Facelift for a problem Hinoki

[@circularpizzabox2134]

Spoken like a true professional, an amazing teacher and person. “I’ll only in certain cases charge for a small portion of my time and the pot, if they’re on a fixed income..” Wow, just wow! What a wonderful soul you are. The fact you do not thumb your nose down at people is so great, especially at your level.

[@Agropelters]

Peter Chan, you are an awesome person. Thank you for taking the time to share your wealth of knowledge. Such a gift you have given to the bonsai community in video form that will help people year after year.

[@sophiaangelini4368]

Generosity indeed!

[@jimtorode9330]

What an amazing shirt, Peter! :)

[@dimebarification]

I got a great tip from your book about wiring, put the branch in position then wire, I used to wire then bend it in position, goes to show we are always learning, thanks for the vids

[@davidcovington901]

"... and it really is just a bush." Ow!

[@Garreista]

I laughed so hard

[@ozrob76]

"It looks like a potato" 😄

[@shropshireladoutdoors743]

Still doesnt look much better

[@greenstar7492]

Great transformation......thank you Peter for another great lesson...

[@stephenkoebcke9070]

nice work and vision peter. i think i would have cut that top thin apex off to shorten and make the tree more powerful. then cut the left and right bottom branches shorter, let them grow out. then trim the remaining branches shorter up to the new shorter apex. but i love your approach to teaching , techniques, and outlook on bonsai and life in general. i wish i lived in england. steve.

[@closedchannel2713]

Thank you for posting so many educational videos Peter. I now have the confidence to start my own bonsai collection. Regards Sean from Canada.

[@danutashayler34]

I always discover something new and important. Wonderful and I am grateful to be able to tune you in. Thank you.

[@sophiaangelini4368]

I sometimes watch just because I wish to hear the voice with Instinct on life and bonsai.

[@peterchan3100]

Please don't say that - I hate hearing my own voice. I am glad some people dont mind.

[@bigspender107]

"It's got that ugly, almost potatolike shape..." 🤣

[@bartdesender7990]

Your skill continues to amaze me Peter. What seemed like another impossible project, you improved it dramatically and beautifully.

[@Wasabiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii]

Don't like the thick part of the tree, but what I really don't like are the 3 main branches coming from 1 point. I think you did a really good job without cutting anything really 👌🏽 I would choose 1 or maybe 2 main trunks and cut the others and replace it with thinner branches. But it's really like you said, it's all in the of the beholder

[@nazarzadeh]

I thought it was root over rock! :)))) I really look forward to see how you will deal with this tree next year.

[@arnoldmmbb]

Me too haha

[@karlcottingham1472]

Good job Peter. Very nice approach for that tree. I had a vision of using a Die-grinder to carve fissures into the nobby part of the rootstock. Carving grooves to simulate root butresses and match the other roots. Just a wild idea. Thanks for all your wonderful videos. You are a Master at this beautiful art form. Karl

[@peterchan3100]

Good idea - but I think the tree might suffer.

[@sophiaangelini4368]

Magnificent Makeover. The Tree has Karma.

[@soberhippie]

18:23 At this angle the tree looks like it has a massive trunk. I think it might be possible to wire the tree so that some of the branches look like they are the continuation of that massive potato trunk.

[@sistersrus2]

Gorgeous - a beautiful transformation.

[@Dave-nw4eh]

Looks great! Such a pleasure to watch you work!

[@jyothilavigne2263]

You did a lovely job, Peter! It has a lacy, airy look.

[@CazPiranha]

You are such a kind, sweet & practical man 🧡

[@dougbaker2120]

This video is 8 months old, but I hope it's not too late to discuss. Peter, if you were not trying to respect the customer's taste (which I love you for), what would you do with that tree, something more drastic? What about adding a lot more bends to those long branches to compact the foliage and create a tree with a more well defined shape? Perhaps making the lowest two cascade a bit and bringing the top down to create a low apex? There's just such a lot of nice healthy foliage on the tree, but it is, well, socially distant, for a tree...

[@alicer3423]

Mr. Chan. They bring them to you to do because you make them beautiful.

[@angie3504]

Great outcome...the before and after is outstanding.

[@thom-novi]

Definitely better. I think with such a large stump and comparitively thin branches that massive foreshortening and bringing the branches down into a tight triangle just covering the top of the large base would be the way to go. It would be very stumpy but potentially would make a cute, old tree.

[@ccme1111]

The Bonsai looks great! Thank you.

[@SouthGlass]

Unusual hour. Thanks Peter

[@reddy969]

Good job Peter, thanks for sharing your ideas and new techniques 🙏

[@chrismorton3064]

Thanks for the videos on the Hinoki Peter i have a lovely none grafted twin trunk one from Japan

[@thehusband12]

I wish we could see this tree today!

[@lelurve]

im here looking for solutions for my new bonsais which are quite ugly. theyre given to me by a friend so i already treasure them but i would like to train them to a more pleasant appearance for next year ----right now the 2 bonsai are just stumps with roots jutting out from the pot (i dont know what kind of tree) and only a few brances

[@danjohnson6292]

Peter, I think you nailed it. I like the front you chose. Not "going with the flow." Would have loved to see the tree with the "new" front you discovered.

[@youngwillie9502]

Things are very ugly here at the moment. Very uncertain. I have heard it said that the phrase "May you live in interesting times." is a kind of curse. These times have become very interesting indeed. Thank you for the calming tutorial. It is a welcomed distraction.

[@lucellebernadettepillay]

Hi Peter, thank you as always for an informative and entertaining video. What can you do about the bulbous, unsightly root bulge? Often I find nurseries sell ficus bonsai with this weird bulgy base, I often consider buying one to train, but don't know how to deal with the root thickness compared to the foliage. Thank you :) Lucelle from South Africa xxx

[@pansepot1490]

Embrace it. The root bulge is considered aesthetically pleasing in China where those ginseng ficus come from. If you don’t like it buy something else. I have two that were given me as a gift. Didn’t like them much but after having seen the ugly result people who have tried to get rid of/hide the fat roots got, I have decided to keep them as they are. They are fun to work on and good styling exercise if you are a beginner. Cheers.

[@h.b.1421]

most often these ficus are grafted onto a ficus with these bulbous roots, so two different species. Same as the hinoki and the leylandii shown in the video above. The original ficus microcarpa usually only grows these roots as a precaution against drought. If you really want to buy one then try to grow some cuttings from the tree, the roots on these are much nicer looking and easier to grow into a nice bonsai. And keep the ficus "ginseng" (as they are most often called) as a normal household plant.

[@patricks9682]

Great... That's Bonsai Art ,Natural...perfect, thank you . I learned alot 👍

[@bgertsma]

Even if it was a mistake to upload this video, i'm still very glad to see it :)

[@MidniteSan]

U can tell it's not Peter's tree even if he didn't tell us 😇. The wizard has done it again, turned out to be presentable indeed. Can't wait for the next one.stay safe to all and Cheers..

[@gabijones2445]

Thank you Mr. Chan.

[@DarleneBoyd]

Love your shirt!!!!

[@boscoafonso5744]

Brilliant 👍👍👍

[@davidelkebampscelis2092]

Showtime :) Not watched yet but I'm happy already :D

[@ingeborg-anne]

I really itched to try to create a windswept form with this tree. And maybe something to match the line created by the root stock better, but Idk if that was possible with the stage the trunk was at this point.

[@jakeaivilo3821]

Different ppl have different imaginations and approaches to same trees. I would have approached it with a cascade style.

[@ingeborg-anne]

@@jakeaivilo3821 Oh, I never even considered that. How fun!

[@rook5503]

Really giving that tree thw business

[@AdrienDesautels]

love the big potato trunk lol

[@mastersenseigthekarateguy570]

Hi, I enjoy your videos very much. I've been learning so much. Thank you. I do have a question, I live in Montana USA, and we have have very long and harsh winters. Can you give advice on keeping bonsai alive? Watering, shelter, feeding etc. Thank you.

[@fortnitegameplaysnb8365]

Will this tree grow new shots from the old Wood?

[@readman53]

Here's a vote for keeping loyal to the tree for many more years...always easier to discard, isn't it?

[@peterchan3100]

Yes indeed - that is why I respect the tree and its owner.

[@silentgrove7670]

I wonder if the large basal bulge could have been cut away. I have seen you do this with bulges on branches. Is it safe to do so or might it kill the tree. Perhaps removing 10% over a few years and ensuring rot does not get into the exposed wood. I have seen you do drastic things, like when you split that plum with a wedge to create the literati. I would like to see an update on those literati trees to see how they are progressing. I love your work :P

[@SouthGlass]

Cutting the bulge would create an enormous wound that probably would never close. An open wound so close to the ground would be always wet and rot very quickly.

[@silentgrove7670]

@@SouthGlass Yes , it's not like a bulge on a branch is it ?

[@SouthGlass]

@@silentgrove7670 No, its not. A bulge in a branch may be from a healing wound being calloused, but being in a branch far from the ground and all the watering it is far less problematic. This bulge also has a different origin, it comes from the rootstock growing much faster than the grafted scion. There is not much to do there, they will always grow at different rates

[@kayzenjenkins9775]

I know hinoki doesn't backbud from.old wood. But doesn't grafting old wood work, or grafting altogether, with hinoki??

[@robertbrandner]

I love problem trees!

[@ingeborg-anne]

Peter, what distinguishes good wiring from bad wiring? Does the quality of the wiring job make an impact on the quality of the result?

[@jakeaivilo3821]

I think the quality of the result depends on good wiring. To distinguish between good and bad wiring you need an eye for shaping a bonsai but there are also some rules like always try to wire two branches with one piece of wire, or the size of the wire should be half the size of the branch. you usually can vary a little but experience in it will also have a big impact. Read some articles and watch the videos from Peter, if you wanna know how its done correctly.

[@peterchan3100]

Good wiring should be. unobtrusive and look neat.

[@andreasweber1533]

I think one has to distinguish between two kinds of "bad". Wiring that just looks bad (e.g. crisscrossing) but is effective in holding the branches in the shape you want them to be may be "o.k." for training the tree (we've seen Peter coiling wire loosely around branches of pre-bonsai to guide their growth). Funktionally bad wiring could be ineffective or even do damage (e.g. too thin a grade of wire won't allow you to shape the branch, trapping foliage will be bad for its health).

[@thomasyo75]

"and just gently ease the roots" .... fast forward to 25:20 😅 There's only one peter Chan ❤

[@slamboy66]

At 28:23 is the trunk hollow ?

[@satorigardenaksasbonsai.1321]

what tree eating in akadama soil???

[@ladytadpole630]

Beautiful

[@VinciecBonsaiJourney]

Hi Peter. Im trying my hand at doing a Leylandii formal upright from plain nursery stock. People say this variety is not suited for Bonsai. Have you any expereince with Leyland Cypress?

[@Agropic27]

Amazing

[@jimbersmcimbers]

Had jacket potato, cheese and beans tonight in honour of this tree lol

[@peterchan3100]

I like that - any for me?

[@jimbersmcimbers]

@@peterchan3100 I'll give it a go, but we've only got new potatoes left ha!

[@joseclecio8072]

I like videos like this!

[@nataliakozie6045]

I like the potato shape

[@drechenlard6491]

do you remove the wires somewhen or will they stay forever?

[@jakeaivilo3821]

Wires usually never stay forever I guess. Cause when the tree grows, the wires will cut or more likely sink into the tree and will create nasty scars. The wire is a part of shaping, but not a lifelong one, rather one to let the tree grow in specific directions. After the bonsai has the shape you want it to have, you can remove it

[@Garreista]

Wires stay on for 1-2 years. As long as they're not biting into the tree they can be left for 2 years and make sure for certain that the branches set.

[@creightonfreeman8059]

I know you didn't want to do anything drastic because it is not your tree, but hypothetically, wouldn't it be possible to carve one side of that graft bulge to make it less ugly? .....Or is that likely to kill a branch above the carving area?

[@peterchan3100]

Carving is a possibility but since it is the rootstock that you will be carving, there is a real danger that the whole tree might suffer and possibly die.

[@urosknezevic3504]

At least this videos are free hehe

[@jeromewaites5364]

Dude your owning that shirt that’s some ramification

[@christinedozier6071]

So pretty. Looks like a wonderful place for a tiny faerie to nap under

[@Gbhmagic]

Worst part about Hynoki is it does not bud back on old wood at all

[@tolbaszy8067]

I'm pretty sure this tree belongs to his brother-in-law!

[@dodorik7114]

i almost looks like a caudiciform succulent!

[@MasterCommandCEO]

"I don't want to do anything dramatic to the roots" - Proceeds to cut at least 1/3rd of the roots off. Yikes

[@Darthrevanize]

Wow this tree looks really funny, is it common?

[@jakeaivilo3821]

Not really

[@Najaxyutara]

Merci!

[@gregs190]

That graft, 30 years on a horrifically grafted plant. To each their own. It looks a lot better after it was tuned up.

[@grahammorris1997]

Regarding your comment about directionality of wiring not mattering. I'm afraid I must disagree with you. It does matter considerably. You need to determine the direction in which the branch or trunk is to be bent. then coil the wire in the same direction of the proposed bend. If you try to bend the branch in the opposite direction to the coil direction you are essentially uncoiling it and minimising the holding action of the wire. It's literally like uncoiling a spring and the wire will become loose on the branch.

[@farukmhamood6663]

No, bending won't have any effect on directionality. Only twisting will have the effect that you are taking about.

[@grahammorris1997]

@@farukmhamood6663 Agree if you were merely bend in a purely horizontal plane, but thats not often the case. Sometimes it's desirable to bring upward downward pointing branches into the horizontal position which does require twisting the wire/branch.

[@kamrankambang7953]

If i have that, if possible i would just graft another species that can grow faster to at least match the bulging root base. Man keeping tjat for 30 years that might be lots of sentimental value in there. Personally i wouldnt keep it.

[@rRobertSmith]

Seems to me an excellent candidate for carving and the low branch has to go.....although sensi peter seems to be weak in carving.....

[@kurtsimmons9735]

The two lowest branches are growing out at the same height. I'd have removed the lowest branch on the right

[@thejackandtomshow2776]

First

[@brianjanku4549]

That is one horrible looking tree.

[@aarondlancaster]

Audio is horrible!

[@samlomb2093]

Its fine on my end. Might be your speakers

[@sirimewanranjithganepola1367]

Peter Chan, I am disappointed. I expected better from you. I just am not convinced that it looks anything like a natural tree. The bulbous root was and will continue to be the problem. You have done nothing to correct this obvious problem. You are my master when it comes to Bonsai and I think you need to do better than this. Ranjith