First Trunk Chop on an Apple Bonsai Tree - Grown from Seed

[@notionbonsai]

Hey! If you enjoyed this video, please remember to leave a like on this video! 🌳🌳It helps out the channel a lot 🤗Thank you and have a nice day!

[@notionbonsai]

@Bonsai by SnC Oh wow thank you! How did you know!? You knew before I did 😅😅

[@notionbonsai]

@Bonsai by SnC ohh thank you!!

[@joep9402]

So I cut my daily apple open at coffee break time and found an apple seed growing in it. I decided to plant that seed in a small pot in my hotel room as I am a traveling construction worker.and it is growing like crazy. I would like to keep this poor little thing alive. Your video has been very helpful! Thank you!

[@bobmccarlie382]

Over the past 4-5 years I have grown many types of trees from seeds. Pines, crabapples, spruce, larch, zelkova, wych elm, tridents, and several others. They won't be good bonsai in my lifetime now, but I enjoy seeing them sprout and then shaping them as young seedlings. Currently I have this spring's seedlings of larch, scots pine, JBP, cork bark JBP, and trident seedlings on my basement grow stand.

[@notionbonsai]

That's awesome Bob! Growing from seed can be just as rewarding as working on mature bonsai! 😊

[@heyAPJ]

I am growing 3 mangos and one avocado from seed. I also just started 3 roses from stem. Your videos are helping a lot. Thank you

[@danih7577]

Great instructions! My apple seed has begun its 3 season this June. I’ll dig it up in fall with more confidence now for bonsai. I was worried if the roots would survive. I’m less worried now. The comment section has offered me great ideas as well for other seeds to start. As far things not being proper Bonsai, …beauty is in the eye of the beholder and everything is a lesson for me as a novice.

[@joegarland4885]

Power to you for your video, the apple tree having started from an apple seed will be one of your special trees because of that I am sure. Keep doing what you do.

[@notionbonsai]

Hi Joe! I hope you are well! 😊 Thanks very much! Hoping it grows well in this pot in the next year 🤗

[@raymondplodzien7459]

Your bonsai videos are always informative and enjoyable.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks so much Raymond! 🤗😊🌳

[@horrorandexploration1522]

Thankyou for these videos. Not only are they entertaining, but you explain what you're doing and why, and as someone who's trying to get into bonsai, I am so grateful

[@notionbonsai]

Hey! I'm glad you enjoyed 🤗 There is lots more videos to come!!!

[@bonsaitime621]

I started my first batches of seeds last autumn. Japanese maples, larch and linden. Maples are starting to sprout!

[@notionbonsai]

Aw nice one!! Maples are so satisfying to grow from seed!

[@chillville5571]

So in the last 6 months or so ive been trying to learn the art of bonsia. The thought sparked by staring at a single seed from a delicious cosmic crisp apple. Now i have a 1ft tall child that I shelter and feed that I love more then myself. You have shown me the way to be a family and grow one with my child and I owe you my life in return.👨‍👦🌱🦊🐄🦔🦞🐛🐞🐝

[@notionbonsai]

Aw nice! 🤗 I hope Bonsai continues to bring you Joy in life!

[@LeeThatcherTTVic]

Great video Adam, you’ve given me hope that I haven’t killed the first tree I hacked the roots off 🥴🤙🏻

[@denhardy7238]

This year I have grown a pear seedling from a pear that I had eaten and then stratified it gives great satisfaction it’s now about 12ins tall i will do its first style early next year 😎Dennis the butcher

[@ciarsomc9209]

Great video bud started all my apple treas the same way from Seed from apples

[@TheBonsaiZone]

What a great start for the tree!!!

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Nigel! It's not the most exciting looking doing a trunk chop at first but hopefully in time it will do well! 😊

[@stormymiddleton7315]

I have a pair of apple seedlings that are about 45 days sprouted. Gonna give it a shot

[@heartfullkitsune1213]

The growing master ✌️

[@notionbonsai]

😊

[@johnmichaelrutherford3514]

Nice work, gives me hope for my little apple seedling that I unintentionally started last year , haha. Also just wanted to say that I agreed with where you trunk chopped the tree because I think if you left it taller you'd have wound up with a taperless trunk , and lastly I just wanted to add that most of my trees are from seed because it's cheaper and I like heing able to decide what the trees gonna be which is an option you don't get with nursery stock or collected trees really but my favorites so far are my 3 Japanese maples, my privet, obviously my apple, and my little oak that I rescued from my grandmother just recently.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thanks John! Good thinking man! Taper is everything in the early stages of Bonsai like this one! Nice! That's a lot of trees from seed you got! 😊 I like this cause Bonsai doesnt have to be expensive!!

[@davidstokes925]

Actually enjoyed this video!

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks David! 😁

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Great work Adam. I have a number of saplings that I bought from the Woodland Trust that gave me a year or two start over growing from seed. But I also have some oak and Sycamore that I grew from seed about three years ago that are developing nicely as tiny mame sized trees. Growing from seed is very worthwhile but be sure to have other trees to work on as it’s a long time before they will be ready to style as bonsai.

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you Jason! 😊 Ohh nice! Sycamores grow like crazy here! This apple is going to be a very long term tree for sure!

[@ncook01]

"a good rule of thumb is to not remove any more than one third of the trees roots at one time...", i say to myself, watching this video with tears in my eyes lol

[@notionbonsai]

Apple trees are very strong growers and can handle a good amount of root pruning. With other trees like junipers and pines I definitely wouldnt remove so much root at once! 😊

[@ikmansuri]

Passion is visible

[@notionbonsai]

🤗🌳♥

[@c.e.m7535]

Great video!🎉

[@elainekeyworth9773]

Love watching you and your explanations and guidance. Excellent teacher for someone so young.

[@MegaWizardman1]

I went out and bought about a kilo of apples yesterday specifically to try and experiment with planting, stratifying, “hydroponic” planting to grow my own trees from all of the seeds, and the first apple I ate had a seed that had already sprouted! It was quite a serendipitous and fortunate occurrence :)

[@notionbonsai]

Oh nice one Joshua! a kilo of apples will get you a lot of trees!!!

[@aaronleslie1581]

Love the soil mix!! I really want to copy that I think I would just add charcoal (I like useing charcoal for mycelium)

[@notionbonsai]

Oh nice! That's a good one to add!

[@tacobonsai]

Both those are impressive in their own ways. I'm excited to see the air-layer seperated and potted up. I really like that seed grown tree and its movement. I couldn't agree more about being involved with the process from the beginning. I think its why my osage orange (basically my only seed grown tree) is one of my favorite. It was hard to watch all the movement leave. I understand that its not about having instant bonsai, but it was such a nice feminine tree. it was a good decision, i would have made the same one i think, just later than i should have.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey Taco! Thanks so much! You should definitely get more trees from seed going! Maples are so fun to do!

[@elementalbonsai]

Nice video ! It's gona beca Nice little apple bonsai in the future. 👌

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thanks Angry Bonsai! 🍎

[@ceejayblink]

might start bingeing your channel for further bonsai knowledge xD I just got a 2-year-old apple tree which I grew from a seed and I never expected it to grow XD Now I also have oranges and lemons waving to me as saplings xD Might work on them to be made into bonsai too but I have to start with the apple ... Also I have no idea how to plant like soil, fertilizers, and such, and you showing the soil you use is a great help. T.T though I won't relate to the seasonal change since I live in a tropical country. xD

[@rikver6370]

great video, i've grown a few bonsai from seeds, some oaks and some apple trees as well

[@notionbonsai]

Hey Rik! Nice one! Have you grown any maples?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

This will be a good one to watch in the future. The ony thing I find with apples is how quickly they form lumps and swelling at branch cut sites. The woolly aphids love them too :)

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Xavier! I've noticed that on the really old one I got! Looks like a big nik nak!! I guess we gotta embrace the features it creates haha. Gotta spray em aphids away!!

[@gloriablanco7856]

Thank you.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thank you for watching Gloria! 🤗

[@denhardy7238]

This year I have grown a pear seedling going to leave it until next spring. Great tutorial Dennis 😎

[@chaiwatpotichanid]

Wow avery's idea treehouse yes sri you are very great as well loudly tree bonsai tree large gourds no wark guy thank you for good advice kupchak 🥰😘🙏

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thanks! 🤗🤗

[@notionbonsai]

You can stay up to date with trees that I work on off camera on my Instagram 😊

[@DerekKnudson-wk5mj]

What an inspiration. Very unique having that visual tandemed😊 with articulating in a simple manner. Idk about others but im picking up many things said calm. Idk if you see this but you are doing something at a high level at a very young age.

[@notionbonsai]

Hi Derek! 🙂 Thank you very much for your kind words and encouragement! It's wonderful to hear that you found my video inspiring and helpful. My goal is to make bonsai accessible to everyone, regardless of their age or experience level, so I'm glad to know that my approach is resonating with viewers. Bonsai is truly a lifelong pursuit, and I'm honored to be able to share my passion for this art form with others. It's always a learning experience, and I'm constantly inspired by the creativity and beauty that can be achieved through Bonsai. Thank you again for taking the time to leave such a positive comment. It means a lot to me and motivates me to continue sharing my knowledge and love for bonsai with the world. 🪴💖🌍

[@Gmarkw2]

Great video. I have 8 Crabs from seed in their 1st year and was unsure how to proceed. I now know maybe no to pinch the tops off😮

[@harrychristodoulou3782]

Brilliant Adam well done, one more for the future. Keep up the hard work 👌🏼

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you Harry! 🙂 Definitely a long term tree!

[@eddyhardy785]

I began growing some from seed (from apples i had to eat) sadly they didnt last as ive only a small yard and we had a tough winter but i'll be giving it another go this year..loved the video

[@notionbonsai]

Ohh, sorry to hear that they didnt survive Eddy! It's good that you are trying it again! You can protect your trees in winter, I have a video about how to do that 😄🪴❄️

[@TonysBonsai]

Definitely an interesting tree to follow mate. It will be interesting to see how it responds to bonsai techniques.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Tony! 🙂

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Great vid Adam, excellent work!

[@notionbonsai]

Hi Dave! Thanks so much! Do you have any apple bonsai?

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

@@notionbonsai I have only a crab apple, that's the one in my last instagram post with "pot lines". Since that photo 10 days ago, it has already leafed out and flowers are just about to burst. Amazing how quickly they wake up.

[@Floydsdad101]

I’ve got 2 crab apples that I grew from seed from Herons Bonsai and they’re 2 years old and both look pretty much like yours. Guess what I’m doing with both of these this weekend ? 😃😃😃🌲✂️

[@mattbrennan647]

Nice Adam. Keep growing

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks very much Matt!! 😀

[@mikec3820]

i prefer starting from seed or small cutting. too many to name. maple. lemon apple. mango. pretty much any seed or cutting i can get to root lol. thanks notion looks great. love the old apple tree

[@notionbonsai]

Aw nice! Growing from seeds is a great way to start off Bonsai!

[@Phils-sticks-carving-bonsai]

Hi Adam, I’m currently growing crab apple, walnut, oak, maple, ash and a few pines from seed but at my age it’s unlikely I’ll see them mature! lol Another good vid btw.

[@notionbonsai]

Thanks Phil! Nice one!! Bonsai is not always about seeing the final result as many times trees are never complete. It is the journey which matters most. the same is true in life 😊🤗

[@robertscarborough68]

Great video 👍🏼nice looking roots, going to look even better in time ❤ Thank you Adam! I have 2 apple trees grown from seeds, both my kiddies planted one granny smith and one pink lady 5 years ago as they were their favourites, i keep chopping back each year to the first branch, just a stick atm. I have some lemons that have just sprouted this year but apart from that, i don't have much luck with growing from seed, even by following your steps in your video with spagnum moss etc, maybe i should pay a bit more money and not buy from ebay...

[@claireholmes779]

Great info. About to bonsai my one year old apple tree. My neighbour grew it also from seed from an apple she ate. Will I get tiny apples ??? Thanks.

[@sbragaglia]

Yes! Apple cuttings root very easily! No need of rooting hormone

[@notionbonsai]

😀😀

[@csgyoutubian5208]

Thanks so much for your wonderful videos! Can you please explain your process in using apple seeds? Any prep before planting them soil? Also, which variety would you suggest to be suitable for bonsai?

[@mossbackbear]

Great video, Adam. It's gotta feel good to unearth radials like that! I had never considered using an apple tree for bonsai, which is funny because my state is known for apples. Most of your videos feature traditional japanese forms. Have you dabbled in naturalist at all? Some of those cuttings look like they would do well for a naturalistic style. Apple trees as a cash crop have been grown many different ways throughout the past hundred years, with the main three being the single leader, the goblet, and the umbrella. Might be a fun rabbit hole for you to look into. It would be amazing to see a gnarly, twisted miniature goblet!

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thank you Mossback Bear! Oh nice!! You should make lots of apple Bonsai! Haven't heard of doing it like that before! 😊 Sounds interesting though!

[@dirtydp4vp917]

Love you videos and I think you do amazing work. I have a question though. Did you regret cutting the trunk that close to the new leader? In my opinion, with a tree that precious, I would have left at least and inch to die back. Could you explain why such a close cut?

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you very much 🙂 I don't mind cutting that close as I know apples don't tend to die back like Maples do. They heal pretty fast, especially being spring. It should create nice taper in time. 🙂

[@forrestcrabbe]

I grew an apple tree from a seed in an apple i was eating, once. I planted it in the yard tho. I want one in a pot methinks 🤘🍻🤘

[@notionbonsai]

You can do it! This is what happened with this little one!

[@forrestcrabbe]

@@notionbonsai awesome! I may start one next year. I have a small olive tree i am gonna take some cuttings from in a few days, for bonsai. And I'm gonna try an air layer on it as well, I've never done one and am curious 🤘y'all have a badass day🤘

[@Name-lo8pk]

So far I have around a dozen of blood orange and lemon trees. Some are 7 years and some are 1.

[@niamhfox9559]

Mum accidentally bonsai'd an apricot tree my brother planted as a pit when he was 1yo. We moved around a bit and just dragged the tree with us, finally planted it 10 years later. It gave us apricots for years and it only just fell apart and died 30 years after. It never really got over 5 foot. We have many avocado and loquat trees in pot plants accidentally bonsai'd all over the garden. I might put them in real bonsai pots.

[@notionbonsai]

What a wonderful story of accidental bonsai! Sorry to hear that it died but im glad it was able to give you lots of apricots for years! 🌳🌿 Nice one! They might look great in Bonsai pots!!

[@kimrichardson8376]

I have had nothing but bad luck with seeds. Every year I try but fail miserably. I think I love them to death lol

[@notionbonsai]

Aw sorry to hear this Kim! I'll have a video coming soon where I show how to stratify and germinate seeds!

[@kimrichardson8376]

I’ve managed to germinate crepe myrtle this year along with a couple mock orange and two redwood trees. But I worry I’ll over water them.

[@happyavacado1495]

What is aluminium?Where is the dirt all I see is rocks?And why did you cut it below the S shape 🤔 that was so cute?

[@calvinvanstenus6908]

Very nice video, I do have 1 question tho. I already kinda know the answer but I just want to be sure. If you shorten the trunk or a branch, will it stop to thicken? Cause you cut the trunk and use a side branch as a new leader, but will the part beneath the new leader thicken up or does it stay like that?

[@notionbonsai]

Thank you for watching the video Calvin! 🤗 When you shorten the trunk or a branch, it may affect the rate at which the remaining part of the branch or trunk thickens. However, it will not completely stop the thickening process altogether. When you shorten a branch, you create a new point of growth at the cut end. This new growth will continue to develop and thicken over time, and eventually, it will blend in with the existing trunk or branch. In some cases, the remaining part of the trunk or branch below the cut may also continue to thicken, although it may do so at a slower rate than the new growth at the cut end. This is because the tree's growth hormones are distributed throughout the plant, and cutting a branch or trunk can alter the balance of hormones and affect growth patterns. 😊

[@upside-down_pineapple]

I would top the tree first and then wait about six months before root pruning and repotting. All at once may be too much of a shock for many trees.....

[@bobajeens6029]

I’m very surprised on how many apple trees grow so tall for being 2 years old. I’ve had mine for already 2 years and it only like 8 inches tall. I’ve grown it from an apple and repot it into a bigger pot and it sits in my window it’s the stem is very thin and bendable but idk if can bonsai it yet. It grows its leaves on its top and has no branches.

[@davidbarker8169]

I like your videos. When you film them can you wear a lighter top or even white so the dark green plant can be seen better.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thanks David! I'll be sure to do more close ups also!! Thanks for this feedback! 😊

[@Rajatlingam]

Hi Adam… apple bonsai… hahaha. Nice. Btw yr grandma was also bonsai enthusiast too?

[@notionbonsai]

My grandmother loves gardening but not so much into Bonsai 😊

[@DiscotopiaUk]

That was the easiest potting ever!! 1 chop lol

[@notionbonsai]

Yeah!! 😊 Sometimes that's all you gotta do in Bonsai!

[@cameronfloyd2160]

I'm growing eucalyptus trees from seed in my street :)

[@notionbonsai]

Ohh! I love eucalyptus they smell so nice! 😀

[@johnrb9397]

I think it would have been more interesting at the second leader. But it will progress regardless. Tc

[@notionbonsai]

That would also have worked for sure John! 🙂I wanted to go for a much taper as possible. Cause apple trees grow so fast I didnt mind so much cutting further down. (though it looks kinda bad at the moment lol)

[@thomasyo75]

I've got a lovely crab apple bought as starter material from a Bonsai nursery last year. I'd estimate its probably 2 - 3 years old (roughly 7 - 8mm thick stem), it's very happy and is currently in loads of flower (its 1st May). The problem I have is that it's got about 45cm of dead straight clear stem, then it breaks out into 7 thinner branches, all of which have the leaves & flowers so doesn't have any sort of "Bonsai" shape or structure to it. Is there anything I can do to give it a more interesting shape without cutting it right down and effectively starting from scratch ? Thanks in advance for any advice !

[@notionbonsai]

If you dont want to cut it down, you can cut the growing tips in mid-summer to encourage back budding! You can also wire it to give it a more interesting shape! If you wanted to you could also air layer the top off of it and have 2 trees that are shorter so you don't have that long 45cm of straight trunk. 🪴😄

[@Matt6644]

My gf came home from work one day with some apple seeds in a wet tissue she saved from lunch one day. They were already partially germinating. Kinda unappetizing to be fair. Anyway. We decided to plant them into a large pot equally spaced around the perimeter of a roughly 30cm pot and now there are 5 apple trees about a year a and a bit later with10mm trunks. I feel like there could be an apple forrest bonsai in the making for sure.

[@notionbonsai]

Nice Matt! That's some good growth in 1 year! I haven't seen an apple forest before. That would be cool!!

[@Solace6428]

I've become rather interested in bonsai since I managed to sprout a tropical tree seed in a non tropical climate. It will never survive outside, but the full tree will be far too big to keep indoors, so I will need to intentionally stunt it's growth. Not fully bonsai it of course, but keep it to around a maximum of 5 feet in height, and maybe a metre in diameter. I feel like if I apply some of the techniques of bonsai, this will be a feasible task.

[@notionbonsai]

Oh very nice! What species of tree is it? You could for sure!

[@Solace6428]

@@notionbonsai it's a mango tree, and I'm in New Zealand, hence why it needs to be kept smaller. It's still only about 15cm tall, but growing really fast. It has doubled in height in the past 3 weeks

[@scheers100]

👌👊👍👍

[@notionbonsai]

😊😊🌳🌳

[@MatthewLeeman1990]

Adam where do you get your soil mix? I know you've got the 3 big tubs separate. I've bought a few ready mix bags of pumice,lava rock and akadama and it's fairly expensive once you get going 😅. Thanks 👍

[@notionbonsai]

I get my soil from IBUKI Bonsai in Poland 🤗

[@MatthewLeeman1990]

@@notionbonsai thanks for the info! 👍

[@richardandrew01]

Hi, did your 50 year old tree grown from seed bear any fruits? Thanks 😊

[@notionbonsai]

It has not grown any fruit as of yet! 😊 Maybe someday. I may also graft different apple species onto it!

[@kimrichardson8376]

Are your bonsai in full sun all day?

[@notionbonsai]

No, depending on the type of tree will determine the placement of it 🤗 (we also dont get much sunny days here in Ireland lol)

[@keresha1222]

What happened to the leaves?

[@notionbonsai]

As it was early spring they had not come out yet 😊

[@_gabe_9556]

Hiiiiii

[@notionbonsai]

Haiii!

[@bonsaitime621]

Thoid

[@notionbonsai]

🤗🤗

[@juniperus.itoigawa]

Put it into the ground and let it grow big before performing Trunk chops. In my opinion its way to early for a trunk chop, no offenes but it will take a lifetime if you keep proceeding like this 🥲

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thanks for the tip Hendrik! This totally makes sense if you'd want a really huge thick trunk on a tree 😊I'd much prefer a tightly tapered thinner trunk that shows a lot of age with many cuts up the trunk in years to come 🤗

[@raggedbreath]

Like the vid. Would it be worth putting back in a larger pot to get that growth going for another couple of years to bulk up again on the new structure?

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thanks! You are exactly right! Thats the plan with this little guy when it fills the little training pot that it is in 🤗 Gonna up pot it for a thicker trunk then!

[@JuanjoBalones1]

You can also do a root cutting, apple trees can sprout from everywere, even a small root will work.

[@notionbonsai]

Oh wow nice! Thanks for this tip Juanjo!

[@redmadness265]

They're still germinating as of typing this but I'm planning on making a pink ivory tree into a bonsai, an African tree with a stunning luxury heartwood and small edible fruits

[@richardstack2853]

Nice one Adam I sprouted 4 apple seeds in the fridge this year potted them and put on window ledge then.....nothing I will try again

[@notionbonsai]

Aw noo! Sorry to hear this Richard! I believe I planted this one in spring without any stratification!!! Maybe give that a go. Directly into soil? 🤗

[@sbragaglia]

Too many tunnels, I couldn’t follow the premiere, sorry Adam! I’m growing pink lady apple, Italian cypress, pomegranate, black pine, red pine, blue spruce, lemon, (yuzu died unfortunately), Zelkova, Japanese quince, chilly pepper, pyracantha, Japanese maple (hopefully this year I’ll be successful), larch, plane, oak, (crabapple if I’ll succeed), and cherry all from seeds. Hopefully I’ll have something workable in a few years time! And hawthorn!

[@notionbonsai]

Hey no worries Stefano! Oh nice! You'll have plenty of material to work with if all of them grow for you! Crabapple should germinate fairly easily 🙂

[@sbragaglia]

@@notionbonsai let’s see! Jason Hanrahan sent me some but hadn’t success so far… he also sent me Japanese maple seeds… but so far I only germinated local maples (their name being Tatar maples, similar to Amur)… 🤞 and now entering the snow storm in Cambridge! 😰

[@scotthogbin613]

Very rewarding growing from seed Adam, I'm sure you enjoyed eating the apple also. I have a lemon, some small leaf figs and various Australian natives all from seed and their all very healthy vigorous growers. Thanks for sharing your apple tree styling, Cutting back to first branch was a great decision and i hope we get to see it again in a few years. 🍎🍏

[@notionbonsai]

Hey Scott! 🤗 The apple was tasty!! Ohh nice! I'm envious of your amazing weather for growing tropical species! 😋

[@voidmaker9296]

I saw the question about where to cut, I'm glad to see the video up. Great work and thanks for sharing.

[@notionbonsai]

Hey thanks Void Maker! 🙂

[@dreamingofbonsai]

Hey I have an apple tree that is about the same age! Yours looks great! I agree growing from seed is the most rewarding.

[@notionbonsai]

Aw nice! Have you done anything to yours yet?

[@dreamingofbonsai]

@@notionbonsai I’ve done one top cut last year, it’s put out a couple branches, I’m hoping to get some good growth this year. but has a long way to go!