Pruning My Christmas Cactus and Updates, The Bonsai Zone, Aug 2023

[@barryauguste9734]

You have a most uncanny ability to turn anything into a bonsai Nigel. Plants that would never be considered for a bonsai are bonsai-able in your hands! Who would have thought a Christmas Cactus could be turned into anything resembling bonsai? I applaud you for your efforts....I mean everyone has their ficus, elms, junipers - but I love the way you continually shock us with your outrageous choices. I hope when the Toronto show comes people will appreciate the unusual nature of Socotra Island and the other unbonsai-able projects with which you continually push the boundaries of bonsai and its possibilities. Bravo sir 🎺🎺🎺

[@thetinyforest]

Couldn't agree more! Nigel is a wizard with his experiments.

[@lukasmihara]

The Christmas Cactus is quite fascinating. Who would've thought a cactus could make a good bonsai!

[@dkstott29]

Succulent Sunday❤❤❤❤🌵🌵

[@RyanFish825]

I just received 2 (one pink one white) of these that are over 60yrs old, they were my grandmother's when my mother was young. Now I'm terrified to repot and prune them up but they are just massive so it's not an option to keep them full size, great info on those thorns though, I would've went in bare handed not even considering that! Thanks as always Nigel! Interesting material here, I like what you've accomplished so far.

[@dk2614]

Hey Nigel, I love your dedication to the road less traveled. This Christmas cactus is really taking shape! I never knew they developed those irritating hairs. I hope to see this in 20 yrs to see how it's developed. Perhaps in the Socotra Island planting one day?

[@barbj981]

Nigel, your timing is spot on! Yesterday, I was pruning my Christmas cactus bonsai whilst watching your video from a year ago. I was thinking how cool it would be if you put out another one so we could see the how yours is doing now. Lo and behold, here it is! If it had not been for your original video a few years ago , I never would have thought of attempting to make a bonsai out of my 30 year old plant. Thanks for always thinking outside the box! Barb from Hamilton

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

Great work on your Cactus! My mother's cactus has those same spines. When I helped her repot it, I forgot about them. Oops... Packing tape works well to remove the little spikes... Nice updates! The forests all look great!

[@edbrock9770]

Wow, Beautiful nice eye, can’t wait to see when it matures. Very nice work. God bless. ❤

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Catching up on the last half of the video. Cool gifts. WJ, looking like a survivor. Time will tell. Succulents looking good.

[@patsfreund9164]

That cactus sure is looking GOOD! Some great inspiration for mine. Thanks for sharring your video.

[@paulschaefer5241]

This plant is often considered a short lived gift plant. Mainly this comes from the fact that most people don't know how to get the plant to bloom again. It is not too difficult. Just from the first part of September on keep it in only natural light and night time temps around 55 to 60 f or 12 to 15 c. Colder than that and the plant will drop the buds without blooming it's also important not to water the plant at all when it's in bloom. Give it a try/ These plants really are hansom when in bloom.

[@andersnrregren9087]

I got one that is 63years old it hates full sun and loves water in the sommer

[@peterbatyi1844]

Very beautiful and wonderful ! Its all Bonsai! Dear Master 🕉🕉.

[@inekev.d.heijden3393]

Great!!! Nigel I enjoyed that ❤️ Many cuttings👍I’ve got two Christmas cacti I’m going to have a go at ,flowers keep falling off we’ll see next Christmas

[@thabest007]

Hi Nigel, I'm sorry to say I took a break for over a year, but then again that just means I've got plenty of backlog to catch up on while drawing/painting!

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

Good decisions Nigel. My wife just gave me her anemic looking Christmas cactus to do with what I will so this was a very informative and timely video. Good news is the trunk, while anemic, has the start of a woody texture.

[@michaelcowart6100]

I'm glad you'll be removing the tree in front of the DR planting. I thought from the start it would distract from the planting

[@ferasi6944]

I love your Chrismas cactus with its woody trunk! 😊

[@DavesBonsai]

The tree is looking great. The InkBird is an excellent product. Great gift.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Serrisa is always a good looker for you. Nice flowers on it. Nice growth on the trees in the greenhouse. Always liked the elephant ficus. Mini's looking great! New table working out great for you.

[@johnmccauley101]

Omg this is amazing 👏 thanks for sharing 👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Fantastic work on the Christmas cactus! Also good to see the water jasmine is doing well!

[@TobyJin]

Really enjoy the Schlumbergera, probably the best cacti bonsai I've seen, I might have to start one myself, I think I do have your variety of Schlumbergera in my collection, it doesn't have the glochids like your one does, but the segment shape is almost identical and doesn't resemble a S. truncata.

[@johnha1439]

Love your succulent Sunday content.

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌👌

[@marjanadidi1261]

Awwww thank you I have this at my house and really I didn't know what to do or to take care for this .Thank you uuuu

[@baldyeti]

Such a powerful trunk on the succulent. I sure am digging it. I liked the updates as well. I’m looking forward to seeing you get a few of those “show ready”

[@dreamingofbonsai]

I really love watching the progress of this Christmas cactus tree through the years. It’s such a unique tree!

[@dreamingofbonsai]

I love that little Dawn Redwood! I’ve grown one from seed that is almost 2 years old and it’s grown to be one of my favorites. I hope yours has a healthy future!

[@ellencnixon]

💜💜

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Great little tree with a well done pruning. Those little hair type needles are hard to get out.

[@TheFunkymunky22]

How do you get bark/ tree bark on a Christmas cactus? I have my great grandmothers plant and never seen anything like bark! Amazing. Looking forward to your answer. Plant/clones are over 80 years old

[@Stettafire]

It's not really "bark" we call it "corking" it's basically a cactus equivalent of wrinkles. It's a sign of age. I guess it's kinda like a bark, it develops a kinda thick brown skin. But it needs to be kinda old first. My plant is about 30 years old, hasn't got corking to the same extent as Nigel but it's got a fair bit

[@toddtanner95]

80 years old is super impressive! Very surprised you aren't seeing any bark-like development on the trunk(s).

[@barryauguste9734]

Nigel, have you ever bonsai-d a Joshua Tree before. They are adorable done right.... ❤ look it up online!

[@pennyduncan5980]

❤

[@ferasi6944]

What will you do with all the pears which grow just next to the greenhouse ? 🍐😃

[@Ficusforev]

I have a question about weeping willows so if i get one from a cutting will it naturally weep?

[@jmras532]

Hi Nigel how often do you fertilize the baobabs and what kind of fertilizer do you use. Thanks

[@Dylan-ok6ft]

Have you noticed any reduction in segment length on the Christmas cactus?

[@jinchen3209]

Hi Nigel, what's the trick to get the trunk of xmas cactus woodier faster?

[@Tybold63]

In my experience they lose the green and start get woodier pretty fast and should see it even after a 3-4 y or so. However, the rounded trunk may take twice the time or longer. It may take shorter time in places that have longer growth period (I live farther north than Nigel lol). And that was not the answer to your question but just thought to share my thoughts 😄

[@Tybold63]

Love it and do you recommend do the pruning this time of year ? I have done it like late mostly late winter a t the same time I remove unwanted winter growth but maybe it doesn't matter really as it is not a "tree" but a succulent.

[@jlng0rbe209]

I am not a fan of glochids, but that cactus is looking fine... :)

[@t3dwards13]

My cactus is young (found at ikea). It's new leaves are always purple until they reproduce. I did let it flower this past winter though. Just an interesting observation.

[@Stettafire]

I've found purple leaves are normally a sign of sunburn. My new growth is all green

[@jeffncompany]

What happened to your croton and cuttings?

[@musicguybguitar1]

How did you get a think vertical trunk with the xmas cactus. Ive tried and it wants to just droop. I can get it somewhat woody. Just nothing like this in your vid

[@ianrowe9337]

Hey Nigel, did i hear you say : Tumeric?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, it is used to dry wounds and help prevent rot!

[@wadeolsson856]

spoon kalanchoe

[@justlucky13]

Foist

[@jballenger9240]

Secoind

[@Stettafire]

🍪