Pruning and Repotting my Northern White Pine, The Bonsai Zone, May 2021

I'm working on my Northern White Pine that I collected in 2015 as a small seedling.
The scientific name for this tree is Pinus stobus and it's native range is from the upper east coast to the great lakes regions of Canada and the United States.
To see previous videos of this tree, click on the playlist here....
• Native White Pine Seed...
#TheBonsaiZone

[@robkay5443]

Watching your root work always makes my chest tight, but it also builds my confidence to take a chance and strive for a better future for my trees.

[@sydneyhager6481]

Your larch forest is AMAZING!!!!

[@srh9893]

Nice video, love to see teh yard getting cleaned up bit by bit!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Me too, lots of work!

[@edinborogh]

Awesome video Nigel. I enjoyed it a lot. Thank you.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Edinborogh!

[@wshow11]

Larch forest looks fantastic! Great job!

[@andyhansen3117]

Hi Nigel, keep missing the show, live . Well it`s just as good later, thanks!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Andy, good to have you here!

[@growingthings6232]

The pine looks great Nigel! How long have you been using the Reptile bark as opposed to the sphagnum moss?

[@maxinla2501]

Human - homo sapiens description of your son Haha Puts us on the same level as plants ! 🙂

[@marcelwesterhoff]

The Larch forest... Just WOW!

[@katyb2793]

Isn't it? It's one of my favourites!

[@katyb2793]

It's really nice to see more of Laura! 😃 And I like the green doors, it's a little different and blends with the greenery!

[@WoodsleeSummercraftwoodturning]

Nigel i had one of those little cherry trees, they look awesome especially in flower but beware the squirrels love them, they killed mine take care Rob

[@knoxstax1562]

Pond baskets make a good alternative to colanders. Most square like you square pot in video and very stable. Tons of holes but holes small enough for a turface/perlite mix to not fall through.

[@katifalcon]

🍒Loved the shots of Laura's screen house🍓 🌲The Larch Forest was beautiful as usual, it's definitely a master piece. May it live to be 100 or more.🌲

[@alicer3423]

Nigel, Laura looks like she is a great builder. Both of you seem to be so busy all the time. Your trees look good also. Your cute kitty is pregnant. Cut that yellow hibiscus for Laura for her hair.

[@woodsdesign4732]

Thank you for explaining why you want a flat root base, for trunk flair. A revelation!

[@patrickfo967]

Hi Nigel, great root work! My Japanese white pine died this winter... I repotted it too early in spring! Lesson learned, greetings from Germany!

[@RosarioCostanzo]

Hi Nigel, such a lovely video!

[@peterw2845]

Being on the other side of the world to Nigel , I miss most of the “lives”, but I catch the odd one luckily 😁, the bark in the substrate will help as pines like acidic soil and the pine needles and bark create that environment in the natural habitat . I have a weeping version of that eastern pine and didn’t even realise ! . Great video as always Nigel , keep up the inspiring work , thanks always .

[@veziovignanelli2926]

buongiorno Nigel complimenti

[@matthewsevignybizzybonsai908]

I like the white pine it looks very different after pruning and repotting very nice

[@planterbanter]

I love your videos Nigel, always a good watch with a cup of tea :) thanks a bunch

[@invertevision4757]

I think there is only one kind of homo sapien lol, humans. Anywho, I so wish my wife was into plants and gardening and such as Laura is. I myself have started a small garden this year to try and start being more sustainable in as many ways as possible. Must be nice that your wife shares the same passion for plants haha. Till next time, cheers Nigel!

[@sophiaangelini4368]

The Duck Family is watching too.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

They love hanging around the bonsai area!

[@makeshiftmonk]

Thanks again for sharing your garden with us again Nigel!!!!! :::=^)

[@junebugibbotson]

Hi Nigel I am new to bonsai and have many questions. I love the channel, lots of very helpful info.

[@josephwatts2341]

Glad you don’t go for just the big trunks that need no to little work. Shows you’re in it for the long haul not just the fast hit.😃

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Nice work! "Soil integration process", SIP. Like it! I just call it poking 😊

[@Tybold63]

Good inspiration and makes me feel better prepared for future and your larch forest is amazing!.. Have 3 small native Pinus Silvestris in a pot that I dug up last year that seem to be budding good. They have somewhat same slim appearance like your N. White Pine but on a smaller scale but two of them seem to be kind of weeping but healthy (maybe snow). Sooner or later I hope to have use of your videos like this.

[@jessesnelling257]

Honestly, that's a remarkably nice root base in my opinion! I think it's set up well for the future. Lovely video, as always!

[@farmert9679]

Great repotting. Excellent.

[@MrThomascor]

These videos are so relaxing!

[@Boomerangguy100]

That was collected in 2015? How time flies. The process of compacting soil is called tamping. You are tamping the soil around the roots.

[@marysoldeeley2218]

Awesome! You are very lucky to have such a great family! Talented family!! :) I think your stray cat will have more stray cats soon...

[@invertevision4757]

Ha, I too think the cat is pregnant! Has a big belly that's for sure

[@Carsonthecarsinogen]

Do you have any tips on promoting back budding on eastern white pines?

[@sauptiksaha4875]

Hello Nigel, I recently bought a pine which is very small now. Looking forward to growing it to a bonsai. Dont know which species the pine is.

[@Liisa3139]

Hi, Nigel! I was wondering if you could some time tell a little when you got started with bonsai, where the inspiration came from and why you chose growing bonsai plants instead of doing ordinary gardening.

[@GreenhornBonsai]

Check out the Question and Answer video from 2018, Nigel talks about how he got started in bonsai there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6WwdpWQi5trrZI

[@invertevision4757]

He has in lots of his videos. He was at work and a seedling started growing in a plant he had on his desk, his ficus from seed. As it grew it started to get to big and wanted to keep it smaller so he went to the library to look for books on keeping a tree small and discovered bonsai. That's the main parts anyway lol. Nowadays, personally, books have so much wrong information on bonsai and all the techniques. Especially books from back then yet it seems people in the western world still rely on them to much. Best place for learning bonsai is not youtube either but rather Bonsai Mirai's learning platform Mirai Live. Bonsai Mirai also has youtube channel but they just have a mere fraction of the awesome goodness on there compared to their website.

[@rebeccahunter725]

I love your slightly machiavellian chuckle about "soil integration"! Your root work is famously brave, and I wonder about the issue of soil mycarrhiza in pines. So many people say not to bare root pines as they rely on the symbiosis for nutrient exchange, but your pines seem to do well despite the root work. Is there anything special that you are doing to protect them? (I wonder if it is the "duck water" that might be helpful?)

[@HansKaramottoBonsai]

Yes, Nigel! Answer that?

[@HansKaramottoBonsai]

And those people are completely right Rebecca! All Pines need mycorrhizae to feed and thrive! And that's a scientific fact! That they barely survive without it, those not mean you should take away their ability to feed and be healthy and happy! Just think about it?! And if you don't believe me just look up: Mycorrhiza and (pine) trees on the web or in any Bonsai book! Don't wash out the soil of your healthy Pine if you want to keep a healthy Mycorrhiza soil life! And if you do repot your pine then make sure to plant some of your old Mycorrhiza soil along with it to start the new healthy soil live in the fresh soil! Cheers, Hans van Meer.

[@rebeccahunter725]

@@HansKaramottoBonsai thank you. Nigel has actually answered that very point in a recent video. Context is everything in bonsai!

[@HansKaramottoBonsai]

@@rebeccahunter725 OK Rebecca! That's good to hear! But the video is still on here confusing beginning Bonsai enthusiasts! Cheers, Hans van Meer.

[@fredgrech1498]

Looking good proactive family do you have any worm farms

[@lamvuondep]

Love bonsai

[@benauber9921]

Always a good time watching your videos, it’s calming, thank you Quick question on your soil, would you have the same ratio of bark added for deciduous trees?

[@pierre-yvesleroux8957]

Nigel, are you ever going to wire this tree and if so at what age will you be doing the wiring of your Pine?

[@mrgrosszek]

Can I have more information about turf t sorb, which particular one to use .Does everyone is good? beginner from Poland

[@user-mu5zn2qj2s]

Hi! Can you tell me, what can I use instead of Safe T Sorb?

[@karentingay1966]

Is Kitty pregnant?! Or is it the filming angle?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It looks very pregnant, hopefully we can get it tamed. She does eat the food I put out for her.

[@SREB25]

Hi Nigel. I have always heard enthusiasts mentioning how pines should never be bare rooted because of beneficial Mycorrhizae fungi. Did you notice much Mycorrhizae in the soil or does this rule apply to larger trees?

[@ontariofirs7347]

I like Pinus strobus. Most bonsai growers give up on them for some reason, maybe cuz P. strobus couldnt get to the traditional Japanese designs- internodes are too long and the needles are quite big. Although, I have seen needles reduce half their size on P. strobus, like on my collected specimen, possibly cuz of the clay soil it was in. P. strobus is definitely not a tree for the impatient bonsai grower or who wants an "instant" specimen.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Emmanuel, I too have seen some excellent specimens as bonsai. I love the nice soft needles and the way the sun lights them up. Shaping it as a bonsai is almost secondary to me!

[@ontariofirs7347]

@@TheBonsaiZone BTW, Nigel if you head to the Niagara Escarpment where I am (Hamilton), there are lots of interesting flora (hemlocks, understory dogwoods, ulmus rubra, oaks, juniperus virginiana). Toronto's eastern ravines seem to be dominated by Acer saccharum and way too dry compared to here.

[@kennethj8236]

That water looks nasty Nigel, hahaha 😂 😂

[@whitebread7926]

Dawn dish soap??

[@smack09]

Does Julian have any trees?

[@martinadamczyk6628]

Hi Nigel, i got a clipping of a white pine(i think, looks just like yours here) while on a roadtrip in nov2020, i put it in a cup with about an inch of water hoping it would sprout rootlings so i can plant it, it is still alive now (jan22) but not rootlings, how would you suggest i proceed to plant it in soil? Thanks!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It's unlikely it will root, but you can try. Yes usually planting it deeply in the ground is the best approach, once the soil thaws!

[@jessieriches7929]

Hey Nigel, do you have a favourite tree in your collection?

[@longfootbuddy]

thats the white pine in charlie brown style

[@wshow11]

Has the larch forest been entirely clip and grow?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, never any wiring!

[@wshow11]

@@TheBonsaiZone Great results!

[@sonichedgehog8723]

I thought you didn't want to rinse pine roots?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I always do, there are two types of root fungus, one actually begins inside the outer cell walls of the root, so it can't be washed away, the other is external and can be washed away. A well fed tree doesn't need mycorrhizal fungi for nutrients, although it still may be of some benefit. This fungus can actually take up to 20 percent of the trees energy as they live in a symbiotic relationship, the tree feeds the fungus and the fungus breaks down matter for the tree. I have never had a problem bare rooting my pines over the last 29 years. Maybe I've just been lucky?

[@Werd2jaH]

Nigel. Have you tried the parrafin oil horticultural spray for pests? “Miss orchid girl” has a video on the recipe. Curious to see if it is effective for you. Do you think you will give it a try?

[@Werd2jaH]

Here is her video on the recipe: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4muc617fN6SqcU I’d be interested to see if it is effective! I’ve made it myself but haven’t really had the opportunity to test it out yet. If you can’t find the oil. Let me know and I’ll send ya some!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I haven't, but I know vegetable oil is effective on the truck and branches, maybe on the leaves if you wash it off later?

[@Werd2jaH]

@@TheBonsaiZone yes, in her method she sprays it on then spray-rinses the leaves off afterwards.

[@stuartrose7628]

Dibbing the soil

[@ellivwiking5771]

When are you going to check back on the jades?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Check the playlist for the Jades, I do check in on them from time to time!

[@ellivwiking5771]

@@TheBonsaiZone 👍 love your channel by the way😀😁

[@sonichedgehog8723]

You two have the same haircuts. Lol

[@dimuli9484]

Your stray cat looks pregnant. That would also explain why she dont want to be touched.

[@donnanoble9956]

Yes, she does.

[@katyb2793]

Yes I thought she looked rather well off for a stray 😅

[@SorrowPolaris]

Is this live?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Just the chat is live! It was recorded yesterday.

[@austinmead5754]

Foist

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I have said, not second, not third for Mead, only Foist will do for him indeed!

[@nurhasantalukdar6937]

The branches are little too long.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll be working to bring them in tighter, but it will take time!

[@devashish_]

Not Foist ☹️

[@saturnynetitan]

Definitely NOT foist, but 100.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Top 100, not bad, not bad!

[@mikeycityify]

Moist definitely not foist

[@RVingwithG]

WTH is with your HAIR???????????? LOL "Look at me the crazy BOT" LOL J/K

[@ScottWinnardLetsdoBonsai]

Foist