An Extreme Bonsai Bending Mistake to Avoid

[@nordicson2835]

I like your teaching style , laid back but informative. Hoping you have a set program for us. Top marks.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for the kind feedback!

[@evolution_bonsai]

Nice video mate! Wedge cuts are always stressful! From my vantage point in the video it wasn't clear why a screw on the trunk wasn't an option to secure the guy wire. Also to keep in mind, you could use two screws (with two guy wires or creating a connection point in space where one guy wire from the top connects to two wires from bottom) and halve the force on each of the bottom wires. These and other more complex distributions of force are not usually seen in bonsai but can be used to minimise impact in any one portion of the tree compared to using a single traditional guy wire.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for the pointers Rafi. Yeah I probably should have used the trunk. I discounted it at the time because the acute angle between branch and guy wire if it was secured to the trunk. Hopefully I get away with it!

[@lunava5489]

Im here for the bonsai, but your dog in the background playing with branches is gold 🤣

[@grobonsai]

Yeah cheeky things haha! Also the choccy one isn’t pestering me for attention, he’s trying to sweet-talk me into giving him the organic fertiliser on the bonsai

[@lunava5489]

@@grobonsai yeah that was also sweet/cute. Loved their participation 🥰😂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

An incredible demonstration Darren and it just amazes me how far you have come since those early videos in your conservatory. Inspirational!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

A major redesign for this tree!

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for watching Nigel

[@deepanj7875]

Hi Nigel 🙂

[@questionablecooking7019]

Good vid... doing a bunch of close slices into the trunk (like accordion) then bending works really well on elms too... they end up healing a little smoother on deciduous from what I've seen between this technique and wedge cuts

[@grobonsai]

Unusually I'd be more nervous doing a bunch of slices, than a single chunk - but I am weird haha

[@questionablecooking7019]

@@grobonsai lol true, when I first saw some of this stuff I was like say wuuuut, you guys are nuts

[@kliether33]

I agree, multiple small stress points is way safer than one spot with a ton of tension and risk of breaking the branch.

[@Handless_handle]

Great video! The more content from you the better!!

[@grobonsai]

I appreciate that!

[@eduardopaganotto4633]

Awesome work! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! Can't wait for what's next!

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for watching!

[@Tore1972Wisdom]

So great to see a video again from you Darren. You haven´t posted a video for a while or is it just me? That´s a huge Elm and looking good.

[@grobonsai]

Hey how are you? I had to take a break for about 6 months. Been posting less frequently lately, but I think YT hasn't been pushing the vids so much these days

[@Tore1972Wisdom]

@@grobonsai* Thanks i´m great. I just had a little break myself, because i broke my foot in 5 places in a working accident. I had just startet my YT channel and found out how to clip and edit my videos and then my accident happent 😅 But i think i will start up in next week. Great to have you back. Your videos has become very pro. I have so much to learn yet. Peace

[@briankivuti]

Nice video! I loved the music choice, and the flow you were in cultivating this bonsai. It put me in an inspired trance. ✨🌸

[@grobonsai]

Wow thanks for the great feedback!

[@808stab]

Would be awesome if you can put the link on where you buy your cut paste, lime sulfur…etc Thank you!

[@faizul_dergo]

Your teaching style is good,,

[@mrscotchguy]

What were those pellets you put on top of the soil at the end? Fertilizer?

[@grobonsai]

Hi, yes it is organic fertiliser pellets

[@jeremiahlee2146]

It looks like the smoking pellets you put in a pellet smoker. What’s the difference?

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Excellent redesign. Scary bend, but it looks like it will work! 🤞🍀

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Jay!

[@karinpetersen8330]

How do you get them to grow like that? Mine just has like 50 leaves

[@Sandi_Carron]

PUPPERS! Also, your bonsai tutorials are both informative and soothing. Thank you.

[@grobonsai]

Thank you so much!

[@sbragaglia]

Hi Darren, what a nice specimen and great combination of useful advices and advanced techniques! Thanks for the inspiring video! By the way, is there an email where I could reach out to you? TIA

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for watching Stefano! Sure, it's [e-mail]

[@BackGardenBonsai]

It’s looking great. That bend was intense but if anything is gonna survive that, it will be an elm 👍

[@grobonsai]

They are beasts haha

[@flyfishingwestvirginia]

Great video! Will we see an update in the Fall?

[@grobonsai]

Thanks, yeah definitely :)

[@stephprnb5325]

Isn't the cut paste you used for coniferous trees?

[@grobonsai]

I believe the difference is colour, so I just use the same for both

[@LiamADHD]

where do u get ur pots from mate? they are like 200 quid online. no thanks lol

[@grobonsai]

This pot was from kaizenbonsai.com They have a good selection online for reasonable money in many sizes.

[@matthewwood4008]

Great natural looking tree,we all miss your videos Happy Bonsai from Australia 🌲✂️

[@grobonsai]

Thanks, Matthew! Still making the vids, just takes a little longer to get them out these days :)

[@Farhanainuk786]

Hi I have a bonsai tree that my son had gave me for a birthday present after 2 years it had dried up even after giving it water and I’m not sure how it happened I have even be giving it food but it still ended up drying pls are u able to help and or provide me with some advice to amend this

[@derekdaniels8311]

I would check the roots. It sounds like the tree might be pot bound. If there is a mass of roots try dunking the tree in a bucket of water, wait until all bubbles stop. Depending on the tree, it's too late to cut the roots, but if you do give the tree lots of tlc. Keep it out of direct sunlight don't feed it for at least a month, if you repot it. You could tease out the roots and slip pot it into a larger pot with new soil. Then a complete repot when tree is dormant or in spring just before leaf break. Good luck with the tree.

[@grobonsai]

Drying up even with water sounds like a serious problem has occurred. If it hasn't come back after 6 weeks, it has probably died I'm afraid. Until then, all you can do is water before the soil is completely dry and give sunlight

[@Farhanainuk786]

@@derekdaniels8311 ok thank very much for help 🙂

[@Farhanainuk786]

@@derekdaniels8311 also which type of soil would you prefer for the bonsai tree ?

[@derekdaniels8311]

@@Farhanainuk786 what type of tree is it?

[@rodschroeder1048]

What a transformation for that tree looks great. Looking forward to seeing more of it.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks, more updates will follow in coming months

[@Danonito_flavor]

Question from a learner. Is trunk splitting not an option for that heavy branch work? Or is this technique only good for conifers?

[@grobonsai]

Hi, good question! Because of the type of bend I wanted to achieve - a sharp move in a single location - I went with the wedge cut. I have not used the splitting technique, but feel it is more appropriate when the bend needs to be a move over a greater length, rather than a severe bend in a small location.

[@itslilyitslily]

I did about 5-6 extreme wedge cuts on a tall straight pine a few years ago along with a report and wire. Two years on and it's thriving again and will be rewired next spring. I'm still too scared to remove the raffia and big wire holding it all together though 😁

[@grobonsai]

Woah! I wouldn’t have the guts to do that!

[@BonsaiCornwall]

Incredible work, very nicely done mate

[@grobonsai]

Thanks mate!

[@BoNSai_RANGGER888]

Beautiful bonsai sir 👍 Thanks for sharing

[@SuperPeleke]

The first half of the video I was saying sheesh wah too much foliage, you're not cutting enough! Then the second half of the video I was covering my eyes in fear. So much bending and cutting! But it looks great. A true project! So much fun.

[@grobonsai]

haha thanks Fred!

[@leandrolongo9112]

im curious, why the pellets at the end?

[@grobonsai]

It’s fertiliser, keeps the tree healthy, like vitamins

[@consueloamortegui3099]

@@grobonsai where can i buy them?

[@consueloamortegui3099]

Also where can I purchase the cut paste you used or a another good one

[@benbseattle]

nice work and another great video

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Ben I appreciate you stopping by

[@BackSeatHump]

You have become one of the best bonsai KZbinrs! 😊

[@grobonsai]

Holy heck, thanks so much!!!

[@BackSeatHump]

@@grobonsai It is I who thanks you. 😊

[@almac2598]

Thanks Darren. Brave move.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Al, and also for the message, now sorted :)

[@mattaustralian6584]

Nice one Darren. Oops not that one lol. Nice tree .

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Matt! haha

[@mrgmrg9375]

Hi guys , Wondering can a mature normal sized pear tree be turned into bonsa ? I am gonna cut it clean off 50 cm above ground in winter, then I will just wait for new branches to grow out . Will this work ?

[@grobonsai]

Yep that will work. Digging it up will be the challenge, helping it recover. If you are in the northern hemisphere there is still a week window now to chop it. Otherwise autumn as the leaves start falling, or spring just before the buds open are the ideal times

[@mrgmrg9375]

@@grobonsai thanks man , I am in Victoria Australia, it is Winter time here right now , I will cut it clean off and not leaving any branch ,,,, love your Chanel already subed cheers man

[@grobonsai]

Cool, so best time is just before the buds open in spring 🙂

[@carcamochilon]

I think the tree was ready at minute 1:55, overworked on it, but that is my opinion

[@grobonsai]

1 step back, two steps forward - just takes time 😊

[@karinpetersen8330]

What a wonderful bonsái! Is that an ulmus?

[@grobonsai]

Yes, it is! Ulmus parvifolia - Chinese or Lacebark elm

[@thebonsaiarea]

there is nice movement in the tree good flow

[@grobonsai]

Glad you like it - thanks for watching

[@godongbonsai702]

Thank for tutorial videos

[@glenwatcheston633]

Very good video and I appreciated the tips.

[@grobonsai]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BONSAIenCORTO]

The tree is gorgeous.....

[@grobonsai]

Thanks so much!

[@potkosongbonsai1818]

hallo sir greetings from Indonesia🥰 thank you for sharing information about bonsai plan👌😍

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

Noooooope. Irresponsible, high risk technique. Screw that.

[@oscarvazquez7751]

More updates please 😎

[@grobonsai]

Will do, probably be next month

[@bigtomatoplantslover6205]

Wow Wonderful Bonsai ^^ Thank you for good sharing~ Like 610 My friend, have a good day

[@bopinart]

Terima kasih sudah berbagi

[@grobonsai]

🙏

[@bobbymalta73]

Thank You.

[@kestane123chesmo]

that pot is just massive, no bonsai should be taller than 24 inches, its not a bonsai after that

[@grobonsai]

It’s just a training pot while I try find a nicer one, but yeah the big trees aren’t everyone s preference

[@davidbronstein2040]

Good video but that title was definitely some of the biggest clickbait I've ever seen on a bonsai video.

[@grobonsai]

I guess, depends on your point of view. If a wedge cut isn't extreme in bonsai idk what is. And as someone who has ripped a tree out of the container in my early years, securing a guy wire to the pot is definitely a mistake that should be avoided.

[@icecold1811]

You make me wanna buy a bonsai

[@grobonsai]

hahaha it's very addictive lol

[@karinpetersen8330]

Beautiful

[@sketsabonsai6314]

Juosss👍👍

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

My god man! Use a rubber coated wire, or put a piece of air tubing on it!!! Frickin crazy!

[@grobonsai]

It’s not necessary, it’s attached to a sacrificial branch that will be removed. Chill man!!!

[@giulianogisotti4107]

I love your videos but please just choose one style of music, it's so confusing

[@kacungbonsai9218]

Good 👍🏻👍🏻🙏🏻

[@marysoldeeley2218]

Wow!

[@karinpetersen8330]

Great

[@Bee_Planty]

Wow

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for watching Bri

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🍎🙂

[@grobonsai]

🙏

[@edinborogh]

Happy you are back

[@grobonsai]

Nice to see you

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

I’ve e been interested in seeing how that technique works, great video! I now also feel the need to rename my one called ‘the big elm’ 🤣

[@grobonsai]

We shall see! I'm nervous about die-back below the wedge. haha no need, I say it like 'my eldest daughter'. I couldn't name my trees - I have a hard enough time with the dogs names

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

@@grobonsai same lol - The Big Elm and the lil elm