Japanese Larch Bonsai Forest - Summer Pruning Tips

In this Bonsai video I am giving this Japanese Larch Bonsai Forest a Summer Prune. I guide you through step-by-step methods to promote healthy growth, balance tree vigor, and enhance the forest's aesthetic appeal.
Part 1 of the Japanese Larch Forest Series • Japanese Larch Bonsai ...
To begin, I introduce the tools and materials used for pruning Japanese Larch, then I clean up the forest floor by removing the top layer of soil. This will help with drainage as I am removing weeds and build up from past fertilisers. After this, I proceed to prune the trees with a focus on maintaining balance and promoting healthy growth. Japanese Larch as a Bonsai benefits from a summer prune to control its vigorous growth and shape the tree, encouraging finer branch development (ramification).
One important aspect Pruning Japanese Larch that I cover is the need to balance the vigor of the trees. I discuss how this can be achieved by heavily pruning the apex (stronger parts) of the trees to allow weaker and lower branches to strengthen and grow. Japanese Larch growth is apically dominant, so if we do not prune heavily on the apex, then the lower branches can become too weak and die off.
I also share insights on maintaining the overall health of the Bonsai, including removing moss growing on the trunks and discussing the importance of directional pruning to shape the trees properly. I touch on wiring and shaping techniques to achieve the desired aesthetic and structural integrity of the forest.
This forest planting was inspired by Nigel Saunder's magnificent Larch Forest which can be seen on his Channel: ‪@TheBonsaiZone‬
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00:00 - Intro.
00:21 - The Japanese Larch Bonsai Forest.
01:00 - The Bonsai Tools Used.
01:54 - Cleaning Up The Forest Floor.
04:30 - Removing Moss Growing On The Trunks.
06:26 - Pruning and Shaping Ideas.
08:09 - Directional Pruning.
09:57 - Pruning To Prevent Inverse Taper.
11:12 - Pruning More Heavily On The Top (Apically Dominant).
13:01 - When Not To Prune In Refinement.
14:42 - Wiring and Shaping.
15:40 - Getting An Aged Appearance With Lime Sulphur.
16:25 - Bonsai Time-lapse Pruning!
18:01 - Watering / Beauty Shots.
19:07 - BONUS! Minor Adjustments to Larch Bonsai.
20:50 - Outro.
#bonsai #larchbonsai #bonsaitrees #bonsaiforest #notionbonsai

[@raymondplodzien7459]

You have the most comprehensive videos on bonsai out there. Keep up the great work!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That forest is starting to progress nicely Adam. I like the other two as well. Great tutorial :)

[@paulapastor-hinkel1985]

I found the bag demonstration very interesting. I'd seen sheets of white paper used. The bag allowed you to isolate several trees. Nice

[@RolandWampers]

You definitely are a prodigy being able to demonstrate the how's and clearly motivate the why's and then answer all possible questions I could have on this subject.

[@harrychristodoulou3782]

Hi Adam, nice to see another great video from you, the larch forest is looking very good 👍🏼 and thanks for the tips and advice.

[@moonwatcher922]

You’re the best in sharing in wonderful tips that many others do not; so glad I found your channel, keep your fabulous videos coming!!!!!!!!

[@kuriseon]

Another absolute banger! Was hoping we'd get a pruning specific video, but this was so much more in-depth than I hoped for! The black bag makes observing easier, but it did WONDERS for the camera as well. Keep up the great work man 🙏🏼

[@constantinepenguamo4050]

Your channel has really grown into a very impressive and informative place for bonsai enthusiasts. Bravo!

[@wookamust.maximus3195]

My favorite dude. Thanks again for another fantastic lesson

[@user-yo9kf9by1m]

Loved it! Thank you! I'm a total beginner, but your videos give me hope)) and quite a bit of serotonin)) You're wonderful!

[@notionbonsai]

Hey! Thank you for the kind words 🤗🌳

[@aaronbradley8701]

Great vid as always. Learning alot from you and i look forward to the next

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Aaron! Glad you found it useful!

[@OjaiBonsai]

Great stuff brother. Thank you

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Jason!

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

Thanks Adam. Great tips on Larches in general. I love the black bag.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks very much Steve! It sure helps in seeing the structure 🤗

[@markw6609]

Very nice larch forest and nice explanations!

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Mark! 🌱🤗

[@johnmichaelrutherford3514]

lovely video as always, very informative.

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you for your kind words 🙂 I am glad you found it informative!

[@Oldie416]

Hello, you made a great video. I've already watched a few videos and also subscribed. You also have great tools. I only have a pair of normal scissors and a pair of secateurs. I'm looking forward to the next video. Many greetings, Oldie

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks very much Oldie! Nothing wrong with some normal scissors and secateurs! This is what I started with and you can create beautiful trees with them! 🤗

[@sharonbuckley4591]

Thanks, I needed that instruction.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks for watching Sharon! Glad it was useful for you!

[@JamesDavis-cf4bb]

Great content. Thank you.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks very much James 🙂

[@catherinebryant1952]

love how you explain. thx for your videos

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thank you Catherine!

[@rubenfernandoseco9638]

Excelente trabajo compañero!! Te saludo desde Argentina

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Nice update and work on the forest!

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you very much Jay! 🤗

[@Jessmetics]

Beautiful work as always 👏🏼

[@notionbonsai]

Hi Jess! Thank you 🤗🌳

[@harrietb2141]

Thats a Very nice Forrest .God job😍🌳

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you Harriet 🤗🌳

[@harrietb2141]

@@notionbonsai 🤗🤗

[@RabiThapa-mi5pu]

hi beautiful art, love from Darjeeling india

[@raymondbirds2392]

Lovely job

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Raymond! 🤗

[@lisawagner6076]

Beautiful Adam!! I love that forest! Are the leaves as soft as they look? I have never heard of a Larch until I got interested in bonsai. I will get one some day. They are such pretty trees.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey Lisa thanks! They sure are! They look like needles but are actually thin long leaves! They are really soft 😁 One of my favourite to create Bonsai from!

[@Jakabpetertamas1969]

Nagyon érthetően elmagyarázod.Az országomban sajnos kevés az ilyen jellegű részletes bonsaios oktató videó. Talán,ha a pinus sylvestris gondozásáról is feltennél valamit. Köszönjük Magyarországról.😊

[@davidparry2301]

Great video and information Adam

[@Faequines_Bonsai]

Your videos are so inspiring. Both with developing our Bonsai, and with making the video itself. I feel like such a chicken, only recently added my voice to my videos, but is was scary 😂😅. Great work. The balcony doesn't offer much space for forests, but I do have a tiny 3 tree one from some ficus. They are such a long way incomparision in their development. One day, I'll have a video of their adventure.

[@JeffRoscoe-qd4yz]

Thanks for all the great advise

[@jessmeticsplays]

That's amazing ❤️

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks so much Jess!!

[@thejuanderful]

Is there much difference in larch species? Can I use this guide for all Larches? I'm working with Siberian larch and looking at collecting some Western Larch or Sub-alpine Larch.

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Yes, you can use this guide for all larches. I do the same on american larch (tamarack) and siberian larch.

[@notionbonsai]

Jay is totally right!

[@Jerome30000]

Bonjour vidéo intéressante à qu'elle période de l'année avez vous taillé le mélèze et jusqu'à quand c'est souhaitable? Dans l'attente d'un retour de votre part je vous souhaite un bon dimanche. Cordialement.

[@MaryJaneUlrich]

I would also like to know where you get your fertilizer. Is it something local or can I get it online?

[@audichd]

Hi bro plz I want to know how to care RoseMary plant. Thánks

[@dcharrison]

Hi,Where did you get your fertilizer?

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@notionbonsai]

🤗🙂🌲

[@GrowingBonsai]

Mate.. Your trees deserve more than a garbage bag 😢. Great videography; as usual you leave me wanting better skills

[@sbragaglia]

He is really good! 👏

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Jelle haha dont worry its only while pruning 🤗😅

[@alfredomarotta6604]

👍👍☀️🌳👏✌️

[@joegarland4885]

Hi Adam, Larch are my favourite species both Japanese and European, they do make great forest, My fear is that going into so much detail in such a short time your enthusiasm is commendable and you clearly know your subject very well but you may put beginners off by thinking bonsai is too complicated. When I am pruning my larch I have in mind the style I need to cut back to in a lot of cases I tend to pinch or pull the the foliage off to avoid cutting the needles and clean off the old needles ready to wire if required, I have just finished a major prune on very large old Larch originally styled by Harry Harrington, he did a video of one he worked on recently its worth a watch, he worked through how he went about working on a large larch. Hope this doesn’t sound like I am being critical of the way you teach bonsai through your channel I am not I have given you lots of praise for your videos in the past, I just feel you need to slow down your enthusiasm a bit. Keep doing what you’re doing but a bit slower my friend.

[@deus5185]

🌲🌲

[@notionbonsai]

🌳🤗☀🌱