Amur Maple, Plus Native Trees as Bonsai, Part 1, The Bonsai Zone, May 2022

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Thanks for the shout out Nigel! 🐦💙

[@getintothewildwithjeffruma8777]

It’s amazing how much a maple can take from us and come back strong👍

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Hmmm. I think someone took the best trees at the workshop before you got to pick Nigel! 🤣 Just kidding, I think once the roots develop it will be a cool tree. I’ll buy it off you if you don’t want it. I like the angle. 👍

[@jballenger9240]

Good evening from Boston, bonsai buddies 🌱🌱🌱

[@pack3rs]

Nice. Good evening from Springfield ma

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

Good evening sir!! Where in Boston are you?

[@joegarland4885]

I have had a Amur maple for over 20 years it is one of my favourite maples, I love the leaf shape and size it is the first maple to leaf out and the first to go dormant. The roots are very delicate and damage easily so care needs to taken when dealing with them, best of luck with yours.

[@pjourneys5337]

So good sharing !

[@pack3rs]

Never seen someone cut off as many roots as this guy. I'm too scared can't risk it lol

[@paulschaefer5241]

I used to do the top first and the roots later too. Then one time I had to nearly restructure the entire top and left just one thin twig. As I was doing the root work on the tree I accidentally broke off the one remaining branch. fortunately, the tree did survive and is still growing but from now on, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[@Groglor]

Very interested in native trees. Its the only ones I have and im in western ontario with harsh long winters.

[@bonsai_life_style]

smart thinking with Amur

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, I should have used a hose on the roots, next time hopefully!!

[@marysoldeeley2218]

I have successfully overwintered a tree finally. I might try some locally collected native trees again...

[@MaybeBonsai]

I do find that root rake tends to scrape the roots bark quite easily. I thought it was because the edges of my rake is too sharp.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, maybe a hose would be better on this species!!

[@marctellierii545]

I thought about taking some sand paper or something and rounding out the prongs. Haven't gotten around to it yet though

[@MaybeBonsai]

@@marctellierii545 I have thought about the same thing but these amur maple roots are just really fragile. Seems to get de-barked quite easily

[@54114142]

I have the same problem with my oaks. They were planted sideways and have very ugly s-shapes. I tried to apply some wire tourniquet to force a new root base above the s-shape. I'll check next year if it worked. :/

[@54114142]

Some were even planted upside down. 😢

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hopefully my Oaks will be nice and straight, we'll see when I go to pot them up!

[@otterwench]

you and Laura (Lora?) remind me of my husband and me. he works from home and I am house bound for the most part so we spend lots of time together, but focused on our own stuff. we check in with each other and share our days. I have learned a lot about cyber security, and he knows a lot about fiber art and succulents. this year will make 22 years together. that first tree reminds me of a beautiful snail.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Awesome Diana, stay happy and together!!

[@marctellierii545]

Hey Nigel, would you have any updates on these trees?

[@andersnrregren9087]

I dont do root work on my maples in spring when sap is flowing becuz if i touch roots the root bark just peel right off

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Anders!!!

[@katyb2793]

Do you do it in winter then? Or late winter?

[@ck8313]

Nice. Nigel could you give us an update on the 12$ juniper as well. Thanks

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That is in part 2!!

[@nrponugoti]

Hi

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

That reminds me: what size sieve do you use? I haven’t been sitting by soil and I’ve paid the price. It’s time to be a big boy and start sifting. Looking forward to part 2!

[@mattbrennan647]

What problems are you experiencing? I don’t sift either and so far so good. Having said that almost all of my trees are in development. After watching a lot of Peter Chan videos I’m skeptical. That dude could put a broom stick in a pot and turn it into a bonsai. Thanks, keep growing

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I use a 1/8 " sieve to remove the fine particles. I usually don't get many larger ones, so I just do the one sifting!

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

@@mattbrennan647 yo Matt. I feel like now that I’m coming down the the tail end of a big batch of soil that I made (50/50 perlite/DE, like nigel) things are getting pretty powdery. When I pot stuff up, it’s very slow to drain which I find very frustrating.

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

@@TheBonsaiZone perfect, thanks Nigel!

[@lindsayre2106]

I have a question - why not hose the soil from the root system instead of hacking away? Love your videos! 👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That would have been a better idea with this tree!

[@Montelbino]

Another Charlie Brown Christmas tree

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌👌🍎

[@Alepoudiitsa]

yes that how most of my trees i buy are here, a ball in the senter that y i stop trying to do to much root work on them and i just get cuting's of them, i even got that root hormon? or how it is call to try give them more changes on rooting.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Sounds like you are doing the right thing!!

[@klytuko]

How much perlite (think they are in litres?) was in that green bag at around @1:23?

[@BlueJayBonsai]

The Holiday brand perlite is 112 liters. 22 pounds / 10 kg. I bought it at Provision Garden Supply.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Jay!!

[@klytuko]

​@@BlueJayBonsai Thanks! I've only bought the few liter bags but again not sure if I need this much on short notice.

[@austinmead5754]

Foist

[@TheBonsaiZone]

All concede to Austin Mead!

[@kevinrandell5189]

Good one Nigel😁👍

[@ludoneven4299]

hello nigel from belgium would it be possible to have your email address I would like to send you some photos of my trees and pottery that I do in ceramics

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Ludo, here is my email address... [e-mail] Thanks, looking forward to the pics!