3 Pro Tips to Revive your Bonsai

This video contains 2 Whiteboard sessions - for tree biology and horticulture.
I show you how to revive a near-dead bonsai tree, suffering from various different possible problems.
With the tips in this video, you can bring your bonsai back to the vigorous beautiful tree that it should be, of course with some time and patience.
The star tree is a Sagaretia Theezans (Chinese bird plum tree)
Trees also featured -
Dwarf Pomegranate (Punica granatum L. var. nana)
Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinese)
Trident maple Miyasama (Acer buergerianum var. miyasama)
Enormous thanks to my favourite musicians for their fantastic work in this video:
The Ambientaliist -
• The Ambientalist - Sto...
• The Ambientalist - Fol...
• The Ambientalist - Lon...
MARION -
• MARION - Night Feet | ...
00:00 Intro
00:30 Don't Panic
01:13 Still alive
01:44 Whiteboard - cambium
02:42 Tip 1
03:47 Tip 2
04:46 Tip 3
05:15 Whiteboard - transpiration
06:03 Conclusion
#bonsai #bonsaitree #bonsaicare

[@MeadowViewBonsai]

Dave’s back with another gem, top stuff mate 🤘🏻

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks again!!!!

[@Montelbino]

Glad to have you back!! You have the best videos on KZbin.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much, I wish it were true!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Another well produced video Dave. That whiteboard is a winner :)

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Xav! Hehehe yeah in the end it's the whiteboard that takes all the time to make these vids!

[@Max-rw4fr]

3 is a absolut game changer. Saved me so many trees over the years.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Yes me too! I'm amazed that no one else has published the plastic bag trick.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Great video Dave. Loved the editing in this and appreciate the effort that went into it. 👍

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Jason! Glad you liked it! 😊👍

[@dermo1981]

Thanks Dave. Always love your videos. You need to make more!! Thanks 👍

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks, I appreciate that! I would make more videos if I could!!

[@PumpkinBecki]

Brilliant video as always Dave xx Beautiful, visual explanation xx

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much Rebecca! 😊 Haven't yet had any troll comments yet so I guess the video must be somewhat accurate! (Don't worry, I ignore the tromments, but they can be an indicator that I did something outlandish in the video).

[@jeffdodson1675]

As a plant physiologist/plant pathologist by education, career and practice, I would like to congratulate you on the best one of these videos I have ever seen. Well done. The only additions I would have made is to (1) scratch the bark surface until cambium health is determined instead of slicing or gouging off bark (this will help ensure a minimal amount damage to the plant) and (2) make sure plant leaves do not come in contact with the humidity chamber (plastic bag or inverted jar) to ensure it can function as a leaf. Many thanks for all your excellent methods, suggestions and videos (especially the graphics). Also, how are your ginkgos doing?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi Jeff, great to hear from you and thanks for the tips. Yes that is a good point about scratching the bark. Also the leaves touching the plastic bag, true, we don't want that to stop the leaves photosynthesizing! The ginkgo forest is doing great, if you're interested I keep an album of it with a few photos each year: www.flickr.com/gp/davidhseymour/5g6Q54N2k6 I've started taking cuttings so maybe next year I might augment the forest with a few extra smaller trees :) How are you doing? All ok I hope.

[@jaiprakashpathak8974]

Filled with perfect illustrations, minute and elaborative details. The masterclass 👍

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks for your great feedback! Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@BonsaiBoise]

Another great video! I loved the explanation on the cambium, phloem, and xylem. I learned a lot from that!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Mike! Yeah, in a lot of bonsai forums I've seen people talk about the green as being the cambium layer, so I thought it would be a good moment to show the difference between these layers. Glad you liked that!

[@highplainsdrifter6577]

Worth the wait! You’re a great teacher!!!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much! Glad you liked it 😊

[@MisterBobi]

Amazing video like always, thank you for putting such great info for us to see and take advantage of.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks for your great comments, I really appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@crisscamt.8305]

More videos please. Your channel is the best mate. Your advices are really accurate!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks!! New video coming soon 👍

[@katedodd79]

Superb, as usual Dave. So satisfying to see that beautiful little tree bounce back 🌿💚

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much Kate! Sageretias make lovely bonsai if you can weather their little tantrums!

[@isabelcubria370]

Great video Dave!! 💪🏼💪🏼 You work a lot 😊

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Gracias Isa! Preguntale a tu hermana cuanto trabajo! El problema es que no trabajo como albañil 😂😂

[@MKbonsai]

Liukan pohon dari seni bonsai sangat menakjubkan, untuk para pecinta seni bonsai,, salam hangat dari kami dari indonesia❤❤

[@GrowingBonsai]

welcome back! I do 'hate' that you made this video, as recently my regular bonsai carer had to face a heatwave, and 2 of my trees were brown. I did not do the video, as I was unsure which angle to pick. Great to see it brought together here.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Jelle! Tell you something, I have a videos notebook for the last 3 years where I write down video ideas and scripts, and there are always way more in the list than I have time to make. The line "Yellow leaves" has been on that list since 3 years ago 😂😂 so I'm just relieved to finally be able to cross it off the list! Sorry about your 2 brown trees. What were they? Can you nurture them back to life?

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@BlueSkyBonsai:) I know it. I have 30 videos in several stages of development. One day I will come to spain and learn from you how to make these animations though! The two were my two potentilla's, which I happened to use as video on "signal trees". They are nearly green now. And funnily: I told my caretaker: Water them once. Put in the shade, out of the wind and leave them alone. Do not do anything else. So pretty much what you said in the video. Only no plastic bag needed, fortunately.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@GrowingBonsai thanks Jelle - I hadn't seen that video until now. Your two potentillas look fantastic! So glad they didn't die!

[@deepanjanbanerjee3491]

Good to see you back

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! 😊

[@jezfitzsimmons613]

One of the best informative videos I’ve seen, as are all your whiteboard creations. They really help to explain various issues, thanks and glad you’re back….

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much! I should have never left it so long for this next video, but you know, life gets in the way! Really appreciate your kind words and encouragement!

[@hudcat]

I've only been practicing bonsai for the last two years but your videos are always extremely helpful!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Great to hear it - cheers 👍

[@raymondplodzien7459]

Great information Dave. Happy to see another of your videos.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Raymond. Happy to read your comments!

[@antonisanagnostopoulos4809]

Thank you for the tips! I’m new to this hobby and don’t currently have a problem but will keep in mind.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

You're welcome! Enjoy the hobby, these trees will give you joy for the rest of your life!

[@luciochambisoria1121]

❤❤❤excellent edition and pedagogy

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! I appreciate your kind words

[@living_sculptures_za]

A video from you on any topic is always much anticipated, appreciated and enjoyed. Thank you Dave. I have found using the 'bag trick' on newly collected Yamadori to be very succesful too. Love the fungicide spray in the bag tip. Looking forward to your next video.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much! I guess the bag trick is fairly widely used but I wanted to do this video because I get so many "how can I save this bonsai" questions... Regarding the fungicide, I only had to do that once or twice in the bag and that's enough for months. Cheers!

[@0Cloudkicker]

Great video as usual, always something more to learn 🌳

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@fernandobarrerap9947]

Thanks for this video. It'll be a good help for a lot of us! Regards from Spain

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Gracias! Me alegro que te haya gustado !

[@grangrampa832]

Wow gorgeous thank you very informative

[@richardmoat3001]

Good to see you back on KZbin. Always good to see your content which is really helpful. So welcome back!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you! Glad to hear it's helpful!

[@jeffhurst4744]

Yea! Seems you’re back with excellent videos. Love the mass information and quick/easy explanations in them. You’ve given me another thing to do when trying to revive or verify that one of our bonsai is going to be saved/revived or given a burial. Keep them coming my friend.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Yea! Thanks Jeff - if it happens, definitely I recommend keep it in the bag for up to 6 months or more, I've had a near dead tree bud out again after 6 months. But I've also had many more that never came back to life, to be truthful!

[@greasylimpet3323]

Thanks for those tips. It all makes sense when you explain it so well too. I almost lost a Picea Abies because the dog was 'watering' it for me! It had hardly any needles that weren't yellow, and it's just about back to normal after three or four years of special care! Love your channel 🇦🇺

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Limpet! And sorry to hear about your spruce getting watered by your dog! Thankfully you caught it before it was too late... and then patiently revived it 👍 my spruce died about 5 years ago in a dry summer and I've never replaced it. I should someday, they make a great formal upright.

[@greasylimpet3323]

@@BlueSkyBonsai yes, they're very nice trees. Mine is an informal upright, with fairly long branches getting shorter at each level. I've found that you can leave old dead looking bits on, and very often you'll get a new bud at the base of the old piece. It's great to be able to keep everything nice and close to the main limbs.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@greasylimpet3323 do you have any pines? They behave quite similarly, especially mugo pines and Japanese black pines give great backbudding. Also larches (but of course they're different, being deciduous)

[@greasylimpet3323]

@@BlueSkyBonsai yes, a Japanese Black Pine. It's got heaps of buds, I think because I pull the needles in the Autumn. It's growing flat, and I've got no idea what I'm going to do with it!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@greasylimpet3323 enjoy it... the inspiration will come to you!

[@biplabbiswasbiswasbiplab8829]

Dev you come back so iam very happy your explain very good

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you liked the explanation!!

[@Chillfam]

#3 works great for yamadori

[@zaveeramini9712]

Amazing video! Keep up the good work. Love these videos.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you're enjoying them!

[@tirantloblanc3391]

Thank you for the video!!!! Regards!!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

You're welcome! Thanks for commenting

[@rosska99]

Another great video... I really enjoy your presentation style. as I move on in my journey , looking forward to your covering more advanced topics, species and style specific. I learn something useful; every time

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Happy to hear that! Thanks 😊👍

[@houseofintent]

I have a sick Hinoki and repotted it in sphagnum moss. It's slowly getting healthier but I will try that bag over the tree to help it even more.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Good luck! Spray a small amount of plant-friendly anti-fungal inside the bag to prevent a buold up of mold.

[@notionbonsai]

Such a great video as always Dave! I love the whiteboard explanations!!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Adam! I always want the whiteboards to go a bit deeper than simple tree facts.. but surprisingly in the stats I see people dropping away during the whiteboards. Maybe viewers just want to see tree action, not science 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@DoBonsai]

I learn useful information from you. Thank you.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! That's great to hear! I guess you sometimes use the plastic bag trick?

[@DoBonsai]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Yes Bro, definitely. Especially on newly made yamadori trees. Newly made Yamadori trees spend their first winter in plastic bags. In the spring, I open the bags for a few hours during the day and close them again at night to help them adapt and to protect the tree in the night cold. Of course, I do not forget to give fugicide and 8% copper sulfat frequently. I have achieved an almost 100% success rate with Yamadori.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@DoBonsai that's a great tip about daytime and night to get them adapted. Someday I should do a yamadori video... but not got the time at the moment. Cheers bro!

[@DoBonsai]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Cheers bro!

[@Laura-fn7dq]

This was a great video! 😊😊

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! So glad you liked it 😊

[@TheBugB]

Pressing F to pay respect

[@NgocLinhVo-Thienthong8428]

Đẳng cấp Bonsai 🎉

[@AndreSilva-en9bl]

Looks like its to late for my Zelkova, but I am still trying your tips and hoping for a miracle. Love your vids!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Good luck with the Zelkova! They're pretty resilient so maybe it'll spring back to life again.

[@garden--23]

Awesome

[@maryperrysmith5815]

Fantastic

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks!

[@KaciptaMusik33]

pengerjaan bonsai yang sangat detail...... mantap 👍🏻👍🏻❤

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Terima kasih! 😊👍

[@edinborogh]

Awesome!!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Ed! 👍

[@shirayasha]

0:21 magic

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

It's true! 😉

[@user-ib3kx5sh5o]

Желаю вам удачи.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you! The Chinese privet is still alive, and still in its plastic bag. But it will be years before it's pretty again.

[@KarIiah]

Trees dying is always so sad, so thanks for giving everyone tips to save them :) Last summer has nearly killed my two favourite trees and it did kill another. 45°C heat was brutal, even in shade. Being able to only water in the morning and evening wasn't enough, unfortunately. Do you have any tips on what to do with trees that had their crown or almost the whole tree die off? My azalea had the top 50% die and an Acer died down to right above the nebari from which new baby growth emerged. I don't want to lose all the progress of the tree, but it seems I have no choice. How to you treat or style such trees properly? Keep the dead part a few years until the new growth is strong and big enough to decide on a new style?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Karliah! Yes the summer heat is a killer, it's really worrying every summer. In answer to your question, you have really answered it correctly yourself. After a large part of a tree dies back, you just have to grow out a new leader and wait until its thickness is in proportion with the lower trunk. It will happen with time, patience, TLC and ❤

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Oh and if it's a juniper or pine you could use the dead treetop for a Shari but that just doesn't look natural on deciduous trees or azaleas.

[@KarIiah]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Yeah, junipers and pines are ride or die with me - when they start signs of dying, they die and fast, there's no saving them. Trees in position not counting, I've 'resigned' myself to only get local species or at least ones with similar climate. I might as well go semi-hydro for next summer, that's the only thing that kept my trees alive. :')

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@KarIiah yes those hydro boxes work really well as long as there is enough water for the time you're away... one of mine ran out of water this summer 🙄

[@gaeangardensbyizabela]

Hi Dave, I came back from my trip to Poland to find my brazilian rain tree with all dead leaves due to the person who took care of it forgot to water it once and the sun was strong that day... Tree is alive though so I'm trying your bag method, hope it works for it, thank you so much

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi Izabela, I have found over the years that whenever I leave someone in charge of my bonsai trees, there's always at least one tree that dies. Every year. Some years it's several trees. Sadly I can't rely on other people any more 😕 Anyway, I hope your BRT comes back to life healthy and happy. Sometimes trees can take 6 months to start budding out again... you just need to persevere with the high humidity. Good luck!!

[@gaeangardensbyizabela]

@BlueSkyBonsai oh boy, that would make me not want to leave my trees with anyone's care for sure. I'm glad to have remembered your method,now just need to wait patiently, thank you Dave!

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌

[@NgocLinhVo-Thienthong8428]

Good motning Natural Bonsai Hello, im from Việt nam Wellcome, you can exchange every second every new🎉🎉🎉, thanks🎉

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi and thanks for your comments. Best regards from Madrid, Spain 😊🌳🌲

[@NgocLinhVo-Thienthong8428]

Oh, My friend spain, Wellcome You visit chanel every second every new, thanks

[@danhip2442]

Hello. I have a question regarding watering, I would be very happy to answer. Typically, coniferous bonsai trees such as pine trees are planted with a lump of garden soil in which they originally grew, and when watered, it turns out that the old lump of soil dries out much more slowly or quickly than the rest of the granular soil in the pot. How to water correctly in this case? Do I need to wait until the central lump dries on top? Or should I water it when the main soil is dry?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi Dan.. Just like it my other answers, it depends on your climate and the time of year. If it's really hot and dry where you live, (which I'm guessing from your question about misting), then you should water it the minute you see the granular soil getting dry. You want to encourage new rooting in your good granular soil, and if it's dry a lot of the time, you won't get healthy roots extending there. With good drainage underneath, that old clump of more absorbent soil at the top should not go stagnant, and in fact it should keep a good vertical water distribution between absorbing upwards, and gravity downwards. But if you live in a cold, wet climate, or if it's a cold time of year, you can safely leave it a bit longer between waterings.

[@simongore29]

Is the clear plastic bag method suitable for coniferous and evergreen species, too?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Yes, I've used it successfully for evergreens and conifers too. with conifers you need to watch out for mold growing on your foliage. The first sign of white or black mold, remove the bag and spray the foliage with a plant-friendly fungicide.

[@danhip2442]

Hello. Is it possible to use a water vapor system in summer, like in some outdoor cafes, to lower the temperature a little?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi Dan, yes it's a good idea if you live in a hot dry region like I do. It's not worthwhile if you live somewhere temperate, humid and cool. I actually talked about it briefly near the end of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZWbeaOEf95liLc

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Oh yeah I should add "just in case": you can't use a misting system for watering, because it just doesn't deliver enough water to the soil.

[@danhip2442]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Thank you! ^)

[@tasanastasi7799]

Plastic bag it is Young man ..Plus a chemisrty and biology lesson to go with it .perfect . Thank you ..i will try this out . I have a 30 year old Azalia and its just not growing new leaves and some of the tips are going yellow/brown/red ..any advice please , apart from your video ..

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks a lot! I like doing the tree science sessions even if there's too much detail! Your azalea, did it get too much hot sun in summer? I always keep mine in semi shade, they can't take the strong direct sun in Madrid. Try put it semi-shade and use the bag trick for a couple of months. Although it might grow anything new until spring. My azalea always loses a lot of older, yellow leaves each winter, but it comes back to life every spring.

[@tasanastasi7799]

I think it is still struggling from the terrible cold winter we had , has not been the same since . Nevertheless ill do the bag method , have to try and save it . Thank you , i really enjoy your videos and the tutorials ..Have a lovely w/end.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@tasanastasi7799 thanks and good luck with your azalea!

[@soberhippie]

0:17 Trident tested? What if my plant is not a trident (maple)?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Now that is an excellent observation! My tried-and-tested advice would be, get a trident maple they are wonderful trees!

[@patarciofo7538]

Help please! I've tried the plastic bag trick after the repot of my ficus and after 4 days mold has appeared over the trunk

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Can you get your hands on some plant-friendly anti-fungal spray? If so, spray a bit on the trunk each day. How are the leaves looking?

[@patarciofo7538]

Thank you very much! I will do it, I have only a nettle spray, but it says it's anti-fungal. Maybe I should have done it from start. The leaves look perfect. I have also removed the bag for now

[@thelazybonsai]

Noice

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Cheers! 😊

[@carlmcclain6934]

This video is AMAZING! I HAVE A Chinese elm that is dropping its leaves. I understand that they do drop some leaves in Autumn, but they look different from when they dropped them last year. I think I’ve overwatered it. I slip potted it with fresh very granular soil and I’m hoping for the best. But the bag technique! OMG! I’m doing that too! Thanks so much!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you liked it, and good luck with the Chinese Elm!

[@baldyeti]

Brother, your effects are off the hook. How many takes to get that “snap”🤌🏼transition down? Great knowledge drop, good sir. Im using this info on a couple trees right now 🤞🏼. Your white-board are on point yet again.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Billy! I don't know what you mean about the snap transition, it really happened like that! Take a look at the shadows and the swaying trees behind me while it happens 😉 The whiteboard sessions, it's fun to do but a lot of work! But necessary I think. Perhaps I should do a compilation video of all my whiteboards someday, don't know whether it would be successful or just boring 🤔 Cheers bro!

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Amazing video again mate! And thanks for the following on Instagram.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. On insta I was moved by your photo of that massive oak that appears to be dying. I wish there was something they could do to save it.. maybe they need to create a vast glass dome around it like a massive plastic bag!

[@bolangbonsai82]

Fery good. @bolangbonsai82

[@MeadowViewBonsai]

Dave’s back with another gem, top stuff mate 🤘🏻

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks 😊🤟🏻