Connor's Bonsai Bench Tour, The Bonsai Zone, Aug 2020

I head to Connor's house for a tour of his Bonsai benches, a swim and a barbecue!
Too see previous videos with Connor, click on the playlist here....
• Bonsai with Connor
To see other bonsai bench tours, click on the playlist here...
• Bonsai Gardens
To Join the Toronto Bonsai Society or to check out their website, click here...
torontobonsai.org/
To join the Kitchener Waterloo Bonsai Society, check the club out here...
/ kwbonsaisociety
#TheBonsaiZone

[@pyotrtchaikovsky3242]

I don’t know what it is but every video you make is just as fun to watch as the last one. By far, the best bonsai channel on KZbin!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, it's nice to hear you enjoy the videos as much as I enjoy making them!

[@BackGardenBonsai]

Connors got that back garden set up like a dream! Great stuff and a very cool collection

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It was a fun day checking out the trees and swimming!

[@chesh1rek1tten]

Connor just casually lifting trees out of the way without stopping to talk is weirdly inspiring. And man, those trees 😍

[@jeffdodson1675]

THAT was fun. I like your tours of fellow bonsai enthusiasts’ collections and works-in-progress to see their accomplishments and ideas put into practice. Thank you.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Jeff, by the way, my Ginkgo is doing really well after the all the root pruning I did this spring! I think it's going to make a really good bonsai in the future!

[@jeffdodson1675]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone .....EXCELLENT! Time to start a ginkgo forest....of Mother/daughter trees....over rock....from seed....with a waterfall feature.

[@pedantic_bonsai]

pls repeat a visit to connor this or next year.. watched it again.. just awesome

[@mattdemoraes]

Really enjoyed seeing Connor's collection Nigel, thanks both for taking the time to do that. Great trees Connor. Especially loved seeing the Bald Cypress

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Matthew, I can't wait to see what he does with some of his trees! I'll be sure to post updates in the future!

[@pattin4015]

I am in good company with plant lovers! Connor knows so much at such a young age! A lot of what he mentioned, I discovered decades into my gardening! Love the idea of using plastic tubs, mesh, strainers or other recycled materials for potting media before committing to buying expensive ceramic bonsai pottery, although I obviously love those... I just poked holes into large black mushroom containers today for potting bonsai...*will use Nigel's tilting draining method...Definitely will now use a sieve which is now out of commission..So much fun!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Patti, I'll be sure to visit Connor's this summer for updates!

[@farmert9679]

You will have to go back and see how Connor winters over all his plants. Should be interesting.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes a good idea, he has a big job ahead to get them all tucked away for winter! Thanks Tom!

[@brackenwilson5891]

@@TheBonsaiZone 888r3rt4r3458535trttry5t5yt868y7888678

[@jessesnelling257]

So good to see Connor again! What a marvelous collection, with so many interesting projects and species. Even better that he seems like quite a genuine and nice guy. Looking forward to seeing more of him in future videos on this channel, and hopefully his own!

[@kwieting]

Thank you, Connor. That was great. I like seeing different bonsai collections from Hong, Noah, and now Connor. Everyone has their interests.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hopefully there will be more bonsai garden tours in the future!

[@karlbrenner6805]

Can you point me to the one from Hong? Can't find it.

[@kwieting]

@@karlbrenner6805 April 2018, part 2.

[@karlbrenner6805]

@@kwieting Great, thanks alot. Will watch right away

[@zackau9807]

Smoke trees have been my favorite since a kid, so jealouse of Conner's!

[@zimrianispresent8123]

I smoke trees too. For a living even! 💯😂😂😂😂😂

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I really like the trunks as they get old, I see some really nice ones as a yard tree.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Now that's a job that's out of this world!

[@DakotaDS]

Thanks, Nigel!

[@rafi_N]

Very cool to see Connor's garden. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm sure some day we'll all meet and have a beer!

[@peacecosmonaut176]

Thank you for taking us along!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It was a wonderful day, bonsai, swimming and food!

[@sunilusk]

Hello Nigel, Namaste from India. That ficus he has is Ficus Rumphi hence the leaves dont have long tale, like your Ficus Religiosa has :)

[@MrRubyTheKid]

actually it's Ficus Rumphii :)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, good to know!

[@user-lk3iv4sd7s]

Amazing bonsai

[@jonathanaristone2468]

Nice to see our fellow enthusiasts gardens.Please visit other club members to broaden our scope. Well done Connor & Nigel.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Jonathon, I'll try and get out to more bonsai gardens in future, they are so interesting!

[@danutashayler34]

Thank you Nigel Saunders. This young fellow is very impressive and knowledgeable, a guru of Bonsai, and with the Canadian Weather to deal with. I am simply awed. Personally have started late with my passion for Bonsai creating, so satisfying even though I have massacred a few shrubs and trees since I retired in 2001. But it is the experience and I'm never disappointment now. I appreciate this video, wish I had seen it earlier. An hour well spent. Danuta from Fraser Valley.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you so much Danuta, a great hobby for your retirement!

[@nickybeingnicky]

Greatly enjoyed this video.

[@bonsaidownunder992]

Wow you guys are so lucky to go out and collect plant already established.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, It's a nice way to start a larger bonsai!

[@tanayprabhu5633]

That cactus at 4:30 is a Pachypodium lamerei. On another note, Nigel you should start a mango bonsai. I can send you some seeds!

[@robd2323]

Thanks! I got one recently and I've been looking for the name.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Tanay and thanks for the offer, it will have to wait until I get the greenhouse up, I've totally run out of room!

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

Pachypodium lamereii is not a cactus. It is related to plumerias and adeniums.

[@kc7brj]

Great video! Something that struck me is that this shows a wide variety of plants and trees that can grow in small pots with proper care and not need repotting all the time.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Bob, Connor has plenty to keep him busy!

[@shramo]

Everytime I think I've gotten away, you real me back in Nigel! great tour. Awesome philosophies.

[@shramo]

wow. that porta. afra at about 13:00 is so mini and compact!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Shramo, more to come!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, a really nice little tree!

[@Iheardyoulikeplants]

The strange succulent at 4:17 is a Pachypoduim Lamerei, or Madagascar Palm

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Lane!

[@leighharron]

Really enjoyed for the tour, Nigel and Connor. What a great collection, a nice mix of material and growing stages. Also jealous of your sunshine and swimming pool!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

We had a really fun day, couldn't ask for more!

[@marysoldeeley2218]

Really is neat seeing the differences in everyone's work! Fantastic! Glad he let us come along! :)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, so many cool trees out there in the world!

[@chinookwind8535]

Love it don't feel so bad with my 250 plus pots of bonsai and pre bonsai material after watching this lots of ideas to consider

[@izabelalizon1031]

That's an amazing collection Connor

[@bonsaidownunder992]

Conner you have a great collection of Bonsai it must keep you busy 😀lots of Fun

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll agree!

[@hudcummings2979]

Great place, Connor; Thanks, Nigel! Peace . . . awesome sunset . . .

[@TheBonsaiZone]

A nice way to end the day!

[@alvarolupinacci641]

Nice trip. I have enjoyed too, even from Brazil :)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Alvaro, glad you enjoyed the tour!

[@LounoirRecords]

i would kill for that japanese weeping red pine, so many options for greatness! :D

[@farmert9679]

Sarcocaulon Vanderietiae, another tree like cactus. This is a tempermental tree with small leaves and small needles. Looks like the avatar tree in the movie. Cuttings will root as long as you let the ends harden off. Reward: White flowers 2 to 3 times in the summer with a 0-2-2 fertilizer. Now this is a nice challenge for you and Connor.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Tom, it looks like a really nice plant for bonsai, there are so many nice Succulents and Cactii out there!

[@DinadoDarcio]

*GOOD MORNING MY FRIEND, HAVE A GREAT DAY TO YOU*

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks!!

[@andrecosterus]

I agree with the vigorous nature of the Ficus natalensis. In South Africa I can take stumps of 15cm+ in diameter without any leaves and stick them in a pot and it will come back with leaves quite quickly.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Wow, that's amazing, they love growing roots!

[@ManojRajbhar86]

Very beautiful bench tour. Connor 's do have a beautiful collection of Bonsai. By the way the one with small tail leaves ficus is Rumphi Ficus.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Mannoj, I'll tell Connor!

[@auroraringz]

Those adeniums are amazing, I love keeping plants that wouldn't normally be in ND, USA

[@miketabback2635]

Fantastic day trip. I am very new to bonsai and I really enjoy checking out other bonsai gardens. It gives me inspiration along with ideas that I can incorporate in my garden. NJ Mike BTW: the truck looks great.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Mike, I still have a long list of things that I want to do to the truck, door seals, fixing rust spots etc. I hope I get some time, if not, it will have to wait until next year! I like Connor's layout!

[@farmert9679]

I think that you and Connor can try a Rose Cactus. Pereskia Grandiflora. Super easy. Thick Trunks fast. Cool super thin black needles (sewing needle size) and super sharp. The bonus is rose like flowers at the tips of growth. I think it would be a nice challenge for the both of you.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That sounds really nice, I'll keep my eyes open when I'm in the Succulent section!

[@kylerichardson5863]

Very nice show and variety, thanks for sharing

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Glad you enjoyed it Kyle!

[@austinjk24]

I believe that small unknown tree at 1:04:43 is a Celtis species . Like a hackberry or sugar berry elm possibly . Hard to tell from the video but this might be helpful . Great videos as always !

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks so much!!!

[@anupjyotibaruah4567]

Hello Nigel, the ficus that your friend mentioned in the time lapse 34:25 of this video is not ficus religiosa. It is called ficus rumphii, originated in indian subcontinent. Its a very suitable species for bonsai specially in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. I have few bonsai of ficus rumphii, its look very elegant and fascinating, its my favourite tree. I request you too to try this species for bonsai and keep one in your collection. Thanks !

[@connor4069]

Thanks Anup, definitely a f. rumphii. I will have to trade Nigel some cuttings :)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Anup, yes Connor and I will have to trade cuttings!

[@mheidelman8207]

Love the Korean fir!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

A very unique tree!

[@entyropy3262]

It is fantastic !

[@jamestropicals8262]

Connors plants look really cool!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll agree, he's got some beauties!

[@mattbrennan647]

Wonderful tour. Great work Connor. Thanks

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Glad you enjoyed it Matt!

[@toptrollking]

Place looks epic! I agree those African Ficus are wild, mine has taken off like crazy with air-roots and loads of growth. 1 cutting = infinite trees for life! :)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I have a few Natal Ficus trees and they sure like to grow roots!

[@toptrollking]

@@TheBonsaiZone For sure, I was lucky to get one, so huge thanks to that KWB member! I already have a cutting of a cutting of a cutting and likely infinite future cuttings! Connor's place was impressive! :)

[@farmert9679]

Pereskia Aculeata 'Godseffiana' or variegated leafy cactus. Has cool trunk. Bonus is the pink leaves as the leaves emerge and then they turn yellow and finally green. A really nice bonsai for you and Connor to try. Both cactus are tree like and like no other cactus or succulent that I have seen. Fast draining soil, full sun, a great all around bonsai.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Tom, Connor has had his for a number of years, it's looking better each year!

[@doginthegarden5733]

Thanks for another enjoyable video!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@earthladyadventures5018]

The aged dryer Hardened sap is what the amber healing crystal is made of .😊

[@kendallmallon1763]

Cool to see a mixed species forest. I haven't seen many do them. I am planning on starting a mixed conifer forest to mirror the subalpine forests found in the Colorado Rocky Mountains next year.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Awesome Kendall!

[@margaretsims4344]

Great tour tour of Connors garden. I’m surprised how many tender/tropical you both grow it must be hard overwintering them all. I mainly stick to maples, larches etc so much easier. Apart from a few jade/Gollum which come into the house for winter. We must be due a full tour of the Saunders benches (hardy trees) not tropical.

[@tylerweirtube]

Connor, so nice to see the Korean Fir again. I’m going to need to find one.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, they are very interesting!

[@johnroberthines7811]

That plant he didn't know is a pachypodium lamerei or Madagascar palm even though it's not really a palm that what they call it, I have four of them.

[@martialrasta]

wow!! great concepts in this video.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, some really good creative ideas! That's what I like about Connor's trees!

[@MrNutsHouseofLittleTreesBONSAI]

Love the maidshair big guy, I struggle with those over here

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Mr Nut, I hope Connor reads the comments!

[@Bw40099]

why would people dislike this theres nothing not to like

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll have to agree Ben!

[@newleafbonsai6788]

Geez Conner beat me to punch 😂 I was going to start a root bridge bonsai Nice collection 👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope you do, I'd love to see it in a future video! Thanks NLB!

[@newleafbonsai6788]

@@TheBonsaiZone Thank you , I'm going to do it ! I've been planning it for a few years !! 🙏

[@Darkfire1300]

Great garden tour! Please let us know: 1. What is Conor's "bonsai soil" recipe. 2. How does he water the conifer bench? It didn't look like he had an automatic system for that portion of the yard. 3. Where is he going to winter his succulents and other tropicals? 4. How long has it taken him to amass that wonderful collection? 5. How long does he typically leave his plants in those baskets? AND last, 6. Are those pond plant baskets that he is (mostly) using? As usual, Nigel you show us options and opportunities. We are all richer because of your efforts. Thanks!!!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I believe Connor uses a lava rock, perlite or pumice and some pine bark for most of his trees. He has a hand wand hooked up to the city water to water to water most of his trees. The misting system is more as a backup. He has a room and the basement in his house to overwinter the tropical's. He has a grow light system that keeps them healthy. I've known Connor for many years, I believe he has been interested in bonsai since his early twenties maybe longer. I would say close to ten years? Yes they are pond baskets, he leaves then in the baskets until they are getting close to being show trees, then they get a nice pot! Speaking for Connor, I hope I got the information right, if not, then close!

[@entyropy3262]

Great video, thx for sharing !

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Our pleasure! Thanks!

[@Jayabonsaizone]

Bonsai yang bagus.... Salam dari Indonesia....

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Terima kasih banyak, Ficus saya tumbuh sangat lambat dibandingkan dengan yang ada di iklim Anda!

[@OliverJazzz]

What a great tour, it's probably my third time watching this! So many great trees and interesting species! Any chance of seeing more of Connor and his trees in the future? 🙂🌱

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll be heading to Connor's this summer for round 2!

[@CherieChi]

It is so nice have a big garden with all kind of trees to growth^^

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I don't think Connor will ever run out of things to do on his trees!

[@CherieChi]

@@TheBonsaiZone Everyone got the choice lol ^^

[@Dmoongurren]

Great video Nigel, 👍🏻

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks for joining the tour Michael!

[@PlantCraftDIY]

Nigel ... a very fun bonsai tour. see the jade plant bonsai, big ficus and many more. I really like it all😍 I'm waiting for the next bonsai tour ... what about Indonesian Bonsai?😀

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, I'll try and do more bench tours!

[@luxizimmi6425]

it would be nice to see the substrate sorts he grows his trees! how i saw, he uses sphagnum a lot!

[@jayscore7182]

Your savior is here - 667th like

[@themadsamplist]

Nice!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@pyotrtchaikovsky3242]

I’ve always wondered what the 7 next to the Bonsai Zone logo is?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It's means season 7, my 7th year for the channel, time flies!

[@averyprice9422]

I need that bald cypress..

[@earthladyadventures5018]

The sap color/tint of color when it saps.

[@rosshopkins2063]

The unknown succulant is called a halfmen. Theyre more like cycids then succulents but they are in thr cactis like plants grouping

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Ross, good to know and they are very cool looking!

[@rosshopkins2063]

@@TheBonsaiZone you should look up the mature plants in the wild on google...they are soooo weird

[@dabblingwithbonsai]

So many cool trees! I wish I had half that space, mah dog would like it too.. Thanks Connor for the tour! At 50:03, there was a tree on behind the crabapple and demo ficus you missed.. Is it Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm not sure, I'll try and ask Connor!

[@Bw40099]

i loved the one styled after the rafiki tree it was awesome i wonder how he got the trunk like that

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, it's a very unusual shape!

[@Bw40099]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone they use pieces of drift wood and then they will train smaller trees around it overtime also i’m finding some awesome looking ones on google images

[@thomasjwynn]

Have you ever tried growing an Aeonium as a bonsai? It’s a succulent. Most varieties are branching, and some varieties can grow as tall as 4 feet in about 4 to 5 years, if you don’t grow it as a bonsai. I think that it will look really good!! If you do want to grow one, I would recommend starting with Aeonium ‘Velour’ or Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ aka. Aeonium ‘Schwarzkopf’.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, they look very interesting, I'm hoping to get more succulent bonsai in the future!

[@haroldcopeland4382]

Enjoyed the vid.I'm in North Carolina and have a ton of the Virginia creeper that many mistake for poison ivy...how do you control it

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It is very hard to control once it gets loose in a backyard! We pull the vines down from the trees and pull as much as we can out of the ground. The shade of the trees helps keep it in check, but it is a constant battle. As a bonsai, it can be pruned just like any other tree, let it grow and then clip it back.

[@lukasmihara]

I was a bit scared one of you might fall into the pool, but that was a great tour! Very interesting varieties. The amount of leaves on the Koto-Hime Maple are crazy. By the way, it's a bit nit-picky but a/e/i/o/u are pronounced something like "ah/eh/ih/oh/uh" in Japanese. It's difficult to display in English spelling but Hime would probably be something like "hee-meh" in English, and "Bonsai" has a sharp S not a soft Z like in _zoom_ for example :) The name 琴姫 _kotohime_ means _koto = Japanese harp_ and _hime = princess_ by the way!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks great information Lukas!

[@rosemariehaas7143]

Conner, where do you hide all these trees during the winter?

[@radymendoza6185]

Hi Nigel, I enjoyed watching your channel. I 'm just wondering where I could buy a premna microphylla. I'm from Winnipeg and it's hard to find a variety of bonsai. Thanks and happy growing!

[@BonsaiJCan]

I really enjoyed the tour, many excellent trees and species. Nice work and set up connor 😀👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks J, glad you liked the tour!

[@bobrogers5522]

Thankyou Nigel and Connor for the excellent bench tour. Some really nice and different bonsai. Nigel, it looks like Connor's soil is quite different from yours. I persume that it is because he grows in pots that are very open on the bottom for root growing. I am very interested to know his soil mix because this would be really great in my colder Ontario winters. Thankyou in advance.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll do a follow up video and ask him questions in the future!

[@bobrogers5522]

@@TheBonsaiZone Thanks Nigel..

[@thomasjwynn]

I believe that Connor’s carnivorous plant in his bog planting was a Drosera aka Sundew.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Thomas!

[@ronandcindyweiss1497]

Does Conner have a website or KZbin channel?

[@dk2614]

Those are called drip tips on the Ficus religiosa

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Cool, I like that, drip tips!

[@arlocartledge5095]

Can we get more info on the the dwarf thuja? id like to get one but cant seem to find one with that foliage. Thanks!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

They are quite new to the nurseries, we had them at Canadian Tire this spring, but they are all sold out now!

[@arlocartledge5095]

@@TheBonsaiZone thank you for the reply. I’ll just keep my ear to the ground.

[@Bw40099]

1:10:46 wow those roots are crazy awesome love that tree

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Connor has some great trees in the works!

[@Mr._Lister_The_Sister_Phister]

Is that the same guy that gave the presentation on lighting methods?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes indeed!

[@NAY10G]

I think that dwarf gingko is a rare female.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks NAY10G!

[@sophiaangelini4368]

Connor's Succulents (and Bonsai)n have a good life in the sun by the pool...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I can just picture them sipping a cool drink by the side of the pool with their roots in the water!

[@jugalkishorekalita9611]

34:35 is actually Not Ficus religiousa, it's actually Ficus rumphili

[@andrecosterus]

45:00 is Ficus pumila

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, great to know!

[@Najaxyutara]

hello bro merci ! ;) nice

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Naja! Thanks!

[@Najaxyutara]

@@TheBonsaiZone ;) you welcome ! :)

[@thesilentone4024]

Dozin

[@bhargavtank3784]

Connor telling religiosa is FICUS RUMPHII not religiosa

[@connor4069]

Thanks Bhargav, it was sold to me as a f. religiosa, but definitely looks closer to f. rumphii :) Which I have also never seen up in Canada before

[@bhargavtank3784]

@@connor4069 lord budha attained gyaan/bodh under this tree that's why it's called FICUS BODHI too. Just a titbit.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Bhargav, good stuff!

[@dk2614]

That's called ficus pumilla. Creeping ficus.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks D K!

[@thesilentone4024]

So I'm growing lemon and dawn Redwood from seed i was wondering would you like to grow one with me i got 1k for 7.99

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Sounds good! My email is... [e-mail]

[@tomsmith2215]

enjoyed. which hard candy for connor?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Tom, he has quite a collection for a young fellow!

[@andrewvillalobos1957]

Madagascar palm

[@keinboesewicht]

14:55 oaky elm?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think maybe Hinoki? I'm not sure though.

[@keinboesewicht]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone would you mind asking connor? because i cant find anything on hinoki elm either

[@codyohara2027]

Does connor have an instagram or a KZbin channel?😊

[@Cactuscarlo]

4:26 looks like a pachypodium lamerei

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Loscar!