Exposed root bonsai technique - Spruce

[@digitaIgorilla]

"I decided not to bother changing the disk" 🤣🤣🤣

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣🤣🤣Made me laugh

[@phillipwaterman5721]

Bonsai phill very good video nice roots one of my favourite styles thanks Tony

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Phil. Exposed roots look so cool, and I really hope these grow on well.

[@mick681]

I really like the way that you push the limits. You are always experimenting regardless of the result, but that's how we learn. It is going to be interesting to see that results in a couple of years. It's very similar, I suppose, to making a root over rock minus the rock. I also like the way you improvise. Great video mate.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Mick, yes I suppose it is very much like a root over rock without the rock. These are the kind of project that I really look forward to revealing in the future.

[@mattbrennan647]

Knocking loudly on the door of 4,000 subscribers. Well done Tony. I’m certain the following 4,000 are not far behind. You’ve really created a unique and interesting channel. ALWAYS entertaining content. ✌🏻

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers buddy. I always try to make my videos as entertaining as possible, and 4000 subs is crazy.

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

Love the experimtation. I’ll be following their progress.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Steve. these are great fun projects and the real fun is when we get to take a peek in a years time!

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

Your "Technical difficulties" with your tools feels VERY familiar! HAHAHA! I love that you put that in your video! I think your trees already have great roots to start this project! Can't wait to see how they develop!

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate. Glad yu like it. Stuff like that always makes me laugh, and I love including it in my videos. I don't see any point in pretending.

[@joegarland4885]

Worthwhile experiment Tony we will see how they develop over time.

[@TonysBonsai]

Ho Joe, yeah these will be fun trees to follow.

[@mattbrennan647]

“I’m not going to go crazy on this” Of course you know what I was expecting next. Your restraint shows unexpected personal growth 😂

[@TonysBonsai]

It's the new me. Well for today at least!

[@AlexBraunton]

I've got no idea how you do it mate. So many trees and so much work, what a project haven! You're going to have a hell of a year with your trees and I'm super excited for it.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate, yeah I don't think I'll be short of subjects for videos, and I've still got quite a few big plans for spring!

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Totally agree Alex. Project forward ten years and imagine what this collection will look like then… just awesome.

[@TonysBonsai]

With a bit of luck I'll have a few good trees, well that's the plan anyway.

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Looks fun mate. Gotta try this out !

[@TonysBonsai]

Definitely. With a bit of luck this will be a fun experiment to hopefully produce some interesting material.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

This is interesting and it matches up something I started with a few of my larches in Dec. Keep pushing the boudaries and show that their is alwasy a new of doing things...

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers buddy. Yeah I think trying new things and copying techniques we see on youtube is a great way to learn and with a bit of luck it will mean that we have some really interesting trees in the future.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

@@TonysBonsai I’m still waiting for a little butane canister for my mini blowtorch (I’m beginning to wonder if Royal Mail lost it) so I can set fire to my juniper. I saw some crazy bloke on KZbin, gave me the inspiration…

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣🤣Embrace the fire!

[@sagebonsai]

I like Eric's work as well, nice videos that he makes it easier for beginners to fallow thu. One chanel I like but doesn't explain how they do it is "bonsai love, great bending skills!" This is were I found how dramatically bend the trees to the very limit.

[@TonysBonsai]

Ah yes. I watch the odd video of theirs, but I do tend to enjoy commentary on bonsai videos

[@SUPERhodri1]

Hey Tony. Just a thought... Metal pots could get really hot in the summer, particularly if they're black. Black plastic pots can get hot enough as it is. Might be worth protecting these by wrapping in white sheeting or tin foil through the hottest parts of the summer to stop them from scorching the root tips around the edges and baking the root ball. Another great video as always, thanks bud 👍🏼

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Rhodri. I've been thinking that same thing. I was thinking of white paint, but silver foil will work even better. Cheers!

[@bobcatbonsai]

Tony I think you forgot the gloves and face shield for proper PPE🤣. Seeing everyone working on these exposed roots is making me feel like I need one. I think I may have a red maple that started exposing it's roots by itself( my pack of filling soil properly). Great work in this video Tony. Very informative and the trees are looking good!

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate. You should definitely go for it with that red maple. Hopefully you're lucky and they naturally look great!

[@scotthogbin613]

That's a monster angle grinder Tony, with a lock nut that doesn't want to let go!! When you chop up bodies the blood needs to be cleaned off or it sets...🤣 The exposed root style is a great idea and will look very interesting. So many projects I'm looking forward to catching up on next season. Well done and good luck with removing that diamond blade...& blood!! 🤫

[@TonysBonsai]

Go big or go home I say, plus you really need a decent size grinder for the thigh bones 🤣

[@scotthogbin613]

@@TonysBonsai 🤣🤣☠

[@susanbossert6833]

Always entertaining and inspiring.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Susan. I just love fun projects like this

[@mattbrennan647]

Always the innovator. Another unique and interesting project. This is really one to follow into the future. Thanks, keep growing

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Matt. Now I just need some patience. I think Eric says they need a good year if not two. I think I'll look at removing the wire this time next year.

[@jmocampo281]

any update for this one sir? its been four months ago

[@TonysBonsai]

yeah, they are all doing well growing strongly the roots wont be revealled until next year

[@robertjones7023]

I like watching Eric over at Bonsafy! On his examples of this technique, I think he uses standard bonsai soil at the bottom, then uses a larger grit / gravel mixture at the top of the tube. Over time, he lowers the soil level to let the roots toughen up. This technique seems to create a "trunk" from the exposed roots rather than a bunch of crazy exposed roots going every which way. (both are cool!) I'm excited to see how your trees come out!

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Robert, yes it's a really interesting technique using the different layers of soil to make the roots grow how he wants. I'm sure I'll experiment with it in the future, but it will be interesting to see how these work out just using my normal soil.

[@BlueJayBonsai]

I love any excuse to use power tools! 😂🤣🐦💙

[@TonysBonsai]

Exactly. Why use a hacksaw when an angle grinder will do the job!

[@shahrafiq2165]

Good luck 👍🤞

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Rafiq

[@AlexBraunton]

Not sure I've seen PPE trainers before mate 😂

[@TonysBonsai]

You can actually get ppe trainers with steel toes and protective material, but obviously mine are not 🤣🤣

[@Jacob-yb6bv]

Don’t try this at home! 😅

[@Jacob-yb6bv]

What Tony hasn’t realised is that he’ll have a watering can in one hand and a hose in the other all summer….😂 Great stuff Tony. Think I’ll try this.

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣🤣it generally takes me 1/2 an hour once a day, and twice when it's hot. A proper watering lance made quite a difference. before that, it was taking me double.

[@78tjeerd]

Hi Tony. You should not bare root pines they need mycelium for good root development. you probably get better result if you mix in some forest soil from under pines in your soil mix.

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, you make a good point, but I didn't bare root them. These were purchased as bare root stock, and I'll be adding some mycorrhizal additive into the soil to help them to grow.

[@Ollieslife101]

The button on the top locks the blade, Tony hahahaha love ya man hope all is well in ur life

[@fredrikschiller5005]

It is very brave of you to do root pruning at this time of year. Wouldn't it be better to wait until spring? The risk of the trees dying is significant. Otherwise, you have a very entertaining channel :)

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Fredrik. In general it would be better to leave it for a few more weeks, but these are conifers and were purchased as bare root stock, so I don;t really think it makes much difference. I would expect them to struggle a bit this year, but hopefully they will do well in 2024

[@uppergorple]

Just thinking, would a metal pot get too hot in summer?

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi David. I was thinking exactly the same thing afterwards, so I will probably paint them white and leave them in the shade.

[@uppergorple]

@@TonysBonsai That should do it.

[@pawelm5493]

Good idea 👌. Don't get rid of if you can utilize it. I just did something similar with wisteria - thick carrot-like roots instead of cut them of - just treat them as an asset.

[@TonysBonsai]

Interesting. I've yet to try a wisteria, but they are really beautiful when in flower. Hopefully yours does well mate

[@gerardoforesthillsbonsai]

Nice experiment, in my opinion I would have left the roots free so they can open wide and form a cool shape of their own 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Gerado. Yes, that would be cool. I think I will have a go with another tree in the spring doing as you suggest.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Just reviewed this and now remember exactly what was going on with this experiment. I shall look at the roots in Mar 24 and potentially change pots into something that has a ot more aeriation holes. Definitely long term for this one. Again Tony, have you got the original video file I can use for my edits?

[@bobbigbad1963]

That’s fantastic Tony, where did you buy your trees from? As l would like to do something similar, but great video as usual. Thanks 👍❤️

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Bob. I bought them on ebay. Here's a link www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232472667339

[@kevinwilkes5969]

Thats cracking Tony. You must have hundreds of trees. Looking forward to seeing the development. How long before you take a look?

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Kevin. I will be hopefully removing the wire this time next year I reckon, and as for my trees, I've easily got 300+

[@kevinwilkes5969]

@@TonysBonsai I ordered some wire from that place you recommended. Cheers for that.

[@Bonsaicrazy]

You forgot your steel cap toe boots 🤣🤣

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣I never liked them. I'm more a trainer kinda guy!

[@Bonsaicrazy]

@@TonysBonsai 🤣

[@robryan9841]

Nice disk action 😅

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Rob. It wasn;t the neatest job, but it got it done

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

One of the more unusual bonsai styles is neagari. A Japanese word for exposed root, sometimes called octopus style bonsai. This style is very different from most traditional bonsai shapes when it comes to the roots. Ps. You have ALL the tools that scare the 💩out of me…

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣It's my dads' table saw which is the one that scares me.One mistake on that and it's goodbye fingers!

[@mattbrennan647]

🤘🏻Barkeep. Four pints for me and my pals. 😮

[@TonysBonsai]

@@mattbrennan647 🤣🤣

[@snoekhoek]

LOL@ notmyfinestwork Nice going Tony 👍🏻

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣🤣It was a bit of a shambles!

[@FIZZYYAM]

Stick with me diamond blade 🤣🤣🤣

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣🤣I laughed editing that bit