Maximising “Flawed” Bonsai Material?

[@rschaulis]

Hi. I’ve never seen this channel before. I love it. I’m just starting out with bonsai, and I really admire the editing here (it’s not a chore to watch wiring and pruning), and the way in which you’re working with real care with these trees (some of the channels dealing with bonsai on a commercial scale are pretty cavalier about wiring and pruning; one of the rude awakenings I had when I first reported and styled a tree was how hard it was not to damage all the emerging buds). I’m looking forward to learning from your example.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate you taking the time to watch and write

[@gewreid5946]

The only thing ugly about that branch is actually that knob you said is gonna come off as soon as you got your tools sorted so... all's well! The branch really gave some very nice depth, dimensionality and negative space to the tree when you were turning it. Great stuff. I'm looking forward to see how this tree will look with foliage on and how you'll develop it further. By now i'm quite fond of a bunch of your trees so i think it's time now for me to subscribe. I really like hearing your thoughts and ideas while you work on your trees and now i have more bonsai i get to enjoy and see grow without them needing more space or care. :D

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for the sub and kind words. I appreciate your support for the channel

[@clayd707]

Very exciting to see a new video! Anyways, I have a suggestion. I think it would be really cool for you to show us your whole bonsai collection in one video, walking through each one and telling a little bit about its history. I also think it would be cool to hear your full journey with bonsai, including how and why you first discovered bonsai and got into it. I think this could be a really cool video, maybe as an intro to your channel. Keep up the great work!

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for the ideas Clay! I had planned a bit of an update/tour kind of thing, but we had a bunch of snow. That passed and I noticed some trees starting to wake up, so I've had to start working on them. But a tour kind of vid is coming. That's a great suggestion about the journey so far, somebody else suggested similar but I wasn't sure if there was much interest. I'll start planning something - it would make a good intro you're right.

[@clayd707]

I think it would be really interesting! And I bet there is more interest than you may think

[@gewreid5946]

I'd be interested in your journey too. It's always nice to hear about others experiences with the hobby and how they got into. And a video like that might prompt watchers to share their story in the comments as well, which would make it even more interesting.

[@HollerHunter]

Man I love this tree. Reminds me of Walter Pall’s fairy style trees. The gnarly look is awesome. Nice work.

[@grobonsai]

I forgot to mention, but actually one of his trees inspired this design. Thanks, it is a high compliment 🙏

[@growingthings6232]

Awesome Job with it! This tree has such a old presence about it, lovely old bark and gnarled scars all in all great job!

[@grobonsai]

Thanks so much 😊

[@bastiv7806]

I love this out of proportion branch. It makes the tree unique. I got your back on this! ;) Turned out strong to my liking overall!

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Basti, glad you like it 👍

[@charleyshipley6714]

I really like what you did. It's nice to see something a little different that gives a nod to the material and the character of the tree.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Charley, I appreciate you taking the time

[@javierg7905]

Thanks Darren ... nice work ... I look forward to the following videos ..

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Javier 🙏

[@sofieandersen9599]

it's a really beautiful tree, it really came alive in a special fantasy kinda way. I understand why you're happy with it, you should be.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for that Sofie, I appreciate it

[@sharonbuckley4591]

Looks really good and thanks for the step by step development . It really helps those of us just learning.

[@grobonsai]

Glad it helped, thanks for watching, Sharon

[@mannan5490]

this tree is beautiful and natural and at the end "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" .you worked it fine. let us wait and see

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for watching, yes I agree with you

[@mannan5490]

@@grobonsai last week I bought 3 mulberry trees ,the guy said they are ugly and nobody wants them ,full of suckers shooting up and I was still wandering what to do with them and I watched your video. Now I know. Thanks

[@grobonsai]

Let me know how they turn out

[@tobywilson4876]

I think you did a great job Darren! Thanks for sharing

[@grobonsai]

Great, thanks for watching Toby!

[@tobywilson4876]

@@grobonsai Also I couldn't help but notice a bit of white noise when you were speaking, although not sure whether it could be a fan in the room?

[@grobonsai]

Yeah there is a refrigerator and a boiler in the garage where I’m working. It drives me crazy. Also the sound isn’t great on the mic I’m using, it’s on the list to upgrade though

[@mattbrennan647]

Wish I had an “Ugly Tree” like that. Thanks

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Matt, very kind of you to say

[@mirandusings]

Favorite UK bonsai youtuber right here.

[@grobonsai]

Yes! Thanks so much!

[@brooklynbauer8013]

Um, I'm in love. You really convinced me of the larger branch! I see full grown trees with similar structures all the time! They are near as beautiful though 😉

[@dabblingwithbonsai]

I'd totally climb in that tree and just listen to the sounds of nature!

[@julesverne2509]

Just a lovely tree. So much potential. Great video quality too. Keep up the good work.

[@grobonsai]

Thank you! Will do!

[@emy1111]

looks great Daren! really sold me on that branch.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Matt

[@shanewatson730]

So glad you are keeping that branch its awesome

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Shane

[@almac2598]

A good video with a nice tree at the end. Since retiring I get to watch a lot of Bonsai vids from all over on a rainy day. A lot are on trees that won't grow in the UK so that's just entertainment, but Its good to see the different ideas and techniques, from the rough shaping of 'potensai' in nurseries to the ones where the tree has to follow the Bonsai recipe book or its not a Bonsai, usually a USA vid. Out there in the wild, trees do their own thing and have the occasional big branch. This one looks as if it will mature into a real looking Bonsai tree. Reminds me a bit of the Whomping Willow in the Harry Potter films as well. Looking forward to seeing its process.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Al. I’ll have a look at the Harry Potter tree

[@michaelmott7402]

I like your video’s I’ve been watching them for a while and you do great work. Don’t change a thing on this tree I like unique and different not same old thing. Can’t wait for next video 😎

[@grobonsai]

Thanks 👍 This tree will be in a video soon for an update hopefully

[@BackGardenBonsai]

I think that ‘controversial’ branch probably looks better in real life ? I also think when you carve it, that should make it look a lot better too. I think it’s all heading in the right direction 👍

[@grobonsai]

Not really if I’m honest 😂 it’s gonna take a few years to look like it kinda almost belongs... I guess?!

[@entyropy3262]

Possibly it does look better, it is sometimes hard to understand the perspective of people, who made the video. But I am not criticising Darren here, he does create superior videos if he put's in some effort.

[@evolution_bonsai]

Hey Darren, that is a fun tree to style. Great job. The only thing that bothers me is the nearly 90 degree angle of the first fat branch on the left with respect to the trunk. Maybe considering a tilt towards the right make make that as trunk bifurcation, that would also make the the straight up trunk more slanting. I enjoy a lot your videos and aspire to produce mine to the same level. Good job mate.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks mate, I appreciate your kind words, and keen eye, will have a good look at the angles

[@jarheadbonsai]

Been looking forward to this video. I got up early to watch it. Great start to this one!!! 😎🍺🍺

[@grobonsai]

Thanks bro 😎

[@jarheadbonsai]

@@grobonsai i personally dont wire, but the trunk and ramification on this one are pretty cool already.

[@grobonsai]

I feel ya. Thanks mate

[@matthewwood4008]

Love the blue pot Keep your chin up mate,great video

[@grobonsai]

Thanks, will do!

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

I can understand why some might find that big knobbly branch controversial. It makes me feel anxious seeing it 🤣 I guess we all love our children, even the aesthetically challenged ones 😂😂😂 You have several more years experience and more developed trees than myself. I would be wanting to reduce it somehow. Remove it altogether and let that thin branch behind it grow out - but it looks like there is quite a bulge so might not be an option. Carve away at that knuckle to try and reduce the 90 degree angle maybe. Or more drastically air layer above!!! To get a shorter tree with that nice apex. I guess there is a danger of it not succeeding and killing the upper part of the tree. Then see if something can be done with the stump to reshape and lose the knobbly bit. I guess it’s a matter of personal taste and aesthetic and over time the bulge may be less dominant. It will be interesting to see how it progresses.

[@grobonsai]

A big part of its discomfort is the immature shoots coming out if it, but only time can fix that. But yes, it’s never going to be beautiful, but that’s ok for me, it isnt trying to be a thing of beauty

[@elementalbonsai]

Nice work bro ! Hell of job! 👊🥊

[@grobonsai]

Thanks bro 😎

[@Bonsaifly]

I hadn't seen this one before - that is a great job and you can really feel the influence Walter Pall has had on you with this. I think you really maximized the aesthetic value of that gnarly big first directioinal branch. I have bought some mature flawed raw material recently that I have been contemplating about and this video now gives me great motivation. Thanks :)

[@grobonsai]

Thanks that’s very kind of you to say so!

[@philippbrugger8728]

Good Job and a lovely trees in The making.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Philipp

[@archeranglin4792]

That's a beautiful tree!

[@VanTheuni]

Nice job... definitely the tree 🌳 got character now 👍

[@grobonsai]

Thank you

[@blobfish_420]

Hey Darren, I was watching a previous video from you a couple hours ago and was wondering when you eventually will post a new one. Glad to see you back again. Beautiful and charismatic tree btw, looking forward to some updates in spring.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for supporting the channel. Time has been very short but I’ll keep making vids when I can. Glad you like the tree, thanks

[@blobfish_420]

@@grobonsai You´re welcome. Take the time you need and stay safe. Every new vid is highly appreciated.

[@BillyBobJoeSnr]

We love this little tree; yes it's ugly right now but that is the thing that will keep you coming back to it year after year. The trunk and branch have plenty of scope for carving, so be bold and consider a big hollow section.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks that’s a good point - it definitely keeps me coming back

[@capnspicy5565]

I love working with material like this, my least favorite style in bonsai are formal upright trees, I can appreciate the work the artist put into them, but in the end I find them very boring, This tree however, is very interesting and beautiful, hope to see it again in future vids!

[@grobonsai]

Thanks for the comment, yes I can relate to that. The tree will be in a vid this summer for sure 🙂

[@dugdale24]

Beautiful tree. I love the character of it.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Adam, appreciate that

[@dirtyrootslaboratory]

Just subscribed so I am super excited you just posted a new video!!!

[@grobonsai]

Hi Adam good to see you here! Thanks for the sub

[@dirtyrootslaboratory]

@@grobonsai yeah of course... I only subscribed because I love your content, so no reason to thank me... more like thank you for doing what you do!

[@grobonsai]

That's really kind :)

[@julesverne2509]

I wouldnt cut the low big branch, I totally agree with you. It looks great. Make a nice big cloudy pad on it.

[@grobonsai]

For sure, thanks for watching and the comments

[@thebackstab8730]

realy nice tree! you can make a beautiful twin trunk with a big broomstyle if you thicken up the secondary branch. im totaly sold on this tree !

[@grobonsai]

Thanks very much, I appreciate that

[@MrJcalvino]

Really like the tree, your work on it and quality of the video. I have to subscribe now 👍

[@grobonsai]

Great news, thanks for the sub and thanks for watching

[@gavinbuckner5659]

it looks like an English take on Chinese penjing. I personally love it, this tree should look terrific in a few years

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Gavin, Good eye. I've leaned heavily on Walter Pall's style here, and he's said his style is more penjing than bonsai.

[@Farmotaro]

Love it!!

[@grobonsai]

Thank you!!

[@kennethstensrud669]

Two thinner wires has better holding qualities than one thick wire. This means easier wiring, and you can avoid crushing buds easier too......

[@grobonsai]

Thanks, for some reason my brain doesn’t work that way, even as I am removing the wire to replace with thicker it doesn’t occur to me.

[@marcosrey8185]

I love this tree and the evolution video series. It reminds me a lot of the monsters from AndBonsai. It's a pocket And

[@JesusChrist4ever]

This tree is one of my favs

[@grobonsai]

Thank you!

[@ernsttencate6699]

Beautiful tree I like what you did. Love the crazy lower branch. But the small branching out of that lower branch, to my taste, should be pruned more compact and little bit shorter. Follow you more than one year now. I like your style. You taught me a lot. Thanks

[@grobonsai]

Thanks, that means a lot. I agree they are a bit ‘much’

[@jasedoityaself8994]

Actually really like it, I’m working on a willow which is just as ugly because of some bad winters and a snap

[@grobonsai]

Sounds like an interesting willow! Thanks

[@mattdemoraes]

It's actually a really interesting tree. Best part of the video is 3:50. What a facial reaction.

[@grobonsai]

hahaha Cheers Matt

[@vitormaltez]

Thanks for the video. Why didn't you started from the bottom?

[@grobonsai]

To make space for the branch reaching upwards. Thanks for watching

[@johnbudd6072]

Brilliant tree love it 👍👍

[@grobonsai]

Thanks John. Nice common! Or is it a fully scaled? Can’t quite tell

[@johnbudd6072]

@@grobonsai thankyou it's a common mate👍

[@damnwylder3522]

Personal opinion. I also say air layer the tree above that large branch!

[@Bonsaicare86]

Cool Video I leaved an Abo

[@grobonsai]

thanks so much

[@kilthsenarc]

Lovely

[@grobonsai]

Thanks Paul

[@Anoiabonsai]

hey! nice work, im happy to find this bonsai channel! I will Subbed you now 🙏🚀

[@grobonsai]

Thanks 🙏

[@CLINTSTER77COX]

Love it

[@grobonsai]

Thanks 🙏

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

That high energy intro made me laugh.

[@grobonsai]

Trying to scare away the purists mate

[@SuperCarClassicsTV]

@@grobonsai indeed. I absolutely hate those hand gestures. Incredibly annoying.

[@dugdale24]

I make fun of my kids by saying all the KZbin videos they watch start with overly excited "WHAT'S GOING ON GUYS!" and then this happens to me 😂

[@grobonsai]

@SUPERCARCLASSICS @Adam Dugdale It's kinda become a habit and I must admit, I've never done it in 'real life'. I'll change it up. Thanks for the candour, I appreciate it

[@dugdale24]

@@grobonsai oh no, because of us your next video is going to start with a very dour "Good day ladies and gentlemen..." isn't it? There's really nothing wrong with the intro.

[@entyropy3262]

Hi Darren, you did your very best. It seems to look like tolerable to me now, it still looks a bit like a stoneage hammer, but I can see a potential future for this branch now. I agree on Back Garden Bonsai's comment about the carving. Thx for sharing, I really enjoyed this video. 😅

[@grobonsai]

Haha I was wondering what you would think, thanks for watching

[@entyropy3262]

@@grobonsai I was really waiting for this tree's next appearance. 👍 Stay healthy and your family aswell.

[@grobonsai]

And you my friend

[@wadmadhushan4434]

Good job friend

[@grobonsai]

Thank you!

[@tahourzarkoob5388]

I love it

[@grobonsai]

Thanks 🙏

[@vitormaltez]

I like the result, except for the top branch of the bottom big branch. For me is to long. I would have reduced it. But very good job.

[@grobonsai]

Thanks 🙏 😊

[@ashleycopestake177]

“Flawed” in that it only costs £900 to buy that raw material

[@grobonsai]

Not even close, but if it looks that pricey maybe I should sell it 🤑

[@ashleycopestake177]

@@grobonsai Ha, I'd give you £300 for it right now! BTW it looks ace, I'm just grumping cos I can't find any decent raw material for less than £150

[@grobonsai]

DM me, details in the description

[@caw2161]

If you're referring to this tree as "ugly," then my interpretation of beauty is completely delusional. PS: "Liked," Subscribed, and set Notifications to "All" videos.

[@grobonsai]

Christopher, that is a high compliment, thank you for supporting the channel

[@nathanaelsmith3553]

I love ugly

[@grobonsai]

Hehe 👍

[@QueenBnSD]

Love it