Repotting a Larch Bonsai, April 2016

[@datinyone]

can't stop laughing at the rooster :) I'm working my way through all your videos! I'm really enjoying them.. Learning a lot!.. Thanks Nigel!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Datinyone, you should see the rooster, he's a silky, a ridiculous looking fluffy headed bird. I'll try and get him in a future video!

[@TheLawnSensei]

Nice tree and nice job on the roots! Today I have received my bare roots 2yrs old larch and just planted. Pretty much that's all for this year I will let him be and fertilize during this spring.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Should be nice to watch them grow, best of luck!

[@michaelcowart6100]

great close-ups when pruning the branches

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Michael!

[@lenhowl]

Just found your videos and love them. I am thinking about trying a larch here in Newfoundland Canada and was wondering if you can give me some starter tips or tricks on starting on working on a wild larch. Thanks

[@Chaosexplorer-c7u]

Great vedio lots of good info Seems we have a lot in common,chickens,caring for orphaned animals,and hair stylist.

[@craigpritch6906]

Hi Nigel, thanks for the very informative video, and great tree! I'm a little surprised honestly, as I've always been terrified to prune my larch roots the way you have. I know there is a mycorrhiza that if disturbed can cause problems. Have you ever experienced this? Also, I just pruned the tree back quite a bit, and am hesitant to repot as well due to added stress (especially because the pot is deep and I would like to plant it in a more shallow bonsai pot, hence generous root pruning required). Any suggestions? Thank you!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Here is a good article on mycorrhizal.... www.lebanonturf.com/education/the-truth-about-phosphates-and-mycorrhizal-fungi If you are feeding your tree with chemical fertilizer it looks like the need for mycorrhizal fungi is diminished as the tree can take in the fertilizer into its roots and not have to rely on the fungi for conversion to a usable form. A good root pruning is always difficult to do at first, but you can do always root prune on the safe side and still make progress with your roots. Confidence will build as you see how the roots react to pruning and you will find yourself pruning a little heavier in time. Take the time to study your roots and observe the changes that come with each re potting. You can always remove one root at a time and slowly work towards your goal of a shallow pot. Root pruning can be done safely on the Larches at the same time as the top is pruned. All the energy the tree needs for spring growth is stored in the tree already from last summer. If you prune the roots too severely, the needles will come out in spring, and then slowly wither and the tree will die.

[@r58723]

Good morning Nigel, thank you again for a very enjoyable video. I noticed that you do not routinely wire the routes into the pot, how do you decide when to do that, and when you do, what gage wire do you prefer. Thank you Jack Earley

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+Jack Earley Hi Jack, I usually don't wire my trees into the pots, I like to feel the wiggle of the tree as I am filling the soil in. When the tree is nice and firm in the pot, I know I have gotten all the air pockets out. I then place stones on the surface until the roots have grown and the tree is rock solid with the pot.

[@TheFrogfeeder]

Nigel you always have a video relevant to my situations. I'm a big fan. I got a Japanese larch finally, live in usda 9b, long hot summers and mild winters, not ideal conditions for a larch. I need to know when the correct time of year to repot my new larch is. I've read just before the buds open? Ive also read they don't like their roots pruned too much or to be bare rooted but here you are pruning roots pretty good on a bare root tree. Tree is from a well known bonsai nursery and in a 1gal pot and root bound. Please and thank you.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The larch can be re potted late winter when it is still dormant, just after the ground thaws, but I think the best time is when you just start to see the green tips on the buds beginning to show. This means the stored energy from the roots is being released to the upper tree. In theory, the roots have sent the energy to the top of the tree and root pruning them won't affect the tree too much. After the needles come out, they generate energy to re grow the root system from the pruning points. The sap in the tree flows up and down from the roots to the top of the tree, so root pruning will have an effect on this cycle. The five part series on re potting my Larch forest, proved to me that I re potted at the correct time, all the trees survived, bare rooting and root pruning. Getting a good root system is difficult on any coniferous tree, but sometimes you have to take a few risks and hope the tree survives. Failure is a difficult, but powerful lesson in bonsai.

[@TheFrogfeeder]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone thank you for the quick reply sir, you explained it perfectly. I wish you lived next door to me! I watch all your videos and learn so much, amateur bonsai people like me are lucky to have you. I will wait to repot, because I know it's going to need some work on the roots. Thanks again. I don't know why I haven't yet, but you just got yourself another subscriber.

[@TheFrogfeeder]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone sorry to be so familiar to call you by your first name in my post, I kinda feel like we are already buddies, my name is greg

[@ArkcoVerse]

Great looking larch Nigel! What kind of pot do you think would suit this tree best?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+ArkcoVerse I think the oval pot is OK, just needs to be a natural dark brown with some fancy feet. I'll have to try out some different images see what works and doesn't with the tree.

[@PurpreEtoile]

Do you have any videos from your violin making days or are you considering making a channel for them? Great work i always watch your videos!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+Rigo Landazure I made three violins, making them was really enjoyable and challenging. Some day I hope to get back to making more and start a violin channel. I do have a another channel, where I fool around with 3D modeling and animation. Check out Nirvanic Studios on KZbin.

[@wesleyintveen5181]

Hi Nigel ! Thanks for the great video ! what kind of soil u use ? i find it hard to make a nice soil mix for my trees.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+Wesley In't Veen The soil is sifted turface mixed equally with sifted perlite. I add about 10 to 20 percent sifted compost and composted pine bark. With proper watering, it seems to work well.

[@wesleyintveen5181]

+Nigel Saunders Great ! thank you !

[@robertpawlsoky2910]

Hey Nigel, I have done a lot of re-potting this spring as well. What is your after care? I am keeping trees in quiet- not- bright locations for a month or more. Some (pines) look pretty happy now, but I would like to put in full sun soon- yet something tells me they are not ready for this. So, my question- with this larch what will you do with it two...four....or more weeks down the line? thanks.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+Robert Pawlsoky I leave my trees in the shade for a week, then start exposing them to morning and evening sun for another week or two, then they go into the full sun. If at any point the tree doesn't look good, I move it back a step.

[@crippledsquirel2564]

Hi Nigel! I was just wondering, I re-potted my around a month and a half ago, and the weather recently has been really nice. I was thinking of tying some string to a branch to create a slight curve within the trunk of my tree but wasn't sure if it was the right time, after having pruned and re-potted? Thanks for your advice! Trees are looking good.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+crippledsquirel2564 If your tree is secure in the pot, it shouldn't hurt to put some bends in the branches. Any severe wiring and bending of branches and the trunk, I would wait until next year.

[@saharmarwa7582]

nice work nd did u remember i askd u to make a video on making s shaped ficus ie how to wire to make a dragon s shape ficus of large trunk nd u said wil do it

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+Sahar Marwa I will try, it is on the list of things to do.

[@massimomandarino6341]

Hello Mr. Nigel Saunders. Can you please educate me on what type of soil mixture you are using for this larch.....thank you kindly

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The soil is 1/2 perlite and 1/2 turface. To this I add 10 to 20 percent composted pine or Fir bark. All the materials are sifted to remove the fine particles. I water and fertilize as per this video.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYmseqOuitarmrs

[@massimomandarino6341]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone thank you for your time

[@endemiccorrea8749]

What if you cut a wedge into the root. Then in the next root pruning cut the other half.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That is a good possibility, I'll have to do something with that large root!

[@WhidbeyIsguy]

Hi Nigel, Would your repotting technique that you use on the Larch and the Maple you just did work on a Japanese Red Maple I want to pick up at Home Depot and try turn into a Bonsai? I am thinking it might be worthwhile if only to give me exprience. Thanks Lyle

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+Lyle Z The Japanese red maple should have no problem with being root pruned. The amount you can remove will depend on what you are starting with. If you have lots of fine roots, they can be taken back quite far. If you just have a few large course roots, you need to be more careful. Maybe just prune back one per season hard.

[@WhidbeyIsguy]

Thanks for the advice and your channel. This has been the most interesting one one bonsai that I have seen to date. Off to Home Depot on Monday for a plant then I will just let it sit in its pot until I gather some materials to mix me up some soil and find a decent pot. Thanks again Nigel. Lyle

[@a2m620]

what is the age of this tree

[@01ContrA]

hey nigel. is that spintable u use from ikea?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+Timo Bünte Maybe, I got it at a garage sale. It sort of works, when it gets wet it warps and doesn't spin. I'll have to get something better some day.

[@dougiethoresen]

what kind of mix are u using Nigal?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The soil is 1/2 perlite mixed with 1/2 turface. To this I add 10 to 20 percent composted pine bark. All materials are screened to remove the fine particles.

[@jordanevans2770]

Nigel Saunders I'm new to bonsai and i was wondering why when you put the soil in it looks like all rocks and bark but then I notice when u repot and comb out the old soil how come it looks like actual soil?? Like it goes in all white with bark but comes out looking black soil..

[@thezehao]

Jordan Evans When he left the soil in the bonsai pot for years the soil will break down, since the soil is mainly made of fired clay and perlite.

[@jordanevans2770]

Zehao Wu thank you I was so oconfused lol..

[@jordanevans2770]

Zehao Wu could I substitute the safe absorb with kitty litter??

[@Gabriel-dm1du]

So nigel i was wondering who in the world of bonsai influence you?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

+Gabriel Alonso I like Walter Pall and his thoughts on bonsai. He also uses unusual species of trees and gets people talking about trees and their styles. I like Robert Stevens, I like his clip and grow techniques and his styles of trees. I am a fan of the Lingnan style and techniques of bonsai. The American Nick Lenz has some great trees, he pushes the envelope of tradition. There are so many great bonsai artists, each have their strengths. It is a very difficult question to answer.

[@xyzllii]

OK...thanks...

[@jasonhorton1973]

How did it respond to bare rooting?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The tree grew really well, just like nothing ever happened. I was going to put it in the club show this year, but the pot it is in, is falling apart and the nice unglazed pot I was going to put it in had a small crack developing on the side. Hopefully this year, I'll get a nice pot and display the tree somewhere!

[@jasonhorton1973]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone I haven't been brave enough to bareroot my larches as most say not to. Great tree and video, thanks for the reply.

[@kris-chan1440]

do you monitize your videos?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

No, I want to stay commercial free and money free!

[@Gabriel-dm1du]

I recently discovered walter pall i never quite liked japanese bonsai the all look the same to me im not against it but i knew it wasnt what i want it to do so when i heard walter pall it was liberating you know i love freestyle as long as it's a well done job not sloppy so naturalistic bonsai i think thats more withing my tastel

[@dougiethoresen]

love it want it haha nice work

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Doug!

[@dubsydabster]

first!

[@mattbrennan647]

Don’t you mean FOIST? ;-)