Hoping I can make it look a bit better now that I actually have a vision for the tree. Thanks 👍

😂 pretty much. It's going to take a long time to make it look like a nice tree.

😂😂

I just hope it turns out the way it looks in my mind. Time will tell hey. Thanks.

The trees seem to reveal possibilities as I'm talking my way through the process. Who knows if the designs will pan out or not, that's half the fun I think.

In ground is always an option. At this point I'm really just trying to salvage something from the mess I made with my first attempt at a bonsai so I'm exploring options and seeing what improvements I can make to the tree as it is. It may well come to a point where I just throw it in the ground and let it run for a few years and then revisit it.

It does look like it could create a nice trunk line. I'll definitely reassess it when it's on the bench next time but I would like to do something a little bit different with this tree. The design will come to me in time, I hope haha

That's for sure, the bloody thing sure doesn't listen to me 😂 I'll persevere with it and see what it turns into. Might make a nice Christmas gift for someone next year 😂😂

I've seen a few needle Junipers turned into alright looking trees, so I'll persevere for now. I'll definitely keep an eye out for a different variety although I'll probably have to seek out a specialist bonsai nursery for that. Cheers.

I hope so. It annoys me that it looks so terrible, but hopefully with time and patience it will become something I enjoy looking at.

Me either 😂 I sure hope it turns into something I like eventually.

350 pots, wow, that's a lot 😂 I used to have a lot of stuff in pots, some of them are now here in the ground. The Kaffir Lime is one that spent quite a while in a pot. We are fortunate to live on acreage, although it does come with its own challenges, water management being a big one.

@ my property is 7m x30 so not much room at all. Thats why l love bonsai as l can go smaller

Bonsai would suit perfectly 👍

Thanks. The pot is growing on me. The more I look at it, the more Iike it. I use dam water to water my trees so I reckon it will add a touch of discolouration to the pot anyway. Thanks for the insight on the sheet. I have a couple more of those here so I might just use them to black out the background 👍

Thank you 😊

That sounds like a good idea. Just need to dull it a bit I think. Thank you 👍 I like a good bougainvillea, mine still have a long way to go yet but I know they'll look good in a few years.

@@Bearded_Bonsai the bougainvillea i have has real dark red flowers and foliage, as thick as your shin, it would have to be 50 years old, just starting to push out new shoots now. it was at my house and i noticed the tap root was rotted out and my fence was literally holding it up by a nub on the trunk, so i dug it out, done a trunk chop and have it in a huge bonsai pot, should look good in a few years. a friend has a real big one he done the same with, it looks amazing.

@@The_DropBear That's cool as. You'll always have a story to go with the tree as well. I bet it'll look awesome.

Yeah it happens sometimes. I'll definitely look into a thread graft once it fully recovers, I'll just have to work out which parts of the tree are still alive and go from there.

Yeah you're definitely right, it's a learning experience for sure. I plan on leaving the lightning strike tree for now and just see what comes of it. It might just surprise me as it gets stronger and more vigorous. Thanks..

The curved trunk is all natural, as it was collected, flood damaged I'd say. I used to think it looked wierd and artificial, but it's certainly growing on me now.

@Bearded_Bonsai that's awesome it has some character to it.

In the first video I did with this tree you can see it as an upright tree, which is how it was when I collected it. It's a lot different tree now.

You are right. I guess I get used to working on our native trees that have such vigorous growth that this sort of work is rarely a problem for them. I didn't go too hard on the roots so hopefully the little fella will be OK 🤞

It's coming along hey. I quite like the tree right now, even if it needs frequent hair cuts 😂

The potting mix is about half scoria 5-7mm size and the rest is a mix of perlite, zeolite and vermiculite. Sometimes I throw in a little fine potting mix but I'm moving away from that now. Yes the rafia protects the trunk and gives it some support when bending branches that might otherwise crack. I'll probably leave the wire on about 3 months or so and then see if the trunk will hold its shape. I'll wait until I see a decent amount of foliage growth.

@ thank you for replying I’m just new to bonsai

I haven't been doing it all that long either. It's enjoyable watching your trees grow and change with time and there's heaps to learn along the way. Enjoy 👍

Thank you. I think it looks better now too.

Thank you. I'm hopeful it'll now be one of favourite trees 🌳

Thank you. I imagine your trees would be quite different, our climates would almost be on opposite ends of the spectrum.

@nerinat8371 it is a nice pot. As soon as I saw it I loved it and then when I worked out the size was right for that tree, I knew it was meant to be.

@user-Coltrain561 the one the Tea Tree went into came from www.bonsaiisland.net/ all my other pots are from Etsy. Samarkand and Summerleas are my two favourite makers on Etsy.

Thanks heaps 👍

Sorry I missed the live

Thank you. I appreciate the support. I'm sure I'll do a few more live streams as I've got a few trees coming up that'll need a bit of work. It's a bit of a different format but was pretty cool to have a bit of interaction with people.

@ there are a few Aussie bonsai channels now and it has inspired me to have a go too…I just need to find more time to share my journey too. Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing more of your journey 👍

@Rainforestbonsai yeah there's a few good ones now. I like the ones that have trees that look attainable for average people like me, although I don't mind occasionally having a look at high end trees too.

Hope to be there tonight!

Thanks mate 👍

Sure will be. I'll let it recover and grow for a while now.

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words. They're all individuals, that's for sure 👍

I reckon it's made a massive difference to the health of the trees already. More light, more consistent watering, less fungal issues. Plus I get to walk past my trees every time I step outside. A second bench will be set-up soon.

@Bearded_Bonsai keep an eye out for second hand gal fence 2.5m x .9m they ate great. Older ones have checker holes not stripes like new ones

It would only be 5 or 6cm deep, it's shallower than its current pot. I'm not sure if I want to cascade it further but definitely worth keeping in mind. I might rustle up some taller pots to play around with when I do the repot. Thanks.

Absolutely. It's more that I hope it can sufficiently anchor itself, I'm sure with the roots that are left it will set in place.

@@Bearded_Bonsai They are so aggressive that I'm sure you'll have no problem. In fact they are so aggressive that in the US they are now outlawed as a exotic invasive!

Wow, I didn't know that. They aren't invasive here of course as they are native in our area, but yes, they are strong growers. Some of the easiest trees to collect too because you don't need too many roots for them to survive.

@@Bearded_Bonsai They have decimated parts of the everglades because they can grow in such dense thickets. I looked it up and it's on the Federal Noxious Weed list under the Plant Protection Act, which makes it illegal in the U.S. to import or transport between states without a permit. I honestly couldn't tell you how that effects growing it as bonsai.

Yeah that'll probably work. Should have just cut strips off an old shirt or something. Put it in the knowledge box for next time.

Thank you. Welcome to my addiction 😂

@Bearded_Bonsai mine too 🤣🤣 I've got lots of catching up to do with your videos 😄

Most of the older videos are the trees before they started to look like something, but for me it's about being able to look back at where they've come from and seeing how they've developed.

Fingers crossed 🤞

@@bluekettle9060 getting my arse kicked at this point 😂😂

Tough as nails these things. Can't wait to develop a heap of foliage and see those gorgeous spring colours shine.

@Bearded_Bonsai yesss. I have a couple I'm working on too

Good stuff. They're a great subject for bonsai.

I'm starting to wonder if that massive rock was a good idea 😂

@Bearded_Bonsai rock and a hard place!

Maybe someone might buy me some nicer pots for Christmas 🎄 🤔 😅

@Bearded_Bonsai or for half century gifts?

@KamasKarisma One pot for each year of age, I like the way you think 👍

I'm hoping it'll make a fun little tree 🌳