Itoigawa Juniper Bonsai - Pruning and Shaping Ideas

[@the3milestitcher]

Hi Adam, my name is Kate and I am a native of the Shetland Isles. I have decided this is the year for me to study the art of bonsai. I have subscribed to your channel because I find it very easy to follow your directions and instructions. It will probably be next year before any of my little trees will be ready to bonsai but until then I will be buying trees that I have learned are good for bonsai. So thank you SO much for your great videos and all love from Shetland to Ireland!!

[@TheSunnyTrails]

My advice is not to look at them all day. Do the work and let it settle. Bonsai can quickly become over loved and die. Leave it and let it grow is the best advice I can give.

[@xavery7842]

My advice is not to try and build your stock of material too quickly. When beginning, it's good to start with a modest amount and learn. We are all going to make mistakes and it's better to not make mistakes on the many. Starting out, it's good to be picky and even source from nature. I have loads of potential specimens on my own property. Good luck and I'm certain many would love to see your progress.

[@notionbonsai]

Hi Kate, I am glad you find my videos easy to follow 🙂Thank you very much for the kind words! What species have you got so far? 🙂Research is a really important part of Bonsai and it is great that you are putting the time in to learn about things first! From teaching workshops I find beginners struggle with wiring and sometimes ring the branch. My advice would be to practice wiring on some dead branches or even a chopstick to get your hands used to wiring consistently so that when you move onto a tree there is one less thing to worry about and it comes naturally 🙂

[@francois1096]

Really, do whatever makes you happy.

[@francois1096]

It is about the enjoyment of small trees, that, you only, find pretty and satisfying in creating. That is about it.

[@jamestookmccoy]

I watch lots of videos on bonsai. This dude explains and shares his knowledge well.

[@jeremiahembs5343]

Best tutorial I've seen so far. It was so helpful to see the entire process and to hear your thoughts articulated.

[@KasieLeow-u9z]

I was just gifted one of these bonsai trees today. I didn't know what type of juniper bonsai it was but it has same needles like yours. It's beautiful. Thank you for teaching me how to trim her.

[@jamesharman7266]

Hi Adam. I don't have any plants at present. I am just learning and watching a lot of videos. I enjoy yours and have learned a great deal. As you were displaying the "pads" you used a green piece of plastic to show the potential pads better. I have noticed in some other videos they used a piece of white cardboard or white clothe instead. I don't know if you have tried that or not. Personally, I like the white better, but that's just me. Thanks so much for your videos. They are very encouraging and instructional. Blessings, Steve

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you for the feedback James and I wish you the best on your Bonsai journey! I will have to switch to white!

[@xavery7842]

I enjoy that you don't move too fast in explaining things and give a good view of what you are doing. Also, many aren't very good at giving information, because they know what they are doing talk to people as if they know what are doing as well. I had to subscribe.

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you for this! I like to explain so that people new to Bonsai can understand my thought processes when I am doing things. 🤗

[@dahlmasen3084]

Loving the weekly uploads👌🏻

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Dahlmasen! There will be lots more videos to come 🤗

[@carolewald5075]

Thanks, Adam! We just purchased a pre-bonsai Shimpaku Juniper and you video couldn't have been more timely and informative.

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you so much for your support Carol! 🌲😀❤️ I hope you have great success with your tree!

[@oferbenmeir1386]

Thank you 🙏 i got good tips ❤ love how you explain the process ❤

[@electradan]

Hello, Have watched you numerous times and as I become more involved and serious about my own Bonsai projects, I'm watching you more. You have so much valuable information to share and I like your style and personality. First discovered you while watching Peter Chan videos and was impressed by your skills and Knowledge. Your aesthetic approach to creating Bonsais is a winning combination. I especially appreciate your presentations, the staging, camera work and your clear audio.is great, I can hear your every word. You as a Bonsai artist are most creative and combine that with words of knowledge spoken precisely, you have my attention as a new follower! Thank you, all the way from Boston Massachusetts USA.

[@notionbonsai]

Hello! It's wonderful to hear from you and know that my videos have been a part of your growing passion for bonsai! Thank you for your kind words about my style. Hearing that you first found me through watching Peter Chan really highlights the fantastic community we're a part of. Your enthusiasm and appreciation mean a lot, and they motivate me to keep producing content that hopefully continues to inform and inspire! A big hello back to you from here in Ireland to Boston 😊🪴

[@electradan]

@@notionbonsai Hello Adam, It was great to receive your message. Each and every one of your Bonsai videos is super, from the clarity of image to the fidelity of the sound to your understandable detailed instructions and advice. I am fascinated with your technique of root trimming and cleaning and especially the use of the Japanese volcanic soils (akadama), I understand and see why you use Quality Sphagnum moss which I use but toward the bottom of the pot and cut and mixed with the soil. I also like Sphagnum moss peat and fine chipped bark depending on the tree. After seeing all your successes with the 3-part Japanese soils it will begin to use it in greater amounts especially the acid loving soil pines and junipers. Well again thank you for your inspirational words and guidance. From Boston, Dan

[@donnadornbusch6738]

Great presentation, Adam

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you very much Donna!

[@stefan00123]

Hi Adam, Just wanted to make you a compliment! I am following you now for the last 2 months and have so much learned to improve my ficus & junipers bonsai! I hope you will have a great weekend 💚 With love from the Netherlands

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks very much Stefan 🙂

[@neynahnehnah1485]

So nice and informative.❤

[@notionbonsai]

Glad you liked it 🤗

[@nymetsman321]

Brother Adam, I have watched so many of your videos. You have helped with my hobby oh so very much. Thank you for everything. But just curious, Is there any chance you could do a video with you & your fertilizing regime for a good amount of your trees? I’d greatly appreciate it because every time we see updates on your trees they are so much more lush & healthier than before. It’d be so awesome if you could do such a thing. Thanks again for all the help bruddah. Logan

[@Akatsuki-En]

Lovely tree Adam was hoping for a spring or summer update on this tree glad to see it in good health

[@notionbonsai]

This is one of my favourite trees 🙂 Can be a bit uneasy making big decisions on a tree you love so much but had to be done to improve the future design 🤗Thanks!

[@smallblog66]

Du bist einfach der sympatischste und beste der jungen Bonsaigeneration, welchen ich hier gesehen habe. Bitte weiter so und liebe Grüße aus dem Schwarzwald.

[@lisawagner6076]

Beautiful!! I have never heard of this variety, but I hope it is available here in the states. It's just beautiful. I love the bright green delicate nature of the greens.

[@angieb6899]

Great beginning to a beautiful tree 👩🏻‍🌾🪴

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you for the kind words Angie! 🌳🤗

[@diannesadler5823]

Great tutorials, very clear with your explanations..........such a fan!🙂

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you so much Dianne! I am glad you can understand my accent!

[@lukaszbandzior2541]

You doing great JOB mate ❤

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thank you very much! There will be lots more videos to come!

[@sporklenz]

awesome video as always! i have been following the progress on this little tree and wondering how the itoigawa was progression and this was very timely... could you provide more details as to how to replant the cuttings? i have an itoigawa as well, but was unsuccessful at raising the cuttings and getting them to root despite a clean cut and rooting hormone - they ended up withering a few months after showing some slight promise. any tips to save cuttings for propagation would be great, thank you!

[@maryweber4176]

I love that tree. It's NOT a problem tree.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Mary!

[@mindflushphoto6113]

your explanation is superb!

[@alfredomarotta6604]

Hi Adam, thanks for another great video, very informative and interesting. Great looking bonsai. 👍👍

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Alfred!

[@bambangsugiyinogembil2942]

Saya suka cenel ini...salam dari bali indonesia

[@oferbenmeir1386]

תודה!

[@notionbonsai]

Hey! Thank you so much for your support!!

[@jakesnelling8331]

Hi adam. Great video as always. I have a small juniper that has not put much growth on. I think the higher nitrogen is the way to go. As a side note, i didn't find the green perspex helped to outline the branches. I find that cream or light beige shows up better on camera. Bright white can also create a glare under certain lighting conditions. Keep up the great work 👍

[@jakesnelling8331]

And where are you finding a 10 6 6 fertiliser? Lol.

[@scheers100]

@@jakesnelling8331you can use a 3/1/2 npk and then use extra n in the form of blood/bone meal

[@jakesnelling8331]

@@scheers100 the bone meal I have is low in nitrogen. I currently use naruko 5-5-5 for most of my trees with good results. Just need a slight boost for my juniper. May have to shop around and see what I can find.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks so much for the advice! The fertiliser is actually 12:6:6! It is called Nurseryace. It is used a lot by professional growers in Japan, however if you can not get this Biogold is another good one! This combined with seaweed fertiliser 1x a week and fish emulsion 1x the next week alternating and they will be well on their way!

[@jakesnelling8331]

@notionbonsai Thanks for the reply, I will have a search later for that fertiliser. I had seen 10-6-6 mentioned on bonsai empire but never found it, that is why I asked 🤣. I will try your advice on my juniper and see what happens 👍 thank you.

[@dennisrobinson4588]

I find that the imperfections are what make this tree most attractive. I am new to this art and am learning as I go. I am working on an olive tree that I have had for 6 years now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

[@notionbonsai]

This is very true Dennis 🙂How thick is the trunk on your olive?

[@dennisrobinson4588]

@@notionbonsai It’s about 3 inches

[@duatapa1879]

Love your video from MIZORAM🎉🎉

[@raymondplodzien7459]

It looks awesome Adam!

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Raymond! Its still got a long way to go!

[@adalidsdna]

Hey, that's looking good.

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@adamsimmons2465]

Have watched this video a few times now. Ive got a few junipers, i always just struggle styling the apex. Im in the uk so same season as you over there. Do you hard prune juniper in autumn as ive got a sargentii that need a fordt styling or would you wait for spring? Just want to get the most outnof the next growing season.

[@SirJamez0]

Great video Adam, im shadowing you on your itoigawa juniper journey. I finally got one and have it potted and wired in a pond basket like yourself. Mine is a lot smaller though, I may have neglected fertalising during the spring period. Mine has a twin trunk, its difficult to find inspiration for twin trunks i think since they dont have the standard S shape.

[@notionbonsai]

Ah nice one! Twin trunks are interesting ones to work on! I may have to create a twin trunk Bonsai to work on for the channel then 🤗

[@SirJamez0]

​​@@notionbonsai Any advice on weed control? I bought my juniper from a Spanish seller and it seems to have come with a fine grasslike weed/moss that has even spread to a pot beside it. I posted it in r/Bonsai and someone recognised it, said its a bit of a plague and said they just pluck it out when it spreads too much. Im thinking that bare rooting and repotting may be the only answer to completley get rid of it out of the soil. I'm not sure if junipers tolerate that.

[@amingms9396]

Nice, keren👍, salam🙏🇮🇩

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Any significant cuttings can be rooted in soil. In my experience Chinese juniper roots easily from cuttings but grows very slowly.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks for this advice Jason! 🌱🤗

[@farahfahim9233]

Hi, thank you for all these information. I do have a 5 years old Juniper bonsai, but I’m not sure where should I keep it? Inside or outside?

[@TIEpilot918]

Outside! :)

[@PhillipWhite-x9z]

This Juniper has only just begun to restore vigour. This is mainly due to me feeding fortnightly with Naruko for approx 2 months. As you can see, a lot of the decent foliage pads have been lost due to die back. My thinking is that I should hold off any pruning until next year and just allow the tree to put out an abundance of growth this year. What do you recommend? The tree is approx 30 years old and is 25 cm high.

[@notionbonsai]

Given that your Juniper is showing signs of recovering its vigor, I would recommend holding off on any pruning until next year, as you suggested. Allowing the tree to focus on putting out new growth this year will help it rebuild its strength, especially after experiencing dieback and losing some of its foliage pads. If feeding it regularly has had a positive effect, continuing this routine should help the tree regain its vitality. At 30 years old and 25 cm high, your Juniper has a solid foundation, but it’s essential to prioritize its overall health before considering any aesthetic shaping or pruning. 😊

[@JasonLorette]

I'm curious, how old would this tree be roughly? I'm glad you mentioned the "shoot" I was wondering why you left that.

[@notionbonsai]

My guess would be maybe 7 or 8 years? It depends on where it was grown before I got it 🙂

[@KasieLeow-u9z]

My juniper bonsai tree is in the wrong pot and is outside right now which is now winter. Is this ok? I need to get her trimmed correctly. As she has some long branches on her. She is same as yours and I know she needs a trimming. What should I do?

[@Rojin_Bonsai_Studio]

Fantastic video. Full of great tips 👌 you really covered alot of ground!

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks very much Callan! 🤗🤗🌳🌳

[@dg-dm1rr]

Eggcellent

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks! 🥚

[@Akatsuki-En]

Do you mind me asking what part of Ireland you are from? I can’t recall if you ever mentioned it before

[@notionbonsai]

Hey! I am from Derry 🤗🤗

[@Bonsaicrazy]

Sorry I missed it Adam Got busy 👊👊 watch in a bit 👊🤮

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Andy! No worries man!

[@TheKippBot]

Hey Adam. When you repot a plant (juniper, spruce, etc) into your bonsai mix, how often do you find you have to water it? I just repotted a dwarf Alberta spruce in your soil mix with your video’s help. Two days later it already feels like it could potentially use some water. I have sphagnum moss on the top of the soil.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey! This is a great question! With my soil mix I have to water every day. If it is a hot day I sometimes water two or three times. This is one of the drawbacks of this aerated freely draining soil but on the plus side you will have much faster growth on the tree. Because it rains a lot where I am this mix is perfect for me. If you do not have time to water every day then consider adding some pine bark compost or just regular compost for water retention. I hope this helps!

[@TheKippBot]

@@notionbonsai that was extremely helpful Adam - thank you for the thorough explanation!

[@Happy_Buddah_Bonsai_UK]

Lord Peter Chan I call God of Bonsai , But God had a Son called Jesus and I call you Jesus 🙏🏻 of Bonsai. I love ❤️ your channel Sir 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🇬🇧

[@ericcastandet716]

👍👍🤩🤩🙏🙏

[@notionbonsai]

🌳🙂♥

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@notionbonsai]

🤗🌱🌳

[@itisjustmedude]

Embrace the wabi sabi of the tree.

[@notionbonsai]

Very good advice!

[@Mad-i134]

Mine dried up ☹️

[@notionbonsai]

Aw noo sorry to hear this! How often did you water it?

[@iamshredder3587]

Good one bro. Solid fundamentals. Though personally I'd have to say its way too young and thin still to be going into the refinement stage work like that and I'd have to put it in the ground or slip-pot it and let it grow out and elongate heavily for least another 5-10 years or so. As itll never get any thicker or better scaled like that. But i guess if youre a beginner and just want to get something into a pot to show people and get abit of practice or whatever, and you can't afford or access more advanced material then why not? I mean its your tree so.. :)

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks! I totally know what you mean. In the future I may up pot this tree, though I do have lots of other itoigawa growing on in bigger pots now. I think I will be happy to just keep this one as a little shohin. I may work on thickening the base a little more to get a slight bit of taper. Thanks for the advice! 😄