Bonsaify | The One Mistake All Bonsai Beginners Make: Here's How to Avoid It!

[@alandouthwaite6980]

Made those mistakes over the last 18 months (just started at 85yrs of age ) but in my defense, it is the first time I have seen this explanation. Oh well, back to the nursery, in more senses than one !!!

[@KitakuBonsai]

Never too young to start bonsai Alan!!

[@alandouthwaite6980]

@@KitakuBonsai Ha !!! If only I had found this interest in my 20's !!!😪

[@kaweGD]

@@alandouthwaite6980 You live on in your bonsais 🙂

[@greasylimpet3323]

​@@alandouthwaite6980 good for you starting this great hobby. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with your trees. Best wishes 🇦🇺

[@alandouthwaite6980]

@@greasylimpet3323 Thanks a lot, I no longer see shrubs and bushes only potential bonsai !!! Stay safe and well

[@berealistic]

There no mistakes, just a learning curve. Been growing bonsai for 40 years

[@jfdb59]

One rule of thumb I've only heard once and never since, I forget the source however, is that the height of the tree should only be about six times the trunk diameter. So, for example, if you have a one inch trunk nursery stock, you should only be planning for a tree that is six inches tall. This keeps the perspective nice.

[@Paull_wall]

As in the diameter or circumference of the trunk?

[@trashbuilds8351]

can you do this calculation based off of the goal size you want it to be in the future? I like bigger bonsai esp for varieties that have larger leaves

[@vancelanger7749]

This would be DIAMETER since that's what you see visually when you look at the composition. Your eyes have no idea what the circumference is

[@nathanshirley9671]

@@vancelanger7749I mean, I piece of string would give me the circumference pretty quickly lol

[@trebledog]

Like they say, you'll are missing the forest looking at the trees.

[@Dylan-ok6ft]

You explained that really clearly. I like that you demoed the beginner approach side by side with the experienced method for getting better scale!

[@KitakuBonsai]

Agreed. Very well done!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think this could be echoed to most deciduous trees also!! Keep the small branches and remove the too thick ones!

[@murray821]

Indeed, developing branches too early will result in branches almost as thick as the trunk. It feels like a waste to cut them off but it’s necessary.

[@alandouthwaite6980]

I think you have just savedme from spoiling a very nice 18" Hemlock ! There are so many branches (All Very painful to handle !) that it is going to be a problem trying to see which ones to remove, any advice please ?

[@yalithratnavibushena9953]

​@@murray821😢😢

[@rosshopkins2063]

You think you know pain?! I was born in monkey puzzle, raised in monkey puzzle, i was shaped by monkey puzzle, you mearly adopted hemlock. ​@@alandouthwaite6980

[@rosshopkins2063]

​@@alandouthwaite6980i was born in bullhorn acacia, raised by bullhorn acacia, i was shaped by bullhorn acacia, you mearly adopted hemlock

[@pablobartelotte4553]

Bonsai is a long term commitment in a time when people's attention span is that of a goldfish. I too want something pleasant to look at almost immediately without breaking the bank. So, I purchase 3 small juniper plants and style them in 3 stages, first one is traditional bringing the plant down to the bare trunk save for a few small branches, second one I trim about halfway there, and the third one i trim "biginner" style. With 3 inexpensive pots and starter soil i have invested about $100 for an interactive ever changing piece of art. I'm a hobbyist without a large income. As informative as your video it is also intimidating for beginners and hobbyists/ amateurs who may want to get into bonsai but watch a video with a background of a ton of supplies on a large shelving unit and think wow do I need all that just for a hobby? Occasionally remind people they can start and enjoy the hobby without extensive investment or a huge knowledge of horticulture. A lot of people can be amateur hobbyists for life and break all the rules but their trees are still alive and they enjoy doing it. For some it may be more of developing a relationship with a plant without worrying if it looks like a "proper" bonsai.

[@Bonsaify]

A good set of points, and thank you for making them. The shelves of pots in the background were one part accident in the sense that I built them to house my pot collection, and then didn't have a better background available. You are right that it can send the wrong message. I try to show the long-term commitment in my videos - in this case by first taking raw material and styling it, but then later showing a piece that is further along, alongside something I have been working for 15 years. Cheers.

[@alisinwonderland1308]

@@Bonsaify the background is great

[@bobmccarlie382]

This is the best instructive video on designing young junipers (or any variety tree) I have seen. I have numerous junipers, and I have always done what you say you don’t do! Kudos! I will definitely use these techniques on my trees going forward! Keep doing these great videos.❤

[@KitakuBonsai]

Knowledge is power! Keep learning and growing - pun intended 😂

[@landsurfer66]

100% Agree!

[@InfiniteLoveandLight]

Yes me too .. I search for something that I can adapt which is fun but not the real thing.

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

If you have been happy with the results of what you've been doing to date, then don't change just because one person says he doesn't do it that way.

[@ExpatMoto]

Hi Eric, Thank you for all the amazing content! I just landed after a roundtrip flight from Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles and now I’m on my way home to the sunny coast, Noosa, Queensland. I found your incredible channel just days before my big trip. Your cinematography and narration gave me instant comfort and buy-in. I knew straight away that I was hooked and would be diving deep into the channel. I downloaded 85 of your videos to have on hand, ready to study during the 36 hours of flights in my near future. I typically feel guilty watching “hobby stuff” during my busy schedule. I’m the CEO of an Aussie burger chain and a father of two young ones. However, I sneak in as much bonsai time as my supportive wife allows, including watching quality videos, growing random material, and practicing my techniques. Your video workshops are BY FAR the most immersive and informative I have ever engaged with. The investment in time spent watching went straight to my roots and quickly became the most beneficial nutrients to the development of my branches of knowledge. I WATCHED ALL 85 videos and am hungry for more! I now feel like a better person for it and CAN’T WAIT to get home, buy some new nursery stock, start propagating clippings, and watch even more videos to put what I’ve learned into practice! I am a beginner, but I think finding you and your wisdom is perfect timing. I chose bonsai as an outlet to cope with PTSD just as the pandemic reared its ugly head. I jumped in headfirst (as I do with all my obsessions) and wound up with 30+ plants out back of all different types. I was living in Las Vegas at the time. The extreme climate and my inexperience made it tough. It was a real mess getting so into it without a real scope, understanding, or rhyme to my reason. However, my family and I made the big decision to sell all of our earthly possessions and immigrate to the huge island of Australia. A hard prune of life had begun! I trained the head butcher at the hotel where I was cheffing with everything I knew up to that point, so he could adopt most of my collection when we left. It lives on today. I gave a few pieces to my dad, and they too thrive. In fact, while visiting him during this long trip, I enthusiastically maintained the several pieces of mine he has, with great results (thanks to you). Your videos taught me more in 15 hours of viewing than the 50-odd months I’ve been practicing bonsai. I was at the right place at the right time to observe and absorb all the passion you’ve captured in your productions. I CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH!! Although I have heaps of learning and growth left to reach your level, you let me in, shared the vibe, and made me feel what it’s like to make a breakthrough to the next level. Honestly, your video mentorship was the highlight of my trip. I inadvertently attended a master class (for free!) that hit deep in my soul and provided the propagation I needed to experience a breakthrough and reinforce knowledge to keep the garden vigorous and fruitful. Again, thank you 🙏 If you are ever on the east coast of Australia, I would be happy and honored to provide you and your crew with as many California-style smash burgers as you can possibly eat while you’re here. It’s the least I can do after providing my bonsai enlightenment.

[@Bonsaify]

Hi - thanks for your very flattering remarks. I'm a bit speechless, but the good news is that I have no plans to stop making videos. I find the ones where I can show sequences of work over time to be the most interesting, so I'm planning more of those. The idea of the channel has always been to create short videos that are packed with the essential information for growing trees from scratch. And it meshes with Bonsaify.com which sells starters and small pots and trees. Cheers.

[@thomasplaster155]

My first couple of attempts look just like the 'beginner example'. This is such great advice and has got me excited for the next project.

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

I'd have bought the 'beginner' example as after watching the whole video, I *still* prefer it.

[@markn26]

I love this, it is always the most difficult part to master... letting go of those established branches and being able to envision what everything will become

[@fryconntinumum6559]

It's never easy to cut foliage off a tree and it is definitely the first big mistake. That finished juniper you brought in is wonderful, I love that tree.

[@photovincent]

Haven’t even started, but yes - the beginner one is exactly what I’d do - afraid to cut down too much, loose the growth, and try to shape already too thick branches into a shape. Thanks, immediate subscribe

[@gramsci121]

Thank you. Now I can turn $1 clearance juniper into something that begins to look like bonsai.

[@cbobgo1]

Truly an excellent video. I don't think I've ever seen a side-by-side comparison like that before.

[@KitakuBonsai]

It’s definitely helpful!👍

[@trashbuilds8351]

wow as a visual learner this was so good seeing them side by side.....I'm definitely guilty of the beginner version lol. I've been practicing on "weed" trees/shrubs that grow in my yard (blackthorn, mulberry, rose of Sharon, various evergreens, boxwood, privet, cherry, clover, even ivy) and because I like big bonsai so much I've been fusing saplings together over chicken wire trunk shapes because I'm terrible at this kind of pruning lol. I would never think to shape the tree like you did but I can see how visually it is just more appealing!

[@ianleroux2567]

Eric, I do appreciate you taking the time to answer me. Thank you very much.

[@darkshadowsx5949]

keeping branches in scale with the trunk is actually the best advice for styling a bonsai tree. i seen another youtuber just chopping off limbs leaving one branch to grow the trunk out, but he didn't explain style. his oldest tree was massively scarred and ugly.

[@mm6918]

It's so helpful how you did the side by side work on those trees to demonstrate this point!

[@KitakuBonsai]

Super helpful right? Good stuff.

[@BillsBayou]

Thank you for this lesson. Now I know why I only liked a couple of my junipers. Our local club is having a juniper styling event for our next meeting. I'll be be putting what I've learned here to the test. I've often said that the only failure is when you learn nothing from your failure. That is incorrect. The second failure is when you learn nothing from your success.

[@Old52Guy]

Thanks! This is a mistake I make all the time. Thanks! That's one mistake down, another 99 to solve and fix.

[@adamkoehler3371]

This is great info that's very well presented. Totally changes how I'll approach converting my big box store purchased plants into bonsai. Thanks, Eric!

[@ryanf5894]

Great advice in this video that you don’t hear on other bonsai videos. Thank you!

[@ryanf5894]

This video is one the best ones I’ve seen on how to start from nursery stock! Thank you!

[@MsOSheDidIt]

That's a great explanation for how to get the proper scale of trunk to branch size. Thanks for your time and wisdom. 😉

[@KitakuBonsai]

Definitely really helpful!

[@joemoore1023]

What he did was really cool! A technique I have not seen yet! Well done sir! Very nice looking trees.

[@armingivili]

One of the best bonsai video i've watched till now! Really thanks!

[@dantepicantemartinez]

This was very helpful. I would just find myself staring at nursery material I bought and I’d think to myself, “ok what do I do now?”. I wish I would’ve seen this video a couple of years ago.

[@maureenfaulkner4323]

This is a great explanation and happy to see Nigel Saunders weigh in. Inspiration from both of you. Thanks

[@vancelanger7749]

I needed to see this video so badly, I think this is the key I've been missing. I think I might pick up a new victim on my way home from work!

[@joegarland4885]

I enjoyed watching your explanations of styling a Juniper to a point were we would be happy to call it a styled bonsai, thank you so much for spending your time doing these videos, unfortunately I am in the U.K. and we don’t see as many Juniper types as you do, they are not popular sellers in garden centre outlets around the U.K. as with most plants fashion dictates what is on sale.

[@blenheimantiques9507]

Just grow from seed. I'm in the southwest. I don't bother with cold stratification, just bang the seeds in some propagators and keep them in partial shade with the lids off, then move them into the sun on bright sunny days. This year I planted all my seeds in the middle of june. I had maples germinate in just a few days, rainbow eucalyptus in around a week, birch, juniper and a few others which I haven't identified yet (I don't do labels either) in 2 weeks, giant redwood in less than 3 weeks, and now on week 4 (with week 3 being mostly wet) I've got jacarandas starting to sprout. All nice and strong. The only thing which hasn't germinated yet is the Baobab, but they're the only seeds with which I've done what others say you must. I've now planted the last seed in sand and soil and will just leave it out in a sunny spot. I bet it grows just fine.

[@frenchfries2148]

I agree, I bought a creeping juniper about a year ago, and I did very light pruning. This year I want to be bolder with it. I think this comes from the fear of killing the tree.

[@conspiraterry7393]

Awesome! Just the kick in the pants I needed, thank you!

[@WanderingBobAK]

I've watched many of your vids, this one caused me to subscribe. Just over 10 minutes of how and why was perfect! Would have been cool to maybe take that "Beginner" initial design and take it to the next level of mature design. Thank you. Perhaps in the future?

[@adebolanos6977]

Thanks so much for this explanation. Its a huge principle to work with: The scale!!!

[@USSS1876]

Well, you just displayed my first bonsai tree... and it was, of course, the bad example. lol. thank you so much. I knew it looked wrong but couldn't figure it out. Time to trim it up a bit again.

[@patriciatatich3014]

Great examples on the approach in the use of nursery materials - very helpful explanations. Thank you.

[@KitakuBonsai]

Nursery material can have some great potential if you pick the right one! 👍👍

[@KurisuBonsai]

Ichiban! Superb demo and love the results, excellent little trees!

[@whitecaps0]

One of your best videos for beginners. As a beginner I need to start chanting the mantra less is more! I think we are not confident to make bold changes to the tree when we start. Loved the junipers side by side at the end.

[@Bonsaify]

Thanks! I would caution that I have also seen beginners cut too much from trees. The point isn't only that less-is-more, but that you should be contemplating the scale of the plant and don't assume that the size it has at the beginning is the final size. Mixed in there is a caution about how older and larger branching (from standard nursery material) is mostly not suited to bonsai styling.

[@KitakuBonsai]

Learning how to know when to make big cuts is sometimes the hardest or scariest thing to master.

[@patricklutes6566]

Do you know where you got though Junipers? I would love to know so I could clean on up and grow it myself.

[@Bonsaify]

Where are you located? Ping me on email.

[@mostafahosseini2872]

Thanks for your Tutorial. this is one of the best video about Bonsai

[@Gabriel-dm1du]

I loved this approach. They look amazing

[@mikeyswallow2162]

One of the best of many videos i've watched on beginner bonsai, thanks!!

[@MakeMoreBonsai]

Super valuable insights!

[@WeezieV]

The tree you've been working on for 15+ years is so amazing because it DOES look like a miniature huge tree from the forest.

[@oliveambros9887]

I did not like it…. I LOVED IT! Thank you for a very clear and detailed instructions… Well done and great for a beginner like me. All the best!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

A really great video and you hit that major stumbling block perfectly. I still find it difficult with junipers to get that scale correct. Cheers

[@bobcatbonsai]

That makes so much sense. Thank you for breaking this down in the K.I.S.S. method. My confidence is feeling a bit higher to go hard on the initial cut. Thank you!!

[@markweaver3497]

That's a smashing good cut. The first two trees where very interesting.

[@ponderanceofagravedigger2564]

Those junipers at the end of the video are beautiful!!

[@sbragaglia]

Thanks! Very useful info, I wish there were videos like this for each doubt I have! Now I feel confident enough to tackle the junipers I’ve been basically just growing for the last 3 years! (Cool upbeat music too! 🤟)

[@KitakuBonsai]

Agreed! Junipers can be challenging at times.

[@njcr4688]

I've never seen this explained. Wow I've wasted so much time and trees. This is a great video and makes so much sense. Thankyou

[@michaelwenzel3196]

Very interesting - particularly regarding truck size and composition. Also helpful to see how you approach the application of "jin" in your work. Thank you very much!

[@cesarvelasquezz]

Guilty! I am so grateful for your demonstration and your clear explanation with two trees. Your videos always demonstrate ideas/ techniques that so many others avoid or dont address. Thank you very much and hope one day you make it down to the San Diego Bonsai Club.

[@louisetwinberrow5508]

Great video thank you for explaining, the importance of removing the large branches, when starting out

[@Virchov]

This video really opened my mind Thanks!

[@theoschmitt3037]

Deine Gestaltung dieser Bäume gefällt mir gut❤

[@thomastessier4529]

Very good info. Thank you.

[@julidev1445]

Great lesson. You are a good teacher and a genius. Thanks so much.Bonsaify.

[@cameroncorley7927]

Super helpful! Really appreciate your perspective and your explanations on bonsai dos and donts 🙌🏼

[@KitakuBonsai]

Good pointers help us all grow and advance our art. 👍

[@markoffmichael]

Another typical beginner mistake I call "Ikea-bonsai". That is, following some instructions and going step-by-step, never to revisit any of the prior steps. eg; Step 1: Clean out dead, weak, and unnecessary foliage. Going on to step 2, eg; selecting the front and trunk angle. However, ignoring newly-discovered dead/weak foliage, because you've moved on. Experienced hobbyists, etc. are continuously cleaning out dead, weak, or unnecessary foliage and are open to new fronts and angles throughout the entire design process.

[@AJ-th6zc]

I thought the mistake "Ikea-bonsai" was getting one of those factory ginseng bonsais from Ikea that come half dead. But that "mistake" gave me my first bonsai and brought me here so I think it's still a win.

[@rtikcanna4204]

I just bought my 1 st bonsai tree tonight 😅 so pretty excited to learn the art of bonsai 🎉 but also scared lol 😅

[@sagebonsai]

Thank you Eric, this video was very helpful. I feel a bit more confident tackling my next project.

[@SivBratland]

Thank you!! This is the most informative video I have watched 🙏🏻

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Great video Eric.

[@HoundStuff]

Nice video! Like so many others have said.... I really liked the examples and comparisons, too. That really helps illustrate the point. Thanks!

[@simonjones686]

Another cracking and informative video, brilliant 👍🏾 thank you from UK

[@chambersfpv9506]

I would love to see a video explaining how to cut the roots from a larger nursery grown tree so they can eventually turn into a shohin.

[@philipandrew6241]

Fascinating video thank you. Very enlightening.

[@KitakuBonsai]

Super helpful right??

[@neilgc4943]

I found this very useful. Thank you! I was able to have more confidence it being a bit more brutal with mine. Could I ask you to explain what it is you are doing at 3:44, 3:47 & 3;58 please? Looks like you're stripping back the bark from a side shoot you've cut back but left it longer. Is this just for aesthetics or to promote pads/close to trunk growth?

[@brianbirish]

Thank you. This makes so much sense, but I've been scared to cut off thicker branches and lose all the size even though I kinda felt it was the right thing to do for proportion replicating an old full grown tree

[@katherinespencer2073]

OK that was REALLY helpful. I'm someone who LOVES having large houseplants, larger the better. But as I transition to smaller house after the next one, I want to have Bonsai started, ready to take up space that will be more limited & your demo was great.

[@FRanger92]

I'd like to see an update on the one you cut all the larger branches off. Did it survive that?

[@Bonsaify]

Not a bad idea. Yes, it is happily growing with new spring tips now.

[@denvermadison9052]

I’ve been told i have a natural eye for it im a sculpture artist and have been into bonsai for 4 years now…my rule of thumb for beginners (as if I’m not one) is to make the branches below longer then above as trees in nature have shorter branches the further up you go. think about it in triangles

[@bobnicholls]

Thanks for the demo. How do you go from a huge rootball in a standard plant pot to the small bonsai pot please?

[@ADNZ5442]

To thicken the stump or lengthen the small bonsai, would it be best to put it in a very big training pot?

[@JoshEastman-f3p]

I have a juniper right now that has the same color light green and brown mix. What is that from? Please help.

[@crunchie9362]

If you planted the 15 year old tree outside in open soil, do you think it'd keep it's shape as it grew out? how might it change?

[@Bonsaify]

No, it would turn into a regular size tree. They tend to look like a big bush for a while. But they get larger over time. You could trim it, but it would be too vigorous to maintain in this same shape. Think of the pot as a tool for controlling the growth speed. The smaller the pot the slower the juniper will grow. The two examples in this video in 5-gallon cans have grown 2-3 inches in every direction since this video was made about 5 months ago, while the 15YO example in the bonsai pot has grown just 1/8" or so.

[@mattbrennan647]

Amen brother. Well done and said. Thanks, keep growing

[@TrainerAQ]

I just got a 2 year old bonsai. Im debating whether or not to snip off the shrubs at the bottom of the trunk to make it look like a tree

[@jasonbollman]

Thanks for the great insight. I've been guilty of these beginner mistakes.

[@WeezieV]

How long does the wire stay on?

[@lindasmith4321]

I'm a beginner and am using spruce, growing from seed. If you have any tips for me, I loved to receive them. TIA!

[@9daywonda]

Nice specimens especially the last 2 depicted.

[@westempleman1160]

We clearly have much different styles anyway what is the commercial Nursery you use

[@deepanjanbanerjee3491]

Excellent video …. We have all made these mistakes at one point or the other.

[@drjitters]

Good, quick, essential lesson. Thanks.

[@cherylandrews3195]

LOL its like you saw me do my tree.... this was so helpful!!

[@DavidScheltema]

Great video! Really helpful information for a beginner like me.

[@bonsaisforever]

Thank you for that I have been doing it the other way, keeping larger branches .and it's off to my greenhouse to practice.

[@KitakuBonsai]

Spending time in a greenhouse is always a treat!

[@warrenbeans8495]

Would conifers do well in tropical regions too?

[@Bonsaify]

Depends on the species. E.g. there are pine trees and junipers that do grow in tropical climates - Taiwan junipers come to mind (not 100% sure on the latin name but it may be Juniperus tsukusiensis var. taiwanensis). Loblolly pine is native to the SE USA - but doesn't go to the south of Florida so maybe not for tropical. Japanese Black pine seems to love the heat and humidity - but depending on how rainy your location is it may be problematic since they don't like staying wet all the time.

[@nogravynopie2396]

one of the best videos so far!

[@fruitlessbeast]

I’m certain my product would have been like the leftmost one of the first pair had I not watched this. Loving this channel and learning so much. I’m a potter and budding bonsai enthusiast and appreciate your time and work! Also, the Retrograde synth wave works on the last half. Sometimes music overlay choices are unfortunate. Not here. Nice!

[@razasshahril751]

Wow just wow. Learned a lot today.thanks!!!

[@peterchmielecki890]

Great job 👍 👍 👍. Beutyfull juniper. I working on precumbens nana. Best Regards. Peter.

[@johncspine2787]

We all do things differently..before taking scissors to a tree, I’d remove it from the pot, scrape the soil down a bit, and get a look at it before trimming. If too many branches need more just..rank development, I’d maybe trim the roots a bit so they have an head start in the right direction and put it repot back into the pot for further growth. If it’s destined for transformation right away, then, I’d remove it and look first.

[@vitaliymitrofanov9916]

Are those suggestions only for junipers or for all kind of bonsai trees?

[@Bonsaify]

TBH, while it is all junipers in the video - it generally applies to all NURSERY stock. E.g. stock that was not grown specifically to be bonsai. And in many cases even when it's coming from a bonsai-specific nursery it can have the same problems. The point is - don't take the size you start with as the final size of the plant - in most cases it should get a LOT smaller before it gets to bonsai status.

[@conspiraterry7393]

Brilliant! Great video!

[@josephfoster3819]

Is there any good videos about transfering and reducing the root structure to bonsai soil and pot from nursery stock ? 😊

[@SealthWA]

Great video with very helpful demonstrations showing not only what to do but also why. One thing that would improve the video for me would be to use a simple grey background. Your stock shelves, while interesting, mask the details your are trying to show.

[@Bonsaify]

Thanks for the feedback! Funny enough, the next video I made I did just that! Cheers.

[@lizaolsen6405]

Thank you for the advice. Spot on I have much to learn. I would really like to know how you reduced the roots so dramatically and have it live. I have alot of trouble reducing the roots. Perhaps I take off to much or it is the aftercare. Could you share your porcess for reducing roots from nursery stock?

[@Bonsaify]

TBH, the second tree I wired in the small pot in this video - it was an experiment to see if I could go from a 5-gallon container like that one directly into a tiny bonsai container. It was successful and the tree is growing nicely. However, it was only because the root ball was in exceptionally good shape that I was able to do that. E.g. it had lots of fine roots right near the base of the trunk, not just at the bottom of the pot. I'll see if I can do a video on that topic - but it'll have to wait until fall at this point.