Bonsai For Free - Using Seedlings

In this video I explain that there is no excuse for not doing bonsai, as there is no need for bonsai to be expensive.
It is true that bonsai can cost many hundreds or even thousands of pounds but you can also create bonsai for free.
In this video I show you that you can use material that you may find growing in your garden to start your own bonsai tree.
Stuff to buy... (EU Only)👇
🌳 Outdoor Bonsai Trees www.herons.co.uk/Outdoor-Bonsai/
🌱 Indoor Bonsai Tree www.herons.co.uk/Indoor-Bonsa...
👉 To shop for bonsai go to 👉: www.herons.co.uk
(please note we are only able to ship within the EU)
Herons have teamed up with ethical clothing brand Teemill and are now offering a small and exclusive run of branded clothing.
👕 To purchase Herons T-Shirts click here heronsbonsai.teemill.com (shipped worldwide)
Please follow us @ 👇
instagram: / herons_bonsai
facebook: / herons.bonsai
twitter: / heronsbonsai

[@Cwjespersen]

“Bonsai for free” is my new mantra while I scavenge my neighborhood

[@Rocketogre]

"Bonsai for Free" I screech at my neighbors as they throw rocks at me and tell me to get out of their yards. ;)

[@Tidaveel]

"Bonsai for Free!!" I whisper as I dig up my most hated neighbours' newly planted apple sapling on a cloudy night ;P

[@robiszabo903]

All I see when I drive around my city are potential trees to dig up. I also see myself getting into trouble doing this...

[@stucutt2828]

“Bonsai for free” I sneer at my wife's boyfriend while i make haste from the wardrobe within!😂😂

[@verticalmatt]

@@Rocketogre 😂 it a funny because it s true

[@dougthebuilder1]

I'm a roofer in Yorkshire and often I pull bonsai from the guttering when cleaning them out. Sometimes the trees can be many years old and a perfect bonsai as the gutter has kept them small. My mum is delighted when I bring them to her house for her.

[@peterchan3100]

Buddlea, Silver birch etc etc grow like weeds in the guttering.

[@brooxeyyy]

How exactly do you get these bonsai out? Where do they grow?

[@dougthebuilder1]

Well usually I'm doing work.on the roof and they are growing in the drainage channel(gutter) they just lift out as the roots cannot attach to the plastic. Next time you're walking around look up at th old buildings

[@naturalman1972]

Me too. Thanks man for sharing same experience.

[@annagizziatlas62]

You just gave me extra motivation to clean my gutters

[@LookingTheBest]

The amount of selflessness you show when you share your knowledge is admirable. Thanks for being awesome Pete.

[@hobojimmy3500]

In my mind I always say it with his accent too, it makes me happy 😂😂

[@thatswhyudie]

thank you for the comment man my english when i want to speak is to unreadable but you talk straight out of my heart ! this man is a virtouos a master at work!

[@mchlbk]

*peter

[@thatswhyudie]

@@mchlbk what you want Tell us with Peter ?

[@mchlbk]

@@thatswhyudie That he's called Peter, not Pete. We don't shorten names like that in Europe. My name is Michael. Calling me Mike makes my skin crawl.

[@adamrichardson2227]

"There is no excuse for NOT doing bonsai" is the most inclusive statement ever said about this art form I have ever heard. I am enjoying binging these videos. I used to be into bonsai maybe4 20 years ago, but found information conflicting and hard to come by. I am so glad people like you are here on KZbin.

[@jumdas1049]

Making bonsai from a tree, especially root pruning is a great sin.

[@4sho136]

You’re the Bob Ross of bonsai, thank you :) Much love from Los Angeles, California.

[@ellerobins3870]

AGREED ..BOTH MY HEROES OF THEIR TRADE

[@julesverne2509]

Since Ive found Peter on KZbin a few years ago I have got over 75 different kinds of trees. Both paid and free. Its ALL addictive lol. My life has improved since doing bonsai

[@joedirt2862]

That's awesome. I'm at 11 trees 4 species all free.

[@julesverne2509]

@@joedirt2862 thats awesome. Im so glad I got into bonsai. I always wanted to but didn't know it was so easy till I found Peter's videos. Its truly changed my life.

[@joedirt2862]

@@julesverne2509Few things are as relaxing and rewarding. I'm going yamadori hunting tomorrow for Hawthorne and bald cypress. I'm curious do you have cold weather where you live . I'm not sure if I could keep 70+ different trees alive thru winter.

[@jacobvipperman8161]

I'm at no trees right now but I've planted 7 seeds 2 weeks ago

[@SpeakLifeNotDeath]

How did you learn? I have got 4 trees but don’t know what I’m really doing

[@2togo420]

This man is a legend

[@honduranflame]

He truly is. I admire his philosophy of life. Truly admirable

[@alvoefc801]

Its the odd Wellingtons for me

[@firetribe2112]

“There’s no excuse to not do bonsai” 😂😂

[@sidtewari5746]

Who needs expensive bonsai books and tools We have @peter on our side. He makes us understand that the only thing needed is passion n paitence for bonsai hobbyists

[@peterchan3100]

@@alvoefc801 - I cant afford new Wellies - Beauty in Poverty - All Zen principles !!

[@tolbaszy8067]

"Almost like collecting from the wild, except in this case the "wild" is in my garden." This is why this man is a master. His honesty and humility generates feelings of hope and inspiration for the future. Thank-you for sharing your desire for learning!

[@rangiharris7527]

Dude this line got me good the first time and now remembering it the second time 😂

[@dangson302]

Master: cut roots, cut branches -> bonsai. Me: cut roots, cut branches -> dead log.

[@peterchan3100]

No No No - you are better than that.

[@rmccauley78]

Just add a bit of rooting hormone. I saw another video of a guy using it on a 2’ chunk of fig trunk and 3 months later it had beautiful growth shooting out. From May to August. He just rubbed it on the moistened cambium layer he chipped a few openings to increase the exposed cambium and put it in a pot to do its thing.

[@ksbrook1430]

LOL. You are not alone. But let's listen to the master and try again.

[@gerikriedeman9809]

I am wondering the same thing…

[@gordonp6469]

😂😂😂

[@maverickstclare3756]

A quick warning on this technique: it is addictive !

[@ssal4699]

Agree I am obsessed with looking at opertunites when am out and about

[@sti_va]

@@ssal4699 Haha me too

[@holgerdingsbums4448]

Yamadori is the way. Went on my annual trip with friends a couple of days ago and finally added a nice little oak to my collection. Two days later I watch Peter dig up oaks. :D

[@murray821]

Yeah it always starts with one, and suddenly you run out of space 😅

[@modtheblackmarvel]

😂😂😂😂

[@ericdorey14]

I've never seen anything more Japanese than the "Hiiiiii" battlecry you made when you cut the big root! Very nice content sir!

[@Milark]

Inner samurai escaped for a second

[@UrgoTheGreat]

23:45

[@coolpanda6471]

@@Milark He turned 20 yrs old for a sec there. Lol.

[@Ajnav]

He's not japanese though? 😂

[@peterchan3100]

@@Ajnav - You don't have to be Japanese to give that cry !!

[@ksbrook1430]

"Look at that stumpy thing...that's a beauty, isn't it?" Seeing potential in the mundane. :)

[@jimbersmcimbers]

This is what it's all about. Taking something a bit rough around the edges and investing some optimism in it!

[@rebeccahunter725]

This is just like me, wandering around and roughly pulling seedlings out and dreaming of great futures for all of them. Can safely experiment with them, as there is no financial loss to risk. Of course, the emotional attachment starts even before the first green shoots!

[@peterchan3100]

Very well said.

[@jasedoityaself8994]

All my trees are grown from seed or things people did no longer want, best way to bonsai

[@c.a.t.732]

I'd always thought that when digging up a tree an intact tap-root was essential for the plant's survival. Quite a revelation to see how they are whacked and chopped off as being unimportant in this video. This will definitely change my whole approach to collecting wild specimens in my yard!

[@carlosmarino7176]

Wild specimen lol

[@jeroendutoux216]

Collecting specimen? Dude you live in space or what? Give me w/e you are smoking bro it must be gud 😎

[@c.a.t.732]

@@jeroendutoux216 "Specimen: a part or individual taken as an example of a whole or of a class." So a wild oak or maple or whatever consists of a specimen of a plant that I might try to dig up and cultivate in a pot. What is your problem?

[@G.M..]

@@jeroendutoux216 explain me what is a specimen for you ?

[@aluckyman1475]

@@jeroendutoux216 🤨

[@edwardmm737]

Just dig it out Jack!

[@alvarojm750]

He’s loping that shrub without mercy knowing in his heart it will live. And here I am unable to keep crab grass alive...

[@UnfilteredThoughts]

I started my bonsai journey rooting willow branches, digging up invasive species from my yard, and sowing seeds. I love videos like this, just extra motivation! 😁

[@greenlizardballs]

I would be so proud of that 5 year old silver birch.

[@pauli6570]

Legend has it his lawn is bonsai as well.......

[@ssal4699]

1 year into my bonsai journey all thanks you to Peter. You have changed my life as now I am always busy admiring and working with nature trees and plants in my free time when previously I never payed any attention to all the Beauty around me. Much love and respect to you and hope to visit herons after this covid eases ❤️

[@akykloforitanow]

How is it going so far?

[@ssal4699]

@@akykloforitanow amazing my back garden is now a like a mini forest and love checking it daily to see the growth and change. How is your journey going ?

[@GrowWithKit]

Thank you for this video Peter, there’s not many saplings left near me now 😂

[@grandmemer2512]

"some VERY VERY rich people can afford it" hilarious but true XD

[@lizlapre1512]

Thank you, Peter. I have gotten several seedlings out of my yard and my next door neighbor has a maple tree that has gifted me with seedlings. If it is forbidden to get trees on public lands,perhaps people have friendly neighbors who won’t mind letting them get seedlings.

[@giulianolovato5859]

Peter you a living legend, you are posting at least 1 hour of precious notions FREE for all of us sharing your experience only a very intelligent and loving person can do such to spread their knowledge as usual Tank you very much Giuliano from Verona

[@peterchan3100]

Thank you Giuliano.

[@SteamCheese1]

There's something poetic about the fact that any random shrub can be a treasure for a Bonsai Enthusiast. It's not the fault of the shrub that most people think it's "just" some random growth. It just needs the right person to look at it. Kinda like finding your significant other or he/she/they finding you.

[@klarapetelei702]

Sir, it would be lovely to see these trees in half a year, a year and so on. A few days ago I hardly new what a bonsai is. I am falling in love with them. And I will start from scratch. Thank you very much.

[@peterchan3100]

Unless of course they get sold - so many people ask to buy the trees I make on YT.

[@danielantunes1060]

Jack, the Jamie of Bonsai. “Jack pull it up” what a fantastic job to have learning from such a master.

[@shaneallen3502]

I would love to see these in future years

[@warriormaiden9829]

Same! Especially that potential Cascade and Birch.

[@michaelmcfadden4397]

My partner and I planted some seeds from a novelty bonsai kit, at the beginning of lockdown last March just to do something interesting. I'm so pleased we did it, we have 12 small trees we planted plus three more we dug from nearby forest. It is a fascinating hobby I did not expect to spend so much of my time on. We planted more seeds this year and a plan mapped out to learn from our mistakes and losses last year.

[@jimc1265]

I think I found a new hobby. I love how he pictures the potential beauty of things people would normally overlook.

[@rachelwebber3605]

As a poor grad student, all of my bonsai are foundlings, either as wee seedlings or seeds I planted myself. The only trees I "bought" are the ones that came as seeds in the fruits that I eat.

[@spormlastname267]

Did you digest them and shit them out? That’s the only way, imho.

[@peterchan3100]

@@spormlastname267 - Very true - I once visited a sewage works and the supervisor told me that all the tomato plants growing around were from the effluent - you guessed it !!

[@rachelwebber3605]

@@qewfsdsd65445 Nope, I'm a grad student in wildlife behavior! I started growing penjing from seed because I desperately wanted to have my own little trees but couldn't afford to buy any at my local nurseries. I buy pomegranates and citrus fruits, because they're easiest to germinate. Just eat the fruit around them, pop them in a little pot with soil, keep the soil moist but not soggy, and you'll have little trees in no time! I particularly like pomegranates, because you get so many seeds that germinate, so you can try different things and see what the seedlings respond to best. I've also had good luck with keeping them alive indoors during cold periods and putting them outside during the summer.

[@peterchan3100]

@@rachelwebber3605 -Thats a wonderful way to start - you can make some very nice bonsai from seed. Especially pomegranate and citrus

[@rachelwebber3605]

@@spormlastname267 Strangely enough, I've mastered the difficult technique of "spitting out seeds". See, the concept is very easy; when you eat, say, a pomegranate, instead of crushing the seeds with your teeth and swallowing them, I instead employ the advanced biomechanic tactic of "spitting"! Same thing for fruits like oranges, or cherries, or even apples. It provides me with a bountiful crop of tree seedlings!

[@thefishylife6823]

Bonsai forces you to think and encourages a deep sense of thought.....I sometimes wonder if that's why so many people aren't interested....lol I discovered this channel a little over a year ago and I now have 17 trees I'm all in on bonsai!!!!!!

[@greenlizardballs]

So much character brought to the tree with just a few seconds of your pruning. Amazing to watch. Even more stunning when you brought it inside against the white background.

[@GrahamWhatmough]

One mans weeding is another mans treasure trove...I absolutely love his attitude :)

[@Jayll1984]

I always love it when people can look at something and can see the end result. Doesnt matter which profession or artform. Truly amazing. While looking at the trees he probably is picturing it with leafs already

[@uniotter2662]

Peter, it's your boundless enthusiasm which makes these videos so fun to watch. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and love for nature. :)

[@bonsaifactory1648]

Mr. Peter, undoubtedly, you are the most invaluable artist and of course, a living legend in the field of Bonsai, because, in spite of, being one of the senior most International Bonsai artists n authour of so many Bonsai books, you are far away from ego, complex n proud & so polite, so docile n so energetic. Even in this age, your every video inspires the new crop of Bonsai Lovers. You would remain everlasting TOURCH to the future generations. Wish🙏 you a good health to serve even futher..................................

[@italianmommaotts3185]

Peter is such an amazing human being! Teaching us all how to make pots for free and now bonsai tree's for free. I love learning from these video's and we are so lucky to have Peter making these for us!

[@kiwibonsai2355]

Anyone can own a Bonsai but looking after them takes a rare special type of person.

[@promugg]

Nahh, anyone can bonsai, no excuses!

[@kiwibonsai2355]

@@promugg yet I've lost count of Bonsai lost to people who with even the best intentions fail. I don't need excuses I except I'm no master, I'm human and make mistakes all the time, as long as I learn from my mistakes I'm growing too.

[@promugg]

@@kiwibonsai2355 i can accept that nobody's perfect. But saying that to just take care of a bonsai you need to be a rare and special person seems demeaning to amateur bonsai enthusiasts. Some trees will survive when neglected and some trees will die when perfectly looked after. The point of this video is that bonsai is in reach for everyone who chooses to pursue it.

[@peterchan3100]

Never forget to water your bonsai in Summer. 95% of bonsai die because the owner forgot to water them.

[@kiwibonsai2355]

@@peterchan3100 😊 every evening, had a lovely summers day with the trees today here in NZ.

[@user-mt2ho4vr9p]

Bonsai for everyone. I have learned a lot from you for free.

[@user-pt8mq2xf1p]

It's time to go (late Feb) and do just this!! If the ground is moist the plants pull up nicely, sometimes without digging!!

[@vincent5211]

23:44 A glimpse of Master Peter in his prime.

[@peterchan3100]

Karate kid.

[@warriormaiden9829]

@@peterchan3100 😆😆

[@dylandekock3148]

I came looking for this comment lol

[@elizabethball6215]

Whenever Peter speaks tiny poems come out of his mouth: "The wild is in my garden..."

[@takiparilimpossivel]

It would be awesome to see these trees in a few months/next year! I started with my bonsai journey last year and I've been learning a lot and a lot thanks to Peter! I absolutely love this channel

[@63yearoldskater]

Loved this video! I have dozens of trees I am growing into bonsai, and I have never paid for a single one. Nice to see I'm on the right track. Thanks, Peter!

[@MNSkeetFamily]

I really liked this episode. He really does his best to make Bonsai accessible for all. The biggest barrier for me was the cost of entry. My local grower has small Bonsai for $250. I understand that the growers have time invested etc. I do however live on 30 acres of woods and can start my own Bonsai like this. Thank you for putting this together.

[@MAMLeers]

Well, living on 30 acres of woods you could even start your own bonsaï nursery...!

[@spoopythedoopy8411]

I’m so grateful I’ve discovered your channel. This video (which I’m rewatching thanks to insomnia) inspired me to start my first bonsai project using a native ashe juniper that grows everywhere where I live.

[@ShabbatChic]

I smiled through this whole video! What a generous, life-affirming gift to all of us who aspire to create bonsai plants. Thank you for forever!

[@connieheitz8982]

I've always wanted a bonsai but could really never afford one. Especially not knowing if I would end up killing it. I so wish I had found this channel years ago. I will now have one and not only that but also have one I designed from the start. It's exciting. Thank you so very much for sharing of your great knowledge.

[@jeannetteberlin3967]

Great Video Peter!!!! Wishes from Berlin Germany

[@Calatriste54]

Wir alles sind Berliners!

[@almac2598]

Thanks for this Peter. My favourite bonsai are the ones I have collected as seedlings in the gardens I have had, hazel, a Golden Yew, hawthorn, berberis. All for sentimental reasons and memories of those houses.

[@ab_______]

I'm supposed to be in my school lesson but Im watching peter

[@peterchan3100]

Are you the teacher or the student?

[@ab_______]

@@peterchan3100 student

[@peterchan3100]

@@ab_______ You bad boy - you should be studying.

[@ab_______]

@@peterchan3100 I am learning (about how to get free bonsai from this video)

[@rexcorvorum2209]

This man is so amazing and welcoming into the world of Bonsai. Thank you Herons Bonsai!

[@ms.fruitbat8883]

I'm so glad I found this video. I'm wanting to try bonsai, and my parents have offered to let me have any of the many seedlings that pop up in their yard. I'm going to go hunting for little trees this weekend.

[@greenlizardballs]

The holly saplings are adorable!

[@NMGSGaming]

I've dug up and planted a young plum tree in a plant pot (we have 4 full grown ones in our garden). Fingers crossed it survives and I can turn it into a bonsai.

[@dandelionbomb]

Thank you for posting these videos. They are helpful to my budding hobby and relaxing to watch.

[@hairyplotter1121]

I’ve always wanted to grow my own bonsai trees since I was a kid but never felt like I had the money until I saw this video. Couldn’t find seedlings on today’s walk (I live in a city and only have a few spots I can look in) so I have taken cuttings from various trees and I’m hoping they grow roots 🤞🏻 think one of the trees I took cuttings from is a juniper 🤷🏻‍♂️ and I have one sapling growing in my garden that I’m going to try and use. Thank you for your videos

[@joshuachacon9820]

Peter, this video is so perfectly timed for me. I'm actually digging up some young oaks a neighbor of mine has on his yard. 3 to be exact. I'm just waiting for the snow to melt here New York so I can go get them. Haven't spent any money at all yet. I might need to buy some soil though. I also collected a bunch of acorns and maple seeds last fall, and put them small pots with soil. I'm waiting to see how many sprout.

[@zoutewand]

Maples and acorns can take up to 2 years to sprout, dont thrown them out if they havent done anything next year :)

[@joshuachacon9820]

@@zoutewand Really is that true? I checked and most of them have roots already.

[@zoutewand]

They can take up to 2 years, doesnt mean they always need that long :)

[@joshuachacon9820]

@@zoutewand thanks for the heads up though I'll give them time if needed

[@ChuckReel1]

Peter, I hope you know how inspiring you are! Thank you!

[@MyNameIsChristBringsASword]

30+ years ago I worked in a Japanese garden and got interested in Bonsai and now you're bringing it all back with more. Thank you.

[@louisetwinberrow5508]

Great video. I think its fun to make your own bonsai from next to nothing. Gives a real sense of pride. Thank you x

[@TheJanry23]

]p

[@davidmurray9844]

Thank You for your gift of knowledge to everyone for free. God bless you

[@CaptainPupu]

Mr Chan, you have taught us so much. Thank you for sharing your incredible wisdom and insight with us. I'm amazed how fit you are given your respectable age. You're an inspiration through and through. I wish you a hundred more healthy, long, and happy years!! Much love from the USA.

[@lubbs7585]

hope you live a long life and thank you so much for all the knowledge you share

[@sharonletchford5787]

This is exactly what I've been looking for & SOOooo much wanting to learn how to make a bonsai tree, from scratch. Thankyou so very much my friend. Bless you x🌱🌿☘🍀🍃🌲🌳🍁

[@Rygoat]

Ok so I've always kind of gotten a Bob Ross vibe from you, but at 7:58 it was tough to ignore. Thanks for sharing these tips with us, I might try asking a council gardener next time I see one if I can take some of the maple seedlings that have been popping up recently.

[@gracepeterson7483]

Excellent tutorial, as always Peter. Please show us the deciduous ones after they leaf out.

[@bjrockensock]

A local nursery has a "scratch and dent" corner where I pick up liners and ornamentals that I wouldn't collect in the wild... which I'll admit is my folks's back 40. The best trees spring up at the base of the big pines... thanks to those bird droppings! Thanks for making me feel the legitimacy of these actions. Also chinese elm trees are weeds that grow in the alleys and fence lines.

[@sagebell8884]

Great fun video Peter! You're so fortunate to have all those seedlings ❤

[@1LittleBlackBox]

Im super excited to get this as I am planning this year's garden and wondered what to do with a few saplings I have. Thanks for all your hard work amd patience, Jack!!😁

[@pikurupam]

You got a golden hand. Wherever you dig, you get gold out. :-)

[@tayloralexander7597]

Sharon here.... this video has inspired me to dig in my yard for small saplings, I know I have holly, maple and oak for sure! Thanks for taking the time to encourage us to try! ❤🙄🇺🇸

[@hollo0o583]

There’s this very beautiful something growing in my neighbour’s garden. It has nice light, greyish branches and really beautiful tiny little pink flowers throughout spring… I’ve been thinking about stealing a couple of twigs for at least a month by now. It’s a bush now a tree but I really want to try turning it into a bonsai. It’s going to be my first attempt and I’m really excited! Let’s hope this video helps me!

[@jennywintle2048]

Thank you so much Peter for showing me that I can add to my Bonsai collection grown from seed. I have two beautiful Horse Chestnut trees grown from conkers one 20 years ago and another about 30 years ago. I think I have let them do their own thing in their pots which is I am sure is far too big to call a Bonsai, but the fresh leaf that imerges every spring is so delightful. Thank you so much for your generosity and sharing your knowledge on this medium.

[@sti_va]

I just dug out a japanese maple from my garden few days ago. And last year I went to the woods and got some seedlings from there. From my parents garden I got a small spruce 😊

[@paulcarpenter2642]

I could sit and watch this master all day long. Thank you for sharing your knowledge Peter

[@thetruthchannel7073]

This man is literally the magician of bonsai the way he just digs up and tree snip here snip there hear a snip is there a snip then bonsai brings them to life... truly magical

[@frauleintrude6347]

Time to do some digging up. I have some candidates and I already planned to do so. Thanks for the reminder.

[@bas8536]

Mister Chan is da coolest teacher ever! Thankyou😎

[@tonygraziano5273]

"Its free. No excuse for doing bonsai." Recently found your channel, and I love listening to your knowledge on bonsai. Happy Growing!!

[@nadine5731]

He is the steve earwin of plants and trees. Such a Inspiration. Love your work

[@mawkernewek]

I found 8 seedlings of Camellia underneath one of the trees in my parents garden. They have several both japonica and the williamsii hybrid.

[@bonsaigusto1547]

THANK you Peter or blessing us with another great video! Keep up the marvelous work 🙏🏼

[@dawud7791]

I wish I had your tutorial videos when I began Bonsai. Books help, but to see it is the best! Sadly I don’t know anyone besides myself that grow Bonsai. It would be nice to have a local friend like you Peter!!!

[@elizabethball6215]

I absolutely love these videos. Did anyone notice that Peter's boots do not match in this video? LOVE that! He makes us all feel so welcome inviting us into his own garden in his no nonsense way-- sticking with his goal of bringing the art of bonsai to all.

[@peterchan3100]

I told you - I can't afford to keep buying new wellies. So have to keep using old ones that dont match.

[@elizabethball6215]

@@peterchan3100 Heart that! Who needs new wellies when you've got old mismatched ones that do the trick!

[@MAMLeers]

What a lovely and great video! I loved every minute of it and/because it's exactly how I started the practice of my bonsaï hobby myself, several decades ago. For me, that is what it's all about: start from "scratch" and starting and "building" bonsaï trees, during the seasons and the years. Great! That gives me even more pleasure than maintaining a bonsaï that is "ready" so to speak (of course, they are actually never "ready" and evolving as long as they live). From your words, mr Chan, I learn that this is even for you "back to the roots", isn't it? In this video, you actually proved that bonsaï is really accessible for anyone who would like to give it a try and everybody can find free starting material everywhere so one really doesn't has to be afraid or rich. You can even use simple flower pots, as you showed, and bonsaï pots or (quite expensive) alu wire are not needed immediately. Even today, after a bit of gardening, I found a little box plant seedling: of course I potted it up (in a little flower pot). Perhaps a little tip for those who do not want to wire: soon (or perhaps already) you will be able to find horn beam seedlings almost everywhere. This tree tends to grow most of its branches horizontally and quite often, no wiring is needed (only pruning). A flower pot with a draining hole and some normal potting soil (perhaps mixed with a bit of sand) will do the trick for just starting up. Just give it a try! Thank you, mr Chan and mr Jack, for this most inspiring and instructive video!

[@peterchan3100]

Thank you for your comments - as they say in English - you are a man after my own heart - ie -you are on the same wavelength.

[@MAMLeers]

@@peterchan3100 My dear mr Chan, I can assure you: the feeling is very mutual...! I never wrote you this but when I started to watch all your videos, I found it highly remarkable that you always and consistently speak in terms of "us" and "we" when you're speaking and telling about Herons. That tells me that you're a truly humble person who respects all your team members and the work they do. I appreciate things like that: they tell me a lot about people and how and who they are. I think that you are a remarkable person and obviously I'm not the only one... Let's hope you can provide us all with instructive, inspiring and nice videos for a very long time!

[@grahammorris1997]

Never seen a bonsai created from English holly before. I would be interested to see an example. Japanese holly bonsai are quite common. The holly was cultivated by farmers to provide winter feed from the young shoots for the cattle.

[@warriormaiden9829]

Ditto! All of the hollys I've seen have been in hedges, pots for hedges, or as Christmas decorations. XD Would love to see one as a bonsai!

[@garystewart6093]

Been a tough time in lock down. I’ve stayed positive with new hobbies and craft. Thank you Peter for your wisdom and knowledge. All for free and zero waste. Humanity personified! - Southampton uk.

[@imSUPERcereal0]

I have never watched a video that kept a continuous smile on my face, until this one.

[@jam884]

Peter, always impressed with your energy n inspiration, keep it coming 👍🏼

[@lisamurphy3129]

You have inspired me to have a go! I found so many plants this morning 😁 so I’m spending the day making myself bonsi! Thanks so much for your time and instructions, your wonderful! 🤗

[@joannpounders5567]

My interest in bonsai began with finding small seedlings volunteering in my yard! Would love to see what your silver birch looks like now...5 months later. Thanks for all of your wonderful videos!. They are very informative.

[@annagizziatlas62]

“How cute is that?” It is indeed very cute 😊

[@sparrovski]

Experience allows him to see the potential when all we see is a stick. But as he put it in the pot my creative side kicked in.

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

Wow, the end result of all that was amazing. I can't wait for the snow to thaw so i can get out there too!! ...and for gods sake Peter get some big boy loppers!!

[@jeanajett2719]

Wow. I just learned so much! I've honestly thought there were only a few species of tree used for bonsai. Thank you for sharing.

[@CliffBell]

I love the "bonsai for free"... it's true! I once dug up a wysteria which I trained into a cascading bonsai which was especially beautiful when in bloom. When I moved I gave it to a friend. Thank you for sharing your expertise. I'm continuing to learn. I had not thought of the hundreds of oak seedlings in my yard! I'm sitting on a treasure trove!