Bonsai Update and Greenhouse Work, The Bonsai Zone, June 2019

[@mattdemoraes]

Really glad you show us the trees that are struggling. Really important side of Bonsai is the difficulty reviving ones that struggle.

[@annebrunner3649]

Your bonsai tour was great. I like seeing both successes and failures. Keeps things in perspective.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, I do have my share of failures!

[@garciaandres8966]

Watching this on a 4K monitor and all I got to say is wow..quality is amazing

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Canon R!

[@dommu_]

Regarding your willows, though it may be too late, Peter Chan always recommends repotting with a lot of sphagnum moss for sick and ailing trees.

[@deploribusunum3894]

dommu Peter is a very smart man. He and Nigel are my favorites.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm going to pull the Willows out of the pots and try and see what's going on, maybe they are pot bound?

[@SpOoNzL]

@@TheBonsaiZoneIm no expert but it looks like there a lot of algae growth in the bottom and probley stagnate stale water? could it be that the roots are kind of suffering from a lack of oxygen? if they had a container at the bottom that could overflow and add the fresh water each time you water there would be less algae and more oxygen?

[@saltySandworm1]

@@TheBonsaiZone I was also thinking like @SpOoNzL. Was your pot more exposed to sunlight than before?

[@widdershiznit]

@@SpOoNzL Interesting, but that makes sense. too much algae does cause oxygen to be used up, but would it bother the tree if it were in a saucer and only the bottom of the roots being subject to the water? I'm thinking it might be a couple of things. We know how fast and furiously those roots grow. I didn't see a lot of roots coming out the bottom like it usually does. Could it be the fine wire mesh on the screens not letting the roots through? I hope things work out because I accidentally got two weeping willows and I'm scared, Mommy. lol

[@joeldowty6928]

Nice video Nigel, love the walk around. Bummer about the willow from the grand ole tree, hope it comes around. One of the trees my daughter gave me for Father’s Day was a ginkgo, yours looks really healthy! Keep up the good work on the greenhouse, winter will be here before you know.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Joel, happy late Father's day!

[@BackGardenBonsai]

Having the walnut tree inside the greenhouse is going to look cool. I can’t wait to see the finished product

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, I'm hoping to make some more progress soon!

[@GreenhornBonsai]

Thanks for the Manitoba maple videos. They are native to my property in Colorado and I want to try digging one for bonsai work.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Two of the three collected from the front garden have survived and are growing really well. I'm looking forward to developing them in the future! Stay tuned!

[@louisecolombi6630]

things are looking good, most of the trees are doing well 🌲 Happy to see the giant yew tree has survived

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I can't complain, I may try a repot on the Willows and see what's going on.

[@maryshoemaker1437]

Yayyyyyy... I’ve been looking forward to the start of the greenhouse... I know you will be sweating bullets through this difficult task.. but I’m confident it will be so worth it in the end!! It might mean a few less videos, but I’ll be watching for them!!! The trees will be so happy!!! Nigel be safe and don’t work to hard!! I’m sure it will be quite the learning process for Jules as well!!! As always , thanks for sharing!!!

[@mattbrennan647]

Always enjoy a tour of your benches. Thanks That greenhouse sure is a labor of love. Good luck.

[@BonsaiJCan]

Great to see the new growth on many of your trees. That's quite the nice looking trunk on your yew, glad to see it coming back. You've certainly dug a lot of holes this year !

[@N0xKn1ght]

Thanks for the update on the greenhouse. Love the indoor natural tree idea. Can't wait to see how it all looks once it's up and functioning.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll be working on it, thanks Michael!

[@teddiebstarwarstoys8644]

I’ve been watching you for years. It’s amazing! I just want to say thank you.

[@laisa1956]

Happy that the poor ginkgo is doing so well!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm surprised how well it's growing, I'll be so happy to get some root work done with the next re potting!

[@deadeyeski]

Cut the posts to length after they are in the ground. That way you can run a level line across the top, and all the posts will be the same height.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I will do that, I have a 20' long 4 X 4 to sit on top and I'll have to use another cut to 4' to make up the 24' total length. I will have to have the end one even higher because the property slopes towards the far end. It should be a challenge to get it all right!

[@ayoyyoy]

Cant wait to see your greenhouse built Nigel!

[@Angie-mv6gv]

I'm on the edge of my seat! Bring it!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

A tropical tour will be next, they are all hiding in the shade until they get used to the outdoors.

[@OskyPinamar]

Take care of that lower back, Nigel. What a nice garden you have. And the greenhouse will be amazing!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Oscar, I'm tired today, but all is well with the back!

[@patsfreund9164]

Nigel, I enjoyed seeing your bonsai collection. I'm sure the plants will be fine until you get the chance to work on them after the greenhouse build. While I admire your tenacity I wonder why you didn't rent an augur to dig those post holes. Would have saved you a tremendous amount of time and saved your back from all that work. Your work ethic reminds me of my father. Thanks for bringing back memories of him.

[@sandhyakodukula8211]

Feast to the eyes.... Beautiful.. And showing your hard work... Thank you..

[@rosemariehaas7143]

ZYhanks for the update on all your trees.

[@SamDoeckeAussiebonsaibloke]

Cheers for the tour mate

[@widdershiznit]

Wow, you have some amazing, black loamy soil there, and deep too!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It was probably cleared farm land long ago and has an amazing layer of top soil. We do add bags of leaves to the property ever year to further enrich the soil. My wife loves growing edible plants and she adds more edibles every year. I love eating all the edible berries as I work on bonsai!

[@widdershiznit]

@@TheBonsaiZone YUM! The only place I remember seeing that black dirt is in N.W. Indiana. I grew up there and thought all soil was black. I was so shocked when, at about age 9 we visited my G'ma in Pennsylvania. Not only was it not black, it was brown, tan, and RED! Sorry, just having a memory flash-back. I remember the wild raspberries my brother and I would find and harvest for Mom (eating half before delivery, of course). I remember picking strawberries and beans from my G'pa's HUGE garden (he never did anything half-way) all thanks to that good, black dirt. Ah good memories. Have a fantastic day. Cheers!

[@captntread8472]

Would you do an update on the apple tree bonsai please and thank you

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes indeed!

[@captntread8472]

@@TheBonsaiZone thank you so much, I emailed you, I dont know if you check that email still but I'm so proud of how far your channel has come. I used to get advice from you 4 years ago when you just had a couple thousand subs!

[@thomaskauffman983]

Won't your frost line be at around 4 feet, so your holes would need to be at least that depth??

[@deadeyeski]

Agreed . At this point dig the extra foot down. Use a post hole digger to get way down there. Greenhouse won't be the heaviest structure, but you don't want those posts moving as the ground freezes and thaws.

[@blackdogultra]

I live in Niagara Falls, NY and my father owns a fence company. You are below frost line here at 3ft.

[@rasga6598]

Do you have any indoor bonsai? If you do, can you make a video about them?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

About half my trees are tropical bonsai. They stay inside for 8 months of the year and they go outside for our short summer. Check out the playlist tab to find a tree you are interested in. You can follow the progression of the tree over time.

[@bonsaitherapy1468]

oh...the ginko looks really good there!

[@dianejudd2897]

Hi Nigel... Thank you for your update I really enjoyed it. Also I do like your video on the greenhouse I have been waiting and hoping that you would keep us in the loop.take care aloha dj

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Diane, more updates will be coming as the greenhouse takes shape!

[@Alepoudiitsa]

My Willow is like that to and the sad part is I have it on the ground. I saw somewhere if the leafs are like that with bupms is because if moscitos but I am not 100% sure. And I and up buying a net? So my trees are in the shadows there leafs were burning.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm going to try repotting the Willow trees and try and see what's going on.

[@DurandCompton]

Them bumps are maple mite gall. Mostly harmless.

[@SultanFriendlyGuest]

Your hair is fuzzier and fuzzier day by day!

[@marysoldeeley2218]

So exciting! Bet it's very difficult to hold back on the trees! When you water them only.... O.O

[@deletingsoon.3790]

I'm brand new to bonsais, like I haven't even made any yet, which plant or tree are the best for beginners to make into bonsais?

[@6h483]

Maybe an elm but I don't know really

[@bonsai-r-usliveinharmony5691]

Boxwoods my friend, very hard to kill them. Great starter tree

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I would choose a Ficus, it's a good indoor tree!

[@deletingsoon.3790]

Which one would you recommend, I have access to fiddle leaf figs, weeping figs, ficus elastica, and Alli fig.

[@N0xKn1ght]

I have a full sized willow tree in my back yard, I had to hire a arborist last year to come help me with it cause it was uprooting... willows trees although they root easy from cuttings they are not easy to maintain in my experience. I have tried dozens of clippings and always get roots but then once transplanting into bonsai soil they all die a very slow death. I have tried different ratios of soils, pots, drainage, tried indoor and outdoor spaces, lighting. To say they are difficult would be accurate.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I may try repotting it, I'm thinking it could be root bound.

[@PghFlip]

Glad I'm not the only one that gardens in crocks... lol... i have blue ones too!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Totally out of style, but easy to wash off!

[@PghFlip]

@@TheBonsaiZone I never meant to be someone who wore crocks in public, bought a pair to wear around the house as slippers and kept forgetting to take them off when leaving the house they were so comfortable. They also alleviated multi-year plantar fasciitis... so win win!

[@bigshortstack2929]

Nigel, when will you be giving us an update on your wife's super huge greenhouse that y'all dismantled and moved through about 3 videos? I sure look forward to a tour of the reassembled structure. Man, that thing is HUGE.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll be building a smaller version using only the half arches, I'm hoping to get the structure up this fall before the snow flies!

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

I think that's more likely a sugar maple or a Norway maple @ the 5:35 mark.

[@jasincolegrove6651]

Boston Bonsai Idiot a Norway maple will have a milky sap, also the width of the leaves will be wider then the length is long. It looks like my sugar maple though, was my first thought.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, here is a good guide for Maple identification... uptreeid.com/Species/maples.htm

[@lanng8273]

Yay...I can't wait to view your vids on setting the greenhouse up 🤗👍❤️

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It should be fun to see it go up!

[@RBHKBH]

The bumps on the maple leaves looks like some sort of gall to me. It won't effect the tree at all.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Rune!

[@RBHKBH]

@@TheBonsaiZone You're more than welcome. I'm only happy to help. From what I could see, it looked like Eriophyes Tetrtrichus or something like it (I looked it up in one of my old books). As I said, it will not hurt the tree but does make the leaves look strange.

[@jameswalker3416]

Anyone know what happened to the bonsai junkie. I loved his videos but looks like all hes videos are gone.

[@CConn-df7hy]

What do you treat your scale with? Armoured or soft scales? Thx for your time and content

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I pick or scrap off the hard scale shells and then I spray with a hand pump sprayer using soap and water, this does the trick!

[@olliesargent6174]

Hi Nigel, I've been following your willows for a while so sorry to hear they're suffering! Hope they recover, how are they doing?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

They took a turn for the worst when the warm weather hit in early summer. They lost all their leaves and died. Both died at the same time, and I was sure that I didn't let them go dry. I don't think I'll know what did them in, maybe the were just weak from the winter?

[@olliesargent6174]

How gutting, they were doing so well. Suppose you just have to accept these things.

[@theronvandermerwe2358]

No update on the acacia trees?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It will be coming soon, I'll show the tropical benches next time I do a tour.

[@jagatkelana]

Good luck...sir

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Jagat!

[@deletingsoon.3790]

What plants other than trees can be made as bonsais?

[@Jacob-ot3qw]

Joshua Knoebel i have a miniature rose, honeysuckle, jade(succulent) and rosemary(herb) bonsai. Most shrub/bush plants can be made into bonsai. It really depends on what you want to do. Imagination is key!

[@240Sil]

Nice to see the you getting started on the greenhouses! I have a question about rooting tropical hardwood cuttings. This is my first time trying to root any bonsai cuttings. I will be re-potting my Gmelina bonsai very soon and will have many nice hardwood cuttings (varying sizes) to grow. I do have plenty of quality bonsai soil but do you suggest using another blend considering they are all hard wood? Any advice for a beginner would help a bunch!!( Do's/don'ts). I have a decent idea of how to plant them from watching your channel though!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

If you can start them in a mini greenhouse type seed tray, I think you'll have better success The temperature needs to be warm also. It might be a good idea to place a heat mat under the seed tray also, you can get them at a nursery or even a pet store. The pet store uses them for keeping lizards warm.

[@240Sil]

@@TheBonsaiZone Im starting several. If more that a a few root maybe I'll send you one this fall!!

[@R_H21]

Aw.... that’s too bad about the willows. =( Hope they come back. I have willows that I rooted in 2017 (?). They’re in guarded condition. But congrats on the ginkgo and thanks for the updates!!

[@bonsaihigh]

Sorry aboit your trees Nigel. I hope they get better. The maple's nebari is looking great! And thanks forbthe green house update. Are you going to use gravel as well?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I want to fill the holes and bring the cement up high, so the wood doesn't rot in the ground. I'll just use wood chips as a floor in the greenhouse, as I can get them free.

[@miraztinygarden]

Nice greenhouse

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hopefully it will be, once it's done, I may never leave!

[@blackdogultra]

Where do you find your steel framed bonsai benches? Jealous of how many you have.

[@TheRealSonder]

What happened to your lemon tree bonsai?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It is growing really well, an update will be coming for the tropical trees soon.

[@szymontrzoska8296]

Hello everyone . Does anyone know is it normal for desert ash seedling to lose all the leafs this time of the year ? I check the roots and they look fine . The seedlings are 6 months old. Thanks :-)

[@bonsaimoldova]

What happen with your willows? 😯😯 I hope they will be fine, maybe they are root bounded? Or maybe don't have enough sun?

[@entyropy3262]

They are willows, they just die back for no logically reason it seems, they just love to be unpredictable.

[@bonsaimoldova]

@@entyropy3262 This is not a rule. In nature there is a lot of willows that a growing vigorous without any die back

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll try a re pot, maybe they are root bound, I'll make a video on this soon!

[@lakeelsinorebonsai1203]

I’m glad to see you’re starting the Greenhouse! nice update with the trees! cheers!😀😀

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Mel!

[@martintijdgat6269]

Possibly a infestation with Brenneria salicis?

[@sundarsankar167]

Update on the rubber tree

[@TheOne-234]

Why wouldnt you use post hole diggers

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I did, I just used one post hole digger, me! I am trying to minimize my ecological footprint on earth, plus I get a good workout!

[@AlphaRobins]

Is he a bonsai master?

[@drjones8176]

Mr saunders living them outdoors up watch your step a

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes I will!

[@yoda12439]

don't you have to go below the frost line so post doesn't Heave back up

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It's very rare that we get a really deep frost here, usually the snow insulated the soil well. 3 ft. should be OK for the greenhouse, hopefully!

[@markfisher2224]

Sounds like that post hole digger is stealing a good bit of wind and energy from you

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It was a long day of digging holes, I did sleep well that night!

[@sudiptochakma3351]

Sir update your citrus trees

[@Qvigg]

Hey Nigel, I hope you're feeling alright. You don't seem to have the same charisma you typically do. Another great updates always. - a future friend, Joe

[@uwethomae4127]

Woodpiles in the floor is not a good idea concrete is better I think.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The greenhouse did have stone dust as a floor and it worked really well. Thanks Uwe!

[@sirkov3887]

You really should do yourself a favor an get that walnut tree out before setting up your greenhouse. I've worked in a lot of greenhouses and planted trees in small ones are really a pain in the ass. They grow like crazy when it's full on summer, and remember we aren't getting any younger. So get rid of it, that's my advice for today. As usual a nice video and with the new camera u are getting pretty professional. Keep up the good work Greetings from Switzerland

[@bonzairebellion4663]

10:53 I`m in love ❤❤❤😍😍😍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, it is growing well after the repotting this year!

[@bonzairebellion4663]

@@TheBonsaiZone well done Sir!!!

[@BonsaiAmador]

BELAS PLANTAS

[@balue5159]

Your Maple has mites. A spray will rid you of them.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, I'll look into it!

[@thealimirjalili]

foist

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Welcome back to the Zone Ali!

[@peacecosmonaut176]

Want to support via paypal

[@rabide1]

I admire your energy and your ambition, but for $25, plus materials, per post, you could have got a fencing contractor to dig and set your post. Again, no disrespect, just saying.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I just like to do the work myself, it's a good workout and free labor!

[@Minstera]

my willows are not growing a lot,because my ( friends ) eat all the leaf,s... i told them not to eat,but never listening ,the invite even more friends to the Party !

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm not even going to ask about this one!

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Foist? Sorry,I'm just copying other people.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

A close Foist second!

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

@@TheBonsaiZone nice,those bumps on the Acer Rubrum leaves is maple bladder gall and it doesn't harm the tree usually.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Bucky, good to know!

[@Tony-ys3yo]

N

[@TheBonsaiZone]

ew holes in the ground!

[@janandersen6001]

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