Podocarpus Bonsai Update, July 2016

[@joshomalin]

A fresh pot of tea, and a new Nigel Saunders vid after work. Gotta tell you, It's nothing like it. Thank you for making informative and quality videos always, please do keep it up Nigel! Mabuhay from Manila!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I do the same thing with other peoples bonsai videos, I make a nice sandwich and eat it while watching. Makes the video twice as good!

[@timothylewis1387]

You are one of the best. Thank you for your time and energy and education in bonsai. Merry Christmas. Love every one of your videos. And I do hit the like button every time.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Timothy, I really appreciate it, cool stuff coming in 2020!

[@lycorice2219]

I recently got my hands on a podocarpus and it's still pretty young. This vid definitely gave me ideas and help me take care of it! I hope your podocarpus is doing well ❤️

[@BeTheCREATOR]

I bought two Podocarpus Plant from nursery, and finding for some information, got your 3 videos, its helpful again, thanks Nigel.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, my Podocarpus grew well this summer, I'll be making a video on it this winter.

[@zonnig46]

I am missing your green tips these days. I still go to work every day by bike and this tip is also very interesting. Grtz from Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Awesome, go green!!

[@jeffincharlestonsc]

We need an update! Just purcased one from nursery waitng for early spring to start work! Love these plants many old specimans here in the south! Thanks for the great videos!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I let the tree get a little too dry and am taking good care of it to get it too recover. I think I may have killed off the growing tips, but hopefully no permanent harm is done. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[@ashleighshadowbrook6475]

Thank you so much for your videos - they're wonderfully done, and incredibly informative!

[@vdsuan]

I swear, the very first video showed this plant looking like a dragon plant! Most of the pictures online showed it looking like evergreen shrubs. I didn't think this was the same bonsai as the first. Amazing, Nigel!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It's grown well again this summer and will need a trimming soon again!

[@MrTributes]

i love how the podocarpus looks with the leaves cut back Nigel. the next time you cut back the leaves in this fashion, think about trying two slanted curved cuts to bring the leaf to a point and make them each look like a smaller leaf. i love how this tree is turning out.

[@jeffdodson1675]

Hello Nigel. Thank you for all your work and it's extremely interesting results. I watch religiously and recommend you to everyone. In keeping with your green philosophy while simultaneously responding to one of your recent comments about needing to add a soil scoop to your bonsai toolbox, I am suggesting making various size scoops out of plastic bottles. I don't see how to send you a photo of mine. Basically, it entails cutting off the bottle bottom to match the slant of a bought stainless steel soil scoop. The bottle neck then serves as a handle and also extends the homemade scoops reach length. Best regards, Jeff

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Jeff, good ideas. I think I'll have to add a small spoon also!

[@jianhoang]

Hi... Hope you can do a update on yr podocarpus

[@oberynnymerosmartell6675]

as always love it, thumbs up. by the way i really like your semi improvised outros with the “do something green today“ theme.

[@DossDi]

Thanks Nigel :) I appreciated the bonus part ! Show us more of the young trees that you and your son have ! ;)

[@roberttimmermans3629]

Thank you nigel . that's amazing nigel really amazing I did not know that that you for that

[@jwkoeniger]

Hey Nigel...just found this video and you probably already know the answer. I'm about to find out myself! I decided to completely defoliate my Podocarpus Phoenix Graft. I show it in several of my videos. One of the grafted whips recently died and I just replaced it. I'm half way through the total defoliation and wiring. I sure hope you're right about the tropical climate allowing re-growing of leaves. I'll make a short video before it's completely finished post it on my channel. Wish me luck!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think I just cut the leaves in half, not completely defoliating it. They grew back in fine! I hope yours does well, it should, you have a green thumb! I'm looking forward to the video Jim!

[@Mammalbonsai]

nice tree and tapper also too good , bougainvillea also looking nice ..thanks

[@rahulpandey4907]

Both BONSAIs are looking gorgeous especially 2nd one😊😊😊☺☺☺😇😇😇

[@joaopedropisa]

Hello Nigel. Can you make another update of your Podocarpus ? Tks . Brasil here ;)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It is growing for the summer and I'll be pruning it before it comes in for the winter in about a month. I'll make a video of it.

[@michaeldescande8931]

Sum podocarpus are native to South Africa and its called geel hout boom ( yellow wood ) its our national tree of South Africa

[@supyrow]

Thanks for the video Nigel!

[@soonyatologung]

Hi Nigel, I don’t think this Podocarpus is quite a tropical species. But it can grow in tropical very well. I have many of this. Normally we don’t totally defoliate it.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, very good to know!

[@jasonpamelahartsell3524]

Thank you so much! Big fan of your videos. They have been most helpful. I was particularly interested in mystery as it's become one of my absolute favorites. I was wondering if you have a Jaboticaba Tree and would maybe consider doing a video on it? Is a fascinating tree that grows edible fruit and seems to make a very good tropical bonsai. I'd appreciate any feedback and again thank you so much and to your wife and son who obviously supports you in what you do!

[@jasonpamelahartsell3524]

Also since this video was done in 2016 it would be cool to see an update as we go into 2021.

[@saturnynetitan]

HI Nigel! Here in Florida the Podocarpus is used extensively as hedging. I'm not sure about totally defoliating it, but I know it takes a hard "pruning/shaping" quite well! I would love to see an update an this little guy.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I've had this tree for at least 20 years and sadly this winter I accidentally let it dry out and it slowly turned brown over the next two months. I had it tucked behind another tree and I just didn't water it enough on a string of sunny days. I'll have to get another to replace it, I noticed Chris had a lot of them in his greenhouse. :(

[@yogideshmukh]

How is it now?

[@mkbs913]

Hi Nigel, cutting the 75% of leaf will reduce the leaf size it will look very nice if the leaf size is reduced

[@hoymikey]

how many times have you defoliate with this to get a good reduction?

[@Ow3nX1]

Hi. I was searching for the best soil mixture, but wasn't quite sure which one i should choose. how about 33% akadama, 33% bimskies, 33% lava?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think that will work really well!

[@chrisrose323]

what happened to this tree?

[@roberttimmermans3629]

Hello Nigel . I like what you do with your trees. I like your weeping willow a lot and so I remember you saying that you can pretty much strike any size branch . my question is how large can you strike a branch before using air layering process? I have become a much grower thank you. Oh yeah do something green save you chicken eggs there great for your vegi patch.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Robert, I have seen people root a 6 inch diameter willow branch in a bucket of wet sand. One of the few trees that will do this. Thanks for the green tip!

[@bonsaiexplorationoz]

Nigel do you still have any of your Podocarpus alive?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

No, they all eventually died, it's hard to keep them happy in the winter here!

[@EllamentaryPiano]

@@TheBonsaiZone that’s sad. I currently have 2 natives - known as Illawarra Plum. Beautiful trees here. Endemic to the east coast. I’m near Newcastle, north of Sydney, in the same group as your friend Chris. My 2 podocarpii are too small at the moment to brave Bonsai Saturday this week with the group. It’s cold here & wet at the moment, days 12-18C. Nights 1-6C in my immediate environment. It’s impossible to generalise on the east coast because of the climate created by the Pacific Ocean & Great Dividing Range. Snow in the Alps about 5-6 hours drive south. Last week the snow was closer. The closest that Newcastle gets snow is about 2 hours west. It’s the coldest part of winter. Google ‘Barrington Tops Australia’. There’s also a Tasmanian Devil sanctuary up there to try to save them from extinction due to the nasty cancer they get. Hopefully you’ll one day have your plant room stable enough for podocarpus in winter. However the big thing is that they don’t like bare rooting. Most Australian natives are difficult to keep alive if we bare root them. They like their roots relatively untouched.

[@frankwilson7146]

hello again, Nigel! as usual a great video. I have a blue rug juniper, they grow more horizontally and less vertically. there are three branches that fit well together when I stand them up and make a great tree shape. I would like to fuse them. should I remove the bark first or just secure them together? the only videos I seem to be able to find are on grafting. thank you again for all your help. between you and bonsai Illiad I feel pretty confident in my bonsai endeavors.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I don't know if they will fuse together unless they are allowed to grow for many years. In the latest video of the Bonsai at the RBG there is a Juniper group of two that are also a prostrate Junipers, turned upright. I would go with a group of three trees and experiment with some younger trees to see if the technique will work.

[@PREETIGUPTA-xy2es]

Hey I waiting for update of podocarpus bonsai from last July 2016.sorry for askinh, is plant still alive or you lost it.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Sadly this tree died, I think it was just too dark and cold in the spot I had it. I do still have a small leaf one growing.

[@PREETIGUPTA-xy2es]

@@TheBonsaiZone thanks for reply.

[@zuri8126]

Nigel, I'm curious about your opinion on trunk size. I have kinda become reluctant to place my trees in bonsai pots, until I feel the trunk size is an inch plus. I guess it depends on what you are size Bonsai you are going for. I do dislike large chop scars. Plus they take years to heal. Thanks for any thoughts. -Zuri

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Trunk chops and large branch chops or removal are just part of bonsai, To get a short fat trunk you just have to let the tree grow and then remove the top or large branches. The magic happens when these chops heal and begin to blend in. A trunk is never too skinny, the tree is just too tall!

[@peterwillbert6009]

Despite the heavy root prune and leaf prune, that bad boy looks to be thriving! Well done! Is there a best time of year to do heavy structural pruning on a Podo?I have a short leaf specimen that has a pronounced S shape to it that I am not too fond of. I would like to cut back quite short to create a different shape but wasn't sure if it's best to wait until Spring to do such drastic work. As it is a tropical, I then thought that maybe Summer was the best time to do this sort of thing??? Very conflicted!!! Any advice? Kudos to your son's tree! Lovely looking tree that will be amazing in a few years. Lovely work.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think the best time would be now in the middle of summer. The part you cut off can be rooted as a cutting, I just remove the lower leaves and plant it in a pot of bonsai soil. It should root by the end of summer.

[@peterwillbert6009]

Oh dear...now I'm nervous. haha....time to get the clippers out! Thanks for the advice Nigel. As always...very much appreciated.

[@redflash6756]

hello nigel i just wanna ask if their other variety of podocarpus??

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, there is a small leaf version. I have two of them, but they grow so slowly, I don't know if they will ever look tree like in my life time! Here is a complete listing of the different types.... plantlust.com/search/?genus=Podocarpus

[@redflash6756]

Nigel Saunders wow thank you nigel i appreciate it thanks for your reply. 😊😊😊

[@vizits479]

Yes you can

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Jonathan, I'll try total defoliation next time!

[@thezehao]

Where is the Kapok temple, Nigel !

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It's coming, I have to get my pruning done on some trees first, make a few more videos, and then hopefully get some time for the temple.

[@TheSkyrimDons]

How are they looking now? Nearly a year on.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Not too much different, they didn't put much growth on in the winter. I think when they go outside, they'll spring into life!

[@Sanjula0007]

hi, I bought some podocarpus macrophyllus seeds . can you give me some introductions to plant them? thankyou

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Here's a good link.... www.hunker.com/13429253/how-to-grow-a-podocarpus-from-seed

[@Sanjula0007]

thank you very much

[@greenzonegardening787]

Sir pls update of this plant

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I was just looking at it today, it's doing well and I think it will be due for a pruning this winter.

[@beepbeepbeeepgtasong9685]

TWO VIDEOS IN ONE DAY!

[@peterwillbert6009]

Christmas came early! :)

[@InLakech_AlaKin]

Do you have an update in 2018?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I haven't made one yet, the tree is growing really well and has a lot of new long shoots. I'll be trimming it before it comes in for the winter.

[@InLakech_AlaKin]

I am glad to know it is doing well. I just purchased an mature bonsai of this species. I was talking to the man who sold and trained bonsai and he was telling me he only removes 25% of the root system no matter the maturity. I was astonished to learn this as I've been following your practices this past, introductory season of mine. He also said he doesn't tamper with trees right before dormancy.

[@МихаилКаратыгин]

Эх , русские субтитры бы добавить....

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Жаль, что я успел добавить субтитры мой друг. Я смотрю испанские видео , так что я знаю , как вы себя чувствуете. Zhal', chto ya uspel dobavit' subtitry moy drug. YA smotryu ispanskiye video , tak chto ya znayu , kak vy sebya chuvstvuyete.

[@МихаилКаратыгин]

Wow! Greetings to you from Russia. Sadly I understand your text through the word ,but I love to watch your videos.

[@bonsaimoldova]

Ну, просто английский более универсальный язык чем русский :) Обычно бывает наоборот - к русским видео добавляют английские субтитры :)

[@МихаилКаратыгин]

Это то да , я понимаю ,что этого не будет , т.к. русской аудитории на этом канале мало , но все же , это моя несбывшаяся мечта.

[@14Drader]

Найджел вроде и так довольно понятно говорит на английском, можно его видео предлагать учителям английского :)

[@minimalwriteups3399]

hi nigel... u r the great motivation for me for follow my hobby for an art called bonsai... its my wish i want to share picks of my work with u.. plz share ur mail id...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

You can email me at.... [e-mail] Look forward to your pics!

[@frankwilson7146]

:-)bonsai iligan

[@santarific9x60]

4th viewer!!! hahaha

[@dubsydabster]

you're supposed to say FOIST!

[@santarific9x60]

+Dubsy Dabster buy quality products

[@santarific9x60]

+Dubsy Dabster oooohhhh it only the 3rd video I've ever commented on. I might remember that... is there a chart I should refer to?? hahaha