How to Aerate Your Soil for Healthier Bonsai Roots | Q&A

[@simonedevito1119]

Very informative as always, thank you!

[@ThunderChickenBucket]

Great info and presentation, I'm growing like my plants, one day at a time!

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

I think this idea could make it less work for you.

[@10gstreet]

Very pleasant and informative Thank you

[@wartbiter]

Great idea - I went and bought one immediately.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Meat tenderize, just like aeration of lawns. Great idea for your pots.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Right! Not much is totally new under the sun.

[@MANNY100123]

Thank you once again, Milton!

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

You are welcome!

[@johnrb9397]

Very wise and informative advice. Thank you sir.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

...and you are very kind! Thank you! Please tell a friend.

[@MehranAshkanian]

Thanks. Believe it or not I have been doing this for many years even on my nursery pots

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

I am assuming this works well fore you!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Another great Q&A session. Very informative.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@matthewgrice6902]

Thank you for the video.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thanks for watching!

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

Interesting and innovative pot design! I’ve often wondered about this as I sometimes soak many of my trees for a good hour+ in order to fully moisten the entire root ball. Also, some of most favorite Japanese shohin pots by a specific potter have a very slight well between the bottom drain holes that allow the root ball to ‘pull up’ that water over a short time or a day or so. The trees really enjoy that since those pots are not that big to begin with. Neat idea and I look forward to trying them out! Thanks for your very informative channel - I always enjoy watching.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

That's exactly the point! Thanks for the feedback...there is quite a few skeptics. 🙂

[@jagboy69]

Informative video as always! Nice haircut! ;-)

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for noticing!

[@laddieokelley6095]

Years ago we were taught to line the bottom of a bonsai pot with coarse substrate, like pumice, bark chips, even pea gravel. I don't see that practice used consistently now. Wondering how doing that would work with your pot design and address the concern of a tree staying too wet. (Never saw a meat tenderizer like yours. That is a good suggestion.)

[@JungleScene]

I still do this when using nursery pots for some species that don't like wet feet. Pines etc. I'd be curious to hear his answer about this

[@geriannroth449]

Thanks for the tip about propagating Jujubees from root cuttings. I assume they'll be clones of the mother tree too?

[@MiltonChang]

Yes Some trees might mutation

[@fredgrech1498]

Hi Milton with the holes on the side will you still need to water daily if it’s holding water on the bottom Regards Fred

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

you only need to water when the soil feels hard and dry...no need to water if it is moist.

[@geriannroth449]

Could you advise me which size wire (thickness) to use on pencil sized branches to bend & shap them? I'm curious as to why you can totally remove the substrate off a plant & still extensively root prune it & then transplant it in a smaller pot and thesame plant doesn't suffer from transplant shock from all that manipulation of the root system & branches????😮😮

[@msbskvass]

Does the same apply for indoor Bonsai? I have my first bonsai, which is a Hawaiian Umbrella bonsai and even though watering is encouraged daily, I find that if I water that often, I end up with mold in my humidity tray.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

Never blindly follow instruction. Right. In fact this could solve your problem...Water not as often...water only when dry...the retained water will moisten the soil... I am not selling! just reasoning.

[@EricShingles-p6q]

I NEVER have a problem with compacted soil, all you need is the RIGHT soil mix, I don't use standard or even "bonsai" soils

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

My soil mix is a good starting point...and then vary by your own preference. No rules!

[@coreycadden2888]

Terrible idea how old are your trees? They won't make it decades I promise you that!

[@EricShingles-p6q]

@@coreycadden2888 most are 40 to 50 years silly answer cos all are repotted regularly

[@rsherrinod]

I live in South Florida (grow zone 11). Should I fertilize once a week year round with the fish emulsion or switch to low nitrogen for our winter when the plants are continuing to grow and just slow down slightly. My collection of bonsai plants is strictly tropical.

[@jagboy69]

I'm from Naples and when I lived there, I fed year round. You can't go wrong with the fish and kelp. You might feed every other week during the winter months down south, but I would definitely keep feeding the smelly stuff! I'm a big believer in it since learning about it from Milton.

[@robertsherrin7994]

@@jagboy69thanks so much for the advice. I am new to Bonsai growing and have basically just been using KZbin videos to learn techniques. I thoroughly enjoy listening to the Bonsai Empire KZbin videos. I find his approach to be extremely practical.

[@timliu9899]

I have small bonsai like black pine and Buxus sinica. How do I know if it’s over-watered or too dry or fertilize too much when I see it not looking so energetic? It’s so difficult.

[@MiltonChang-ee6rq]

I answered this in next week's Q&A...I suspect it is not getting enough water...I suggest soak if the rootball feels hard and dry.

[@nathalierouhier4726]

Or i use a fork pour aerer the soil

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@MiltonChang]

😊

[@MiltonChang]

😊

[@coreycadden2888]

I cant stand this guys fast growing bonsai! They look terrible when you grow them like that! I wouldnt even call them bonsai! They are potted trees no bonsai style at all!!

[@MiltonChang]

Wow! That’s harsh!