My Chinese Elm and Nightshade, The Bonsai Zone, June 2022

My Nightshade Vine is giving me nightmares with an unusual insect attack!
I'm also doing the first work on my "Tropical Expressions" Chinese Elm from the workshop in Hamilton.
To see previous videos of the Chinese Elm, click on the playlist here...
• Chinese Elm from Workshop
To see previous videos of the Nightshade vine, click on the playlist here...
• Nightshade Vine Bonsai
#TheBonsaiZone
#thebonsaizone

[@waterlover]

Those bugs are chupacabras😝.. the bug running away from Sir Nigel walking away and telling Nigel “ dude you bug quit bugging us and get your own tree to eat”.😝

[@mattbrennan647]

We’re with you Nigel. Like Mike 👍🏻✌🏻 Principles The Green Party of Canada is founded on six key principles that were adopted at the 2002 convention of the Global Greens.[73] These principles are: ecological wisdom non-violence social justice sustainability participatory democracy respect for diversity

[@TheBonsaiZone]

My wife ran as a candidate in the latest election, she got 6.3 percent of the vote, which is good for our area!! I sure like those principles!!

[@leighharron]

I’m fairly certain those were Pokémon Nigel, and from what I’m led to believe,there may be others, and some shoot fire!!

[@PlantObsessed]

gotta catch them all for sure.

[@Werd2jaH]

Nigel, this is a sign! You have to get some parrafin oil and mix it up with water and a splash of detergent to make “horticultural oil” with this spray you can protect your trees and won’t have to rinse it off once sprayed!

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Great job with the Chinese Elm! One of my favorites! I am off to bed, hopefully not too many nightmares from those bugs!!!!!! 😱

[@erikzellers2925]

your chickens should take care of those bugs for you, if you give 'em access.

[@MrBlackbamboo]

Hello Nigel a big hello from Scotland I came across your Chanel a couple of weeks back I've been watching all your videos brilliant viewing keep up the good work

[@NoQuarter01]

Well they’re beautiful in a way….. 😂 that part cracked me up.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks!

[@Boomerangguy100]

Checking on those insects. Definitely look like a tree hopper nymphs. Likely Membracid Treehoppers, possibly Cyrtolobus, but youtube compression sure make a clear identification difficult. Edit: I think Cap'n Spicy may have a better ID as a treehopper nymph in the Enchenopa range.

[@Skillotz]

I think you might be right with Membracid nymphs. The little 'hairs' give it away, no? Really interesting species, never seen one before.

[@capnspicy5565]

It's a nymph of Enchenopa, hard to say what specific species it is, untill they pupate into adults. As the nymphs can very a little during development, we get the thorn bug variety (Enchenopa binotata) out here in New Brunswick. Edited: Well, I learned something new today, these guys are classified by the host plant, although the adults my lay eggs on toxic plants to avoid predations, the thorn bug variety we have out here hosts on eastern black walnut... Learn something new everyday!!! 😜

[@Boomerangguy100]

Ah yes enchenopa. That looks more accurate to me.

[@steev927]

Definitely looks like a Buffalo Treehopper Nymph.

[@margaretsims4344]

A treat for the chickens?

[@chriskay9581]

Those buffalo treehoppers are nasty. They bore into the bark and eat off the phloem in the sap lines. Good thing, you found them! Nasty bugs!

[@Kjbrunzo]

Not sure what you did with the Chinese Elm root cut pieces, but those can be planted in soil as root cuttings, as long as a stub is above soil line, they will form buds and grow. Same goes with the Siberian Elms you showed, I've done both.

[@vincentscarpelli6817]

Nigel, those bugs on the nightshade look like weevils. Dietzella zimmermanni. Check them out.

[@aaronleslie1581]

Omg those bugs look horrible!! Like a scale bug with spikes!! Great update Nigel I can’t wait to see what you end up doing to that Chinese elm!! 🤞mome, mome, mome!🤞

[@jballenger9240]

Everything is looking really healthy and beautiful!!! Re: unknown insects - Perhaps one of the colleges close by has a department of entomology that could help with identification. Happy you did a soap and rinse.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Nice repot on the elm

[@PSPMHaestros]

Coolest bug I've seen in a while, but I wouldn't want them around my plants either hahaha

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

The Daytime Marauders on the hunt in your pear tree. Need to train the geese to keep them away.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That insect is definitely a first for me! And I thought I looked looked scary in the mornings...

[@Crootcovitz]

Parts of some nightshades are even edible (potatoes, tomatoes).

[@georgina1947able]

I love the show. Its so intetesting to watch you work and you give excellent direction. The hair is intetesting!😉

[@marysoldeeley2218]

Heebie Jeebies alright... Great video Nigel!

[@sbragaglia]

I think I’ve got similar bugs if not the same on my mimosa tree. Great start for the Chinese Elm, looking forward to see how it grows!

[@sbragaglia]

I’ve recently cut all the weeds from the patio area and all the bugs are looking for a new environment to invest (my plants)! Any suggestion what to do with ants? They are swarming on a couple of trees and I know it’s just matter of time before they bring aphids…

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Black Psyllids nymphs??? Your county extension agent would be able to help you identify and treat. There should be a service like this in Canada. Worth a check or a college professor at an agricultural college by your area. Your nursery man should know since he has to deal with all sorts of insects.

[@MaybeBonsai]

Oh I thought you were going to miss that last insect which moved in the video hahaha I am glad the lavender is doing well. The ones I have in the front garden is still dormant!

[@chamaramendis7505]

Very nice trees

[@zincchristina9296]

Awesome 👍

[@rebeccahunter725]

This video is why I love you! Delight in all animals great and small - except those that are threatening the bonsai; and those make you shudder! And then you give us 17:57 "That's more than a base layer!" As an Aussie who pays little attention to politics (especially in an other country!), I have no idea who Mike is, but if you like him, he must be "My kind of people"!!

[@guywatson-bognorregisbonsa7370]

Hi Nigel. Sam had some of these bugs in Australia. They turned out to be 'mealy bugs'. He called them Aliens as well.

[@mikedan297]

You can always take a picture of the insect and make a Google Image search. It can help you to find the identity of the insect. That should be a native insect of Canada, and it loves your nightshade flavor.

[@capnspicy5565]

Lol, I've tried to watch this video 6 times, I keep getting distracted by the bugs and wandering off.😄

[@mabelgrave]

Don't give up on the Paw Paws! They are late bloomers - I thought mine were dead too. I live in North Carolina and mine just grew leaves about a month ago in early May/ late April. I think our trees/ spring season here is about a month and a half ahead of yours there. Give them a little more time and I'm sure they'll leaf out!

[@lyseangley2440]

Good to Your Bonai very nice

[@wood-youknowit]

I think they are alien life forms from Mars. Haha

[@jballenger9240]

Nigel, have you ever thought about planting a royal oak(s) in your yard?

[@athela2023]

I'm inspired to take one of our nightshade plants (solanum americanum) and bonsai it lol, but not sure. They flower and fruit in clusters but the leaves get huge. The bugs remind me of empty cicada shells but otherwise I've never seen anything like them. If you have any good photos or a specimen send them to an entymologist for ID, you could have even found an unidentified species 😎 Great video as usual, thanks for sharing with us :)

[@baldyeti]

That sure was some satisfying root work on the elm, Mr. Saunders! Hell of a project right there. Looking forward to next spring, or whatever season you repot your Elm. Is this the same C. Elm you acquired from the other club member who passed away? In the fun little ceramic satchel-pot?

[@rossisbonsaiandavocados5785]

Very interesting cool looking Elm! Need some meditation now to avoid nightmares from those creepy Dinosaur insects😁

[@RBHKBH]

The insects on the nightshade looks kind of like the nymphs of the Buffalo Treehopper. I'm not sure though. Edit: Oh, I just saw SteevTheDoc's comment...

[@youngwillie9502]

I found those insects on my Black Locust the last couple of years. Might check your other trees.

[@stevegeddes2583]

Or possibly chrysalis

[@peacecosmonaut176]

Another disgusting "bonsai" root system on that Elm ;) Not too bad after your initial root work though. BTW - I killed my chinese elm this winter (first winter), even though I moved it to a cellar when it got below -10*C. I think it got too cold. How do you plan to over winter it?

[@sophiaangelini4368]

Good rosee the dragons depart..Glorious soap and water...

[@katyb2793]

Is it possible the insects are Garden Weevils? Do they have really hard shells? I had them on my radishes, they were eating the leaves, and apparently will eat the roots too. They were accidently introduced to Australia about 10 years ago. Scientific name is Phlyctinus callosus, also known as the Banded Fruit Weevil and Vine Snout Beetle. Good luck!

[@matthewturnbull9547]

If you can get a good quality close up photo of the bugs you’ll be able to reverse image search it to find out what they likely are.

[@jaybolinger2865]

The Chinese elm is definitely on my wish list. I found an American elm in some woods that I trunk chopped during this past winter and transplanted in my back yard earlier this spring in hopes that it gains more vigor next year so I can put it in a pot. Whatever happens to it it is worth the experience

[@julioramirez3944]

I got a few American elms and they are very hardy trees. I dug mines up in the fall when the leaves dropped and went dormant. As soon as spring kicked in they exploded with Vigor wish you the best will be worth it!

[@jaybolinger2865]

Very nice.. I hope they do. I've been keeping a close eye on mine it seems to be doing better but there is only one branch with leaves on it

[@julioramirez3944]

Just let it grow until next spring then repot into a big training container, you'll have at least an idea of where to begin pruning with a better branch structure. At least 90% of my trees are dug up and just keep experimenting.

[@jaybolinger2865]

I appreciate the advice. That's all I do is experiment as I don't know anyone with experience. I pretty much just get my advice thanks to people like you on KZbin and Google. Usually it's much appreciated and good advice lol

[@gecko1717]

Hi Nigel, that chinese elm has got a lovely trunk. Have you thought about airlayering the top, maybe next year so you get another one? I've got one I want to do, but I want to see you do it first haha. Makes me realise how much i've learnt from you since watching your channel. Cheers from cornwall, uk

[@uppergorple]

Definitely Buffalo Treehopper nymphs. On the scary end of the spectrum!

[@joycestoop9074]

In Dutch they’re called ‘schildluis’

[@debkousik8943]

Nigel from which city and country you are ?

[@alisterwest6987]

Maybe worth just checking the compost in case they are hiding, creepy creepy that one what about plants that were close to it could be creeping everywhere 😂 stuff of nightmares, great video all the best from uk🇬🇧

[@otterwench]

Leaf Footed Plant bug? Mealy Bug destroyers have those spines but they are covered with white fuzz. I looked at creepy insects until I just couldn't take it any more LOL

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It's like looking up a medical question on the internet, you can only take so much and everything says you are going to die!! Lol!

[@otterwench]

@@TheBonsaiZone Death by mystery insect. not my chosen epitaph lol

[@Ow3nX1]

Maybe some kind of cicada or something

[@LemonsGraphics]

Hey nigel careful bittsweet nightahade is still very toxic. So, safe to touch, dont you be eating any part of it especially the berries!

[@YaroslavPronin]

Yes, it definitely looks like Treehoppers. If so, then they can lay eggs not only on the leaves, but also on the roots. But they probably haven't had time to do this yet, adults must fly. Also, their excrement attracts ants, as does aphid excrement.

[@veronicapersson9124]

I tink you can sed them to A Entomology, A Insects expert.

[@elcazadordebonsais9867]

Buen trabajo

[@HansWeberHimself]

Invasive species of insects? We have Asian lantern flies in Philadelhpia now for 3 years. Came out of nothing.

[@paveljah]

the insect might be some kind of tree hopper

[@Alepoudiitsa]

yes i was looking to get Chinese Elm when i frist started in to bonsai but i didn't find any.

[@purenacl9516]

looks like the bugs are ring barking the stem. they remind me of squish bugs maybe juvenile versions but complete guesswork.

[@dk2614]

Hi Nigel, you are probably aware but if not insects that feed on plants are attracted to plants that are stressed. The exact mechanism aren't known. Theories abound ranging from pheromones to sounds emitted from the wood itself. I know you did some hard pruning was it last year? Either way if you noticed the plant continues to be infested after hard pruning perhaps try pruning at a different time. Also more trivia coming... The chemical responsible for toxicity in nightshade plants is called Solanace. Nightshades are also called solanaceous plants for that reason. Just caught the end of the premier so I am catching up... Ps. I have been gathering fruit from some Paw Paws for a few years since discovering the trees planted in a parkway along a street. I've also been growing out the seeds for a couple of years. If I am able to harvest fruit again this year I will send you a bunch of seeds. They sprout late and kind of randomly.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, you're the best Dana!

[@craft-o-matic2377]

The Chinese Elm is off to a good start, but I hope you kill those nasty bugs! Lisa

[@danielpfeiffer4747]

Nice video; thanks for sharing. Why don’t you leave some nuts for the squirrels? They might spare your trees. Cheers Daniel

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Antlion insect?

[@jokesterk5302]

Yes,never seen those before,kind of alien,you'll have to remove them one by one and find out if anyone else has seen them...

[@Kjbrunzo]

I have a few PawPaw seedlings about 3x as tall as the ones you showed and in much smaller pots. I would gladly trade them to you for a nice cutting of your medium leaf Ficus Benjaminas, I love those. If only it were feasible to do so given the international shipping which I've never done (living in Indiana, U.S) but probably would do anyway.

[@cant_afford_the_fancy_plants]

Mealy bugs?

[@Random-yc5nr]

Nigel - How do you make sure you dont over trim the root system?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It's all by experience and some times I do over do it and the tree dies. I'd say my success rate is about 90 percent at best! It's generally only the initial root reduction and sorting that is risky, after that it gets safer and easier!

[@Random-yc5nr]

@@TheBonsaiZone Thanks Nigel

[@PatriciaOConnorBonsaiBalcony]

I call spiders that hang out Leaf Hoppers. Those remind me of something that would attempt to grab you by the face! I would torch em or grab the cat and move.

[@danbehrens1621]

🤣

[@jsnstamper]

100% perlite?

[@natrjack965]

They really bugged you nigel glad you got rid of them ..

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Lol Michael!!

[@gerardjenerou8025]

Aliens?

[@kai4mann]

Those insects look like a cicada. They return every 17 years inn the north amercia`s. They can do som real harm to the tree`s if too many attach them self to one tree. So check youre tree`s for them. Great job with the Chinese Elm👍

[@erikzellers2925]

Way too small to be cicada's.

[@nrponugoti]

👍

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🍎🙂

[@potreliefbonsaibatu5035]

👍💚👍💚

[@justlucky13]

Foist

[@kevinrandell5189]

🌲🌳🌴🌵🍀

[@dillonrawlings_]

Can I get some of those royal oaks?

[@timmorel79]

CHINA

[@timmorel79]

china fjb...

[@joegarland4885]

That root needed to go not attractive, plenty of healthy roots left, not a great lover of heavy roots on show.

[@stevegeddes2583]

Look like louse