I think cotoneaster is an under rated subject for bonsai. Tough as old boots. Very easy to root cuttings too!
@Niemamoka9 күн бұрын
That’s call realistic progress. You get there Bill. Keep us updated !
@karathomson195718 күн бұрын
Once the back fence and patio is done it will look awesome with all the bonsai!
@billsbonsai17 күн бұрын
I hope so ;-)
@starbell540720 күн бұрын
Seeing as your weather maybe similar to our weather here in Melbourne australia,have you tried grain sized scoria (larva rock) i use a mix of 50% scoria 30% cocoa-peat & 20% perlite & it does the job yr in yr out.. cheers mate!
@billsbonsai20 күн бұрын
No, I've not tried it. I was wanting something easy to get a hold of and reasonably low cost. Thanks for commenting 🙂
@thelazybonsai22 күн бұрын
Noice!
@joepearce1728Ай бұрын
Jesus not much good to u half dead trees and bloody twice they had the cheek to send to u ……Wat was this company called please
@bonsaiexpressionАй бұрын
Great video Bill 😁
@thelazybonsaiАй бұрын
I’ve used old boards for planter boxes. But yea, if they are too far gone!!
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
Yes, I'm afraid these boards are sodden, rotten and heading for the recycling centre.
@thelazybonsaiАй бұрын
Foist!
@davidparry2301Ай бұрын
Got the exact same tree/pot myself. Mass produced. No real taper, crossing branches everywhere, branches on the inside of curves and not outside. Part of the fun - the challenge to make something half decent
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
Hope you have success with yours. Cheers.
@givetanksАй бұрын
Keep it up man!
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
No worries. I will. Cheers 👍
@givetanksАй бұрын
Who doesn't love a crab Apple! Great video, I have a chunker I've been chopping each year, I love them😊
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
Yes, they're so great. I'm looking forward to seeing these develop. Thanks again. 😊
@adsminibuild5791Ай бұрын
They'll look good. My crab apple swelled quick so just keep an eye on the wire. I've also had god success with root cuttings but they have flowered yet.
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
Thanks. I'll be keeping an eye on them, definitely. Thanks for the comment 👍
@NiemamokaАй бұрын
Like always , packed with informations and humor.
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
Thank you so much. Appreciated.
@bonsaimania5345Ай бұрын
This could be very helpful. In the desert Southwest, USA, the intense heat and low humidity are definitely an issue. 100% kitty litter would probably dry out way too fast here, so I'm also trying to find the right mix for my area and the trees I hope to create into bonsai. Good stuff, earned you a subscription. Keep uploading this kind if great material!
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
Thank you very much. Yes I can see that being an issue. Perhaps coconut coir could be an alternative for you. I'm thinking of experimenting with it at some point. Much appreciated.
@bonsaimania5345Ай бұрын
@billsbonsai I have considered it as a possibility. It does drain well, yet holds some moisture as well. It also is less hydrophobic when dry than composted peat.
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
@bonsaimania5345 Agreed, once it drys it's a problem.
@williammccaldon9374Ай бұрын
Surely kitty litter has chemicals in?
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
To be honest, I don't know. However, if they were harmful, there would be a lot of sick cats and dead trees. I've grew some bonsai in 100% kitty litter and they have thrived. Water and feed is the key to surviving in kitty litter. Just don't let it freeze in winter. That's what killed my trees.
@bonsaimania5345Ай бұрын
Usually, at least in the United States, kitty litter is made of clay granules or flakes. It shouldn't have any chemicals, as it is naturally occurring, unless it is contaminated in some other way (ie: ground contamination, dirty shipping containers, spills in the warehouse or store).
@williammccaldon9374Ай бұрын
Ok thanks,worth bearing in mind
@NiemamokaАй бұрын
Love to see some propagation video ;) good luck.
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
Noted!
@NiemamokaАй бұрын
Liked, subscribed. Good luck. How the little one recovering after that major work ?
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
So far so good. I'll probably do an update video sometime in the near future. Thanks.
@stanleysun85942 ай бұрын
Where did you buy those baskets?
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
The pond baskets were bought on eBay. Those ones were 13cm x 10cm round baskets. I also use the bigger 22cm x 12cm baskets often. Hope that helps.
@Simon.Bryant2 ай бұрын
Just what I was looking for, thanks. Subbed 😊
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
Much appreciated. Thank you 👍
@XaviersBonsaiRetreat2 ай бұрын
That is pretty close to what my standard mix has been up till very recently. Ultimately there is no expert mix - it just relates to your climate and circumstances. I'm home all day, so I can generally maintain regular watering during any hotspells to avoid inorganic mix drying out. Interesting you mention having so many trees die. I had mine in an inorganic mix and they were fine through the winter - just sat on the ground. Good video
@Chillfam2 ай бұрын
Wouldn't that be a problem when they all root out.
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
Thanks for the question. I'm not sure what trees you're referring too. I'm going to guess the ones in the ground. I dig usually gig them up, check and trim any big roots and replant. Cheers.
@alecmcdonald7442 ай бұрын
This is not embarrassing!! 😢 I paid £4.50 for one 6/7years ago . Looked a lot worse than this. It's probably worth 100x what I paid for it . A big pond basket is Ur friend. ! The actual structure from what I can see is ideal broom style . Protect it in winter . Get Ur self a cold frame up against Ur house and it'll be grand 👍 when I see more cheap ones buy them . Chinese elms are very very rewarding 6:14
@arcturus82182 ай бұрын
just done my oaks ,leaves half open they should be fine, not sure about the trunk chop maybe wait till its recovered from root work
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
Oh, I recorded a video just a couple of days ago with the oak! Messed it up as it went on for too long and the camera cut out! I will upload an update on my oak soon when I get a chance to record it. Cheers.
@XaviersBonsaiRetreat2 ай бұрын
I always repot and work on them about now. Leaves are just coming out. It can still be hit and miss occasionally. Good to see the rest of the collection.
@XaviersBonsaiRetreat2 ай бұрын
This is a great little collection that I'm sure will develop into great bonsai :)
@billsbonsaiАй бұрын
Thank you. I hope so.
@XaviersBonsaiRetreat2 ай бұрын
We need to save all of these dying shop plants...if they are marked cheap enough :)
@XaviersBonsaiRetreat2 ай бұрын
A great walk through your collection :)
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
Thank you 👍
@XaviersBonsaiRetreat2 ай бұрын
I liked the way you filmed this video. I would probably have cut main branch back to the stump and looked at developing it as a shohin style broom. I am actually in the process of doing that with a few of my hawthorn. Your approach will be equally as good for development. I shall wait and see what happens Bill :)
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
Thanks. I made that decision after the video. That main branch is gone. I think there's a fleeting glance of the chop in a roundup video. Thanks again.
@lindac4462 ай бұрын
Is the composted bark cedar, pine, hardwood???
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
I had a quick look on Amazon UK, where I bought it from. It's mixed and generally used as a soil improver or a top dressing. I thought I would give it a go, and it seems to be working well for me so far. Not too expensive either. An alternative is just multipurpose compost if that's easier to find. I'm going to experiment with other mixes soon. Everyone has their take on what would be a good mix. It's an interesting subject, bonsai soil mix and there are about as many ideas on what makes a good mix as there are bonsai enthusiasts!
@bonsaiexpression2 ай бұрын
Another top video Bill
@bonsaiexpression2 ай бұрын
I've rescued a couple of these from B&Q. I was lucky and got some good ones. Good luck. I'd just repot it and let it grow for a season.
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
Yeah I probably will repot it quite soon. It's looking much better already!
@bonsaiexpression2 ай бұрын
Nice update bill. Everything is looking good so far. Them field maples look great 👍🏼
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
Thanks very much. They're heading in the right direction and will need a wee eye kept on them. Cheers.
@Ad_DOOM2 ай бұрын
morrisons? i got 3 of these. they've not done much yet.. hopefully they'll push some growth this season. not dead yet so thats a good start
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
Yes, Morrisons. Good luck with yours.
@Ad_DOOM2 ай бұрын
@@billsbonsai I couldn't not give it a go for that price! Not even the worst Chinese elm I've owned. That honour goes to one I purchased from Amazon which has an awful awful trunk graft. Looks terrible. Still alive though, just looks rubbish lol
@davidhowes50382 ай бұрын
Did it survive the huge pruning and root work?
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
I'll let you know!
@mikeswain90852 ай бұрын
I'm sure it doesn't help but we received two Paul's Scarlett form the same company in just about the same condition. Well packaged but very disappointing
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
Sorry to hear that. On the receipt they claim to give a 12 month guarantee on all plants and bulbs. I've contacted them ask asked if it's the same for trees, and sent them a link to my video. Fingers crossed.
@mikeswain90852 ай бұрын
I phoned them Bill and I didn't find the staff there really helpful. Hopefully you'll have more success.
@thelazybonsai2 ай бұрын
No! Its so disappointing when getting mail orders like that!!
@XaviersBonsaiRetreat2 ай бұрын
Truer words have never been spoken. I am always saying in my videos that chinese elm are not ideal for the beginner. They are definitely not the easy indoor tree. It sounds like you have done everything right by this one and I would just let it grow out wild and ragged. Collect loads of strong cuttings in late May or June or indeed anytime of the year. The one thing I do find very easy with these is getting cuttings to strike. Loved the chatty video :)
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
Thank you so much, Xavier. Much appreciated. I've watched many of your videos too. Great job!
@givetanks2 ай бұрын
@bonsaiexpression2 ай бұрын
I put all my trees in poly tunnels in the winter. Hopefully upgrading to a greenhouse this year. But spot on with the Chinese Elm. They are tolerant too so much and it all depends on what part of Asia your Chinese Elm comes from. And that's the problem, you will never know. some drop the leaves in winter, some will not drop and some will drop half. Some can cope with the cold and some can't. I find it's best to protect them all. Best to be safe than sorry 😊 👍🏼
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
Thanks for the interaction. Yes, I need to protect them or the same thing will happen. I was just thinking today about where in my garden I could build a shelter for my trees. To build or to buy, that is the question ;-)
@bonsaiexpression2 ай бұрын
Hey billi, while working on the roots you really need to be removing them tap roots and removing high roots that are not going to be used in the root plain you decide to use. The aim is to develop a root flare from the bottom of the trunk Which is natural looking, powerful and elegant all at the same time. Hope this helps .
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
Yes, I definitely agree about removing the tap root. I did that before they were planted in the dirt. If you're looking for a nice radial nebari, then I absolutely agree. Thanks for the comment. Much appreciated
@keepermosman75862 ай бұрын
Why do you trim it so much
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
It's called the 'Clip and Grow' method of pruning. The Hazel is a rapidly growing tree, and using this method subtracts branches and material that I don't want and allows new branches to grow further down the trunk where I do want them. Thanks for asking.
@howardmckeown71872 ай бұрын
which kitty litter were you using? I was planning on trying 100% kittyfriend pnk
@howardmckeown71872 ай бұрын
ooops, commented before watching the full video, sorry
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
I used Kittyfriend Pink by Sanicat which I purchased from Amazon UK
@howardmckeown71872 ай бұрын
@@billsbonsai thank you
@billsbonsai2 ай бұрын
Like I said in the video, be careful in the winter if you're using 100% kitty, especially during a freeze! It will likely destroy the roots. If freezing is not an issue where you are then it's totally fine.
@givetanks2 ай бұрын
Very pretty mate!
@givetanks3 ай бұрын
Looking good Man!
@Javanesetropicalbonsai3 ай бұрын
Very good friend, I hope it grows well
@billsbonsai3 ай бұрын
Thank you very much.
@XaviersBonsaiRetreat3 ай бұрын
Two good little starter trees on their way - great stuff BIll
@billsbonsai3 ай бұрын
Thanks very much.
@givetanks3 ай бұрын
Great video man! I threw you a sub!
@billsbonsai3 ай бұрын
Thanks a million. Very much appreciated. Reciprocated!