Re potting my Austrian Pine Bonsai, The Bonsai Zone, April 2019

A beautiful day to re pot my Austrian Pine Bonsai (Pinus nigra). I focus on improving the position of the roots, to create a radial root base.
Here is the playlist to see previous videos of this tree....
• Austrian Pine Progression

[@hliasxxx]

Mr Nigel starts to prune the roots and whole planet keeps its breath. “A little more, a little more...” hahaha. Thanks for the 30 enjoyable minutes every time.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you!

[@spenserdeardorff2737]

Loved the recap of the tree's history! As a (relatively) newer subscriber, it was great to see how far the tree has come since 2014!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, more updates will hopefully come!

[@mattbrennan647]

Life is WONDERFUL in the Bonsai Zone! Love the walk down memory lane. Amazing tree and video. Thanks

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Matt!

[@bingcrosby1378]

If you want to preserve the Mycorrhiza after washing the roots you can just put back a bit of the old soil where the mycorrhiza smell is particularly intense.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Great suggestion!

[@Sherman_616]

i think its my favorite tree of yours. great structure and its getting a really cool patina on the bark now. keep crushing it!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Sherman! More to come.

[@toma041786]

The Bob Ross of Bonsai. Keep it up Nigel, I enjoy your vids.

[@MD-wk3gj]

20 years of care. It must feel like a member of the family.

[@waltiermalte]

This really was a master class of repotting a pine!

[@toddstropicals]

It's pretty amazing what 20 years of work you've done with that tree has produced. It's for sure one of my favorites.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Todd, Bonsai J will be bringing some of your seeds around this week, I can't wait to plant them!

[@dinudavis4230]

Nice way to start a day watching your trees... Last week I got a mango tree in a public bus stand, he seems abandoned, so weak. I planted him in good quality bonsai soil. I have to do some pruning work, but im waiting untill he recover his health... Thanks for inspiring us. It's a election day in Kerala, India... Vote for Green tomorrow 😄🌳...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

We can all use a little more green in our lives.I hope your Mango recovers and grows well.

[@chrismorton3064]

This tree is how i found your channel, Gave me the confidence to root prune and re pot my pines :) I have a few nursery stock pines i'm working on hopefully they'll turn out as nice as this

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Chris, nice to hear. I hope your pines grow well.

[@annebrunner3649]

Nigel, that is a beautiful Pine. Thank you for sharing the recap.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, it was fun putting together the video!

[@BackGardenBonsai]

It’s looking great!! It doesn’t feel like 3 years since the last video. Time goes fast in the Bonsai Zone

[@markmondrinos7721]

I feel the same way. He'll say its been 3 years since the last video on a tree and I think how is that possible? In general, bonsai makes you feel small and mortal in a temporal sense. Oh, I have been working on that tree for 10 years, i.e. >10% of my lifetime and barely made a dent in the overall design goals.

[@BackGardenBonsai]

@@markmondrinos7721 Bonsai certainly isnt a short lived hobby, thats for sure. It blows my mind that trees get passed down through the family, a living heirloom. Its incredible.

[@BonsaiJCan]

I really enjoyed this video. Great to hear your advice and see your detailed work, it was also great seeing the recaps. I cant beleive the size of that duck now and how the color has changed! Great to see it so healthy.

[@brendancahill3376]

Great Video.I love watching Nigels videos on Bonsai as he makes it very easy to listen to and demonstrates. A natural i would say.

[@kris-chan1440]

love this time of year on your channel

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Busy, busy and busy!

[@abhijitk2619]

Hi Nigel, lets do a desert Island challange : If you were stuck in on a island, which bonsai tree from your collection would you rather have ?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I would have to choose my Ficus microcarpa, my very first bonsai that I started from seed 26 years ago!

[@markw6609]

Nigel, Great vlog, great Austrian Pine! Nice to see how you work the roots, just like the branches. Thanks!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes the roots can be styled just like the branches, for ramification, taper and movement!

[@newleafbonsai6788]

🤞Great video and information on mycorrhiza. I didn't know that. If anyone of you guys or girls are scared to wash your Pine's roots and you like having mycorrhiza in your substrate .You can inoculate the substrate after washing the roots by adding mycorrhiza powder and they'll recolonize. Oh btw the Adopted mother hen is really cool. The feathers on her head are great😁

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Good idea and tip. The duck still sleeps under the mother at night, somehow!

[@newleafbonsai6788]

@@TheBonsaiZone 😂 They're great ! And she allows him . A mother's love is the sweetest . As always , Great video

[@OskyPinamar]

I live in a city wich is full of pine trees (Pinus Pinaster). Is actually called Pinamar (that would be "Pinesea" or something like that in english). I recently gained interest in bonsai so I tought a pine bonsai would be adecuate since it's super easy to find seeds. Your channel is an enormous source of inspiration and overall has great content to enjoy. That is it, your channel is an enjoy, thank you sir.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Oscar, very nice to hear!

[@patsfreund9164]

FANTASTIC video! Including the tree's history was definitely a great idea. I enjoy learning about root styling from you. (And you know that I enjoy seeing the livestock as well.) Thanks for sharing your work with us.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The duck is very friendly, I like to put her in the bathtub for a swim! Thank you Pat!

[@MrTributes]

that fluffy chicken was way dope for adopting a orphaned geese... mad props to fluffy chicken

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The duck still sleeps under her mom's wing at night, a funny sight!

[@bargarelos]

Many repots. Awesome .

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Lots more to go and time is running out. I'll be happy if I get my Elms re potted and maybe some of the maple seedlings.

[@bargarelos]

@@TheBonsaiZone the mapples and elms give much more work to repot, because i see in your videos they have very fibrous root system wath take much more time to untangled the roots. I have just one connifer tree, just a pine seedling what a have sprout this spring end's

[@anthonielee4697]

I really like the approach of not strapping the the tree in the pot with wires. I use the stone idea also. Nice Video Nigel.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I've seen too many roots ruined with wire marks, especially on trees that don't get re potted often. I've seen the root grow completely around the wire. The stones work well and they help stop surface evaporation too!

[@kn52mac]

Stunning tree !!!!….Re-potting is always my favourite but most apprehensive time.....Look forward to your tree's progression !!!!….Cheers from Scotland

[@andyhansen8727]

That is one of my favorite trees of yours

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Andy!

[@andres24621]

Beautiful pine. Thanks for another great video.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Andres, more to come!

[@PokeDunya]

that is a beautiful root base

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, it's taken a lot of root work to get it to this stage!

[@elmarmeurer4362]

Very good video Nigel. I know it gives a lot of work, but the “flashback” of the evolution is one of the highlights of the video, as the beautiful pine, of course! Greetings from Brazil!

[@R_H21]

Nice tree, Nigel! I was thinking the top of it matches the styling of your hair today. =D I like how the tree slants slightly.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, my hair could use a spring pruning!

[@plbgreen]

I may be your biggest recent fan. I think I can safely say that I have too many bonsais now. They're all very young of course, but your videos inspired and educated me into the hobby. Thanks :)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Many people seem to go all into the hobby very quickly, I did the same!

[@drolsisusej100]

Great video , thank you for the time to make this and the knowledge. Knowledge being passed down is one of the most valuable things in the world. And I have learned copious amounts of knowledge from you. Really appreciate it

[@leengoudappel]

very nice tree Nigel.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you!

[@prehistoricliving]

I loved the recap at the start, it was a great journey. Thanks

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Glad you liked it, it's just like time travel!

[@quinnrivers4710]

You are great sir. Ive learned so much quality information from you. Thank you so much for your time

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, I'm just glad you enjoy the videos!

[@herlook3018]

It would be a miracle if this tree will have buds next year or survives. Keep us updated,thanks

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll be sure to update the tree, but I think it has a good chance of survival!

[@joelweir3827]

I love the pine it's one of my favourites it's looking awesome!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Joel!

[@ralphjusay7816]

Nice trunk bark.

[@69juamex]

Indeed another excellent video and trees. Enjoy looking at your videos and getting as much information as possible, since I'm a biggiener in this beautiful art. Have an excellent day.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, all the best with your trees!

[@SidsTrees]

The tree, and your channel has come a long way. Nice one Nigel. Cheers. Sid

[@nmhansen]

Adding some ❤️ for the baby duck

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The duck is very friendly and likes to swim in the bathtub!

[@Nhoj31neirbo47]

Your comments on mycorrhizae, (10:40), confirmed what I had assumed was your approach to this aspect of horticulture.

[@peterdobranszky2993]

I am actually confused. He is saying that keeping the mycorhizzae is only important when you are using coarse soil. But isn't he using corase soil indeed?

[@Nhoj31neirbo47]

Péter Dobránszky - He actually said “poor soil”. Coarse describes the texture of a particular soil. Most Bonsai growers use very good quality soil and fertilize regularly, in which case having a healthy population of beneficial symbiotic fungi, mycorrhizae, is not necessary for plant health. If one is using a mediocre organic soil, then mycorrhizae would be beneficial. Nigel mostly uses an inorganic soil mixture of turface and either perlite or pumice and regularly fertilizes with a chemical product. That combination supports healthy plant growth but does not support a healthy population of mycorrhizae. A grower can choose between the two approaches, a mostly inorganic soil mix and chemical fertilizer, or a mostly organic soil, organic fertilizer and a supporting population of fungi. ~ I hope this helps.

[@Strawberryfidelity]

Beautiful. I love pine bonsai

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you!

[@hollymunfordbloe4744]

Ducks so cute!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Holly, she still sleeps under her mom!

[@phuledacnguyen7345]

Hi master! I ve been watching what u did with ur tree last couple years and it was pretty jod u did.thanks for show the good way to get to know about bonsai . .kẻep going on . Appreciated from vn huế city browneyes bar owner

[@entyropy3262]

Thx for sharing, so satisfying to watch.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

You are very welcome!

[@chrisusmcvet3435]

Place a piece of cork between those two roots to get them the spread even more between now and the next repotting.

[@seaspoke]

Great re-pot! I'm surprised you didn't need to wire in such a big tree.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, the stones did a good job, the tree is doing really well so far, lots of new growth!

[@erikzellers2925]

You know, if a person was concerned about saving the beneficial fungus, they could wash the roots in "new" water, and then use that water to water the tree after repotting - and reintroduce the fungus.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes that would work, I wonder if washing the roots even removes the fungus?

[@MF-fc5vk]

Beautiful tree nigel. 😊

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Michael!

[@TheNatrjack965]

Looks amazing nigel .

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Mike!

[@anadelao1170]

I was going to ask that about the roots, it is the first time I see that, but thanks for your comment about it. I would like if U could tell us a lil' bit more, it is more because the way you fertilize, the tree it self or the place where you live.....

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think the soil, fertilizer and the climate all work in harmony. The idea is to give the tree all the elements it needs for good health, so the tree doesn't need the Mycorrhiza fungus as much. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYmseqOuitarmrs

[@Owen-sk2hf]

Great tree Nigel!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Owen!

[@69kesh]

Hello Nigel. I see you bare root the pine tree.and you explained the way you have done.but if you buy a tree from nursery and they are field grown have you ever done any work from nursery pine? What fertiliser you use?

[@ErikPukinskis]

Wow, what a gorgeous root base. Very instructional vid. In the beginning you mention you could've left the tree a couple more years... is there a reason not to repot it sooner? Before it develops that mat of roots on the bottom? Or are those just a normal part of the development, like a sacrificial branch?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The tree is most healthy when the roots begin to fill the pot. The roots will use up all the moisture in the soil every day and this prevents the soil from staying wet for too long. Roots grow best in a humid soil, not a wet soil. I like to re pot when the roots have filled the pot, but are not jam packed in making root raking difficult. The timing of re potting depends on how fast the roots grow, the size of the pot, the weather and many other factors. I have seen trees die from not re potting in 10 or more years, the health of the tree just begins to decline.

[@cezarordonez]

do black pines do alright in high heat summer? 37 38 degrees c? or any pine for that matter? and what temperature is safe when you repot your pines? love allllll your videos but im trying to get a pine next so im looking up all of your pine videos atm 😂

[@androceros]

Hello! There is a Austrian Pine at my local nursery, I think I will go get it, you inspired me. Question: Do you keep it outside all winter?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It is very hardy, but I usually protect it from the wind in the unheated polyhouse!!

[@Maufer528]

You're just great Mr. Nigel, i'm learning bonsai since 2017 (to early hehe), and your videos help me a lot! thanks!! Just one question, you have very much experience of practice and know theory, so, wich books or texts do you recomend to me to learn? i think you have read books of plants physiology and horticulture, to have all that knowledge, and not only bonsai's books, have yo? and my question, wich book need to read, so i can learn all about a plant, and not only the "classical" bonsai techniques, because that concept of mycorrhizae took me for surprise hehe. Greetings from Tucumán, Argentina.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I would go through my playlist "tree documentaries", part 1 and 2. There are a lot of videos in these, but for me, these videos are what bonsai is all about. It really makes me want to grow lots of different species of trees...... kzbin.info/aero/PLQouTWwmTQoyVkBTBJnqeXtPcZLnSS0-W kzbin.info/aero/PLQouTWwmTQoztZ4kRiXPjfg1k_7NbktRz

[@ravinderchauhan909]

Beautiful plant

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you!

[@digantabayan2649]

Nice work. The tree is looking nice and healthy. Just one request, keep the camera as close as possible while working on the roots. So that one can have a good look on your work with the roots.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Diganta, I'll work on getting more close ups!

[@maryshoemaker1437]

Nah nah... first!!! Yeyyyy Nigel love your videos!!

[@dubsydabster]

Nice Foist!

[@thealimirjalili]

Maybe the first female foist?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Welcome to the Foist Zone Mary!

[@mk2kayman794]

nice video! nice tree! is it legal to import austrian black pines in to the usa?

[@vamanjoshi4053]

Hi I think you should have trimmed the parallel tow roots on back of the tree. Anyway it's nice to watch no need to fingers crossed she will do well in your world.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think, I'll prune one of them off next time! Thanks Vaman!

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

Oi Nigel ! Great job!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you!

[@hollymunfordbloe4744]

I love pines; SPRUCE trees! UKULELE HOLLY VIRGINIA sun is out!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Not today here, we have cloud and rain!

[@dougpeterson7981]

Taking a class in a couple days with Václav Novak on the Austrian Pine, I've watched all your videos on the Austrian Pine, any advice for a Bonsai novice on the Austrian Pine?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The Austrian pine is a good hardy tough tree. I have gotten larva in my pine candles in spring that caused a few of the infected shoots to die, but generally it has been a great tree over the last 23 years. They seem to back bud very well too!

[@ashwarirai]

Wht a beautiful transformation frm 5ys. Sir g8

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Asgar, it wasn't much to look at 20 years ago!

[@artao5]

Beautiful tree there. Love it! A couple questions: A) Why don't you use the "pointy" end of your root rake to break up the soil and root ball prior to raking it out? B) Why don't you ever seem to wire your trees into the pot?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I do use the pointy end of the root rake occasionally to untangle roots, but I think the root hook would be better, it has a nicer handle! I see too many trees with wire marks across the surface roots, so I hold my trees in place with stones at first.

[@andrewbetrosian2784]

I have several Austrian pine sprouts this spring and trying to make bonsai, what is best in water and sun for my baby's. thank you

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I would surround the seedling with bonsai soil in a slightly bigger pot maybe mid summer. Try not to disturb the roots. Place the seedlings in full sun. If they are not in full sun now, slowly transition them to the outdoors. Water them frequently with a small amount of fertilizer, here is my video on this.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYmseqOuitarmrs Be sure the water drains well from the pot, if the soil stays too wet, the roots could rot.

[@MW-hu6kk]

How long do you usually leave the stones on?

[@briankavanagh7191]

Nice to see you decided to fill out the gray T-shirt💪🏻, Love the look of the tree with the moss/algae on the trunk just makes it look much older, it's just a pity the needles are very long. Is the frame work in the background for the new greenhouse?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The needles start off short in spring and slowly get longer throughout the year. It looks it's best mid summer.

[@briankavanagh7191]

@@TheBonsaiZone : Nigel make sure you post a video showing us 👍

[@maddysgymnasticsworld670]

Beautiful species! I just started 3 ABP's and this progression is very helpful! Why don't you wire your tree into the pot, Nigel?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, I see a lot of root bases with deep wire marks across the surface roots. For me this spoils the tree. I prefer to hold the tree in with stones until the roots are established.

[@maddysgymnasticsworld670]

I am having trouble finding reliable resources on ABP.... When is the best season for pruning/wiring?

[@kyranoboyle3378]

Could I E-mail you a picture of my new pre-bonsai White Pine I bought from a nursery, I’m not sure how to do the first ever pruning.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, you can send the picture to.... [e-mail] Hopefully I can help!

[@alaindavid2419]

The trunk is getting bigger and it's getting more attractive. Why a tall wooden fence was constructed behind you? When it was a simple cyclone wire with some few plants and a grassland was a more attractive & beautiful background and I felt I can breathe easily.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I liked the hedge too, it always attracted the birds.The fence was put up by the neighbors. Thanks, the tree is slowly making progress!

[@selfpeace9539]

Nigel, the tree is looking good! Any idea if one would have to be conservative when removing roots from any pine, in general? I’ve always heard/read that you can only prune off 30% of a JBP root system. Thank you!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

You do need to be more careful on coniferous trees than on deciduous trees for sure. The more you take off, the greater the risk in general. I would say 30 percent is a good general number.

[@flugschulerfluglehrer7139]

A bonsai is supposed to lean slightly to the front...

[@bonsaihunters]

Nice flashbacks again sir

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, glad you liked the time travelling!

[@bonsaihunters]

@@TheBonsaiZone hey thank you!

[@food_kraft879]

In which climate zone pinus thunburgi or japanes black pine grow??? Plz reply

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Replying....they grow in a moderate climate, one where the winter temperatures stay around or just below freezing.

[@frankpagan1294]

Hi Nigel, like always great video. Would like to ask you if you ever use anything between the roots to keep them separated or stop them from crossing then remove at the next repot?

[@pansepot1490]

I have never seen him doing that. Considering he avoids wiring the branches like the plague I suppose he just uses rake and pruners on the roots.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That can work well, placing a stone or a wedge between roots!

[@bernardmarquillero538]

You're not as sophisticated but very practical. Don't prune your hair. Keep posting my friend.

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

Nigel, would you fertilize it right away? Are you already fertilizing all of your other trees for that matter?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

You can fertilize right away if you are using a very dilute mix of water and fertilizer. I haven't begun to fertilize my outdoor trees yet, but most of them will be getting some fertilizer in the next few weeks. I just put a pinch of powdered 20-20-20 in my 2 liter watering can. This mix won't harm the developing roots.

[@HuyrauAus]

What is best time to report it ?

[@marysoldeeley2218]

We watched you develop alongside the tree! I mean you became much less reserved and quiet as you grew more comfortable filming.... Not that your trunk got thicker... Just to be clear on that... -_-

[@MikezDoesThat]

Hi! I know I'm late but do you know how to do a sago palm bonsai tree? And also great work! I love the PineTree!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I've never grown one, but they can be very nice! Here is a good video.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/borNfYKad7t9irs

[@MikezDoesThat]

Thank you!

[@kunfoopanda]

Hello. Do you reuse the old soil?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Very rarely, I do mix it into the garden soil or place it around the hedge. Used soil doesn't seem to have the same properties as new soil. I think it gets algae buildup on the soil particles?

[@sachinmanan3077]

Hello Nigel Need a small advise Whenever I repot my ficus or work on the roots, my ficus tend to shed all the leaves... What could be the reason?

[@sachinmanan3077]

Nigel Saunders... My response??

[@benbishop1131]

Can I ask what kind of chemical fertilizer do you use?

[@orlando6914]

No hate just saying why dont you wire??

[@PlantObsessed]

If I understand it correctly, there are 2 different schools of thought. His "school" is clip and grow. The goal is to achieve movement through "natural" methods that emulate environmental action.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Here is a video about this.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3jLgp2FosZrnbM

[@almag6723]

It´s a little bit disturbing to see you unrooting the pine, washing the roots and prunning them so severely as all of the bonsai growers I follow in the web do not recommend repotting pines so often, not every year and anyway doing it lightly. But your tree looks healthy! So, what´s the truth about it? Facts tell the truth perhaps. Nice tree anyway.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm hoping for a full recover, so far the tree has recovered well from this type of re potting. Time will tell once again!

[@almag6723]

@@TheBonsaiZone I'm sure it will do well. Your zone seems to be like the perfect place for trees. Thanks for your videos. I enjoy them so much.

[@jcbizthekey]

Toid. Again lol

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Toid is very respectable Jesse!

[@jcbizthekey]

I'll take it... Again! Everyone gets a prize anyways (your videos!)

[@hectordehesa2118]

What do you do with your old soil? I was thing about just throwing it in the garden bed. When do you know if it’s safe to re use?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes it is safe to use in the gardens. My old soil gets mixed in with the compost.