Is an AIRLAYER the Solution to this impossible Bonsai?

Can ONE Year make any difference to these TWO very difficult (Potential) Bonsai? Will you agree with my solutions, and do you have any better ideas? Just let me know in the comments 😊
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God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing
Xavier
-- TIMESTAMPS --
00:00 Let's look at Italian Alder for Bonsai.
01:00 Pruning in August 2023.
03:45 A BLATANT issue!
05:16 How does it look 10 months later?
06:32 A typical Pruning choice.
09:08 What would you do to this?
10:00 August 2023 and another AWFUL tree to prune.
11:51 A radical design idea?
13:07 Shall I airlayer it?
14:58 How often do I water Airlayers?
15:55 Do you like my solution?
Equipment & Acknowledgements:
I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC 330 Bridge Camera
All video production using AVC Video Editor Software
Sound equipment courtesy of: johnaronphotography.co.uk
Handmade Ceramics by: Dawn Isaac of deiceramics.com
Please be aware that all details of products used are given for your benefit only - I do not receive any financial recompense. I just think they are good value and you should know where to buy them if interested.
#bonsaiuk #bonsaitree #bonsaicare #alder #repottingbonsai #airlayering #pruning

[@rtregear]

4:27 Boom!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Need to go back and have a look Roger :)

[@oachkatzlsmum]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreatyou have to 😄👍

[@sharonbuckley4591]

Please don’t stop showing the pruning and explanation of selection. Every tree is different and I’ve a long way to go in learning what to take off and why.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I shall do my best to get the balance right. These two trees are so awful that it was more about problem solving than technique :)

[@malsrfun2956]

I don't have alders, but plenty of wonky trees. Bonsai as play is a beautiful thing. 😊

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Sometimes it is just about having some fun

[@sharonbuckley4591]

And amazingly you are wearing the same shirt, just to keep things in perspective.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Not amazing - I only have one t-shirt :)

[@sueb1317]

I love watching vids on difficult trees - other peoples difficult trees, not mine lol - I have way too many awkward trees to be proud of my styling choices! Love seeing new perspectives and possibilities. Can't wait for the next updates.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you Sue - they may not make it to the bonsai hall of fame...or even get called bonsai BUT the challenge is so much more fun :)

[@sueb1317]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat hahaaaa - totally agree!!

[@misovalachovic4988]

I think you did right decision with the airlayering , looking forward for the update, thanks for the video!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I am hoping this works - otherwise I am still stuck with two awful trees :)

[@Lees_Trees]

So glad that you did the air layer, can't wait to see how the tree develops. With the long leader off of the main bendy trunk you could almost make it a type of literati style tree.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Here's hoping the airlayer provides one solution. The other tree remains a mystery

[@ianrowe9337]

i would agree & say your decisions were about right !

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks for that Ian - let's hope the airlayer works. I still have to think hard about that first tree :)

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Wonky 😄 See it in some of my trees too 😅 time laps make me remind of the movie 12 monkeys 🫢 Overall great development and hopefully remarkable trees in the future. Thanks for sharing 👍 Enjoy your day ☀️😘 Cheers 🙋‍♀️

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I loved the Twelve monkeys with Robert Carlisle. Top series and the film was really good too.

[@sharonbuckley4591]

Looks good and looking forward to seeing it in fall. We have lots of alders here, not sure what the difference is except I can dig loads of them free.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That's what makes them good :)

[@baldyeti]

Great work with your trees, good sir. Glad to see I’m not the only one to get wonky branches. Hehe I’m diggin the cascade plans. Alternate possibility: raft style (Only suggesting because you asked 😉)

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

You know me - all suggestions are 'needed' :)

[@Bonsaicrazy]

Good luck with the air layer xav 👊👊👊

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Andy

[@mikec3820]

whippits are n02 /nitrous oxide(laughing gas) for us US'rs lol jk sry for the dumb joke. always great content xav!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Always good to get the other side of the pond laughing :)

[@KennetDeBondt]

Nice species, well done. Grts Kennet

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Not the best of my examples but defiitely challenging

[@raymondbirds2392]

Lovely job

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Raymond

[@trybonsai]

Great work and entertaining video Xav... Cheers!!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks - definitely two challenging trees

[@trybonsai]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat yeah they are but your analytical skills and execution were on point..

[@t3dwards13]

Wow! Is there any part of the world not hot and stormy right now? Lol

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Weather is all over the place right now.

[@joegarland4885]

Hi Xav my view sorry mate your on a hiding to nothing with these Alder, there never going to be good bonsai, I think you know that, can’t for the life of me see what you like about Alder, maybe it’s just me being grumpy, they are your material to work with, notice I didn’t say bonsai because there not. I think just a few days after this airing we started the current heatwave which is playing havoc with my rain water supply, now got to start being selective on which ones I use it for. I hate using tap water but have no options left. We need rain preferably over night so we can work during the day. All the best my friend, good luck with your airlayer.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I love it when you are brutal with me Joe :)

[@t3dwards13]

Is it fair to say you never give up, when you have the yearly fire? Or is that only the dead ones?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

We shall see what the 'bonsai of shame' fire gets fed in October

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Bruce