5 Pruning Secrets they don't teach you in Bonsai School

[@lefthandluke8923]

Dave - Your videos are absolutely the most informative and helpful of any others on YT. Thank you!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Wow, thanks! Glad you like them!

[@victoriamoore5986]

Totally agree!

[@richardnathandaniels2534]

I love when you show the progression of the trees!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you liked that!

[@mattscheibel]

I know these videos must take a deceptively huge amount of time Dave but you have to find a way to make more. They are so great and the world needs more! Liked, commented, Subscribed. All the best!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Appreciate it. Yes I'm certain most people don't realise how many hours it takes to make a video like this.. I do it for the fun of it and because I'm a perfectionist, but unfortunately YT doesn't pay enough for me to do this full time... In the meantime, feel free to browse my previous videos for inspiration!

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Great video, edit and explanations Dave. Always a pleasure to see what you have published new videos 🙏

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Jason! I guess my leaving 4 months between new videos creates a bit of anticipation... but I really should publish a bit more often 🤔

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

"They" don't teach you, but Dave does! And he's looking sharp while doing it! Cheers buddy, thanks for another great video.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Heeey Colin! Hehe thanks! So you saw the 6th secret then, prune off your beard before it goes completely grey? Great to hear from you, hope all's well.

[@mattcameron3885]

I really like that you show what things used to look like. A lot of other channels dont have that and it really helps to see how your techniques pay off.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Great - glad my format of videos works for you!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

This is now my absolute favourite video. The quality just keeps getting better Dave. Am i allowed to admit I have learned something today :)

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Crikey, thanks Xav ! what a compliment! of course it's right to admit you learnt something new, the way I see it is... the day we stop learning new stuff is the day we start getting bored or tired of it. Dare I ask what you feel you learned from this video?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

The big reminder about the reality of wound healing and recognising that sometimes it doesn't ever go away - so pick your front well. But the biggest lesson which I still fall short on, is not taking a branch far enoguh back. I also learnt a fun new editing approach :)@@BlueSkyBonsai

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat to be honest, even when I watched the video back myself, I thought I could have chopped the zelkova branches down even further this year... perhaps I'll never learn it properly! Hope you have fun with the editing 👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Fun time travelling Dave!!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Nigel! I wondered if there was too much time travelling in this video. You know what would be cool, to show a fast forward with a future version for 2034. Hmmm, interesting idea, but not easy to do 😂

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It's quite easy Dave, you just need a DeLorean and a Flux capacitor!!@@BlueSkyBonsai

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@TheBonsaiZone Haha and 1.21 Gigawatts

[@lefthandluke8923]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Dave - The time-traveling was brilliant! We all try to document our trees at transition points but it takes quite an effort to marry up the old clips/photos with the newest versions. @TheBonsaiZone (Nigel) also does this when possible and it's so helpful. You guys rock.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@lefthandluke8923 thanks Luke! Interesting fact: I've been following Nigel's videos for more than double the years I've been publishing my own!

[@JudyGSD]

Great video as always Dave. A lot of work went into editing this but so worth it for us all. Thanks

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Judy! So happy to hear it was worthwhile!!

[@georgesnoek4628]

Thanks Dave. Ive been doing bonsai for about 10 years now. Mind you Im still very much an apprentice. Your videos are very visual and educational. When I get a chance I will save them into a reference library. Much appreciated!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you're finding the videos useful. I'm also still learning every day, I will be until the day I die...

[@mattbrennan647]

Yet another fantastic tutorial. Thanks Dave, keep growing

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Matt! Always growing, always learning!

[@rosska99]

Wonderful...especially tip#4! Appreciate the effort you put into your videos...I learn something every time, and your style of presentation is so enjoyable to watch.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it and hopefully found something usable in the 4th one!

[@alexandros1973]

Thank you David for another great video. I like the work you do with the flashbacks and the whiteboard action and the fact that all this impressive work is done with a clear aim to be informative and educational. Very well done 👏🏼👌❤️

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Alex, glad to hear you 're liking my style of videos!

[@living_sculptures_za]

Thanks Dave, this was a pleasure to watch and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks, so glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeffhurst4744]

Yes! Showing the results, after a year or two, and a thorough brief explanation on what you will be going towards is great. More bonsai video sources need to increase their videos to include steps possibilities afterward. And still like your whiteboard drawings as you discuss the various design aspects to look at for future design ideas or goals. Thank you. 😊

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi Jeff! thanks! I guess there are other youtube channels that do time-shifting to show bonsai progression, but most bonsai videos out there are just films of today's work on a tree. I like to show more depth and explanations, that's why I always end up doing a whiteboard. They take a long time to do but I think it's worth it.

[@jeffhurst4744]

@@BlueSkyBonsai 👍👍

[@sueb1317]

I love your explanation of these secrets! Each year I learn and apply a bit more - love seeing the theory pan out in practice. I'll have to revisit this video when my autumn arrives to make sure I include these important tips!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Sue! Yes, it's true that one of the best things about bonsai is the long, show, gradual process of watching your trees turn from ugly stumps to beautiful living art! feel free to watch again in Autumn, I'll be here if you have any questions! Although I get the feeling you could answer my questions as well as I yours ☺👍

[@The_Dood]

Love your consistant video production quality, music, diagrams, past trees for references.. Im sure its a huge amount of work to make these vids.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Dood! Yes it's a lot of work but it's enjoyable to do. . . when I have the time. Hoping to do some more videos later in summer.

[@marilyngandhi8571]

Hi from Queensland, Australia 🇦🇺 ❤ Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us all ❤

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@marilyngandhi8571 hi! You're welcome!

[@davidmorgan3508]

Aussie Dave here David, Wow very impressive video, I can see why it takes so long in making this video. But it worth it 😊😊😊😊😊. Thank you 👍

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Dave! I still can't believe you get up so early! But glad to hear it was worthwhile waiting for this one :) 😊👍

[@jaiprakashpathak8974]

Your illustrative technique is so impressive. Your imagination of the bonsai shape and affectuation is wonderful. All the plants are prized collections.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you very much!

[@crisscamt.8305]

Great to see you back mate Best videos in KZbin!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@grangrampa832]

Very beautiful trees I’m still learning

[@jaguardelcielo]

Amazing visuals. We'll put together. Must I say I have learned what most forget about bonsai...the essentials. You explain them well. Thank you for passing your knowledge. Blessings.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much! It makes me happy to hear people think I explain things well... that's my purpose here! 😊

[@georgemalesky9462]

Thanks!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@georgemalesky9462 thanks so much for your support! 🙏

[@acer_p_bonsai]

Great video David. I finally started a channel, and can’t wait to be able to look back at the progress of trees over the years like you did here. 😮 Thanks for the inspiration and approachable videos! 👏🏽 🙏🏽 🪴 🍁

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Great to see you've started a channel, just subscribed. Look out though, making videos can take up more time than bonsai work!

[@acer_p_bonsai]

@@BlueSkyBonsai 😂 thanks for the warning! 😬 🙊 only a few videos in and I’m already feeling it, but it’s also so rewarding. I noticed that the big names in bonsai have very little content for maples, and I wanted to make a place to dive deep. I’m also really impressed by the community of other bonsai folks on YT and how supportive you all are for each other…I need that! Have a great day, and love to your unique approach to the videos!!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@acer_p_bonsai yes it's a great community. Hope you find success with your maples videos!

[@bonsaiexpression]

Great video Dave, very informative. Passing on knowledge like a professional 👍🏻

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Christophe 👍

[@johnrb9397]

I think you have to add that cutting depends on specific species. Trident you can generally be quite aggressive, others have die back.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

you're right. Also, the zelkova, elms and the Crab Apple are very resilient.

[@AlexBraunton]

Great video Dave. Lots of important information

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Alex! Glad you enjoyed it

[@DavesBonsai]

Excellent video Dave as always!!!!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Dave! Appreciate your vote of confidence!

[@ponderanceofagravedigger2564]

Another great video!! Thanks for all you do.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

You're welcome! Thanks for your kind comments!

[@eggybreadplease]

Great informative video, definitely a 👍 from me, I particularly found the flashbacks useful. Thank you for the videos, as a CC I understand the time required to create a video 👍👍

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Yes it's paradoxical, I do the time travelling flashbacks because I know it sets the context for the current video content, but at the same time they take a disproportionate amount of time to edit! Glad to hear when you and others understand the time it takes... makes it slightly more worthwhile (and is my own justification for why I don't publish more frequently!)

[@jbm8535]

Nice to see another video from you, great as usual!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it !

[@faithtirendi1849]

You (and your trees) are THE BEST!!!!!

[@maximka420]

Hello Dave, today i make my first bonsai, thank you for your videos, subscribed and i wish you 1.000.000 subs

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi and thanks! Have fun with your first bonsai! And never forget about watering, come what may!

[@johnrb9397]

Cut healing also depends on the growth conditions. It’s in field grown or in a bonsai pot..

[@megnon22]

thanks dave another tutorial great tutorial

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much!

[@maylucriandesigns]

very well explained. i enjoyed this alot 💚

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks very much!

[@MeadowViewBonsai]

Big chops there Dave, you went all Xav on them 😂😂. Love the progression of your trees.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! I appreciate that.

[@LuisRamos-tj4sv]

Thank you Dave like always very informative

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Luis!

[@christowalsh8220]

Great video! Very informative!!!🎉

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Montelbino]

Another very informative video good job thanks again!!!!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Glad you enjoyed it, Thanks a lot!

[@brawltvs8303]

Beautiful video

[@johnmatejcik2379]

Great information! Keep up the good work.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks a lot!

[@johnrb9397]

Yep learnt tip 2 on a maple. Needed to cut off all last years ramification.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

I'm still learning it! I look back at this video and I think I could have chopped down a lot further in some pruning cuts

[@ANDREASDEUTSCH]

Wow, perfect air layering!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! I did a whole video on layering this tree, if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWLRkqaLhqiFn68

[@nerinat8371]

Thanks for the great tips 👍

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching

[@ВикторСушин-ч5х]

Очень приятно видеть снова Ваши работы, успехов в работе.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you!!

[@gerritdevos4707]

Great video. Thanks a lot.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you!

[@1Mutton1]

A good guide as usual and nice trees. However, I wouldn't exactly regard placing cut wounds at the back a secret. I like the word "consistency" as you can keep it in your mind the whole time your pruning as the guiding principle. Helps resolve those indecision issues.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Yes consistency is a great help for pruning decisions. Hiding cut wounds at the back is only half the trick... the first half is to make the cut in a location that can be faced to the rear. Anyway, secret or not, I hope lots of people can benefit from it!

[@laurad2136]

Super video! Thank you so much

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you too!

[@Reblwitoutacause]

I would love a whole series on #4. I know next to nothing about designing the trees.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

That's a great idea for a future video series -thanks! At this moment I don't have the time, but I will do at some point. In the meantime, maybe you'd like this video on designing and creating a big dome-shaped apex (I used clara.io for the graphics) : kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4mqlIlpqs6NgJo

[@TropicalBonsai]

Great video. Thanks

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you!

[@jamaxk1373]

Its late spring here now, and im planning and deciding where ill be pruning everything to in the winter, i know some things will change though.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

It's also sometimes advantageous to do some branch pruning in late spring/early summer. Having less foliage reduces the amount of watering required in the hottest summer months.

[@jamaxk1373]

@BlueSkyBonsai my dawn redwood and some of my evergreens I have been pruning, but mostly just small stuff. I haven't the other deciduous trees yet as most are either seedlings, or going to need major chopping for reshaping from the bonsai nursery near me that seems to like broom style.

[@OjaiBonsai]

Thank you for the videos I hope you have a great 2024. Cheers from Ojai Bonsai

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Ojai Bonsai. Also wishing you a great gowing year!

[@jejakbonsai95]

Very inspiring, thank you New subscriber 👍👍

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! And welcome!

[@jelenasher6605]

I notice more often in Bonsai videos that people are appalled by large bulbous scars which can actually be intentional in tree styling. I don't see how 'making it look natural' was a Bonsai goal? I lean towards it being more about 'maturity in a compact form'. Scars do create 'maturity' if they are a balanced part of a composition. I wonder what people think about that.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@jelenasher6605 A good photographer must not allow any reflection or shadow of herself in the photograph (with the exception of self portraits, like Annie Leibovitz). Any hint of the photographer's tooling or handiwork spoils the illusion intended in the image. That's how I see big bulbous oval chop wounds - a clear sign of the work of human hands on an otherwise beautiful piece of nature. I agree that if scars are worked to look like they occurred naturally and are balanced within the composition, it can add to the impression of maturity. To me, bonsai is the miniature representation of a tree in nature. That could be a young tree or an old mature tree. But I'm not saying that has to be everyone's goal!

[@biplabbiswasbiswasbiplab8829]

Hey dev very good informative video

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! 🙏

[@palmtide]

The finer points of pruning a bonsai tree.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you!

[@TheBonsaiCreator_Krish]

Beautiful bonsai collection 👍. New subscriber here

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks friend!

[@trenseni]

Thank your sharing vudeo 8:04

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

You're welcome!

[@FOLKES801]

Hello my friend! I was wanting to ask you what your soil mix consists of? Great videos as always!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@FOLKES801 hi! I use about 33% akadama, 33% pumice or kiryuzuna, 33 pine bark, very approximately. In my developing trees in larger pots I use mostly "pink" cat litter instead of akadama and kiryuzuna.

[@MKbonsai]

Wow hari yg cerah ❤❤ biru langit menggoda, terasa lengkap di temani bonsai yg menggoda,, Terima kasih sobat telah berbagi vidoe bosai, salam hangat dari kami

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! yes I love doing bonsai work in nice weather!

[@MKbonsai]

Ok sobat, Terima kasih sudah menjadi inspirasi kami❤❤

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@MKbonsai You're welcome !

[@atomartin]

Hi, I am glad to see your video(s) again, I was really missing it. What do you think about so-called "hacken method" of Walter Pall?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

I'm familiar with Walter Pall's Hedge-trimming method, but not familiar with his Hacken method. Is it the same? I think his hedge pruning is okay if you already have a good branch structure. But sometimes you need to deal with individual branches that have grown out of proportion with the rest of the tree, because otherwise they will continue to grow bigger than the other branches. That's where you need to use selective pruning rather than hedge trimming.

[@atomartin]

@@BlueSkyBonsai oh, yes it is the same. My fault, just forgotten the right term

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@atomartin no prob. There's another advantage of hedges trimming, if you don't care about primary branch structure, and you have a lot of trees it's much faster than selective pruning.

[@LeandroLinguidi]

The most relevant change in the video... Is your face! Good choice, you look younger! And obviously, thanks for sharing knowledge, you always do it so good.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Leandro! The truth is, my beard was becoming too grey and I'm not quite ready for that! ( or my wife isn't ready for that! ). And I'm amazed No one else has mentioned it yet !!! My trees must be so nice that most people don't notice my face 😂😂 Thanks for noticing and for your kind words.

[@LeandroLinguidi]

@@BlueSkyBonsai what would be do without our wife's...?! She was the one who told me was time to get rid of my Ibiza's eternal young long hair style because she was seeing some empty spots over there 😬 We're getting older, but with DIGNITY 🤣🤣🤣 Good weekend!

[@mattwall3267]

Look at that weather, can’t remember the last time I saw the sun in the UK 😭

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Matt, it's true that in Spain we have a lot of blue sky, but in UK your grass is always a lot greener!

[@wareforcoin5780]

I don't have the capacity to keep a succulent alive let alone a bonsai (please don't kill a tree and convince me to try) so I just watch bonsai stuff and go look at them sometimes. I like knowing more, even if I'll never use the information.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Maybe you have more capacity than you know! Anyway I agree with your sentiment of wanting to learn more. I do too.

[@BackSeatHump]

The bleak truth about bonsai SECRETS and imparting them: The truth of the matter is that about 85% of those making bonsai videos haven’t a clue what they are doing. 10% know what they are doing but would rather keep their techniques secret. 4% know what they are doing and would like to teach us but don’t know how. Only 1% know what they are doing, are willing to teach us, and are capable of doing so. You belong to the 1%. ❤

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Wowww that is a massive compliment.. thank you so much! TBH the real secret for me is in recognizing that doing these videos is the craft of making educational content, it's a completely different discipline from the hobby of bonsai. I really have to keep the two hobbies separate, the only overlap is when I need to set up and adjust cameras and microphones while I'm doing bonsai work. It would be a lot easier if there were two of me!

[@donald_drums]

oh maybe you can airlayer the zelkova so you dont have such a long trunk, that would make the tree amazing

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Yes I've been thinking about doing this for a few years now. The pity is that there is some nice trunk flare at the base. On the other hand, the surface roots are a bit ugly so a layer would make new surface roots more even and more attractive. But air layered roots take a few years before they look really natural, so if I do this, it will be at least 5 years before it looks good again. ... Also of course air layering the trunk risks the whole tree. This is why I haven't done it yet... delaying the decision 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@joeydupre6153]

I take a page from Walter Pall's book. I don't try to get a wound to heal over. It will always look like a wound. Instead, I make it bigger and more irregular and carve it with a similar texture to the rest of the trunk. I then brush on a couple of washes of ground charcoal and water over a couple of weeks. Wounds all but disappear,

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Yes I have a lot of respect for Walter's advice and his trees.

[@mvanderzwan537]

Trying to keep big scars at the back is good advice, but not exactly a secret. Furthermore, I don't yet understand why many bonsaists prefer to do objective pruning in the winter. Yes, the branches are more visible, but backbudding is driven by hormones (mainly auxines) that are produced by leaves. Pruning with a goal of backbudding can therefore much better be done after the first flush (or am I missing something here?)

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Do big pruning chops (branch removal and trunk chops) in winter when it's dormant to avoid sap flow. Do shaping pruning in late spring / early summer to encourage back budding, like you said.

[@mariapilarme]

Hi Dave do you have a way to connect ? I am going to be there two months. Thanks

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

You could DM me on instagram @blueskybonsai

[@Krisz-nm1zv]

Hi could you please add the option to see auto-translated Hungarian subtitles on your videos? Love your content but sadly my english isn’t the best so it would help a lot. Thanks for your effort, Krisz.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi, sorry this is a feature of KZbin and the mobile app. I enabled it for all languages, but I can't force it to work in all languages and all phones. What i CAN tell you is that it will work if you watch my videos on a mac or windows computer with a widescreen. Then you can set the subtitles to autotranslate in all languages. Hope that helps!

[@grangrampa832]

I love dwarf pomegranate

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Me too!

[@footbollpro]

What bonsai is this?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Do you mean the bonsai on the video thumbnail? that's a Trident Maple. In the video you can see this maple and I also show four other bonsais (zelkova, pomegranate, elm, crab apple).

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

😊👍

[@JohnMartin-jx1wz]

where is the harmony that you seek

[@danielbrennan5872]

I think bonsai look more natural with scars and blemishes.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Yes I think I agree, as long as the scars and blemishes don't look blatantly man-made.

[@Pindarm]

Best kept secret??? 🤣🤣🤣 I don't think so 🤣

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Haha you're right! in the draft for this video I wrote "Bonsai Artist's Dirty Little Secret"! but decided it was too sordid. Clearly "Best-kept secret" isn't factually accurate ... especially as I've just divulged the secret in case anyone wasn't aware 🤣

[@Pindarm]

Still, nice video 👍🏻 Keep up the good work 💚

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@edinborogh]

First!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

You got it!