HARD Pruning My Portulacaria afra Forest and planting Lithops, The Bonsai Zone, July 2021

I prune and prune until there is little left, I'm hoping to get that Baobab style to my Portulacaria afra forest, getting those really thick trunks and compact form that they are famous for.
I'm also planting the Lithops that Andrew sent me, a very exciting new venture! These plants are often called living stones.
To see previous videos of my Portulacaria afra forest, click on the playlist here....
• Portulacaria afra, Bao...
#TheBonsaiZone
#SucculentBonsai
#NigelSaunders

[@avalancheadenium]

hi mr. nigel saunders ...i am avalanche and from iran .... i learn too many things from you and your youtube channel .... i wanna say thank you for it ... thanks

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Avalanche, nice to hear!

[@getyourkicksagain]

-Welcome to Saunders' Barber Shop. What would you like? -Just a little off the top and sides, please. -OK. So here I go...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Whoopsie!

[@niklasvonschledorn3245]

Laughed way too hard 😂

[@ig7806]

careful...you might have to pick your head up off the floor by the end of it!

[@user-fb3pu3qx3t]

Hi Nigel - I am disabled due to Covid, and have found bonsai through your videos. I love to garden, but now I don’t have the strength. Bonsai has become a huge comfort - I can garden without expending huge amounts of energy. Without gardening, life would be totally bleak. But bonsai has brought me great joy. I’m just starting, but your lovely gentle videos are such a pleasure. Thank you for uploads and for bringing me a new hobby in a time of need x

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Leoparduo, I'm glad you found bonsai and I hope it gives you inspiration and strength!!!

[@dk2614]

Could you give an update on the recovery of these? I know these trees weren't ideal for your vision, but I have to say they were quite impressive as they were!

[@abeerali7834]

I’m just starting this hobby. Portulacaria Afra was my choice to start with. I got 2 dwarf ones. Pruned, wired, styled and ready for this summer, but my heart won’t let me take them down to stumps 😂

[@maggie_oshea]

This video reminds me of my mum. She used to have stephanotis growing right along our side fence. Probably about 10m long. Flowered all the time and smelled wonderful. She also had a large “jade” plant growing in a pot near our front door. Nice to be reminded 🙂

[@grobonsai]

Another iconic landscape in the making. Looking forward to seeing it develop!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you very much, it's recovering well and on it's way once again!

[@Faiz-ke5xv]

@28:20 : ''oh my goodness that was a big cut, why do I do this to myself?'' > and then proceeds to cut the branch even further. that gave me a good giggle haha. Beautiful forest Nigel! Can't wait to see it evolve again.

[@iandownes3130]

I love how he goes and does a very detailed pruning at the beginning of the video and then at the end, they're just stumps. Could have just made them into stumps and then propagated them

[@selfmade6142]

Hello Nigel, even after 35 years with bonsai I almost took my breath away. What a tough procedure. But I know you know what you're doing I am very curious how it will develop. A very courageous job that needs a lot of self-confidence.

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Wow nigel you was trigger happy today 😮

[@mirandusings]

Portulacaria afra forest! Wohoooo!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Did I ever go at it!

[@carlosdesousagiraldez9452]

Bonsai is a long term and never ending process. Here you taught us that in a master way. I have portucalaria so I learned a lot today. Thank you.

[@koholohan3478]

If the lithops sense water within a 50 mile radius, they will rot and die. Be very very careful. Need lots of light though

[@Tantrum777]

Correct, water them twice per year!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, I'll keep them dry!! I hope I didn't water them too much already!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

@@Tantrum777 Thanks Freedom!

[@icariumrage3137]

@@Tantrum777 I'd give lithops a least a full watering once a fortnight with morning to midday sun in summer with no water the rest of the year, but I'm in Australia so it's a hot and dry. Each one can be different for when to start watering and when to stop watering.

[@Tantrum777]

@@icariumrage3137 Good rule of thumb is when they start to shrivel then you can water them.

[@mattbrennan647]

Wow! Nigel mimics starving elephants . Keep growing (and growing) Thanks

[@katyb2793]

The secateurs had quite the feed today 😂

[@michaelpulcini]

After watching many of your videos, it's given me a lot more confidence in pruning my bonsai!

[@MillsSkits]

The trunks are looking so thick and interesting! You have so many good cuttings. Portulacaria afra is the only tree I can keep alive, so I just wanted to recommend it to any viewers who may be having trouble!

[@manguydude287]

I got a kick out of the lithops. your intuition was correct, that's now how you plant them 😆 they are only slightly exposed above the soil when growing naturally

[@waterlover]

Wow those reference images are insanely beautiful

[@MRchazewyatt]

LOVED THE VIDEO!! Been looking forward to this one for a while!!

[@bizmayker]

Phew that was a hard prune but necessary! Can't wait to see lithops progressing! Great vid sir!

[@hamaragarden111]

Nice plants and beautiful

[@passionbonsai88]

Beautiful composition , Very unique . will be looking forward for update

[@foreseengust]

That was quite a ride, wow!

[@wedgwoodtom]

Thanks for all the great content Nigel!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Tom, thank you very much!!!! I hope you have a very merry Christmas!!!

[@danutashayler34]

Wow. your Portulacaria forest was stunning before its severe pruning. I began to think what does a Baobab tree look like; and there where the photos of these amazing trees. Thanks for the lesson. Fascinating. The knowledge of the plant and tree is part of the art of Bonsai. Thank you for sharing what you know. Canada

[@redzepplin7397]

Oh my Nigel, lol , I had a fit watching you do that. It looks great! and there were some awesome cuttings! Great video, it was intense, like a hollywood movie! exhales...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Cut some, cut some more, cut until there is no more!

[@dabblingwithbonsai]

So many big cuts! Great job, as always

[@BonsaiJCan]

The trunks are looking great !

[@seizedcarcass8440]

Just bought my first one of these. Next year I’m going to start my first ever bonsai. Your channel has been a very large part of my inspiration and knowledge

[@BonsaiandGardening1]

Lots off cuttings i see 😍😍😍 for mame bonsai 🥰🥰

[@sinhareebhawil2864]

Hi Nigel, Great job, as always........

[@ananyadas5506]

You are a magician...... 🙃🙃

[@BonsaiJade]

Ohhh Nigel !! La tua foresta è sempre fantastica !!! Il mio canale e la mia passione per la portulacaria afra deriva da questo tuo super bonsai!!! Auguri è un felice anno

[@Mandy7D7]

Portulacaria afra are delicious. You had enough trimmings for a nice snack!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I'm quite fond of the sharp taste!!!

[@TobyJin]

Hi Nigel, nice Lithops you got there although they can be quite challenging in your climate. I lost some over my time having them and if you give them just slightly too much water, they can pretty much turn to mush overnight. Although they have a distinct growth cycle, I usually just water them when they look quite dry, which could be once every couple of months.

[@rebeccahunter725]

Oh my giddy aunt. Nigel. A minute after my last comment, and I can see where you are going, but WOW, it is quite a carnage on the screen!!!

[@nexusrnah6418]

I love the results!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Now I just have to wait and see what happens, I hope it goes well!

[@urouroniwa]

This kind of treatment reminds me that imagining what something will look like in the future is arguably more fun than having something that's "finished" now. Reality is always imperfect and as beautiful as something can be, it will never match the the promise of what it could be in the future. Watching these videos, I've been struck that bonsai is really an incredible hobby because you can never be finished (unless the tree dies). Even when it becomes worthy of a show, it can only maintain that shape for a relatively short time and then you have to decide what to do in the future. I loved the video where you showed pictures from books of the bonsai exhibit in Montreal from different eras. The trees that were transformed were magnificent and the trees that were maintained were odd. The vistas of an earlier time, no longer exist. You can't go back, so you might as well go forward. Thanks for all that you do :-)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Urouro!!!

[@MaybeBonsai]

You can make another forest out of all the cuttings from the original big tree haha

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Maybe 2 or 3 forest's!

[@kenclarkeis]

OMG. 40 minutes of Nigel doing severe pruning. That was exciting. Impressive to see you looking so far into a trees future. Lithops need very little water. Keep them very dry.

[@RosarioCostanzo]

Hi Nigel, you are a very brave person! You did the right thing with your forest,but it required a lot of strength to prune all those ramifications off. Lithops look very cute in those pots, they are strange plants so give them a lot of attention. In my experience, they hate too much direct sunlight but at the same time they hate humid spots

[@darrel7382]

Should I prune it... yes I will. Just start with a hedge trimmer Nigel ahahaha. Good vid mate👍🏾

[@LemonsGraphics]

I literally just bought some lithops today because I found some at sheridan nurseries in kitchener. Ive wanted them for a while now

[@matthewkizziahcuzia...gott9632]

I'm gonna be waiting for the update on this one. Those stumps are shocking.

[@rebeccahunter725]

I love this! I am not finished yet, but the script is something that couldn't be written! If you had started out by cutting the main trunk off at 1/3 it's height, no one would have believed the story; but following the thought process that you go through as each cut is made makes it both obvious and exciting. I can't pick a top 3 KZbin presenters, (because 4 are in the mix), but it is always a pleasure to catch up with each of you!

[@ritavelti5115]

Hi Nigel, I have been watching your videos for a long time and I really like your bonsai style. I admire your talent at making landscapes and miniaturize a corner of nature. I wish I had your talent, these eyes for details. In the past videos I saw how you get rid of liverworts and recently I saw a video about fungi and mosses. In that video they said that the liverworts were one of the first “plants” that interacted with fungi and lived on the earth. Since 400 million years ago! It’s amazing, don’t you think so? If the liverworts develop so well in your region, I “challenge” you to do a “prehistorical” landscape. The Earth about 400 million years ago! What do you think? I hope I arose your interest. Surely, I will be very glad to see a project like this from you. All the best and happy bonsai, Rita

[@Coolmono83]

Wowwww....Just woww...OMG..I can do anything to just be able to spend my entire life in that green house of yours...😃

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I do spend a lot of time in the backyard, it's so much fun!

[@wesleysantosdefranca7496]

I was waiting for this video!! :D

[@lordgrubbin9394]

Some of those cuttings would make great mame Bonsai! ;)

[@houghtonbonsai]

another great video m8 well done

[@succulentplantcare373]

OMG.. almost gave me a heart attack.. although I learn a lot of things watching this baobab forest series.. one key item I took from it was big cuts produce amazing tapper.. will soon try this on my wife's big portulacaria afra.. if she allows me to.

[@CherieChi]

People here like this plant and think it is a symbol of coins, then this pot is a treasure bowl^^

[@bonsai_life_style]

That main tree look good bow

[@rizkyrijzalbonsai6990]

Mantap kawan keren

[@waterlover]

Trimming is not for the faint of heart.. I felt so sad seeing it loose all its hard earned branches

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope it does well, I took so much off!

[@nachiketphadke5478]

Hi Nigel, This is Nachiket from Pune, India. I have been watching your channel since last few months. Learning a lot from your detailed videos. I am 31 now and hoping to have a good bonsai collection like you when I turn 60.

[@fullgardening]

Very nice information my new friend🌱🌱 🌺🌺🌸🌸🙏🙏

[@bonsai_life_style]

I remember that first video with hard prune OMG time fly,there you culd see young Mr.Nigel fresh youtuber ))))

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It doesn't seem so long ago, until you watch the videos!

[@mattdemoraes]

Didn't hold back there Nigel! Defo for the best though, needed the taper

[@marysoldeeley2218]

GASP!!! :O

[@pepegapapaya]

The traditional tall big baoba trees would be very difficult if not impossible to make a bonsai out of these. The ones where the trunk doesn't split till the crown. These look great though

[@SW-zu7ve]

I was waiting for you to snip the trunks off and start digging to decide which roots should stay or go.

[@ferasi6944]

Very drastic cuts but necessary for your goal to mimic baobabs! The pictures of baobabs in nature show that many have long straight trunks before they taper quickly. I would have liked more straight parts surviving in the big tree. But this is just a question of personal taste 😉

[@jeanne-gord7685]

Nigel Scissor Hands. My wife says if you ever come by you have to be searched first and all your pruning stuff removed and then you have to wear wool mittens.

[@Werd2jaH]

Yay! The lithops look great in those pots!! Hope they thrive!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'd better be careful with the water,not too much!!! Thanks again!

[@JoPro06]

That pruning was indeed quite hard, but it will luckily grow out again even better

[@alicer3423]

Nigel, I wasn't sure anything was going to be left. I'm afraid for the other little trees. LOL

[@JenningsPutnamArt1991]

I just worked on my jade forest tonight!

[@matthewkizziahcuzia...gott9632]

I might add some sand to the lithops. I hear they like a dense rocky soil.

[@SherwoodFluFortuna]

I'm always worry about Nigel's prunings! Roots or foliagles but he can do them ,🤣

[@GenRN]

I’m new to the bonsai world and I have to say that felt painful. The lessons I must learn! I’m really hoping after this there is a follow up.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, a follow up video will be coming soon!!

[@GenRN]

@@TheBonsaiZone I can’t wait!

[@staceyl8255]

hi nigel, your videos have been very informative! it's been very helpful for you to follow up a couple months later on the progress as well. thank you! ! i just did some hard pruning to my Portulacaria afra like you did with yours. how long did it take for you to see some new sprouts?

[@ashleybonner5423]

All worked out in the end there, Nige, its looking good! Ya know, for stumps, can't wait to see them grow back in! After jade's, portulacaria are my favourite plant. I'm trying to gather a lot more plants but you're often hard pressed to find them in shops here in the UK. Do you have any plans for those cuttings you ended up with? Great work as always! - Ashley Bonner

[@gavins.6109]

Was pretty hard to watch this one haha but I’m sure it will look amazing in future.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope I didn't go too far!!

[@zonnig46]

Nigel, I hope you did not kill the plant by this severe pruning. Some video's ago David learnt us to do big cuttings in steps. By the way, this little seculent is called Lithops. Grtz from Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

[@fredgrech1498]

Wow Nigel when start cutting you go all out I had stop breathing for while but I understand why you doing it

[@Kidraver555]

Lithops have longish roots and like deeper pots.

[@brucedeacon28]

👍

[@ellejayn]

Can Andrew let us know what lithops species are included here? Or can you direct me to him? Gorgeous colours.

[@Rblock777]

You could match the soil colors with lithop texture just like they are disguised in deserts

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Awesome idea!

[@j.d.8075]

Your stone plants are "Lithops" and there are good KZbins out there on them

[@joaquimdomingos23]

my god Nigel these scissors are very nervous a hug

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I hope the trees come back well!

[@beth7467]

"Why do I do this to myself?" :)

[@jasonbeers5511]

Hi Nigel. I live in Kamloops BC and would love a cutting from your P afra forest if you ever have any you would mail this way! Love your videos! I have seen them all.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Jason, send me an email... [e-mail]

[@ImNotAProfessional]

Just subscribed 🥳

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Harry, I hope you enjoy the channel!

[@ImNotAProfessional]

I love the channel 🤩🥳

[@ImNotAProfessional]

Also this is the first channel I subscribed too!!

[@agbhatti4189]

What is the best season to prune portulacaria afra

[@bonsaifinity515]

Missed the premier :(

[@CCTV242]

Can you use the cuttings to plant

[@xdxd4634]

Hi Nigel just had a question. I live in a warm country, so can i use cocopeat or any other water retaining substances in my bonsai soil?

[@aaryansetia9093]

Many artists in India(Bharat) use cocopeat in their soil mix.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, ideally the soil should dry out towards the end of each day on a sunny day. You can adjust your soil to get this with more water retaining particles!

[@xdxd4634]

Thank you👊

[@bastiv7806]

😱😱😱 The end result could have been achieved in a 5 minute video take 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Or less!!!

[@bastiv7806]

@@TheBonsaiZone Yes!

[@aoiahiru670]

"that'll dew"

[@aardhond]

I wonder how many trees you own mr Saunders ?

[@dinudavis4230]

Hai Nigel...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Dinu, hope the new job is going well and your family are doing well also!

[@dinudavis4230]

@@TheBonsaiZone Ya, I'm comfortable now, I get more free time. So my family and trees are happy...😀

[@TheBonsaiZone]

@@dinudavis4230 Awesome Dinu! Good to hear!

[@1Mutton1]

Bonsai is very step wise isn't it. Starts of carefully pluming branches and making careful decisions......still ends up with a stump.

[@Davidlopez-ip6il]

Update?

[@sunilusk]

With this tree vedio I felt like, 7 years gone by to let it grow and regular ramification on upper branches by pruning them and all, but now its back to zero (2014) . Just trunks left🤦🏻‍♂️..!

[@rajeevsawarkar]

These small stone - succulent are called “Lithops “

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Rajeer, I always forget the name!

[@mynala110]

Lithops 😬. Need deeper pot and NO water. I have killed my fair share 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@Rblock777]

I think you shouldnt had watered it before cutting off so big % off the plant, I wouldnt risk it