Detail Work on a Ficus Bonsai, Part 1, The Bonsai Zone, Nov 2019

[@marysoldeeley2218]

What an amazing difference cutting off that one root made! I love listening to your thought process! When you speak them out like that, makes me feel better making my hard choices. Also allows us to really understand how you come to your choices. Thank you again Nigel!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Marysol, the tough decisions never get easier to do!

[@Tore1972Wisdom]

Very nice Ficus. I like you don´t let others define your way of bonsai.

[@mattbrennan647]

Just returned to Florida for the season and really excited to get back to work on my tropicals. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope the weather is warmer than here! We are still in full winter, very unusual to last this long in November!

[@Amandalovesstrawberries]

Started my bonsai last march this year, all started from seeds. Now I already have 20 trees to take care and glad they are doing great. Thanks for inspiring.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That sounds great Mavin, it's fun watching them grow up!

[@plbgreen]

The stash, bro...the stash. Rock it.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm actually getting used to it, I'll keep it for all November at least!

[@brianzampaglione6112]

The Bob Ross of Bonsai ficus! Great video

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Brian!

[@Warriorlbski]

I have to admit i cover my eyes whenever you or Jarhead bonsai make a root cut! Way to be bold! I am such a chicken!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Laura, I think as you see the results from each type of cut, you see the method behind the madness!

[@selfmade6142]

At first, I thought, why does he want to do something about the roots? But your work convinces me, you have a very good imagination. A very beautiful bonsai that will surely become a masterpiece under your hands.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, I'll keep at the root base on my Ficus trees, always trying to improve them!

[@selfmade6142]

@@TheBonsaiZone I hope that someday I will be as perfect as you.

[@elisabethserrano8264]

Nice Tree The ficus from Seed I love your bonsai

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Elisabeth, it's been fun watching it grow!

[@maryshoemaker1437]

Great video Nigel... sorry to be so late... but I’m watching from a hospital.. hubby is sick... but I’m here now!!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope all goes well with your husband and i wish him well!

[@patsfreund9164]

Enjoyed seeing your work on this tree for Ficus Friday.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Pat, today will be Ficus Monday, I'm working on part 2 of the video now!

[@katedodd79]

Really liked the music at the end today. Good choice Nigel!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Kate, I tried about 10 different pieces until one felt about right!

[@markkenyon4855]

Another terrific video. Very helpful

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Mark!

[@BonsaiJCan]

Looks really good, your detailed work and advice is greatly appreciated.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you J, congratulations, over 500 subscribers now! Really good work!

[@BonsaiJCan]

Unbelievable isn't it ! Thank you

[@julesverne2509]

New subscriber here, love your video's, long time gardener new to bonsai and your video's really help a lot, I just got a ficus and was wondering about defoliation and this video answered my question.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Jules, best of luck with your tree!

[@hdg9860]

Whoa, Nigel sporting a 'Stache!

[@FrancoisBoucheros]

Doing the Movember probably...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I'm eagerly waiting for December!

[@WilliamWerevun]

Hello Nigel. Long time viewer, first time commenter here. The tree looks good with that root in the front removed. To the right of the tree there is this major branch with a big aerial root and a branch division at the same spot. I think you should remove that smaller side branch because it will probably create a big swelling soon. Your choice of course. Also, I never heard people talk about this, but big aerial roots will always create inverse taper and swelling. Because they bypass the the trunk and feed straight into the branch or upper part of the trunk. That is something to keep in mind, I think.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks William, I'm keeping my eye on the large vertical root hanging from the branch, It definitely has the possibility of creating problems in the future. It is getting very thick already!

[@240Sil]

Soooooo good. Very inspiring!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, another Ficus Friday!

[@jeromebosch4057]

Hi Nigel, just an idea... What interests me as a beginner, is to know the different stages of tree development. As I suppose you have trees in all stages of development, it would be interesting to show the evolution of a bonsai and of the work that has to bee done by successively showing trees from very young to very old. And thanks for all your inspiring videos btw...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Jerome, I will in the future be making videos that show all the major steps taken to the trees to get them to the stage that they are at. I'm approaching season 7 so I'll have lots of video to do this with. I do have one short video that shows some progression.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5CxaIuqebWhlbc

[@JesusChrist4ever]

I like what your doing I like it with out does two roots it did kept that miniature to it

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think I'll have to keep replacing thicker roots as the tree grows older!

[@JesusChrist4ever]

Yea i agree believe it or not I’m new to the bonsai world but I love it so much ^.^

[@alexandrecastagna9578]

Just... like that! ❤️

[@TheBonsaiZone]

So there you go!

[@greatoutdoors8678]

Wow man that is a stunning ficus reminds me of South florida.

[@TTime685]

They grow wild down there? What areas?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, I hope to make it better every year!

[@TimosGarden]

I love the roots on that ficus 👍 you could split the as you say snake like root and remove half of it 🤔

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That is a possibility, I hate to remove it. I'll have to think more about it! Thanks Timo!

[@chandrakantthakare3787]

Very nice sir

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Chandrakant!

[@treelife365]

Thanks for a great video again, Nigel! I was trying to look for perhaps a video overview of your entire collection? That would be a cool video: your entire collection (especially showcasing rare trees) and what trees you don't have but wish you did! Maybe you do have that video? I can't find it, though :P

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm not sure I have made one, I've done one with just my hardy trees, but maybe not the tropical. I think it would be a long video, but I should make one!

[@treelife365]

@@TheBonsaiZone - I'm sure that all your fans, including me, would love to see your entire collection of tropicals in one video!

[@elementalbonsai]

Mark here nice video Nigel 👌👍what's the best way to get Ariel roots of the trunk and branches of your Ficus Microcarpa ?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Mark, the tree needs to be growing with vigor and surrounded with humidity. You can wrap the trunk in sphagnum moss and plastic to keep the humidity high or use a greenhouse. Misting several times a day also helps.

[@elementalbonsai]

@@TheBonsaiZone Thanks Nigel I will try the spagnum moss 👍👌

[@bonsaisung6564]

Hi! Share video very nice like 75👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks very much 75!

[@zackau9807]

Could you make a root cutting out of that big areal root you cut off?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It is possible to grow a tree from a root cutting. I find it easier to use branch cuttings, but both ways will work if the cutting is kept warm and humid!

[@zackau9807]

Makes sense, thanks :)

[@GreenhornBonsai]

I just bought my first Ginseng Ficus (assuming that is F. microcarpa) and this was helpful. I want to do something, good to know it's okay to do branch pruning this time of year. Thanks!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

If the tree is healthy and vigorous, it is a good time to prune. Here in Canada, the trees have come in from the summer growing season and recover very quickly from a fall pruning.

[@dustinfigueroa1205]

Is there THREE ficus microcarpa's??... OH wait!...That's just Nigels' haircut lol.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

My umbrella style canopy keeps the sun off me!

[@glenhorse666]

That’s yer ribbon root! Good job not removing it

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks?

[@hamish179]

I love your videos and have watched I think all of them for a few years. I just got into bonsai and I love it. It's no calming so thank you for that. I have a question. How do you get so many nice aerial roots on your ficus. I live Australia and it's hot and very dry at the moment. What do you think I should do. Thought I'd ask you because you're much more knowledgeable then I am. Thanks for all the videos.... "here I go"

[@errorbanana5063]

Have you seen this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2PFqHqIrd-Xnac ?

[@meltingslurpee]

I live nearby- Singapore where the weather ranges from very humid to dry throughout the year. From observation, just by increasing moisture helps to form aerial roots. you could wrap the trunk or branch with moist(not too wet) sphagnum moss and you should get roots popping out in no time!

[@bonsai_life_style]

Yes all see that video ))

[@hamish179]

Thank you everyone

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The secret is to get your tree growing with a lot of vigor in a nice warm humid environment. You will need a greenhouse or you can wrap the trunk in sphagnum moss and plastic to hold the humidity around the trunk.

[@emeraldreefnriver6205]

Love the ficus microcarpa trees!!! How do you get soo many ariel roots? I live South Africa, a pretty hot country so is there a easy way for me to get ariel roots? Edit: not in Durban 😂 in Western Cape

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think you will need to increase the humidity around the tree, some people wrap the trunk in wet sphagnum moss and plastic wrap to keep the trunk moist at all times, the roots should grow all down the trunk using this technique. You can also use a greenhouse to increase the humidity or mist the tree frequently. Letting the top of the tree grow wild will also increase the vigor of the tree and it will help in the formation of aerial roots.

[@emeraldreefnriver6205]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone thanks for the advice 😊 really appreciated 🙏

[@mangeshthawre416]

Supperb 👌👌

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Mangesh!

[@TTime685]

What about your ginsing ficus? Aren't those grafted microcarpa?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think the only tree that might be grafted is my one Ginseng Ficus that is growing in the Vietnam style pot. The grafted portion of the tree may die off in time and get replaced by new growth from the root stock. I'm hoping this will happen as I am not a fan of grafted trees.

[@bobrogers5522]

Nigel, I like how you are utilizing the plant room as a video studio but I just notice that the amount of plants in this room is alot less than last year. What ever happened to them?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I still have as many, if not more in the plant room, some on the floor!

[@bobrogers5522]

Oh, Good to hear you still have most of your plants. I thought that maybe you left them outside in the greenhouse and a cold Canadian storm came in and destroyed them. Nice to hear everything a ok..

[@alexnemec]

I wonder if it´s possible to create buttressed roots by growing out the gap between aerial root and trunk, top down so to say.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, that's what I'm hoping to do with the buttress roots and I think it is beginning to work on some of them. I'm hoping for lots of vigor in the tree next summer and I'll keep the root area moist to encourage this technique!

[@alexnemec]

Interesting! I‘ll try this with my F. elastica then also.

[@dibiodepaint]

bagus banget

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Terima kasih, saya hanya mengerjakan bagian 2 saat ini, saya sudah menyelesaikan videonya, tapi sekarang saya mengeditnya.

[@coryleslie80]

So after you cut that giant root off. Can you start another tree with it?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, it is possible, but I think it is easier to root a cutting. I have had very little luck rooting cuttings in the winter, but in the summer, they seem to all root!

[@andrewic]

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, part 2 is now posted!

[@quinnrivers4710]

I just got a benjamina today!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Great trees for bonsai!

[@Nhoj31neirbo47]

I’m seventh.....in seventh heaven that is. Nigel uploaded.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, nice to hear!

[@shvshvhkv8608]

Look quite young in moustache...👌👌👌...!!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It's only for November, if I can even last that long!

[@shvshvhkv8608]

@@TheBonsaiZone No no.. long live my dear friend...!!!

[@maryshoemaker1437]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone ... personally I am not a fan of the November growing period for facial hair.. it’s awful to get it growing out.. I always tell hubby just leave it.. I hate pokey whiskers.. they hurt!!

[@bonsai_life_style]

Hi, can you use that root to fuse with some other ficus to impruve thickenes od tree? THX

[@TheBonsaiZone]

You would need to grow the root cutting into a small tree and then make an approach graft, let it fuse and then remove the top of the root cutting.

[@martindorrance8133]

Nigel, does your water bottle contain fertiliser?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It is rain water that gets coloured from the leaves on the roof of the plant room. I do add a small pinch of 20-20-20 to my watering can and bottle.

[@ayan1731]

Why u don't have ficus benghalensis 😭😭 Pls plant one reply Nigel 🙏 And pls plant it pls 🙏

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I will be getting one, there are several people in the Toronto club who have cuttings!

[@ayan1731]

@@TheBonsaiZone hey Nigel I wanna show you my bonsai How can I show u

[@TheBonsaiZone]

@@ayan1731 You can email me at... [e-mail]

[@ayan1731]

@@TheBonsaiZone I have a request that when u will plant the cutting of ficus benghalensis pls make a vedio Will u keep my request? And I am one of your biggest fan from India

[@satorigardenaksasbonsai.1321]

Hi. Help me, please. I have bonsai some bonsai 4-5 y.o. But they roots is so little. Whots wrong i do?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Vadim, it may be the location of your tree, they need lots of bright light, warm temperatures and high humidity to grow fast. The soil should also be a bonsai soil if possible and it will need to be watered and fertilized frequently.

[@satorigardenaksasbonsai.1321]

@@TheBonsaiZone, thanks, my dear friend! I think to, what this probably location.... But watering.... Acer, oak, akacia, how much they need?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

@@satorigardenaksasbonsai.1321 Here is a video on watering that should explain.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYmseqOuitarmrs

[@aurora_dawn123]

How do you get it to grow arial roots?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

You need vigorous growth from the tree, and lots of warmth and humidity!

[@aurora_dawn123]

Okay, thank you.

[@Minstera]

good morning

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It was still evening here, but now it's a sunny morning!

[@kvrbonsai3723]

Great vid Nigel. I wish that i were as good as you. Check out my new video. I really need some feedback on how I am going and what I should improve on.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks KVR, I will!

[@Nhoj31neirbo47]

🚀

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you L O P!

[@janandersen6001]

🌳❤️👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Jan!

[@RahulPandey-tj7yq]

Hey Nigel i think this one is ficus Benjamina

[@TheBonsaiZone]

They are all microcarpa, I do have some benjamina also, they have a thinner less tough leaf and a slightly lighter colour. The microcarpa will back bud easily from hard pruning, while the benjamina's can be more difficult! Thanks Rahul!

[@RahulPandey-tj7yq]

@@TheBonsaiZone sir thank you for your time...and i have one question more...ficus panda,microcorpa and Chinese banyans are same or not

[@wongndusun8253]

Please add Indonesian subtitles

[@TheBonsaiZone]

You can access them, click on the gear icon, subtitles, auto translate and then pick Indonesian as the language!

[@phnx1740]

starkes Video 💯 Ich hab ein neues Musikvideo, daher würde ich mich freuen wenn du auch bei mir vorbeischauen würdest.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Ich werde es überprüfen, danke!

[@adamlawrence2346]

Foist

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Foist by 5 seconds Adam! Nice!

[@adamlawrence2346]

Second foist.. sweet. And what a tree system, that thing is awesome

[@samuThomas1987]

Missed foist

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It was a close race today!

[@frankpagan1294]

Foist

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Very fast Frank, within seconds!

[@maryshoemaker1437]

Frank.. great job!!

[@frankpagan1294]

Mary Shoemaker thanks Mary. First time I was able to try😃

[@briancarpenter3040]

Foist

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Close, really close!