Creating Jade Bonsai, Part 1, The Bonsai Zone, Feb 2019

In Part 1, I am pruning a Jade bonsai forest and watering my newer Jade forest for the first time. I prune a large Jade cutting to get it ready to plant in part 2.
The scientific name for the Jade plant is Crassula ovata.
Check the playlist tab on the channel main page for previous videos on these trees.

[@kkohler0624]

A guy on a FB bonsai page said "Jade isn't bonsai." He then commented that Portulacara Afra is not jade, which is true, and said, "Show me a jade bonsai." So I posted your video. I think you clearly demonstrate he's wrong. Nice jade trees and forests! Thank you!!!

[@brandyD33]

The aquamarine colored bonsai pot was actually phenomenal, in my humble opinion. It was a dynamic contrast to the earthen colors of the plant foliage and stalk. But hey, to each his own. Beautiful plants you've got there. Subscribed.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Brandy, it never hurts to play around with colours and shapes of pots.

[@glow1815]

Am 4 years late but better late then never lol. Your video was in my feed since ive been watching Bonsai adn Succulents plants all day lol. Very beautiful. Ive nevrr seen or hear of Bonsai Succulents. I have a Bonsai trees for 4 years now i kept it small

[@InbenNaidoo]

I like your casual approach and your inclusion of wintry conditions and snow is interesting for someone in South Africa who has seen snow maybe 3-4 times in his life

[@juliaf_]

An ontarian! So refreshing to hear a familiar accent online :)

[@GardenTronics]

Jade forest is a wonderful idea! Thank you! I’m going to make one after I find a suitable pot. ❤️🌿

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks and I hope your Jade does well!

[@GardenTronics]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone so far I found a coconut coir lined basket laying around and I added 5 miniature bonsais with some other succulents. So far, they are doing good. Thank you for the well wishes. 👍🏼🌿💕

[@LShropper]

“See that one?” *immediately buries that one in snow* 😂

[@kimvG666]

I just decided to start doing bonsai. I was looking for some info and found your video. Luckily I have a Jade plant! He's not doing very well and I almost gave him up.... Until now! Thanks to your video my Jade plant will be fabulous again! ✨ Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and sharing your bonsai secrets🙏🏼

[@Bubble170]

Are you me? 😂 this is exactly what happened to me this morning! I was looking at trying bonsai and suitable trees to use, then saw my sad old neglected jade plant and thought…yeah I’ll try and save it and use for bonsai! How’s your Jade doing? I’m going to plant two from leaves and two from cuttings to play around with. I’m lucky I had any leaves left?

[@kimvG666]

@@Bubble170 Hahhah mine almost died again so I planted new leaves again and they are doing great! In summer it's too hot in my room and in winter it's too cold so I lose a lot of plants over the year :( But I'm not giving up! hahah

[@wodnyrak]

the jades with the original pot at 2:00 made me think of palm trees at the beach, the aquamarine looks like ocean water 🩵

[@josephascroft4774]

Really enjoying your videos as I have just started growing bonsai trees, I already had some jade plants and other succulents but didn’t know they could be bonsai’s so you have opened a new door for me so thank you so much and God bless 👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Wonderful!

[@LilDirt12]

Hello. I usually don't like when people get off subject and get sidetracked but I'm so glad that you did It is absolutely beautiful in your yard. Thank you for sharing.

[@mehdirahimi52]

New video 🙌,thanks for sharing this awesome videos about bonsai trees. ❤

[@snakesnake6938]

U persian ?

[@lindsey4178]

I love "the look".... All plant lovers know that feeling. Lol. When you decide to clip something and try to decide exactly where and how, we get that look....we make our decision but then there is that moment of "here I go, am I sure this is what I want to do?" and then we work up the courage and do it. Lol. I know that feeling and I know I'm not the only one...

[@ericsvideos1]

Sooo glad you see Winter as beautiful my friend. I live in Chicago and I am done with it! Lol. But only a true nature lover sees the beauty in Nature regardless of the Season!

[@genealogyjeremy]

Just starting four portulacaria afra’s from babies and on a mission to learn and train them as bonsai’s. Thank you Nigel!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope your trees grow well Jeremy! They are a good tree for bonsai!

[@GraftingTactick]

Real cool showing those white snows on those tree branches, absolute beauty 👌also like you jade forest looks so beautiful 👍thanks for sharing

[@artao5]

HOLY FRIGGEN HARD PRUNING BATMAN!! Seriously. That was a shocking cutback on that jade forest. Wow! :O Very bold.

[@obadiahsvision8425]

brutal

[@michaelduncan6287]

Full on Nigel !!! Haha

[@obadiahsvision8425]

You seem like the kind of geezer I need to listen to. Just getting started with bonsai. thanks

[@sabineshatraw7822]

Hello thank you for a relaxing and informative video. Plants are wonderful and so important. I have a small potted house jade plant. It's about 3 years old. One of my favorite plants to have.

[@PleasantPrickles]

That cutting! Wow! 😍 jades are my favorites! Thanks for sharing your expertise. 🌱🌱🌱

[@exert2020]

How ignorant am I. I've just received a ginseng bonsai and only just realised I had two jades. I've never known what they were, where I got them or that they were even bonsai. Amazing.

[@lesliejobe7800]

What an incredibly beautiful homestead you have!! I am in Texas and it's 100 degrees today...you live in paradise!

[@SuperManning11]

Wonderful video! I'm watching this in the middle of summer in Palm Springs where it's about 42 degrees today (107F), so the beautiful tour of your snowy backyard was fantastic. Here my jade trees go dormant in the summer and have to be brought inside or they essentially 'melt'. Left out in this heat the plant cells must die, then the cell walls break down so the whole tree crumples into a pile of mush. Indoors they survive but don't thrive until cooler weather returns and they can go back outside. I have learned the hard way that this is true for most succulents. They may look a bit like cactus plants but the similarities are only superficial. However the plant that looks like a jade but with smaller, rounder leaves (I'm forgetting the name) does take the heat and seems to thrive in it.

[@chlodelune8387]

this put the biggest smile on my face this is just so pure

[@kevcrabill7921]

This gave me some real anxiety but I appreciate it. I'm trying to take care of my old jade that was a gift and I'm so worried it wont come back from anything I do to it but this made me feel better. Thank you.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

So far all the Jades are growing well, with proper watering and good light, Jades are a very tough plant!

[@MakeoutTakeout]

I find your videos so interesting

[@munzer2006]

спасибо вам огромное за вашу работу!

[@sophiaangelini4368]

Beautiful snowy garden tour.

[@kokilapatel5553]

Beautiful back yard ,wonderful jadeforest and very friendly tutor

[@ThriceFan16]

I’m learning so much from your videos, Nigel. Thank you!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, very nice to hear!

[@BonsaiJCan]

The Jade forests are really cool! I appreciate your advice. On to part 2!

[@lesliejobe7800]

I have just discovered you after searching about how and when to plant my baby bonsai trees in new pots. After one video, I went and pruned my fig like no other....I'm excited to see how it grows out. I also have a HUGE jade plant in my greenhouse that I KNOW needs pruning..so here I am! So excited to find your videos!!!

[@charmanehenderson4625]

Wow...the snow is Beautiful

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I agree!

[@87pastrychef]

I am watching this from Brazil, I have never seem this amount of snow in person, can't even begin to imagine how cold it must be 😆

[@deadeyeski]

We visited our homeland of Poland in 2018. We spent the first part of our trip on my side of the country, and then later we spent time at my father in law's. He had a Jade planting, must have been at least 20 trees. The trees, with some work would be an amazing bonsai planting. I did not dare even bring up the subject of his house plants, knowing what seeds his daughter and I have planted. Plus I doubt we could have snuck it passed customs. Love the whole idea of using a "house plant" as bonsai. Given time anything can turn out beautiful.

[@ShiaShnaky]

I absolutely love his video, not only do I get to learn about bonsai and jade succulents, but at 4:30ish we get swept away in a backyard adventure of yours. Really wishing i didn't live in the city and could have a greenhouse of my own someday!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Tylar!

[@hirgoghari6595]

Your house back yard is very bigger and beautiful plant are there..

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, I do like having a forest in the back yard!

[@greggles1987]

Thanks for showing us your winter wonderland Nigel

[@patricialisowski1080]

Well, that was very enlightening!! All this time I have just discarded most of the Jade cuttings.....There will be a change here, and I will try some of the stuff you are doing....on a much smaller scale, though. Aren’t you glad spring has finally come to us!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I can hardly wait to get all the indoor trees out on the benches, but that will be another 3 weeks at least. I hope my little Jade forest works out, the trees are all growing the leaves back in.

[@shesothorny9892]

Nigel, I am very grateful to have found you. Every day you seem to post something interesting and whenever I need help/inspiration you always have a helpful video. Thank you for being awesome!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you very much!

[@skiendhiu]

Some go0d tips, was going to do a couple of mine today as it snowed over night and I got the urge to stay in and get at them, your video just came up, so very timely, the Canada arm made me smile, hello from Vancouver island 🇨🇦

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Dhiu, the Canada arm is so nice, I can move it around with no wires or stands to trip on! Go Jades!

[@maryanntimodingal8213]

Wow what’s beautiful snow 😍😍😍

[@trevorsell4598]

Hi Nigel, thanks for the video. That Gollum Jade will be a wonderful bonsai! I have two mini jades off the same plant - one is in full sun and very dry, and the other is in good light, but no direct sunlight, and is watered regularly. The dry sunny one is nearly all red on the leaves, and the other one is green! They're both healthy but very different from each other.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The sun can make a big difference in leaf size and colour. A local greenhouse has a really old Jade that they use for cuttings, it's the perfect bonsai!

[@toddbrown5399]

I' have an Africa Crasula or jade 11 yrs old ,Yes they do get very monster mountainous top footage roots mine is well into a tree now the leaves heart shaped and, very tiny on the bulky frame that is very dark brownish purple like Baobab. I' have many themes to this plant in its story . 18:18 you said that very well; these trees in bonsai can get incredible looking and, are no comparison to just a house plant style . Mine has a root span like your Ficus Microcarpa very hour glass looking massive; it is a I' like to say Shakan Moyogi meaning leaning informal up right wind swept but, then back to trunk base center a very exaggerated informal up right. It is in a spiral as it does this from root base to Apex and , branches following up on the outside of the going up counter clockwise . Has the appearance of an old oak or, Baobab .

[@DinadoDarcio]

*WONDERFUL SHREK EAR BONSAI, I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS SUCCULENT, A BIG KISS FROM BELÉM DO PARÁ BRAZIL*

[@nicolehall2006]

Winter scene looks beautiful and frozen . Unsure l will like it over a week.

[@bradley7013]

My mom has always been a succulent head Than I realized she propagates and mainly grows jade What a god cent🥲

[@xvln]

love the Jade!

[@lamyaarigati8589]

فيديوا زوين بزاااف عجبني ومحتوى تاع قناتك كنستافد منوا بزاااف اتمنى لك مسيرة موفقة

[@LinLin-ep5wu]

did I just hear you dropping F* bomb? haha you're so gentle I'd never thought you would :P

[@CConn-df7hy]

Lin Lin so it was t just me that heard that lol

[@EnSnusTack]

was looking for this comment xD

[@chinookwind8535]

He said looking

[@LinLin-ep5wu]

@@chinookwind8535 ohhh hahaha thank you. I replayed it and he did indeed say "looking." It sounded so much like otherwise. Glad I am not the only one who thought otherwise lol

[@brianzampaglione6112]

Hahah!

[@Madran7]

Just today I sprayed my jades (crassula and portulacaria) with soap and water, and trimmed them...:D :D

[@gideonmccoll4892]

Heard your voice and wondered if you were relativly local... saw you step outside and knew lol. Hello from the GTA. Great content, subscribed.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, yes I'm not too far a way from Toronto!!

[@aden8]

Thank you for sharing

[@ningningprecious943]

I love your presentations I learned a lot from your video! Thank you!

[@jaimerico6499]

I love the Jade

[@ppiilloottee]

Beautiful 👍👍👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Tthhaannkkss ppiilloottee!!

[@JOlivier2011]

I can't wait for winter. Hoping for this amount of snow at least once.

[@lindajackson7310]

Hi edagdwg love this video God at work enjoying the show I like it is that snow glad I'm not in N.y. anymore thanks for sharing linda j ☮️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️💯💯💯

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Linda, nice to hear!

[@Cali16dale]

LOVE THIS VIDEO

[@stirer1]

Gosh how beautiful the snow is so so white , not much of that in Australia

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It is a sight and very bright in the sun!

[@paulschaefer5241]

Those outside views look a lot like it did here a couple of days ago. All winter we went without snow then last friday winter storm maya came through and dumped two feet of snow in 72 hours it is just now starting to melt a little.

[@joshuamcdonald5850]

Haircut looks great!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Josh, it's getting wild again already!

[@nataliekidd2135]

I really enjoy your non traditional bonsai.

[@karabonsai]

Hi Nigel, realy smooth pictures! And an awesome accent, kinda like that mixture. dewa mata.

[@propertylady57]

I do learn from your videos. Thank you.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you!

[@thomasckuzia7129]

Hi Nigel, At my age (74) I cringe every time I see you cutting back a tree! I think I may need a variety of bonsai that's in steroids in order to see it grow! LOL Thanks for the video,,, Tom

[@caspar_gomez]

Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in

[@skiendhiu]

@@caspar_gomez nice....really like that...

[@SaikatJoydhar]

Mr. Nigel, a suggestion about social media: can you let us know which one is going to be your next video through twitter or instagram or any other social media? That way we can ask questions, and you can discuss them in your videos.

[@joe33011]

He isn't on Twitter or instagram , there's fan pages though

[@sheska8207]

@@joe33011 He does share pictures on Google plus tho, which is shutting down, so there's a chance of some new social media outlets for The Bonsai Zone. I'd personally love to see an instagram account. ;)

[@courtneylee5633]

I’m curious what it looks like today two years later and I like the contrast of the teal with the dark green!

[@entertainkingdoms]

Nice Video, love it. Learn more details

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Good to hear and thank you!

[@autumn5852]

OMG that snow 😍

[@batmanthegrower4204]

i have a jada plant and it’s trunk is the size of my wrist it’s perfect to bonsai 👌🏽

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That's very cool, I love mature Jade bonsai!

[@5688gamble]

"I like it. It could use a little help maybe." Proceeds to cut away more than half the plant. Just like me!

[@zackofalltrades8118]

10 minutes old, 130 views... You should be on Netflix

[@batmanthegrower4204]

i have a jade plant with a trunk the size of my wrist and it’s HUGE, ima make a dope bonsai tree 😎

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Sounds great, I hope it does well!

[@beverleywatson1875]

Found your video by accident. Really enjoyed it especially when you said KW ! Hi from Waterloo

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Beverley from Waterloo. Waterloo, sorry I have that ABBA song in my head!

[@beverleywatson1875]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone , ha, sorry! Now we both have it. Ear worms the worst!

[@h3nrymartinex1987]

🌳🌲🌴🌿☘️🍀🌱🌷🌻🍁🌾 plant power. BONSAI POWER.🖖

[@greatoutdoors8678]

Very cool I had some bad luck wuth mold and lost most of my jade. But yours look beutiful

[@Insignificanthings]

Those are fine looking jades! I wish I have one. In the Philippines jades are expensive.

[@pyro-millie5533]

Hi Nigel. I'm new to Bonsai and your channel. I've just got to say, I loved seeing you walking through your yard appreciating the winter landscape! I would have done exactly the same thing haha

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, any excuse to go outside is good with me!

[@steveooooo4423]

What soil is good for my baby jades?, I have many that have always been suspended with the roots in water in drinking 🥂 glasses, I've got some terracotta tubs ready, they fell off the mother plant (i inherited) that i will now prune after watching you, so thankyou 🌈

[@smack09]

Double leaf! 👍

[@marbleproperties7095]

You ar the best aver

[@patsfreund9164]

Loved the trek outdoors to find a suitable pot for the jade. You gave me a chance to enjoy the snow in the winter without having to be in it. So glad I live in s. FL. LOL Ginger is such a video hog. LOL again. (I actually love seeing her.) You really gave the jade forest a haircut. I was hoping you would make a raft style bonsai from that large cutting from your friend, Joey. Oh, well....... Any chance of a video on Joey's jade bonsai collection? (Noticed that you mentioned March break twice in your video. Do I detect an educator in you?)

[@michaelcowart6100]

I prefer round or oval pots for jades. Matches their leaf shape and feminine quality.

[@michaelduncan6287]

With all the roots forming along the trunk, have you ever made one into a 'Raft' ??? Will they branch/trunk from the nodes if roots have already formed on one side?

[@iamnemo1107]

That big cutting would make a cool raft style tree

[@jeffreyjeff777ify]

I live in Chicago. Is it okay to repot the plant in November? The jade is healthy for sure. I just want it in a nicer pot.

[@Tylermc115]

“Fuckin pretty snowy oot here” 🤣🤣🤣

[@shoulders-of-giants]

1:05 Round pot, round leaves, looks good to me.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I will agree!

[@gregf8167]

Great vids. Ive just recently started using jade for bonsai, great to use but the leaves fall off easy so much care is needed when working on them.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The older leaves will fall off easily as the branch thickens, but the new leaves should be very firm. The plants require good bright light and warmth to grow really well. I have seen Jades double in size in just one summer when the weather is sunny and hot!

[@elliybear2]

Beautiful!! Do you have any updates on your jade forest?

[@shainasavoy]

Hi Nigel, I recently obtained an old jade plant that is 3ft tall, over 3ft wide, and many many years old. It is quite top heavy on one side, even after being redirected with light. A lot of the branches are very thick and established, so I am nervous to cut any branches off. Do you have any recommendations? Does the age/establishment of the branch ultimately matter to the overall health of the plant? I've been told by someone not to cut branches that aren't green or newly formed, but I'm not sure how much truth there is in that, as this is my first jade!

[@Kunizuka]

Your video was a great help!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, good to hear!

[@KaitlynBurtonISaGOD]

I've got a jade which is getting quite overgrown now I've had it for about 8 years and am nervous about messing about with it 👀

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

I too often have green on my pumice. It goes away when I reclaim it and let it dry for a while. (I amend and reuse soil because i use new soil when i repot. I just have to add new organic materials. )

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think algae likes to grow on the pumice, so does moss!

[@wernermeyer2670]

You missed a pot, go to minute 03:00, second shelf.

[@kohatian3937]

Wow thts some useful tips

[@sonichedgehog8723]

You should eat some mushrooms and look at the snow on the trees. You better hold on tight for the ride.

[@jacobsteele2929]

So cool man! thanks for the video I learned a lot. I love the art of bonsai

[@zainasworld8596]

Nice

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Zaina!

[@alexbald12]

Oh the Humanity!!! you devastated those sweet plants! How could you?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

They are looking really good now!!