Building a Raft-style bonsai in a pig trough - Ikadabuki

In this video, I build a raft-style bonsai in an old pig trough using a hawthorn I have been working on for a couple of years.

[@denhardy7238]

I’ve been watching your videos since I went into hospital you are the epitome of the working mans bonsai artist you explain everything so well 😎

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That is a cool pot Tony!! This should look really good in the future!!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Nigel. I did a bit of research and apparently it's an antique Victorian cast iron trough. As you say it's a cool pot.

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Exceptional project. Extraordinary pot. Exceptional and extraordinary Tony 🙏❤ Miss u

[@tacobonsai]

You are halfway to the bonsai by the sea yamadori challenge just talking about this one! really cool. I never thought that i'd have pig trough envy in my lifetime. This will be a really awesome planting with a great tree and a super unique pot!

[@TonysBonsai]

Yeah this pot is certainly unique, and I think this one will just keep improving over the next few years as it develops. The only draw back is the weight. Full of soil it weights an absolute ton!

[@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371]

Dear Tony, im glad you are such a brave guy,to trust in those blackbirds good intentions, not throwing away all of those spaghnum moss, you probably found at your lawn and expect to stay in place and not beeing robbered and misused as a comfortable nesting material for a tiny little high standard birdy eggs and chicks cumftable nestingzone Good luck from Germany TGMY🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@TonysBonsai]

That's an interesting point. I will be interested to see how I get on in the spring with the birds. I may have to build some sort of cage?

[@pawelm5493]

Tony, although I run out of pig throughs, the idea is absolutely great 😀. I love the look, patina, reminiscent of Chinese cast bronze pieces.

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Pawel, yes, apparently this is a cast iron trough probably from the late 18th century so that's where the lovely patina comes from.

[@robertjones7023]

I love nontraditional containers! That one is really nice!

[@TonysBonsai]

Yeah, me too Robert. This one has just got such a beautiful texture and colour to it.

[@joegarland4885]

Morning Tony there must plenty of jokes about pigs flying. Seems a great idea to create the style you want in the pig trough it should work out ok, funnily enough I have a very large shallow pot and got hold of some well established cotoneasters with the idea of making a grove of trees at one end as part of a composition with smaller trees at the other end, but due to the weather and working on my Grandad flat I haven’t had a lot of time but as soon as the the weather improves I will be on it, all thanks to you for pushing the envelope on traditional bonsai so thanks for making work harder. All the best Tony with your raft tree.

[@TonysBonsai]

Wow, that sounds like quite an ambitious project Joe, but also very interesting. leave it for a couple of weeks for this bad weather to pass and You'll be able to get out there creating some magic

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Wow Tony! Love it!!! This is awesome now, what can it be in a few years...just amazing!!!

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Chris. I think it will take a good few years to develop but as you say, given a few years it will hopefully look amazing.

[@thenaturecreater8906]

@@TonysBonsai it will look fuc€ing amazing mate! Love the "pot" !!!

[@raymondplodzien7459]

That pot worked out perfect. Great project Tony!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks, Raymond. 30% planning and 70% luck!

[@bobcatbonsai]

Very cool project to tackle Tony and you made it look so easy. Maybe 1 day I will attempt this, but I'm not that confident yet. Great work and thank you for sharing!

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Matt. I don't know about confident. Probably just foolhardy!

[@Mr10russ10]

Excellent work Tony 👏

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you, I love this kind of project.

[@BonsaiHaven]

Hi Tony , been watching your KZbin channel for a long time now , your a person that has fantastic ideas you try all different ideas & stuff , you are a awesome funny bloke ,, I,m retired & been doing bonsais for 40 years ,, when I use moss wrapped around a bonsai root over rock or just moss wrapped around the roots , I use gutter guard large plastic mesh you can buy it in a roll from your hardware store ,, I,m in Australia so I buy it from bunnings it is 7 " tall comes in a 2 or 3 metre roll , so much easier wrap it around & tie the ends with a little loop of aluminium wire , works a treat & so much easier, keep up the great bonsai work , brilliant, Billy

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Billy, and thank you for the tip. As I was reading it, it makes complete sense, and the wire will also act as a great deterrent for the birds who will no doubt have their eyes on that moss. I'll have a look around and I'm sure I'll be able to pick some up locally. Really glad you're enjoying my videos. I love creating and pushing myself, and I find it impossible to take bonsai too seriously. I bet after 40 years you have some amazing trees!

[@scotthogbin613]

Looking forward to watching your big raft reveal in the future Tony. I think my long lost ancestors might have had something to do with making pig troughs..With the surname Hogbin !!

[@TonysBonsai]

Yeah, I reckon they must have been in the bacon trade, and got sent to Australia for feeding someone to the pigs!

[@scotthogbin613]

@@TonysBonsai 🤣 That's hilarious... Hmmm never thought of that🤔

[@kevinwilkes5969]

That was brilliant Tony. If you tried to buy something like that it would be hundreds. Further evidence that your work is developing at pace. Well done bud.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Kevin. I'm still amazed when I see the prices that some bonsai command. At least I will never have to worry about this one being stolen. It ways an absolute ton!

[@nwilliams1540]

Wow! Great pot and that tree fits amazingly.

[@TonysBonsai]

Yeah I dropped in a bit lucky I reckon, especially with how those roots were in a lovely flat pad. They fit in perfectly.

[@StevesBackyardBonsai]

Very cool project Tony. Can’t wait for the follow up on this one.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Steve. Although I won't be doing anything to this now until this time next year, I'll definitely update in the summer to show how it's getting on.

[@wshow11]

Cheers Tony!

[@notionbonsai]

Such a cool idea for a pot! Nice raft planting too Tony!

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Adam. I dropped in lucky finding this trough. I looked on ebay, and they go for hundreds

[@Rae-J90]

Great idea Tony, you nailed it! Looks exactly like a tree that's fallen over naturally and rooted. Looking forward to seeing how it progresses! 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you, that's exactly the look I was going for, and with a bit of luck hopefully it will just keep on getting better.

[@donaldslovey338]

Miss you my friend

[@TheSebastianLeFay]

Great idea to use a trough. I find it hard to find a proper pot that is long enough for rafts but also not too wide. Looking into the future I see this one potentially split and made into two bonsai, depending on how/if roots form. One raft styled and one arch styled.

[@TonysBonsai]

Interesting thought Sebastian. I think you are right. If the composition ends up looking like two individual pieces next to each other, I will split it and have two separate bonsai

[@andrewdobosz3682]

I've done a similar thing with a long maple whip in a deep cascade pot. I had no idea it was going to ground layer itself but was pleasantly surprised it did. I used mulch on the top and burried the middle of the trunk and kept it under the mulch with a rock. Didn't know what i was doing but am happy its one of my best trees. (Side note) i finally found a great figure for a root over statue looking forward to giving that a go. Anyway great work as usual Tony!

[@TonysBonsai]

I find it amazing how readily some trees will propagate, and then others are so hard. I might have a go at that technique with one of my maples! Glad you found a good figure. Now you just need the right tree for it. I'm currently experimenting with using muck, so I think that will be how I approach my second root over statue.

[@BusinessButlers]

Arghh - watching you lift out the tree, I was reminded of the evils of The Perched Water Table - it is well worth researching. You do not need to have the limestone at all except for ballast. As you can see, the roots have remained in the top substrate and strangely, the bottom layer of the compost section will have always been waterlogged as opposed to free draining. It all seems counter-intuitive. You could have as easily put put that tree in a pot the size of your washing up bowl. I am so jealous of the pig trough. You must be able to charm the birds from the trees, Tony - at least when it comes to your pots, foraging and donations. How long will it take for the tree to root on the double dip please? The moss looks wonderful and ideal. As a moss-lover myself, I find it strange that so many gardeners do not appreciate the beauty of the Earth's first terra-formers. Moss lovers do however suggest you use rainwater as opposed to tap water - they allegedly find the various chloramines in tap water a challenge to their growth but you CAN use an aquarium-hobby neutraliser with tap water and it is like 1ml of blue fluid to 10 litres of water. I am so looking forward to seeing this tree and pot in the summer. Thank you again for a great presentation.

[@TonysBonsai]

You make a good point about the water. Perhaps I could use the water from my dehumidifier as that doesn't contain any impurities. I would expect those branches to have rooted pretty well by this time next year, and by spring 2025 there should be a full extensive root system in place, but that's just a guess. Hawthorns are pretty durable though and this would survive on the existing roots for many years. Glad you enjoyed it. I just love these projects. In terms of charm, I don't know about that. Probably just lucky!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I love the use of natural materials for pots and I dont think you will have much problem doing a repot in a few years time. I did my first raft style with a one sided juniper a few years back and i seperated the original root mass 2 years ago. You defintely cannot go wrong with Ryan neil. I haven't seen that video so best log on and catch up :)

[@TonysBonsai]

For me, his raft style bonsai (It's either beech or hornbeam) is his best ever instructional video, and the final composition is absolutely stunning. I've never been able to find an update on it though. If you find an image of it now, I would love to see it.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@TonysBonsai I know the video and I dont recall any update on it either. I shall have alittle look through his archives (if you havent already?)

[@philiphernanenervida3023]

I did really like this idea ☝🖐💤💫⭐💥🙋 very unique 👌 atsuuup 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks. It's not very practical, but I just love the trough

[@philiphernanenervida3023]

@@TonysBonsai you are welcome 🖐 🙏 👍

[@guysolis5843]

Wow! Now a raft! You, sir, have the eye and imagination of a true artesian, what a gift! I just bought my first Bonsai tool ever, it's a Wazakura high carbon steel concave cutter. I'm getting geared up! I do need to find materials for my soil. Your trough looks like it's made of stone but I would guess it's more of a copper material. It's amazing..Sometime you could do a short talk on fertilizers, I just picked up some 7-9-5 from Dyna Gro, Bonsai Pro bit I never see you use fertilizer, maybe your thumb is greener than the average bear! Take care!

[@TonysBonsai]

Goo dman Guy. You'll soon be chopping away with that concave cutter! The trough is cast iron and at least 100 years old which is why it has the great patina. I do fertilize in the later spring and summer using chicken manure and some liquid feeds like liquid seaweed. I never show stuff like that because I find it to be the most boring part of bonsai.

[@guysolis5843]

@@TonysBonsai I think one of the biggest things I like about you is your improvisation. I too am like that. I always think of what I can make out of something, How much do you reckon that cast iron pig trough weighs?

[@TonysBonsai]

It wasn't really all that heavy. Empty I'd say it was perhaps 10-15kg?

[@digitaIgorilla]

I'm with you on this one. It's already awesome and will only get better! Excellent use of the trough, suits it 👌

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate. As soon as I spotted it I knew it would look good with all that lovely old character.

[@lucadanna3425]

The pig trough is a great idea Tony! In Sicily we say “u porcu quannu finisci di mangiari allavanca u scifu”!❤

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you Luca. I love the sound of the Italian language.

[@mattbrennan647]

Awesome Tony. Looks great. Yet another one of your creations to look forward to seeing develop. Thanks, keep growing

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Matt. Yes, I keep adding to my list of projects to return to. I had this plan shortly after I started my channel. I decided that having lots of interesting different plantings would give me endless opportunities for updates and content etc.

[@sagebonsai]

Awesome video Tony!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. It was really good fun to put together!

[@danielleeskelton]

I don't really like the raft style trees myself, but I'll admit you've done a good job and I can see it looking nice as it grows over the years.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Daniel. Projects like this are a bit out there, but as you say, I think it will only get better with time now.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

That’s one BIG pot 😊

[@TonysBonsai]

Go big or go home I say!

[@JustJane1972]

This is an amazing project. I'm setting up a small mame version. I love your future exposed root method. I was wondering how to change the angle. I'll keep it till spring. 😊

[@TonysBonsai]

I just love exposed roots or root over rock it's so exciting when we get to reveal them. Yours will go on to great things I hope

[@JustJane1972]

@TonysBonsai thanks Tony. I'm sure yours will. I love roots over rock too, I will need to give it a try. Take care, Jane

[@brianmooney5552]

I’m currently trying something similar with a four foot long piece of wild grape vine I collected last year. I was able to get it to root in three areas but just laying it down in my pre-bonsai garden, and it also put out vertical growth along its length. This spring I dug it up and planted it in three separate pots that I then secured the pots to a board with wire so I could carry it as one piece. I am now hoping that it will continue to put more roots into the pots and growth along its length. I am thinking it would be more of a “bridge “ than a raft.

[@TonysBonsai]

Wow Brian. That sounds amazing. As you say it is like the trunk is bridging across from one pot to another. Like mine, I suspect it is pretty heavy, but we don;t have to really move these creatins around much.

[@timjennings802]

hi tony looking good i thought that trough look good for a forest display hope your well and things are going ok for you hope your eye is getting better all the best tim

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Tim. Yes, I really like this trough. I think there is another smaller one, so I might get that and plant a forest, or even a miniature hedge. I love those.

[@andrewclack4881]

I just took a large maple out of an old council dustbin I used. I found loads of concrete and house brick filling most of it!

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣🤣The things we do mate. At least nobody would steal it!

[@snejinka_in]

Nice video as always, super out of the box and I think that's why everyone likes your videos. I didn't see any drainage holes in the pig trough, is there any?

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate. yeah there were four drainage holes in it, and I drilled a couple more. They're not huge, but with a good well-draining soil, they should be fine.

[@invinciblecucumber]

If you get another trough, can you please make a whole forest with a little path and rocks that mimic mountains? 😂

[@waynekieft4952]

Give it a couple of years Tony and you will end up with one great looking piece of art! Lovely pot by the way! Have you thought of putting a nice rock underneath the first bow!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Wayne. I didn't really consider a rock in this, but it is always an option. I suppose I would be worried about over complicating something that already has a lot going on.

[@waynekieft4952]

@@TonysBonsai True!!! I think I have an obsession with rocks. 90 per cent of my Bonsai have rock or slate incorporated !

[@JaniLaaksonen91]

The raft idea AND the "pot" were both superb and I knew it would turn out really great, which it did! I'd also have a video idea for you. Maybe later in the spring/summer when the trees have fully woken up. I'd like to see your watering routine. Like, to see you physically do it. How long it takes, what equipment do you use? And also how often do you water, obviously depending on the weather and spieces of tree? And supposing you also have a day job beside your youtube career, how do you fit watering and bonsai care around a workday. How about if you're out of town for days/weeks? Do you always have a friend to come water the trees for you or do you set up something automated?

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Jani. I'll try to remember to create that video, although it will be a very short one, as my regime is very simple.

[@nerinat8371]

❤❤❤

[@KennetDeBondt]

Well, that´s unusual.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Kennet. It certainly needs a few years to mature, but it could be a really interesting project I think.

[@Dave_0993_I]

I've got a V shaped pig trough. It has a laer of black paint I might have to remove. I've thought of a river-style forrest planting, these years since I've had it.

[@TonysBonsai]

Oooh yes. That sounds like a great idea Dave, and a big thank you. You have just inspired me as to what I'm going to do for my landscape challenge. I've been trying to come up with something for weeks, and I just struck gold reading your comment! Not a river, but definitely inspired by the idea of a river running through a forest!

[@Dave_0993_I]

@@TonysBonsai My ideai s a river bank, with trees who's trunks bend downstream, more or less. Some of the coolest trees are out by the river, twisted and punished by floods over the years, and usually with interesting roots.

[@andrewbeattie5245]

Brilliant project Tony, the tree and trough were made for each other. How much does it weigh now?!

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate. I'm not sure what it weighs, but I carried it outside out on my own before watering it, and now that it's nice and moist I can't move it 🤣

[@sikanderfarooqui3315]

Whatever the content u r explaining is hidden under the typed script. Can u ,in future, take the written material to top so that we may see your work

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Sikander. I don;t decide on the subtitles. Unfortunately, they are nothing to do with me.