E56. How do we get a Weeping Willow bonsai to actually weep?!?!

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[@MattMajcan]

thanks. ive never done bonsai before but Im determined to make a bonsai willow, we used to have a willow in our yard as a child and theyre near and dear to my heart

[@percyacutt3110]

Keep the willow updates coming can’t wait to see the progress

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Oh me too! We will check in probably just in a couple weeks as the growth emerges and starts to elongate!

[@brianbarnes2184]

Very interesting idea!!! Out of the box thinking at its best. I'm fascinated to see what happens

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Thanks Brian! It worked great- also we learned some things to adjust for next year. They were just uprighted and will be flipped next spring again!

[@brianbarnes2184]

@@Candice.BonsaiScience I kinda want to try inexpensive of my own now.

[@brianbarnes2184]

I mean try

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Willow it work? Or willow it not? Only time will tell! 🤞

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Hopefully! I can’t see how it won’t 🙈

[@yourflyisopen]

@@Candice.BonsaiScience Not you missing the pun XD

[@br4nd0nh347]

You had an opportunity to say - Only time willow tell. OK, I'll take my leave.

[@BlueJayBonsai]

@@br4nd0nh347 I don’t know how I missed that! You’re awesome!

[@natedykstra1498]

This is such a creative idea. Thanks for the video! I'm looking forward to trying out a willow or 3, even if they're not typical bonsai subjects

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

I’m finding the best subjects to create a weeping ‘willow’ are to not use a a willow 🤣

[@natedykstra1498]

@Bonsai Science it appears that way... I'm not going to try to make mine weep, I'll probably end up doing a broom style or just seeing what style the tree offers

[@capnspicy5565]

Alot of windswept trees are grown on their sides to maintain growth habitat, this should work fine for basic directional growth, making shaping easier later. Can't wait to see how it's coming along!

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

I have another tree I repotted that’s a windswept I am currently doing that with! I wish that technique would work on my windswept Chinese Elm though 🤣

[@t3dwards13]

What an interesting experiment! Two ideas popped in my head, both involving scrap plywood. 1. Tie down the tips to holes in plywood that the pot sits on. 2. Cut a slot in plywood. Slide it around the trunk. Hang it upside down by holes drilled into the plywood.

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Tie down idea is great! Could also use a pond basket and tie down to the holes.

[@elijahwilliams1425]

I bought some dragon willow cuttings from Amazon and they arrived in January, as of this past weekend the roots were so long and had so much vigor that I was able to pot it in a mica bonsai pot and it already has 3 branches that are at least 6 inches each…willows are so easy to propagate and I brought those branches down some and they are already beginning to weep…for what they are at least…I am excited about the progress of my willows

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Very easy to grow and propagate for sure- but very difficult material to bonsai well!

[@elijahwilliams1425]

@@Candice.BonsaiScience agreed, since my last comment to you, their growth has changed drastically

[@robertlefler6644]

Super cool idea. Can’t wait to see if it works like we all want it to, good luck… I’m optimistic

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

It works great! Just need to adjust the potting medium

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

I’ve seen people just wiring it. That would be my go to because it’s a method that’s definite

[@christinamolina2984]

I wonder if simply turning a grow light upside-down would work instead of the tree itself.

[@darrel7382]

Very interesting experiment and congratulations on being the only North American on utube to pronounce tertiary correctly. I will check out your other videos for sure.👍 You have a new subscriber

[@mjarevirtv2094]

this is a good video my dear new friend , because i am a plant lover , i enjoy watching with you and leave all my support to you ok ? Stay connected

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Thank you for being here!

[@lmjesuschrist7450]

My friend just ordered one for me after I told her I wanted one so bad. Omg omg omg 😭😭😭😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

They propagate easily so you can have lots of fun with them and multiply them!

[@lmjesuschrist7450]

@@Candice.BonsaiScience omg thank you! I'm way excited. ❤️

[@michaelawbrey2432]

Where did they order it from??

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

A lot of people order a cutting from CZ Grain. Better option is find a willow in spring and ask if you can take a thick branch cutting. you can chop it up and start some right away as bonsai and put one in a large planter also to use as a mother tree for future cuts to experiment with.

[@chanelled767]

Flexible metal wire is what I have seen being used to form the shape as it grows.

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Wiring willows isn’t always the best

[@shawncliff7877]

That's kind of genius, honestly. Might grow from both ends though, them thangs vigorous as hell!

[@jac585]

In future I think the new branches that start when right side up you should try wrapping new branches with jute or sting and pull down tie around pot.

[@robertdavis7453]

What if you rooted it upside down instead? The branches would then be pointed down and trying to grow upwards....I think that might actually work.

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

That’s what I am doing. But first you do need to grow your upright branches then flip it when you want your branches to weep.

[@garyblackmore3895]

Really Brilliant

[@apostlewoody]

I kept trying to reach out and help with the transition 🤣

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Lol I could have used the extra hands!

[@seanpatrick9534]

Great idea. Love it 😁❤️

[@djmerchant]

So..... I got a wild hair a few weeks ago. I wanna grow a bonsai tree from Weeping Willow clippings. It makes sense NOW that the only reason that a full grown weeping willow tree actually WEEPS is because the branches are thin and the overabundance of tiny leaves weigh enough to pull the branches to the ground. But this lady is HILARIOUS in the fact that she doesn't quite understand gravity!! My clippings in soil mix have thorn-looking protrusions coming out- most likely new branches. The clippings in water aren't doing anything.

[@SpaceH3r0]

sweet idea! also, the sound of gravel grinding the glass table😬😬😬

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

lol it is what it is using APL

[@gizzygreenfingers]

I like this idea would love to see the output in the end, I'm using wires but it grows so fast it grows in to the wires soni like this idea if it works :) new subscriber

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

The follow up video is up - it went up yesterday 😄

[@gkennedy0969]

@@Candice.BonsaiScience What episode number?

[@MankeyMan117]

Where is part 2!?!? I am rooting a weeping willow right now and need to know if this worked😢

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

It works great - there are updates- and I currently have the windswept willow now planted in a different position to now weep the tertiary growth this spring

[@njbaquatics4827]

Have you done the follow-up on this yet? Very interested to see how it is 11 months on

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Yes - it’s all in the willow play list

[@aaronasissoard1098]

Has anyone ever tried to grow one upside down 😅 moments later you said it

[@jac585]

Can I cut the tips of first year growth while still soft green? Or is it going to act like a dawn red wood as some how i have damaged ground planted willows by cutting them. For some reason I think when cutting them we should use sterilized cutting device?

[@MikeRizzo-nr4lp]

Just wire them up bonsai style, should do it now wile branches are not to thick. Unless your going to prune then wait for the knew growth and wire up

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

If you have grown a willow you may understand why wiring doesn’t work the best on these trees

[@DavesBonsai]

I’ve not given up on the weeping willow, but I’ve not made great strides either.

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Ill be revisiting and repotting these this next week! Is it the pink pussy willow giving you problems or another weeping willow?

[@zaneelshinawi246]

How is it working out for you? .. my willow is arriving today and I’ve been trying to think of ways to make her weep

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

We will visit them this coming week- it’s working. One tree is doing much better then the other but that trees issue is I think it needs a repot

[@matthewwarren7879]

my weeping willow weeps naturally because the new growth just is too long and heavy to stay growing up. is this a different species?

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

There are many types of weeping willows. And it depends. This spring mine pushed in the cold room under weak lights - so the growth is weeping because it grew long and stretched to the light but was to much to grow upright due to the length weight🤣. I guess that could be a technique used. Also depends on if it’s primary branch growth or secondary or tertiary. It should really be the tertiary growth that weeks if you look at the real willows in nature. You can always email me a picture [e-mail]

[@Skywalker21O]

Great idea! Any update?

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

It works great! Use 100% akadama Keep in semi shade and rig it so you can flip and give a good soak as needed. Also recommend monthly pulling it out and root pruning then repotting

[@laurabrady2460]

Natural clay?

[@Bdoll1993]

Did it work?

[@NamirIssa]

Hi did the method work?

[@deepanjanbanerjee3491]

Hi, how are the trees faring now?

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Great!

[@DagonAum17]

I mean that might work, but that depends on if the tree forgets which direction the sun grows I think

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

It absolutely does work- a willow will always grow to the sun. They don’t have the brain power to choose differently and definitely can’t ‘forget’ which way to grow lol!

[@DagonAum17]

@@Candice.BonsaiScience yeah...thats pretty much what I said.

[@SomeRandomGuyNamedJD]

would it not work with cotton string? i hear it does the least amount of damage to the branch... albeit it may put some stress to the branch but you can slowly increase the tension i suppose.

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

This is so much easier- letting the sun just do it

[@DougBillian]

Two trees + two upside down buckets = no results or conclusion. Did it work? I want my 25 minutes back!

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

So go see the follow up videos- it worked big time

[@travisdykes252]

Wondering why you don’t just use duct tape to close the pots. Or microfoam tape or coban?

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Because the new ‘top’ up side needs to be open for watering . . .

[@tharrisonll]

What if you put the bucket in a net to suspend it from

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

One was in bucket in a wire hanging basket net- so similar

[@tjcuillier7024]

Can willows be kept growing all winter indoors with grow lights? Just wondering if putting grow lights from the floor pointing up towards a willow on a stand would work as the same concept.?

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Not with these varieties or most willow varieties and they need a cold dormancy and thrive in high humidity and moisture - hard to get ‘inside’. If you wanted to try it you could definitely try with perhaps a Salix Caroliniana (Costal Plain Willow) which is the one Willow variety that doesn’t need dormancy and is native to Sputhern Florida and the Caribbean Islands so can be handled like a tropical tree which it is

[@travisdykes252]

As with what she said, but if you are in a northern climate you can to my understanding bring them in a green house and keep it heated for a bit on either end of the winter months to extend its growing season. I’m not sure what the minimum dormancy period is, but that experiment has probably been done, and is hopefully easy to find. If not might be worth taking some cuttings and experimenting with it. Stressing though that I don’t have personal experience as I’m in Texas so my growing season is already long and the willows I’m currently experimenting with are desert willows.

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

All of our trees needing dormancy up here are in a set up like you mention- green house, cold frame or cold room with lights 6-8 hours and temps at 32-40F for at least 40 days. I read TJs comment as kept indoors like a regular living area with grow lights 🤷‍♀️. The lights also matter. Amazon 30-40$ lights run a PAR around 100-150 if placed 4” from the plant/tree. A PAR of around 600 and up is needed for real growth.

[@Matt6644]

when did you take the hard wood cutting?

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

These were naked cuttings in water last spring around May

[@natrjack965]

Where in the world 🌎 are you from ?? I live in the uk 🇬🇧 and follow tonys bonsai he recommended you ..

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

North West Wisconsin in the coldest zone of North America 🤣

[@natrjack965]

@@Candice.BonsaiScience thank you 😊

[@mathewklock2371]

To make it weep you kick it in the Oreos

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Ha! Lol which part is it’s Oreos??

[@mathewklock2371]

@@Candice.BonsaiScience the root balls

[@tylerzeitz8605]

So did it work lol

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Yes it did - but need to do some adjustments on potting medium- the updates should be in a willow playlist- let me know if you can’t find it.

[@klrbill]

Where's the results video???

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Click ‘videos’ at the top of page It will be near the top as it went up last week. E81.

[@tiffanyperez-boland1978]

Why not put a small clear umbrella shape over it so it has to grow in that shape?

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

That sounds good but won’t work that way. All the branching and secondary structures and tertiary growth is still going to all go up - once it hits the top then it will just get distorted - potentially would grow lateral at the top then back upward once it escaped the sides 😜

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

I’ll update on them this Wednesday- OMG they are doing so good!

[@jackmarney9928]

Is it actually a breed if bonsai or just a willow that you have kept small

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

There’s no such thing as ‘Bonsai Breed’. All bonsai trees are normal regular trees that we raise and train as bonsai. It’s our care and techniques used that create a bonsai tree. A Dawn Redwood Tree in nature may be HUNDREDS of feet tall - yet our Dawn Redwood bonsai only 30 inches. But if I take my bonsai tree and plant it in the yard it will just grow to be a normal tree and no longer a bonsai.

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Also don’t pay for ‘bonsai seeds’ 🤣. They are just over priced regular tree seeds of that variety

[@eroahola9953]

interesting projec

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

So far it’s working absolutely beautifully

[@stevevaughn2040]

Grow it upside down. Just heard you were going for upside down....like tomatoes

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Exactly what I did - I grew them upside down!

[@christophergomez2584]

Egg came first

[@dunnfarming]

Did it work??

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

It sure did! Will make some changes next year as to how they get potted if hanging upside down

[@jazzrat2000]

find a sad one

[@charlesgreen3214]

Wire it

[@MikeRizzo-nr4lp]

Like a bonsai. The best way to do it. I’m sure

[@charlesgreen3214]

Works for me

[@gkennedy0969]

I think you would have been better off getting some long zip ties to wrap around the bucket to pull it shut. At least then if one zip tie isn't long enough, you can string as many of them together as you need to make into one long overall zip tie length that would be long enough to wrap all the way around the bucket. Then all you have to do is pull one of the ends of them tight to get it to pull shut, and stay shut. That is until your ready to open it again, at which point you would just need to cut the zip tie off. Plus it would allow you to place multiple rings of zip ties together like that, but spaced about one or two inchs apart from another to make sure the whole bucket stayed shut from top to bottom.

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

I thought of that also!

[@gkennedy0969]

@@Candice.BonsaiScience Maybe if you decide to try again you can do that then. I also remember you said something about the water was wanting to rung out through the crack in the side, as well as through the hole where the tree trunk came out. So I had some ideas for that as well that I got from watching some other videos on here. I was thinking if you took a small mesh like for a window screen and cut it so it's a little bit bigger than the hole you cut in the bottom of the bucket as well as cut from the outside to the inside, with a hole in the center of if that is only big enough to just barely fit your tree trunk, then you can put the tree in, and before you push it all the way down, stick that mesh in there, on the bottom over the hole and around the tree trunk. That way it should help to slow down some of the water running out. Also like you said a different potting soil that hold the water better is a good idea. Another solution to help keep the water from running out the crack is to get you some of the Max strength Duct Tape which sticks way better than normal duct tape because it has like a dual layer rubber adhesive on its back, and is strong enough I have to cut it with scissors. So as your tightening the zip ties, just slip some up under the band, and apply it, and it should also help hold the water in. You could even put some mover some of the mesh at the bottom of you wanted to try to help hold more in.