all of it of
Thanks, I'll do my best to keep the trees alive!