Develop great nebari | Bonsai repotting | Japanese Maple deshojo

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Great root work Dave, the stone should do the trick!!!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Nigel! Now I have to do about 20 more repots, I think I won't film the rest of the repotting season... takes too long!

[@BrandonTran]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Haha yep. I only have 9 and feel the workload. I can't imagine 20+ repots.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@BrandonTran I really enjoy doing the repots, but it's just a question of time! Looking forward to retirement like @Nigel Saunders

[@Phuwin_Channel]

@@BlueSkyBonsai ะรี

[@Дюбель]

Вместо камня можно было просто грунта побольше положить, чтобы он заполнил пустое пространство 🥴

[@bmwrulesforeternity5218]

Wow .. .What a GREAT video on nebari development of a bonsai ... THX for posting this to us all who are interested !!!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheCrazyBird844]

Phenomenal root work, holy moly. Only 10k subs, and 8k views on this views, I’ve stumbled upon a gem here, I predict a boom from the algorithm soon.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Maybe .. but I think something external has to happen for the algorithm to suddenly accelerate someone's channel. Like, viewers who were not typically interested in bonsai clicking the thumbnail... and that's not easy when the subject is nebari 😉 lol But maybe I locked myself into a bonsai audience with this video title... Anyway, thanks for your prediction!

[@TheCrazyBird844]

@@BlueSkyBonsai It seems this video ended up doing well for you, congratulations, keep it going!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@TheCrazyBird844 thanks yes it's done better than I expected. New vid coming soon, but I doubt it'll do as well as this one... we'll see!

[@Derrick8WLee]

Dave, I love it when the whiteboard comes out. Great technique, definitely will try it out this repotting season. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Derrick! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@oioianon]

Thank you for this vey helpful and well made video. The visual representation of what is happening and why has helped me understand nebari on acers much better. Also the forehead slap made me giggle.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@notionbonsai]

Hi Dave! I'm definitely going to use this rock trick on my maples come the next repot!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi, great to hear it! Watch out for wires scarring the nebari, need to start loosening the wire within a month or so...

[@notionbonsai]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Thanks for that tip! :) I'll definitely keep an eye on it when I give it a go!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@notionbonsai will be interested to see how it goes!

[@javierramos761]

Thanks for the video Dave. I use “nebari sugoi” table and it works aswell. Greetings from Seville.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hola Javier, gracias por tu comentario! El Nebari Sugoi me parece una buena solución, ojalá fuera un poquito cónico para que las raices tengan que crecer inclinado un poco hacia abajo. Tal vez hay que meter un montículo de sustrato para formar la inclinación antes de insertar las raices??

[@ManOfDoodle]

Aren‘t the roots storing all energy right now? This root cutting seems very drastic. Never saw this anywhere else :O

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

When you see the leaf buds swelling and just about to pop, it means all the starch (that was stored in the roots in winter) has turned back to glucose/sap and is pushing up the trunk to the branch tips. So the roots are storing the energy in winter but not now in spring. On the other hand, if you see the leaf buds haven't yet started to swell then the tree is still dormant and the energy is still being stored in the roots. This might have appeared like a drastic root pruning, but now two weeks later the trees have continued to leaf out vigorously, no problem. It's all about the timing.

[@BenBSeattle]

Another great video my friend

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Ben! I appreciate your visit!

[@BarefootBonsai]

That stone method is brilliant!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! And it's so easy to do...

[@PakHajiAmuntai]

listen to the end, thank you for sharing your knowledge, how to repot bonsai, it's cool ❤️👍 success always friends

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Pak Haji Amuntai!! 😊👍

[@OddBonsai]

The tree already has the start of a nice root system Dave. Nice to see spring is already there in Spain. :)

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Yes it seemed to start 2 weeks ago when I shot these repots but now the weather has turned back to winter conditions again 😂 ah, the rain is good, saving me tap water.

[@arpadvarga3475]

I will have to re poty first deshojo this spring! I will check roots like you did!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Good luck! Let me know how it goes.

[@OjaiBonsai]

Great info and trees. Cheers from Ojai California

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Jason! Cheers 🍺

[@jacktaylor6190]

Nice job Dave!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Jack!

[@VondaInWonderland]

The white board was so helpful ♥

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you, glad you found it useful!

[@boburrides]

I just got my first Acer sapling and can hardly wait for it to grow enough so I can work on it. Great video!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Great, enjoy the experience of nurturing your own bonsai from the cradle! Ps. How long can you resist getting more acers? I had one the first year then the next year I got three more, and the year after another three. Now I have 12 at various different stages of development, it becomes a long-term addiction!!

[@boburrides]

@@BlueSkyBonsai hah I reckon not too long because I just cant stop looking at it, need more! I'm also at the stage where I try to grow bonsai of every seed/saplind I can get my hands on. Beginner's enthusiasm hah

[@isabelcubria370]

Great explanation. It’s real educative and I can tell it has got your sense of humour.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Isa! Haha sense of humour? Me?? It was a strictly serious video 😂😂

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Ps. I'll bring some good soil and a pot to the village and we can repot your oak?

[@nancyfahey7518]

I love the cute little pop-ups in your animations.

[@sueb1317]

Brilliant solution - definitely adding this to my tool kit - likely will need to use it next year. Much appreciation!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Sue! Glad you found it useful!

[@dcads2290]

Im going have to watch all of your videos now, especially if they all this informative. Full of details explained and why. Excellent job.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks again! I really appreciate your comments, they really help - feel free to comment on each video you enjoyed!! And if you have any questions or doubts, don't hesitate to ask!

[@jmmvangoor]

Hi Dave, I'm glad to see another nice educational video from you! greetings from the Netherlands

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! 😊👍

[@davidmorgan3508]

Aussie Dave here David, I was up at 4.00 am to watch your video, bloody awesome 👌, I love your amazing whiteboard presentation 😀 ❤. I have only 1 young Japanese maple 🍁 that I can't wait until spring in Australia ( 6 months to go). Fantastic video please keep them coming 😀 👍 😊

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hey Dave, thanks so much! I guess you didn't sleep so great.. sorry if my video was the cause of that!!! Japanese maples make such fantastic bonsai. Enjoy it!

[@davidmorgan3508]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Dave I'm an early riser 🤭. It was nice to watch and informative 👍

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@davidmorgan3508 4am is early in the extreme! 😂 My oldest son often gets back home after 4am after a night out in Madrid!! Have a great Sunday.

[@allisonberryere375]

WHAT IS THE SUCCULENT(?) IN THE RIGHT HAND CORNER @4:29 AND CAN YOU TELL US HOW TO ACHIEVE THAAAT? 😄 Beautiful.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

It is Echeveria, they are super easy to grow and almost impossible to kill! They just need sunlight and water. They don't look great as bonsai, but they do look good in a wide pot on a warm, sunny patio environment.

[@cx.m.d]

Excellent edu-clip! Hope you do some progress videos in the future of these acer pojects.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@cx.m.d thanks! Yes, good idea.

[@jarheadbonsai]

I always love seeing a Blue Sky Bonsai video pop up!!! Perfect timing for Spring. Thanks Dave!!! Cheers 😎🍺🍺

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Jered!! Timed for everyone in the northern hemisphere! Cheers👍😊🍺🍺

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Ps. Either you were awake very late or very very early?! Maybe on Stella duty??

[@jarheadbonsai]

@@BlueSkyBonsai She woke up Mommy…and then I couldn’t fall back asleep 😅😂😅

[@GrowingBonsai]

This video is a rocket the way is has taken off. Congrats! Still trying to get my head around what you do that make your videos so addictive! Yes, I am jealous :). Greetings from Grey Sky Germany!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Jelle! i just got lucky 😊 it will happen to one of your videos but be patient, like cultivating a bonsai... Received your email, will respond presently. Saludos from Madrid ☀️

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Thank you Dave!

[@harlowcyclingpage731]

Very nice, clean instructions, lovely Bonsai

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Yeah I love these little Japanese maples 😊

[@smokyhillbonsai-gerrettmor6373]

Outstanding video. I will be more confident this afternoon when I repot a couple of my young maples. I will give this trick a try! Thanks!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Gerrett! Glad you liked it. I have been doing this trick for most of my repots, but some trees just don't need it, if their roots don't need to be wired down.

[@ph-vf5hx]

Nice method using the stone to create structure in the roots 👍 somehow there's always something new to learn.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks ph! Yes every day is a school day 😁

[@240Sil]

Nice Shohin! Do you find Japanese Maples like a lot of afternoon shade during the hottest parts of the growing season? These are goon be some great trees, so important to work on the roots for such small specimen.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Yes, the Japanese maples all get morning sun and afternoon shade. Otherwise they get leaf burn in the hot Madrid sun. And in the hottest months I also hang a 50% shade cloth over them.

[@theFUNgiguy]

I'm so pleased I found you! This is only the first video of yours i've watched, but it's taught me SO much already. It's given me clarity over a number of bonsai elements. I'm an absolute beginner and have done the usual thing of watching tons of videos online, which helps in many ways of course. But your video was so clear. great close ups and explanations of what you were doing and why. Even to use footage from last year is greatly appreciated for a visual learner like me - and the whiteboard demo is brilliant. I very much look forward to watching more of your videos. I'm made up! Thank you for the time and energy you clearly put into your videos (as someone who makes them myself - i know what's involved). Excellent!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

I am also so pleased you found this video! Glad you enjoyed it. Also just seen your channel for the first time- really entertaining videos! Makes me wonder how many great channels there are out there that we never find because YT only offers us the videos relevant to our recently viewed videos. I'm curious, what led a mushroom and fungi expert towards the world of bonsai? You might have already picked up from mine and other videos, it's an obsession for many of us that can become really time consuming, not to say potentially very expensive. But my friend now you're hooked there's no way back! wuaahahaha

[@fifty5712]

Agreed!

[@chrklipp9973]

Hey, nice video! :) i really like your calm approach and friendly voice, great work with those trees aswell! thank you and all the best

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you very much! Glad you like the videos - cheers!

[@adrianlouviere7650]

Very, Very nice. Thanks for your guidance.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@kkamang5596]

Thank you Sir, you're videos are so helpful and it enlightened me more about bonsai you deserve millions of views and subscribers.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@josecampos9491]

awsome, I absolutely love it. Learned something new.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! - glad you learned something new.

[@raymondplodzien7459]

I can always count on you Dave for a very informative video. Thank You!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Raymond! I appreciate your comments 😊

[@ronniestanley75]

Is the wire steel? Or, does it need to be a softer metal like copper? Or, does it matter?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

I use aluminium wire, mostly. It needs to be softer than steel. I occasionally use copper for thin guy wires to pull branches down, but for roots always aluminium. You need it to be easy to twist then untwist again after a couple of months.

[@cbrusharmy]

This is great. Love the animation.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Lacky99]

Thank you for this very informtional video..... I'm lovin it Many greetings from Austria Lacky

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi Lacky, thanks!! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

[@MisterBobi]

Amazing work! Short, simple, and full of nice little gems (details). Thank you for sharing. "Blue Sky Bonsai lifts my spirit mountain high"

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much Slobodan. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@roberthidalgo2088]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Elegant tip! Well done

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@roberthidalgo2088 thanks a lot! 😊

[@tasanastasi7799]

Profile cut ! .. Luv It .. and this video i have 3 about the same size , going to copy your instructions including their profile trim ..Thank you Dave , great videos all the time .

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Tas, yeah for the profile cut I was also going to do a joke saying "bowl cut" because that was a hairstyle for boys in the 1980s when I grew up... maybe I'll do that in a future video 😊 thanks for your comments, glad you're enjoying the videos 👍

[@criszf]

Hey, a few minutes ago I was thinking about you and how long it's been since you've uploaded videos. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm going to watch it. Happy weekend!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks and Happy weekend too! Por cierto con las complicaciones de la vida actual no puedo publicar más de un video al mes... eso si, es que tardo dos semanas en la fase de editar ...

[@criszf]

@@BlueSkyBonsai no me extraña! La edición es una maravilla, me encanta 😍

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@criszf jeje y nadie ha comentado sobre el panda 🐼😁

[@criszf]

@@BlueSkyBonsai el panda es un puntazo en el vídeo jajajajaj

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@criszf 😊

[@BonsaikelapaBambuApusTangsel]

Hadir ...nyimak terimaksih infonya salam satu hobi bonsai kelapa bambu apuss Tangsel...

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks for your comment! Greetings from Spain

[@peterjohnson350]

Nice video. Thanks for the tip with the stone.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Peter. Yep it's a good trick if you find one the right size and shape.

[@johnstarkey4959]

Fantastic instructional video Dave , 👌

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks John, glad you liked it 👍

[@shirayasha]

Such a great lesson, and great visual on how adding the stone below the base of the tree, while tightening the roots down wire creates a better nebari. Can't wait to see the results of these repottings.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks a lot @shirayasha ! Yes later in spring I'll loosen the wires and brush off some surface soil - probably not in a video but will upload photos to Flickr and Instagram. Will definitely show the roots again in a future repotting video. This is how the trees look now - a few days ago we had a frosty morning: flic.kr/p/2ndcyvj flic.kr/p/2nddWTj

[@natrjack965]

Thank you for the tip ,great video..

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeffhurst4744]

Learned a new trick. Thanks

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Cheers Jeff!

[@sandscribbles1006]

As someone who is new to the art of Bonsai, this video has been great to learn some processes from!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Great! I hope you get the same from my other videos too! 😊

[@randydaigle]

I just started bonsai and I can see I have lots to learn . Thanks for this.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Welcome to the addictive world of bonsai! Please feel free to browse through my horticultural bonsai videos.. and enjoy the hobby!!

[@huandn2979]

could you make a video about ideal moment to repot a tree? Because I think it's not a good time to repot a tree when it has young leaves.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi, I did that video last year! You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3fHiKxjgst5qNU When a deciduous tree is just pushing out new leaves, it's the perfect time to repot because all the sap is pushing upwards so the roots can be pruned without harming the tree.

[@GritCityBonsai]

Great video production and content! Thank you for the new technique. 🤘

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for your comments 👍

[@carolholt416]

Great video! Beautiful little trees. Thank you for great explanations.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Carol! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@cx.m.d]

Getting that much root off, does not seems to be harmfull. This is really nice!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@cx.m.d it's fine as long as you do it in spring just as the new leaf buds are swelling or starting to unfurl. More details in my book if you're interested! 📖🌳👍

[@ernsttencate6699]

I thought repotting video oke. But the pebble trick is brilliant. I'll keep that one in mind.👍👍

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Ernst! I think repotting videos are not usually very attractive to watch so I decided I would try to make one with some extra interest... The pebble trick is great if you get the exact right size stone for the tree and pot.

[@AJ-je3pl]

So planting in a flat pot if I wanted to do this with a tree dose this stunt it’s growth or could I just do this with a normal pot?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Yes a small pot does stunt the growth of the tree, mostly because the roots fill the pot in a year or two, whereas a big deep pot can house a small tree for several years of growth. I did a video exactly on the subject - on pot depth - I think it should answer your question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5uYm3-dipKNrrs But let me know if you're still in doubt!

[@MariaMartinez-jb3zn]

Beautiful maples❣️🙏🏽👍🏽

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you! the deshojos are my favourite maples, and maybe even my favourite tree species. 🌳😍

[@GrowingBonsai]

Nice work. Been studying your videos to see how I can improve mine. Yours are an artwork!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much! 1 day of filming, 2 weeks of editing... in my spare time 😊

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@BlueSkyBonsai But it shows. I have come to realize that many short clips mean more interesting video. But also WAY more work :)

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@GrowingBonsai 👍 thanks! It's also important to realise that almost noone gets huge view numbers in the first 30 or so videos, but it sure helps to keep the viewer's attention 😊

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Good to know. Still well below 30 vids myself. I know more about bonsai than about social media I suppose :). If you are ever on my channel, would be glad to hear your thoughts.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@GrowingBonsai ha! I already subscribed yesterday! I watched your trident repot video, which is a great reminder because I have to repot mine tomorrow! I'm not going to film it. I will indeed add my thoughts there 👍

[@romanos.spanos]

Beautiful bonsais and great tips! Do you know where could I find young deshojos?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much! Where are you living? Most bonsai nurseries have some deshojos. But be aware: in recent years, the price of deshojo maples has gone right up. they have become pretty expensive. Here are some examples in a bonsai nursery in Spain: www.bonsaipavia.es/es/index.php?fc=module&module=leoproductsearch&controller=productsearch&search_query=deshojo but depends on your location.

[@romanos.spanos]

@@BlueSkyBonsai I live in London. I have realised how expensive they are, that's why I am looking for a young tree, even 2 years old, to grow it myself.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

I see in Herons you can get a young one already in a small pot for 49 quid. But you probably won't get much cheaper than that. I'm prepared to sell my deshojo cuttings, 2 years old at 35€ or 1 year old at 25€. But the postage cost to UK would take them up to about 50€ or 40€, so you would be better off getting the one from Herons.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

If you know anyone in Spain I could send anywhere here for much cheaper postage.

[@taontosontareality]

such beautiful root structure on the second one !

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! And hopefully in a few more years the first one will have a similar structure 😊

[@barryauguste9734]

Wonderfully produced and superbly executed video.....you are a master of several disciplines. Delightful graphic illustration of the concepts too - outstanding!! Subscribed........

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you so much for your kind words. Welcome to Blue Sky!!

[@bonsaikastur]

John Naka writes about the rock under the trunk in 1990. I've been using it since I bought his book in 1993

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Great to hear I'm in good company. I still go back to parts of Naka's book, about once a year still. Cheers! 🌳👍

[@richardnathandaniels2534]

So is the tile method not the way to get flat roots or is there some modification you can make to make it work better?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Some people use an old unwanted CD or DVD under the roots, the same as a tile but smaller and round. And it Definitely helps produce flat roots and thicker nebari. But you still get this problem that I had to fix in this video. Maybe the ideal scenario would be a slightly cone-shape so the roots grow almost flat but slightly downwards. Or, maybe a CD with a pebble on top ... I will try that combination this spring.

[@richardnathandaniels2534]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Great idea! I wonder if I could find a slightly shorter small orange cone like they use for kids sports drills.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@richardnathandaniels2534 and thinking about it, would probably be easy to make a cone from the side-plastic of a coke bottle or similar. Cut the right shape to wrap around into a cone and literally staple it. Put some stones underneath so it doesn't buckle under the weight of the tree. Would have to be a shallow cone though, to keep developing the nebari at the right angle of incline.

[@richardnathandaniels2534]

@@BlueSkyBonsai great idea!

[@ae.miramontes]

This is my first time learning about 'root training' which I found very interesting. Just goes to show, you wouldn't find that kind of valuable information on other bonsai channels. Thank you for sharing your videos.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi Adriana! One of my favourite phrases for bonsai is: Happy roots, happy tree, happy me. And it's true, the health of the tree is based in its healthy roots, and the beauty of a tree starts at the surface roots. Glad you found it interesting!

[@bonsaiavia7902]

Guessing you are talking about elephant bush, or "dwarf jade" "corkbark jade" etc. Absolutely can apply this to them, only you aren't limited to spring to repot or do root work

[@BushidoPhoto]

Nice video! I just got a new Japanese maple and will start training it this spring. I recommend using decomposed granite and fur bark for the soil if you haven't tried it. Akadama has always turned into a solid mass over time for me so I stopped using is and the decomposed granite helps create fine roots. I've been growing bonsai for over 25 years now and will never get tired of it.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! That's a good tip, I should give it a try. I don't have a problem with akadama mushing, but I think it's because it almost never freezes here. I sometimes use pine bark in the soil to increase retention in deeper pots, but never tried granite. Cheers!

[@BushidoPhoto]

You can sometimes find cheap kitty litter with no fragrances that is made from decomposed granite.

[@BushidoPhoto]

You can sometimes find cheap kitty litter with no fragrances that is made from decomposed granite.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Yes, about 6 years ago I bought a huge haul of kitty litter, I found my local supermarket did a non-clumping non-chemicals cat litter for cheap. Unfortunately since then they don't sell it any more, only clumping and scented. I also use pumice and or kiryuzana in my mix, because they are slightly absorbent and hold their structure over many years and re-uses. Kiryu is excellent but pretty expensive.

[@kreasi5menit-j7k]

Very nice bonsai,Sir. Warmest regard from Bali. 🙏🙏

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you! 😊🙏

[@headachebaby]

Very informative and I love the pause and animation. I can definitely apply the techniques to succulents that I want to create a bonsai out of. Thanks.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@nancyfahey7518]

You definately know what you're doing. I'll have to stick around and learn something. I'm sure I'll learn more about you as I watch more videos. Thanks for taking the time to share this knowledge.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@Dispatern]

You're an excellent teacher. You explain the method really well. Thank you! I'm glad I found your channel. :)

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks for your kind words 😊 I'm also glad you found my channel!

[@Dispatern]

​@@BlueSkyBonsai Thanks :) You're very welcome! In addition to that the great choice of background music (just the right volume), video editing skills and sprinkled in humor is why it's fun to watch and learn.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@Dispatern 😍🙏

[@mikeswain1945]

Thanks for another great video Dave, most informative. Can I ask which brand of stainless tools you're using for this video please? I've just started searching but there's such a wide price range for 'similar' looking tools. I'm mainly after a concave cutter.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Mike. I use Ryuga stainless steel tools. The curved concave cutter cost about 50€ - expensive but superb...

[@antonisanagnostopoulos4809]

Your explanations and diagrams are really helpful. Thank you!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

[@scherpebocht]

I want to start my first bonsai, im in love with Japanese maple

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Yes Japanese maples are amongst the most beautiful trees for bonsai! Where are you? JMs are deciduous so they need to be outdoors and they need a cold winter.

[@scherpebocht]

@@BlueSkyBonsai im in the Netherlands, thank you for the video's

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@scherpebocht you're welcome! Enjoy it!

[@dalifer3000]

great and very detailed content!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks!

[@mandrei99]

I must admit, repotting outside, in the Netherlands at 5C, wind and rain gives you a bit more dexterity when handling a bonsai :D

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Lol Yep I totally get that. Certainly no need to mist the roots while repotting there! Where in Netherlands are you? I have a lot of work colleagues in the Amersfoort area.

[@mandrei99]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Im near Haarlem, close to the coast. Not much interaction with people from Amersfoort. Do you have a fb bonsai page that I can follow?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@mandrei99 no fb page yet, I've been putting it off for a couple of years... But I'm on Instagram @blueskybonsai

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Great video again! Thanks mate. Looks great😀

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks so much 👍

[@colocho1984]

Great explanation

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! 😊

[@mattbrennan647]

Thanks Dave. Always great tutorials. Gotta love repotting season. Thanks, keep growing.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Cheers Matt. Yep repotting.. i try to enjoy every repot ... with a feeling of guilt that I'm not filming most of them 🤨 thanks as always for your comments!

[@jeffdodson1675]

Excellent instructional video. Thank you, Dave. I noted on the second tree that the internodes were kind of long. Do you know about disbudding the new growth to shorten the internodes?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi Jeff, and thanks! Yes the internodes, I did all the buds last year but just didn't get around to it this year. In any xcase most of those lower branches with long internodes will get pruned back in late spring. Seen your email--thanks again!

[@thejackbonsai8201]

Really great video.. thank you for sharing this technique sir

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@BonsaiJCan]

The trees look good Dave ! Nice root work and love the stone trick !

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks J! Yeah these deshojo maples seem to look good in all circumstances!

[@marcojapan555]

Great lesson, good job.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks!

[@boostspike]

Great work. Subscribed 👍

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you!! 😊👍

[@jhonbonsaibali2199]

Good job brother,thanks for sharing,support from Indonesia🙏👍🏻

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you too 🙏👍

[@acheronexile]

And now the moment youve waited for, a lovely prop stone. I chose this one instead of one imbued with a trapped soul.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Lol 😂 thanks that made me laugh!

[@jezfitzsimmons613]

Thanks Dave; clear ,concise and informative video, always interesting to watch…I’ve built your bonsai bench from an earlier video…turned out great!!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Great to hear! Thanks. The only issue I have with the benches is that I need 2 more!! 😂

[@MDdelgado23]

did you cut off the tap root aka the main root in order to get the roots to spread out the way you have it done it ?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

When it's a seedling, after the first or second year, yes you can cut off the tap root. More information in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZuXdIWgbpuapbc . But when the tree is older and the root system is bigger and more developed, if there are not enough radial roots already, you can add a tourniquet to gradually diminish that tap root, rather than removing in one chop. In this video I had a monster tap root that I had to saw off most of the massive deep root: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npCsaZx_d5WYpck

[@MDdelgado23]

@@BlueSkyBonsai awesome thank you !

[@darrenmacmartin9392]

Dave, your channel is amazing! A great deal of useful information and the trees are beautiful, well done!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Darren! appreciate your kind comments 😊

[@trenseni]

Thank your sharing cutting root bonsai proces..... enjoyed vidio 7:45

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheTrebstar]

how do you know how much of the root you can cut off? I started last year with my first bonsai and killed it by accident because I cut off to many roots....

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

It depends very much in the time of year and to some extent on the species. If you repot a deciduous tree in late winter or early spring (read: March in the northern hemisphere) then you can prune back roots very hard. I recommend you watch this video about repotting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnWsg61ojqubnNk But as summer draws closer, root pruning becomes more and more risky. That's because the tree will have leafed out and the hotter weather will make the leaves need more water for transpiration, trying to draw more water from the recently depleted roots. You *can* still repot up to early june (n.hemisphere) but by that time it's a bit risky and pretty important to keep the tree in the shade for a few weeks and the leaves frequently misted. All in all it's safer to do it in early spring just as you see the leaf buds swelling ready to burst. Coniferous trees, you need to be more careful when pruning the roots. Same timing applies, but you probably shouldn't remove more than half the root mass in one year. For Tropicals, it varies by species. Ficus you can remove probably 2/3 of the root mass at any time of year, because you leep them indoors - but again I take the measure of keeping it in the shade for a couple of weeks and high humidity (humidity tent, or very frequently misting the leaves for a few days).

[@rolandomota6852]

ahhh ☺️ relaxation.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

🧘🏼‍♂️😁👍

[@AntonKoba]

Lovely maples!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thank you! These are my favourite species of maple 👍

[@criszf]

Wonderful video!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Cris! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@rebeccahunter725]

Using the stone is such a good idea! I am certainly going to add that to my "tool box" of ideas. Still 5 months form repotting here in Australia, so plenty of time to find suitable river rocks!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Rebecca! Yes I guess you're soon getting to leaf fall for deciduous trees by now?

[@rebeccahunter725]

@@BlueSkyBonsai Some have started dropping, but others are still growing - we are having a very strange set of seasons, I have to say!

[@udatamburin1842]

thank you for sharing knowledge about forming a quality bonsai...👍👍👍

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@td4190]

Where is a good place to get good bonsai seeds. I haven't been able to grow a single bonsai tree yet but I have quite a few that I have propagated

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Sorry, can't help you on that. Personally I've found seeds from trees in my local environment to be successful but I've never bought seeds.

[@Midnight14211]

Love your videos. Hope you work on a water jasmine or serissa one day

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks Mario! I have had two Serissas in the past, one was about 15 years ago, the other 5 years ago. They both died. Serissas don't cope well with the super-dry air in Madrid, so I decided to not get another one. Jasmine... I love em. I don't have one as a bonsai but we have a large jasmine hedge in the garden so someday I'll do air-layer it and create a bonsai. 🌳👍

[@jeffwatts4264]

great video , im just a beginner of a few years ,and am just happy to be able to keep my trees alive , your advice is great and will definitely be in my mind when i repot next year , just a note , can this be done with larger training containers ? thanks

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Thanks! Yes you can definitely do this in a bigger container although I would recommend an upside-down terracotta plate instead of a stone for this purpose. Here's one I did earlier in spring: flic.kr/p/2naSCza

[@1Mutton1]

What was that second soil ingredient? Is it some kind of Japanese lava rock?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Second ingredient was kiryuzuna. It's like pumice, but better for several reasons. More expensive though, unfortunately.

[@1Mutton1]

@@BlueSkyBonsai thanks. Pumis is available for me and what I've seen is often combined with acadama.

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@1Mutton1 pumice *is* good, I still use it too. But: -Pumice is substantially less dense than akadama so after a few years of watering a bigger pot I find the pumice gradually moves up to the surface. Not a big problem but I prefer akadama at the surface to be able to see the colour change distinctly when it gets dry. (Kiryu also changes colour between wet&dry) -Pumice is cheap here in spain but the granule size is slightly too large. I have to seive it to get the small particles for my bonsai soil mix and the rest is used for base layer & covering drainage holes. I'm always left with an excess of larger pumice stones. The kiryu that I buy comes in two sizes - shohin (2-3mm) and medium (4-5mm), so no seiving needed. Maybe your pumice is available in smaller granules where you live?

[@1Mutton1]

@@BlueSkyBonsai I'm keen to start using it butI haven't used pumice yet. my bonsai nursary in Australia stocks it. Can't recall the size but I don't think it's too large.

[@DeepakKumar-ft4nj]

Good evening sir , I am yours fan and subscriber I have a question, how many days after doing the wiring of the plant, we should remove the wiring. Deepak From Shahdara. Delhi (India).

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi! It depends on the type of tree. If it's very vigorous like a ficus / banyan tree, then you should remove the wiring quite soon, I recommend after only 3 weeks, to be sure the wire doesn't start biting into the bark. If the branch hasn't yet set in the new position after that time, it's still better to remove the wire, then gently rewire it again. HTH