Making Bonsai from Difficult Nursery Material

[@Kitty-tc3oh]

"You can call it a monkey." Peter, you are a comic! Thank you for all the many things you have taught us. You don't have to help us, you could just sell trees. But no, you choose to help us out of the goodness of your heart. You are truly a 'teacher.'

[@WarriorMonkMotivation]

3:50 Best joke in Bonsai history. Maybe my favorite quote from Peter. Perfect timing!

[@AntEnr123]

Finalllly, someone addresses the “bawnsai” pronunciation - I am from the US and hear this all the time. Thank you Peter

[@TheCattwooduk]

I absolutely love working in my greenhouse when it's pouring down with rain outside. Very peaceful sound.

[@davidsurf48]

There is beauty in every plant. There is beauty in everything. We have to be patient to find it.

[@falkhammermuller9342]

I love Peter! He starts the video off with: "I'd call this a no hope'r" Just to state the complete opposite at 2:38 : "There is no excuse to not make any tree into a bonsai." :D

[@CAPRESEGREEN]

I was thinking about that too. Pretty authentic

[@malkiha]

Creating bonsai from raw material are always my favorite videos. Thanks Peter 😊

[@Brujobonsai]

It has always seemed to me that you did magic on trees with your hands. You turn simple plants into wonderful items, thank you

[@bonsaigusto1547]

Excellent video Peter, your uploads are always a treat. Bless you, cheers from California

[@digitaIgorilla]

The transformation never fails to amaze me.

[@WilliamAiken]

What a great demonstration! I’m creating my own, this gave me the confidence to start cutting.

[@AzulaisQueen743]

Absolutely amazing change in character there! This might be one of my favorite bonsai training videos

[@rsa420]

"Call it a monkey" 🤣😄 I was in stitches. Another great video showing what can be done thank you for sharing

[@jamesa7506]

😆👍time to go and tend to my 🐒!

[@rsa420]

@@jamesa7506 😂

[@IRONHORSE427RACING]

I was thinking the same thing the other day there is a guy somewhere here in the USA who insists on calling it, if you will excuse my spelling how he trys to say it....he says it like BONE-SI ....I Laughed so hard I started to sneeze ! He had a beautiful Hinoki Bonsai that had been collected somewhere in the Colorado Alpine country and the more he talked the harder I laughed. Some think they know it all and some just do....this guy obviously is the former.

[@MAMLeers]

Nice and interesting video. For me, it's perhaps the most challenging aspect of bonsaï: to see and find the potential in little trees or shrubs to become possible future bonsaïs. For that, it is necessary to keep an open mind, as you told us so many times. I always think that, once you have chosen for an option, it's like a dynamic process. Which means, the possibilities develop and may change, during the seasons and during the years. I like to think of that process like my journey with that particular bonsaï... For years, you gave us many, many examples. That's helpful... Keep up the good work, mr Chan!

[@michaelcarpenter321]

Mr. Chan, you are my number one bonsai senpai. Thank you for many years of patient instruction! Happy New Year!

[@AnamCara]

Gratitude for these videos! Through bonsai I am reconnecting with myself and it has been much needed. You are the only bonsai master I watch. Thank you, Sensei.

[@RJ-vf7eg]

Peter, you are an inspiration. I love that you demystify Bonsai. Thank you for giving me the confidence to give this great hobby a go.

[@carynludwig4084]

Always love the bonsais made from ordinary garden nursery material.There are no bonsai specialty nurseries where I live, so the garden centers or landscaping nurseries are all that is available for subject matter. Thank you for another great tutorial! Bonsai for everyone!👍😉

[@cor3944]

The videos of “impossible ones” are always my favourites…so many philosophical lessons. Thank you😊 Happy New Year, mr.Chan!

[@andreamundt]

Rain sinfonia ~ ~ ~ and a lovely Bonsai teacher 💛 !

[@michaeldesmond5444]

I was gifted a bonsai starter pack for this past Christmas and it has reignited my interest in the art of Bonsai. Thank you for posting this video and for the helpful tips you offer! I might go out to Home Depot and pick out a plant to practice on because of you! :)

[@hexemys207]

Thank you for your video - directly in the first minute i realize that you're a very well known and experienced person. Best wishes from Germany.

[@benjaminclegg7109]

It would be nice to see you revisit some of the young trees you made in videos in the past of what they look like after growing in for a year or two.

[@_iakvb771]

He might sell them immediately, which is why there's rarely a follow up video. iirc he puts up those kinds of started-training bonsai for sale, for between 35 to 100 euro or so, a lot cheaper than the fully trained specimens

[@carolficorilli9768]

I really enjoyed this video. By wiring this tree you are letting it receive more light to the inner parts.

[@cb6778]

Thanks

[@angryzombie8088]

I also have the bad habit of wrapping the branch to the wire. I did it to my first monkey & it died. Learnt from the mistake & found out that using a plier will make the wrapping easier especially on thin branches.

[@wingedzalera]

I've gotten into bonsai, thanks to you sir! Love the content and the fact that you encourage us all that anyone can bonsai, is awesome! Got a juniper and some cuttings growing from fallen branches from my neighborhood! Have a Happy New Year!!!

[@alexanderportolov]

Thank you Peter again for the lovely work! You’re right most of my bonsai start out from either things I find in the wild (I prefer seedlings because they’re very malleable and can go in any direction) or random nursery stock like this one, or semi-trained material (which can be very satisfying to have something that looks very good after just a little extra work). Seeds just take so long to get anything you can work with and I’ve had terrible luck grafting. Haha I had one incredible possibility for an air layered juniper but I was impatient and cut it off too early because I was worried winter would kill it and it died because it didn’t have enough root... but I’m curious with trees that are maybe a few years along in the process can you show us a video of detail branch wiring? To set pads and get ramification on trees that are still in early/middle development? Thanks.

[@markcook9895]

Wow. I have just started watching your video’s Peter and I am addicted. I will be soon starting my first bonsai from a small Xmas tree my wife bought which we usually plant in the garden after the festivities. Peter you are an inspiration as I now find myself really looking at trees in nature and actually seeing them for the first time and not taking them for granted, giving me ideas of how my tree should look. Thank you

[@acemanhomer1]

You should totally do a 10-15 minute video of just trimming a tree. Outside or inside, either would work as long as you got them scissors and cutters in action. Inside probably while raining, or a fan running in the background, light shop noises..or outside with the birds singing and the leaves rustling in the wind. Hearing you trim the tree while the rain fluctuated in the background in this video was very nice. On days you don't feel like recording videos but would still like to do something for the channel, that FOR REAL would get a lot of traction, I believe that to be so. Can't wait to see it if you do that! It'll probably go in my favorites or stress relief playlist! haha peAce.

[@acemanhomer1]

With the right equalizing and placement of your mics it could turn out really nice. Just have to be conscious of how the sounds make you feel, the "trigger" sounds...sometimes they're bassy, you got mids, and sometimes they're sharp and crisp, all a nice balance.

[@jennifercollins6716]

Inspired by your videos to try my hand at this! Tried shaping my first two trees this week. Was not sure of my efforts so this video was very encouraging to watch. Lots of little Christmas trees on sale to keep practicing.

[@joeldoyle6359]

Happy New Year, for you and your family. Peter, we enjoy learning, as much as I feel you enjoy teaching. 2022 will keep you going and growing.

[@PapaOsmubal.OscarBalajadia]

Thanks, Peter, for the videos, particularly for this informative one.

[@carolholt416]

Thank you for your videos that help me on my bonsai journey.

[@andyrandazzo944]

I’m hoping to someday come to your nursery from San Diego California. I’m afraid it would be difficult to bring one of your trees back through customs. Peter. You are the best!

[@peterchan3100]

I love San Diego - last time I went was in 2007

[@naeratsabouth]

Did you see the big-O spider on the tree at 19:18 time frame? That was close! Could have bitten Peter!

[@alexanderportolov]

Woah good eye...

[@phasicsbonsaiworld6902]

You classic Peter! I have not laughed that much in a while! Love you man!

[@tightlines5220]

Absolutely fascinating!!! Thank you, Peter, for another great video.

[@pratasmuggler6940]

Hi Peter, a video on brush cherry would be great. Thanks.

[@takistso9962]

Best wishes for the New Year Sir.Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@aisahberuntung]

nice thanks for sharing friend happy enjoy watcing

[@josephpoon5643]

Fascinating transformation by the master. That gives me an inspiration to try one.

[@dbe2705]

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 thanks Peter, happy new year 💖💖💖💖💖

[@zoltanszekeres6088]

Now. That IS a tutorial. Thanks!

[@TrickyMickTrucking]

After 2:54 seconds of barely cutting anything away, he's made something "impossible to work with" look better than 90% of the plants I've ever pruned!🐸

[@michaelrandall4618]

what is the beautiful piano piece that accompanies these great videos?

[@MidniteSan]

What a nice surprise, I thought the previous video was the last one for the year, love it 😘. As always thx for sharing Peter, and see u next year. 🌟🌈🌞

[@zimartiste1]

Thank you great Master and happy new year...😘😘😘

[@carmensantiago6711]

Another beautiful tree!!!👏👏👏

[@tomasthillman8022]

Thank you Peter.

[@peterzukof7942]

Thank you again Mr. Chan! I appreciate your humor - my cat is named monkey , but I will now call my bonsai monkey as well. Happy New year to you and everyone at Herons

[@peterchan3100]

Nice one !!

[@lukehaycock93]

I love your videos so much and find your voice very relaxing, like David Attenborough. Your comment on call it a monkey if you want had me in stitches 😂😂😂 made my day

[@user-ie2eb2qs7i]

Beautiful. But one Question. Does is matter wich material the wire are made of ?

[@peterchan3100]

No but proper aluminium bonsai wire is best

[@katzsteel]

This is one Charlie Brown would have his eye on!

[@malaikahansen]

Thank you so so much for the video! Do we RemoteTalk the wires after the branches has taken shapes?

[@crazycatmyri]

After watching your videos for nearly two years now I'm wondering: is it coincidence or fate that I just bought myself a juniperus chinensis stricta to make my first bonsai out of it? They were selling them as small christmas trees and I immediately thought of you as I saw them and I couldn't resist. I then made an appointment at my local bonsai center since I figured I needed help making bold decisions with my four potential trunks 🙈 and what an incredicle help they were! I want to thank you for sharing this wonderful branch of art with us, it has enriched at least my life tremendously. I hope you had a very merry christmas and wish you a happy new year. Greetings from Heidelberg in Germany ❤

[@digitaIgorilla]

...branch of art 🥰

[@chrisbrayley6271]

When you cut the branches repositioning with wire, do you pinch the limb before cutting, or the sectors find their own way in. 🤔 aim of the question. Reducing the brownie from the cutting. What do you see and practice when cutting? Thank you very much in advance. Happy new year. Chris

[@peterchan3100]

Not sure I understand your question but just see how I do it. I choose the branches which are in the right position and I then wire. Unwanted branches are then cut off. Does that help?

[@chrisbrayley6271]

@peter chan thank you for interpreting my question, I understand much better how you select the right branches and cut wire from there.

[@StephenTurnerVlogs]

I bought one of these in great exothermic because it was a Juniper and I wanted a challenge. That was nearly two years ago. I'll be working on it now though 😁😁

[@Josef_R]

great exothermic?

[@StephenTurnerVlogs]

@@Josef_R 🤣🤣🤣 Expectations* 😅😅 I didn't check when I was scribbling my answer.

[@Josef_R]

@@StephenTurnerVlogs Yeah, happens all the time and people think you're just supposed to figure it out. This one was a riddle though...I thought maybe it was a foreign language badly translated to English.

[@StephenTurnerVlogs]

@@Josef_R Ha. Nope. Its just Samsung offering me the ability to drag my fingers across letters and just expecting it to pick the right words. 🤣 Laziness 😅

[@Josef_R]

@@StephenTurnerVlogs Mine does it to me even when I know what I've typed.

[@japreet_kah]

Best time of year to do this?

[@gloriuscrane5195]

Amazing intro

[@mabenmanoj1892]

Thank you sir n happy new year

[@Bigmoosemanswiggan]

speaking of difficult nursery material, I have a ~15 year old 10ft Araucaria angustifolia (brazilian pine) that had the top die in the Texas freeze last February. It's recently started to sprout a new trunk from the bottom of the trunk and I was wondering if I'd be able to bonsai it. I"m aware the roots would be complex and long but my dad would help me do the cutting so we wouldn't kill it when we unearth it. My question is if you've ever heard heard of someone making this tree into a bonsai. I've looked online and haven't really found anything but I'd be very interested in it due to the unique bark and leaves. If you have any tips on how I should go about it I'd love to hear it! also thanks for your videos! They are very helpful!

[@peterchan3100]

I have not tried this species - but most Aurucarias are difficult subjects for bonsai

[@Bigmoosemanswiggan]

@@peterchan3100 shoot, well, thanks for the answer! I'll still give it a go

[@Bigmoosemanswiggan]

​@@peterchan3100 so I've decided to go for it even though there's a high chance this tree will die. The only reason is because in it's current state it won't survive the next big freeze as it's tropical. Also because there aren't allot of Brazilian Pine bonsai and I think it'd look pretty cool if I can do the Jin right. This being said, do you have any tips on cutting the tap root without killing it? The pot I'm putting it in is very large and deep but I'm afraid I won't be able to fit the tap root without cutting it, which might kill the tree. Thanks for your help!

[@gloriablanco7856]

Lovely!

[@nararamya]

Hi I bought a Ficus bonsai 2 months ago I seen branch became squishy so I removed the soil and cut open the squishy part it’s all empty with few crawling insects and a small fly came out…. One part is totally cutter out and I want to save the other part which is good. Could you please suggest what I can do to make it healthy, thanks.

[@garyledger4523]

Hi Peter. I was wondering if you could indicate the costs of the items when you make a video, we understand age etc all has an impact but a rough idea of costs i think could be useful to many. You have got me interested in maples and i have purchased a few to develop but id like to purchase some a couple of more established trees from you in spring.

[@peterchan3100]

Go to our Herons Web on line shop. Most of these items are listed there.

[@paulberglund5292]

To begin with - a good continuation of this in 2021 and a really good new year in 2022. I bought a Chinese pine some time ago at the flower shop in the city. From looking healthy and more, this Chinese pine has started to dry up and grow. My question to you is - was it a bad copy or did I do something wrong with it? It is cold outside today but the indoor climate is around 15-18 degrees.

[@peterchan3100]

There could be many reasons why the tree died. You may have let it dry out - you could have cut too much root off when potting it up or it could have been a plant that was dying already - Send us a picture via email

[@pansepot1490]

Are you keeping indoor a tree that must be kept outside?

[@paulberglund5292]

@@pansepot1490 Good question you ask. Yes, the plants are for the outdoors but are sold as mini trees before Christmas. As Peter wrote earlier, the cause can be many. Have not cut off any roots but on the other hand I lean, that the plants were in dried (completely or partially) before the sale. As a customer, I would have been more observant than the one who charged. I have learned my lesson figuratively.

[@mikeswain1945]

Peter, thank you for such an encouraging video, I would love to be able to create something like that. Can I ask what species it was again please? I heard Juniperus Chinensis but couldn't catch the last bit.

[@yogi2436]

wow now that looks good

[@henzobonsai]

Great work 👏👏👏

[@judytait6555]

Those needles look sharp. Do you use gloves to perfect your hands?

[@ohyouknowwKICK]

Are you able to put in a bonsai pot after all that pruning?

[@bhanumathim6794]

Learning a lot . Thankyou.

[@chrishernandez9277]

What exactly is the two branch principle? I’ve heard him say it before but don’t exact know

[@peterchan3100]

You need to go through all my videos

[@cesarf2893]

Los vídeos no hacen justicia a la calidad del señor Chan. Creo que lo quiere hacer deprisa y corriendo para cumplir los tiempos del video, y no queda nada bien.

[@ImNotAProfessional]

Wow nice 👍🏻

[@SorrowPolaris]

I will never stop asking ficus videos !! 😂 i am joking , amazing hard tree video peter

[@robogoofers9131]

19:16 the spider has a newly renovated home.

[@diybyunclenui]

🌸🌸🌸 nice

[@DanielsBonsaiSriLnaka]

As far as I know, two branches cannot come from the same place. Can you explain it? I am a learner from you. Thank you.

[@cindymitchell6525]

Incredible. Thx.

[@mrfister1899]

"You can call it a monkey, still looks like a tree" Brilliant 😂

[@timdady4660]

Peter , Do you think that over the years, continuous wiring has helped with the dexterity of your hands , not wanting to be rude, but for some one your age your fingers move like a very young persons, or is it you are just young at heart ?

[@peterchan3100]

You should see me dance - My feet are pretty nimble too. ps - I exercise on my rowing machine for just half an hour each day which helps.

[@Josef_R]

@@peterchan3100 sounds like a video...lets see it!

[@melz2743]

@@peterchan3100 , would love to see that. Peter Chan dance lesson ❤️

[@Stettafire]

Staying active keeps you young. I had two old dogs, one had walked the hills his whole life the other had not. The hill dog acted like a dog 5 yeara younger while the other hobbled around like he was on his last legs. Both were ten year old labradors

[@ronduke3448]

I killed a tree doing this, should it be done over a long period of time? Or do it in a normal pot first and repot down the track? 🤔 or should I have kept it in the shade for a while? Wish it would of told me 😂

[@strongstyleorganics4868]

I tried a few juniper bonsai. Didn't go well...

[@Kevs2tuff]

I thought you were making Groot at 1st! I want a Groot bonzai! 😂

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

Something I'd like to see, if it hasn't already been done, is a video on making a bonsai out of juniper or privet that's been ripped out of someone's lawn. I recall seeing 'accent' junipers in front of homes in some London suburbs. In the US, houses change ownership so often that there's a steady supply of old juniper and privet piled up on the curb waiting for the garbage man. People want to change the look of their new home, so they just rip everything out. The thing is, these accent plants have been horribly trimmed for years and their trunks show the torture.

[@samyoel5384]

Personally,I hate hearing people call it bone-sai! It’s bonsai to me, always has been, always will be

[@marclawson7552]

Cheers from America! The land of the people who don’t know how to say bonsai

[@aaronspain3387]

As an Australian who also speaks Japanese, the way some americans call it a "bone sigh" drives me absolutely crazy. In phoenetics, I pronounce it /ˈbɑnˌsaɪ/. Also, I was starting to get really confused when you started wiring up most of the branches, then it occurred to me that I'd completely forgotten that "Formal Upright" is a style of bonsai! I'm so used to seeing trees sculpted, trimmed back and grown in the Informal Upright style, that I totally forgot Formal Upright even existed!

[@Mariah1st]

Would like to wee this tree after 1- 2 years

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

An ugly duckling into a swan. Nice ideas on this difficult nursery tree.

[@xpiekillerx]

honestly us americans do be copying alot, but when it comes to the trees i get it, in pa all the trees are the same very stiff and straight all same height big leaves it makes bonsai so much cooler to me let alone seeing trees that are natural in certain places like the junipers and maples

[@brettjacobs695]

Almost witnessed his spider-man origin story at 9:14

[@kesangtsheringlama2441]

Why you didn't show about root? Would you like to creat video about root portion of this bonsai?

[@jepadsvlog8705]

Hello mlso host advance happy new year God bless

[@noumine]

"bone-sigh" hahahaha tooo funny

[@gonnaknowmyname]

Do you agree? “Yes”. Just me and Peter hangin out pov

[@lesliehilesgardener6959]

Wanting to end up with Something that is the Fact you are worthy

[@austinjk24]

Anchor on step #4 lol he must have attended some dancing classes . or taught them ! who knows !!

[@peterchan3100]

West coast swing man !

[@austinjk24]

@@peterchan3100 thank you for your videos! , the knowledge you provide is fantastic. I became more interested because of your videos and down to earth approach. Thanks again !

[@satorigardenaksasbonsai.1321]

last year I made bonsai from such juniper according to your video. to die in 3 months. and now - not good ....