How to style cotoneaters for bonsai from nursery stock

Last week I picked up a couple of Cotoneasters from a local nursery for a bargain price. In this video, I do some initial work to get them on their way to becoming bonsai trees.

[@Darkfire1300]

😢 Miss you! So glad I can watch you on video and raise a glass to everything you left us with so much humor and generosity.

[@nerinat8371]

Still refer to your work Tony, ❤️❤️❤️ am grateful

[@oachkatzlsmum]

❤ Miss our Bonsai master. Enjoy your day everybody 🙋‍♀️

[@mattbrennan647]

That species is a lot of fun to bonsai. Looks like those are set up nicely for a spring repot next year. Thanks, keep growing

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers, Matt. Yeah, these are just starter trees, but as you say, give them some time and they just might turn into decent bonsai in a few years!

[@michelreyder8954]

Very interesting projects again Tony! With these prices you prove Peter Chan is right when he says:" there is no excuse for not doing Bonsai". Like your videos a lot.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Michel, and I couldn't agree more. I've just filmed tomorrow's video of a Japanese Holly, and for the same price as these cotoneasters, it's the best piece of nursery stock I've worked on to date.

[@mikenco]

I left a FB group because of the idiotic snobbery on there, and the ridiculous mindset that "Peter Chan doesn't know what he's talking about!". In reality Peter has created thousands of incredible trees and does nothing but share his knowledge for free, for anyone willing to take a pew a listen. I Think he's great and taught me loads. I follow Tony's channel because it has raw knowledge and no pretention either. :)

[@josephwhite9628]

Thanks for this mate Very helpful I picked up cotoneater yesterday For £3.50

[@TonysBonsai]

Nice! I hope it's got some decent potential!

[@deineath]

Love cotoneaster. Great start as always, Tony. I got a deciduous variety, great shape and style with lovely red berries. But it hasn't pushed new buds this year yet, which makes me worried. I'm gonna do a little research and ask around before it's too late..

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Ali. Fingers crossed for your tree, it sounds lovely!

[@margaretsims4344]

These have great potential. I started one 2 yrs ago from similar starter tree. I wired mine down to form a cascade. At the minute it’s absolutely covered in beautiful tiny flowers. Will be interesting to see how you get on.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Margaret. Sounds like you've created a stunning bonsai! I hope I can develop these to put on a similar show in the future.

[@mikesbonsaiandmore]

Nice Video, thanks for shawing :-)

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Mike. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@lougriffiths]

Looking good

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Louise. they're growing on very healthily!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Two done, nice Tony!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Nigel. I'm not only loving my bonsai, I'm really enjoying creating videos again! 🙂

[@AlexBraunton]

Do you know anyone that's good with cameras mate? 😂 Nice work on those cotoneasters. I've got a few tiny ones that I plucked out of my garden and they have gone straight into some tiny pots. They look really cool because the leaves are naturally quite small.

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣 Cheers mate. yeah they are a cool species which I'm looking forward to growing on over the next few years. Definitely a good plant to make small shohin style bonsai out of i'd say. Have a good day mate!

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Cotoneasters are great for bonsai - inexpensive, tiny leaves, beautiful tiny white speckled flowers in late spring, tiny red apple - like fruit in autumn and winter, and orange foliage through winter. They also strike really easily from cuttings. Really, really easily. What's not to like...?

[@TonysBonsai]

yeah I'm new to this species, but as you say it has a lot going for it. I've got a more mature tree i rescued in the winter, but it's roots were really dry so it's been struggling. Hopefully these will go on to be something worthwhile in the future!

[@bonjour483]

Nice

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you.

[@patch1526]

Hi Tony, love your talks. Can you show us the best bonsai example you have? Cheers

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks John. When I ask myself which is my best bonsai, it's hard for me to say because none of them are refined The closest to a finished bonsai is probably one of my silver birch, the one with the best potential is a large collected Yew, and my personal favourite is a yamadori hawthorn.

[@patch1526]

Thank you. Love watching your journey and you have a great sense of humour. I hope Corin knows and watches you.

[@TonysBonsai]

I doubt Corin watches my efforts at bonsai, but you never know!

[@patch1526]

Then he is missing out.

[@davebond8251]

I love cotoneasters they are a great beginners bonsai.you can make mistakes and they bounce back😀

[@TonysBonsai]

I agree Dave. these two have had really good years and are growing on very nicely. I think I'll look out for a more mature specimen to work on in the future.

[@bonsaiprospek127]

Im present

[@TonysBonsai]

That's good. Stay present and enjoy!

[@stepheneurosailor1623]

👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Stephen!

[@mikenco]

I had to check the spelling "Cotoneaster" - I'm still reading it as "Cotton Eater" :) What brand 'cut paste' is that? Does it make a difference?

[@TonysBonsai]

It's one of those pronunciations which took me a while to get my head around! This is a Japanese cut paste I get off Amazon. I think it's about £12. I find it does a great job, although I keep meaning to try Lac Balsam which is a lot thicker and is supposed to be better on large cuts in terms of promoting healing.

[@mikenco]

@@TonysBonsai Cool. Have you ever tested it. As in, cut 2 similar branches, treat one but not the other, and the monitor the results? The only large truck cut I made, I covered with plumbers self adhesive foil tape, which worked well enough that the stump didn't die, and healed over nicely.

[@TonysBonsai]

No, I've never done a proper test myself, but from what I've read the general consensus seems to be that a bit of cut paste stops disease entering and aids healing. Your plumbers adhesive sounds like my kind of hack! Like it.

[@andrewredmond799]

When you say compost mix Tony...what's in it thanks

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Andrew. I use a mix of roughly 1 part perlite, 1 part pine bark, 1 part grit/sand and 1 part compost (ericaceous for certain species). I've been experimenting with it this year and so far I seem to be getting good results although it does require regular watering because it is pretty free draining. For species like oak, I am going to be adapting it adding more organic soil to help with water retention.

[@andrewredmond799]

@@TonysBonsai Tony your a star thanks

[@TonysBonsai]

I find Melcourt is the cheapest option and good quality bark available online