Bonsai From Cast Offs

[@63yearoldskater]

I really appreciate your philosophy and approach to bonsai. I have always used organic soil, with occasional non-organic suppliments, to great success. A few decades ago, I tried to get involved in a bonsai club in the midwest city where I live. There was, at the time, periodic meetings where members brought in a tree to show others, get some pointers ir help, and work on trees as a group. I took a tree that I had been growing, in dirt, for about 15 years for some help with how to wire and shape it. I was roundly chastised and scoffed at because of the soil, so much so that we never spoke of the branch structure. Because of the pressure to use "acadama" in order to "do it right" I caved in and a group if the self-proclaimed experts helped me repot it in 100% non-organic "soil." Rocks. By mid summer, my beloved tree was dead. After 40 years of growing bonsai, I use real soil.

[@peterchan3100]

That is why many bonsai clubs get a bad name - sadly there are many clubs like this. So I am not at all surprised by the treatment they gave you.

[@gorknmork6997]

​@@peterchan3100Peter what clubs should we join? I've been practicing Bonsai since I discovered you about 4/5 years ago; and I'm comfortable with my progress but some like minded people would be great to talk to. Thanks for all the videos and teachings, Tom

[@Sunweaver593]

If it works for you who cares? You had years of experience and success growing in a certain way. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

[@joannetanner7282]

The moral of that story is, If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. And… stick to your guns

[@peterchan3100]

Where do you live? But give it a try - most clubs have decent people in them. I was in Toronto recently and they seemed a very nice bunch. @@gorknmork6997

[@Fambamm-ib6pw]

I love the look with both big branches ❤

[@jakicatancabelic9436]

So nice to hear the rain instead of flying planes. The video is becoming one of my favorites: turning scraps into beauties. Thank you!

[@rg86er]

Josh is a true hero for all his time and effort over the years.

[@WanderingBobAK]

@36:00, I'm with Josh. Cut off the top/tall part. So much beautiful movement using the lower part as the apex.

[@thebrightsidepotteryandbonsai]

This has to be one of my favorite videos you have done Peter. I come back to this one time and again. Maybe it's the rain sound in the background, or maybe it's a perfect display of your brilliance. It seems almost magical to me that you are starting with material that some might throw away, and turn it into something so beautiful! A master of the art for certain! Thank you again!

[@denvernow7294]

I go through slumps where I want to give up on growing plants at all. It's people like Peter & videos like this that blow new life into the fire and make me get out of my slump and want to do even more. We love you Peter.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

I like the way you are frugal and not wasting. Great video on the cast offs or misfits that no one would want. You have transformed an ugly duckling into a swan. Excellent video!

[@davemead4504]

Amazing what you and josh can achieve in a relatively short amount of time Peter. Thanks for sharing your thought process once again

[@mikec3820]

very cool you give seedlings out to inspire new bonsai growers. wish more growers did it. i give out cuttings or seedlings or even semi trained trees to people some times. its fun to share passion for arts. thank you peter for being so humble and sharing so freely

[@walterwjr947]

_THANK YOU_ .... 🙏 😔 🙏 Dr. Chan, you made my morning. I had my breakfast and the video. Your voice and the rain, wow. I am a Texican and we call it _Mule Sence_ and you know, some people just never get any at all. Also, some people just never grow up. The trees are all beautiful. And those Master Chan creations from the trash heap and that break all the rules... Those are the most sought after and imitated _Bonsai_ on the planet. They are _Art._ An aside: there are no weeds, just plants that dare to grow where we do not want them to. Again, thank you. I am watching this on the day of the August "Super" moon. I am going to plant some things, tonight. 🙏 🖖 🙏 😔 🙏

[@peterchan3100]

Your comments always make me happy.

[@walterwjr947]

@@peterchan3100 🙏 😔🙏

[@jirawudhvanasup4530]

Very enjoyable seeing you transform ignored trees into cute bonsais. Well done.

[@sagebell8884]

Great video Peter! I really enjoyed so many projects in one video. Please consider doing more this way. We love you over here in America 🤙💯

[@melanielehmann5562]

Joshs ttt was so funny!

[@garyjohnson2989]

The master still at it

[@nan9712]

When you started talking about deciding on which branch to keep on the juniper, I kept thinking "use both!" So I was really pleased you left the side branch on. It may not be a "proper" bonsai design according to purists, but I personally think it looks better with the side branch left on than if it was cut off.

[@peterchan3100]

This project isn't finished - I will show it in its later stage of shaping

[@murray821]

At first i thought the lower top has more dense foliage, so my choice would be to use that as the top, but the upright version has more sparse growth so I altered my decision. I think the side branch reduced to jin would make it even more literati.

[@FERNANDOSORGETZ]

Amazing rain sound! Thank you for your job!

[@kusokk]

So beautiful trees, I hope I can own one soon :) Thank you for all these wonderful films, I never knew Bonsai could be so diverse and exciting!

[@gracepeterson7483]

This is so inspiring, Peter. Thank you for once again for your informative and enjoyable video. And than you to Josh too.

[@dq129]

Greetings from Danae in Australia. You are definitely the Svengali of all trees! Fantastic work Peter. I use a soldering iron to make holes in plastic pots. Works a treat!

[@ChristinePallascio]

I really like those videos on difficult trees. It is inspiring and very useful, specially if you collect trees in nature.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

That Pumice rock, we call feather rock, you can get a big piece of it and it is an easy drill to make a bonsai pot with it. Only thing is to wear safety glasses or drill it under water as the chards are like flying needles. Makes a cool looking pot with the right pumice stone.

[@aroncheek5092]

I have about 6 privit that i started a few years ago, they're overdue a repot , hopefully this video gives me some motivation and inspiration 😊

[@Sdravan]

Wonderful trees!

[@UlrichBrakweh]

Very good, Peter. More of these different ideas in one clip please.

[@blakethompson9828]

I think that was my favorite episode.. Heard that snarl 😅😅 kindafelt it.. Absolutely Beautiful show..!!!!

[@Carolyn2Short]

Those Lucky Little Rescued Trees! ❤ It’s 100 degrees Fahrenheit here in northern Central Valley, California, so the rain in the background is very a refreshing sound. Love your teaching and inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

[@Mrs.Karen_Walker]

Thank you for uploading Peter. Very informative as always. I particularly love this vid because of the lovely sound of the rain tiddling down on the roof. As someone with tinnitus i am a big fan of so called white noise videos. The rain on the greenhouse is so incredibly relaxing. Im looking forward to more vids with rain. Cheers and God bless.

[@peterchan3100]

Some of the viewers hate the noise of the rain.

[@thetinyforest]

So great to see you and Josh do some awesome work on trees others would neglect! Thank you for all the inspiration you guys bring!

[@johnmichaelrutherford3514]

that privet is absolutely gorgeous, it makes me jealous especially when i think of my 3-year-old (almost 4-year-old) sapling and the twiggy cuttings i took from it.

[@greenhawk1592]

So nice to see you work on this , thankyou 🙏🌳🌲🌳🌲

[@stupidgeezer]

Peter, you are so inspiring, making such beautiful bonsai from rejects. Amazing. Thanks Josh for the camera work.

[@marksather9914]

Love this video. I love taking the misfits and transforming them to something new.

[@63yearoldskater]

I agree! I always forage through the "911 section" of my favorite garden centers, and often find a pitifully neglected plant that is perfect for bonsai!

[@MAMLeers]

"As tough as an old boot" - nice expression I did not know yet! But, on the other hand, English is not my native language so that might explain it... Anyway, I think this was a great and inspiring video! It fits very well in or even might demonstrate your philosophy regarding the hobby (or the art) of bonsaï! It might be very helpfull for many of us about how to approach shaping and taking care of little trees and try to make beautiful bonsaï out of them and enjoy the way towards it. Again: very nice video, mr Chan and mr Josh! Thanks again for sharing and inspiring. Beautiful and very promissing literati by the way...

[@swimminwitdafishes8059]

Thank you for this exceptional video creating beautiful trees from throwaways. You have given me so much inspiration as this is about the only type of material available to me.

[@irenaobad9975]

I realy love your videos, from croatia beginer

[@parthapratimpaul6144]

Beautiful demonstration.

[@MidniteSan]

Thx for sharing Peter 👍 😊

[@cassopsnoxdigger614]

A great video again peter, the second tree you did...i myself think it was crying out to have a Rock placed amongst the roots, but that's just myself...it is very important to be individual in attaining your designs....very enjoyable, all the best, take care & happy Bonsai'ing ! Gordon.

[@brian8jones]

Thank you for filming this.

[@Rojin_Bonsai_Studio]

I have been telling people for years that they can work on privets ligrustum all year round and they will survive and I allways get treated as crazy. And yet I have done full repot on those trees in the middle of winter left to face the harsh weather and allways bounced back come spring 😂

[@andrewbeattie5245]

Inspiring work, thank you Peter.

[@andreamundt]

I´m smitten with the tiny low branch on the Juniper!!!

[@mahindrarai7660]

Waste not want not you are just awesome

[@ChristinePallascio]

Will you ever do a video on grafting a plant’s branch on its trunk to improve the shape or is it something that is not done in the bonsai world?

[@abeerali7834]

Thank you so much! I’ve really learned and enjoyed a lot! 🥰

[@harrietb2141]

Trank you Peter.I always learn something from you😍

[@jodybouchereau9393]

Wow I love your work thank you for sharing all your amazing knowledge

[@oliveambros9887]

Really enjoyed watching you Sir… Thank you

[@kataleaburger4799]

For me Kusamono and Shitakusa are equal to bonsai...maybe you could do a little video for this kind of art...arigato gozaimas and greats from Germany

[@kevinanderson9335]

I cracked a Lilac I was working with the other day, hoping it heals, if not I think I have a plan b if the cracked leader doesn't make it. Peter, do you have any past videos in which you work with any sort of apple trees? If not, would you consider something similar? TY :-)

[@dbe2705]

Thanks Peter 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@PghFlip]

do you think your mystery clover could be Trifolium dubium?

[@Bonsai286]

I think your right it is trifolium dubnium, but easily confused with oxalis stricta which had exploding seed pods.

[@cynthiaeastmanroan4243]

Love your work. I have learned a lot.

[@abeerali7834]

Thank you so much 🥰

[@arnaudinputselector]

i use zeolithe only for my deciduous trees and it works perfect. it has a bit beter ratio of water and fertilizer retention than akadama and it lasts longer (and it's cheaper in europe, i live in nantes france and i buy it from italy to geosim nature

[@Resteasy8686]

Can you use your paper more to cover sections your thinking of axing?

[@peterchan3100]

I often do that but I usually do it in my mind without using paper.

[@Lonewolfcpb]

I’m a total beginner and love your channel. How long do you leave wire on the tree for please?

[@Fambamm-ib6pw]

Thanks for sharing this with us 🙏 ❤️ Question, how long do you leave the wires on your tree's?

[@carlossoares712]

great job :)

[@benkent9452]

Hi Peter how much water do you give them

[@bonsaibythesea]

I would not want to be the guy who put Peters new bonsai on the rubbishy pile😅

[@Harrygoodhead]

Hello Peter, Hello Bonsai lovers. My question is, can I start a Bonsai tree (trimming, bending and repotting) in end of August / beginning of September? Or am I too late for this? Thanks!

[@peterchan3100]

As long as you can protect it in winter that will be OK - Besides I am not doing radical repotting at this time of the year.

[@Harrygoodhead]

@@peterchan3100 thank you Peter! Have a good one!

[@jasonmiller7800]

This may sound like an obviously dumb question, but in regards to the first tree you worked on. When you trim it down and then put it in a very small bonsai pot, it's not going to grow bigger right? Or will it still grow as big as other bonsais just much slower?

[@peterchan3100]

It can remain this size in that pot for another three or four years before it becomes bigger.

[@MostlyIC]

Peter, this is going to sound weird but here goes, when you say "I'm not following any predetermined plan I'm just going with the flow and finding out what works best" it kind of sounds like Bruce Lee philosophy !!!

[@peterchan3100]

Oh ! Did he say that?

[@deepanjanbanerjee3491]

Loved it but I was visualizing the juniper just the opposite of what you did. Would have made a vertical jin and twisted the side branch downward in a loop. Not that my views mean anything 😂

[@peterchan3100]

That juniper was not finished - I will get the Editor to show the final clip of what I did to it.

[@carrieeloff2220]

Should I try air layering at this time of year? Or will I be causing problems? (Northeast u.s.)

[@LatainHater]

How much is such a small japanese tokoname pot worth?

[@peterchan3100]

We sell those for £12 but I dont think there are many left.

[@bonsaisn]

Tuyệt vời ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@johanoosthuizen977]

A❤your bonsi would like to have one of your handmade trees

[@daaam2160]

I can watch you do your jiggery pokery all day long. Thanks for the instruction

[@EvilHomer1973]

Is Josh from Maine?

[@peterchan3100]

No - why do you ask?

[@EvilHomer1973]

He had a MAINE tshirt on. Im from Maine and was curious. Thank you@@peterchan3100

[@denvernow7294]

We need to figure out how to download Peter onto a computer. Could make a killing selling copies.

[@Poemsapennyeach]

The trailing plant looks like a Shamrock...not a weed.

[@lizziebee315]

I know the weed as"Black medic"

[@barbarafazio549]

Common sense is not so common🥰

[@justinecurie]

Maybe the weed kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZitiomahqp0p9U is Black Medic (Medicago lupulina)?

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌👌🙂

[@ExplainingTechTips]

I finally understand him. it's not that he likes bonsai and that's the end of the world. He actually finds beauty in plants, they make him feel good as though he is looking at something beautiful and the size is due to needing to be confined to spaces. its like bringing nature into your living room, a tree cant live in a small space forever, so grows the story of bonsais.

[@Wizzardus]

Maybe it's time to get a mic for your videos .... can barly hear anything with that rain.

[@johnbrock1602]

Too much noise can’t hear you.

[@63yearoldskater]

I love your videos, but it's very often hard to hear what you're saying, even when it's not raining. Please consider investing in a lapel microphone