Root Pruning My Royal Oak Seedlings, The Bonsai Zone, May 2020

[@user-nu8ob3px4s]

This is really inspiring because I am just getting into bonsai and the cuttings and seedlings look similar to your cute little oak. So excited to see what our trees turn into!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, it's a long journey from seeds to bonsai, but it's really fun watching the progress each year!

[@YOtaBZH]

33 years old starting bonsai too I'd love to have A "Nigel" as a friend in real life hehehe! talking bonsais...for hours :)

[@Richard_FitPku]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone nigel, how old is the largest seedling ? Thank you for your videos.

[@matejrojc7972]

Wow, that larch forest is just perfect in this stage and with all those rocks and "bushes" I wanna just run thru and play hide&seek like a child, really awesome, respect.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Matej!

[@mindfulmusicing7900]

I've never before seen your larch forest looking so good. Thank you for sharing the update.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks M M!

[@mindfulmusicing7900]

​@@TheBonsaiZone Not at all! It really feels magical as I have watched you work on that tree but somehow I never realized how good it would eventually look. Love it.

[@farmert9679]

Excellent looking Larch forest. Excellent.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you farmer T!

[@andres24621]

I’m hoping the best for the future of the royal oaks. The larch forest is gorgeous. Great video, Nigel!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Andres, I hope the little Oaks grow well too!

[@Eram.Abbasi]

Hi The two 3D printed pot designs that u shared in the description of this video. I got both of them printed and they look awesome 👌 I am sooooooo happy 😁 having them in my collection. Thank you very much for sharing ur designs. I would appreciate if u plz can share more design for my benefit and the benefit of the global bonsai community at large. A BIG THANK YOU for helping the bonsai community

[@patsfreund9164]

Great work on your Royal oaks. Hope that they do well for you. The update on the greenhouse and the larch forest was FANTASTIC! I'll be interested in hearing how your 6/6 year of growing will do.

[@rajivrathod132]

Larch bonsai looks amazing

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Rajiv!

[@BonsaiJCan]

Your larch forest is looking fabulous ! 👌👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you J, glad you liked it!

[@zakkzzy]

I haven’t even watched it yet but commenting just to show I’m here lol

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Adam, glad your here!

[@MrNutsHouseofLittleTreesBONSAI]

Fantastic as always, more knowledge as always, and as we all know knowledge is king.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Mr Nuts, I'm always learning, usually the hard way!

[@MrNutsHouseofLittleTreesBONSAI]

@@TheBonsaiZone haha, I m hearing you. Unlike a computer, I need the information punching in more than once

[@brunomaschio1832]

Tha Larch forest is very beautiful Nigel

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Bruno!

[@jonathanaristone2468]

Hey Nigel... LOL I just bought two bags of turfus at TSC today as well. My 65 pots are eating it up real fast. That Larch forest is to die for. great video

[@notbonsai671]

Nice jams for the larch scene too

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, it is from the KZbin library, it's called "Light Expanse"

[@christiansanchez1486]

Nice I to am growing and working with oak got 5 California black oak seedlings they all have crazy tap roots. Also with oak dip the freshly cut tap root in root hormone to help it push roots out of the cut

[@Denkar11]

I love your larch forest Nigel. I have one that I got from a nursery a couple of months ago, about 3 years old I think. Slowly bringing it along to what it will eventually be.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope it does really well!

[@Tadpole_Jackson]

Thanks for publishing the designs for the Bonsai pot! There's almost nothing on there as far as pots go.

[@craft-o-matic2377]

Wow Nigel, your larch forest is stunningly beautiful! I think it might be my favorite of all your plantings, but then, you have so many awesome plantings, I can't be sure! Lol! Lisa

[@TheBonsaiZone]

So nice of you, thanks Lisa!

[@leminhvoiconuonggiacngo1220]

Hi ! Hope you once visited your bonsai garden.

[@Bonsaiideas]

Sir, Just love your Bonsai Garden a lot and your work also

[@nurhasantalukdar6937]

You just make a weed into a beautiful tree. Awesome

[@mattbrennan647]

Timely content. I planted about 30 acorns last fall and was looking forward to getting them started as bonsai. Unfortunately I had to delay my return from Florida to Connecticut due to the virus. I hope when I return mid May I haven’t missed the window to repot. Your Larch forest is spectacular. Thanks

[@TheBonsaiZone]

May might be getting late, you can always repot them trying different techniques, some with more root pruning than others, remove the leaves on some and leave some of them as is. I've seen many trees re potted out of season with success!

[@mattbrennan647]

Thanks, I’ll give it a try.

[@empret7704]

I'm still in love with the large forest ... great to see it in spring time. With that weed it shows you, you don't have to have a tree to make bonsai ... cool ... I like your man bun ... ",)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you very much!

[@marysoldeeley2218]

Still love that forest...

[@shmickyshmoe]

Hello Mr. Saunders. So good to see you enjoying good health and great weather! Would you consider selling some of your royal oak seeds to me? I remember you’re wonderful video when you visited that amazing oak and I so coveted some of those acorns. Well, I’ll wait to hear from you . Thanks so much for your ever so pleasant videos and wisdom! Regards and good and continued excellent health to you and your family!

[@leminhvoiconuonggiacngo1220]

Your bonsai garden is Wonderful . Breeding is awessome .

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you very much!!

[@rman8028]

Ok. So I'm not the only person that keeps unidentifed plants for bonsai work. I found two shrub looking seedlings in my front flower bed and transplanted them into some pre-bonsai pots. Another great video, Nigel!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Sometimes they make a very common plant look wonderful!

[@PlantObsessed]

Lol, me too! When they are big enough maybe Google search will figure it out for me.😃

[@katifalcon]

🏞The Larch Forest is my favorite bonsai. This piece is outstanding. 🌳Your bushes are excellent and have come a long way.🏆

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Kati!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Hi Nigel, I am also growing a number of young English oaks, oldest two are 3 years and the newest in November I planted ten acorns I picked up in England. They all develop these voluminous tap roots and I have found here in Spain I have to be really careful to trim the tap root back slowly year by year, I have lost probably 10 or so over the last few years. Maybe it's because the dry air here is not favourable for English oaks (hence you don't see them in the wilderness here). Or, perhaps I need to develop them all in colandar-type pots to develop more fine roots before cutting off the fat tap root. Anyway thanks as always for a fun and informative video! Regards from Dave in Madrid

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Dave, it's good to hear your experiences with the English Oaks, I know many people have problems with them, blight on the leaves etc. I'll have to plant lots and hopefully some will make it to become a bonsai!

[@minchangkim7418]

Good music~ i loved it~

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, it was from the KZbin Library!

[@bonsaimonsai]

you just turned the accent plant into a bonsai underway xD

[@PlantObsessed]

I was just wondering about your Royal Oak 😁. I have potted up some native violet for an accent plant. It made it through the winter.

[@taggertA]

Good luck with your oaks! I’ve got 5 varieties growing all 1-3 years old. I have killed 2 out 3 in the past doing exactly what you did. Unfortunately one was 12 years old and $20. It had horrid roots though...so most had to go.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The ones that survived will be great trees in the future!

[@louiscastro2701]

For the record, yes. Nightshade aka belladonna is one of the oldest known poisons in the world.

[@margaretsims4344]

This wlll be a lovely mini forest one day. I gathered some saplings from the garden (Ash and Sycamore) and have done the same. Its surprising how good they look in one pot.

[@leminhvoiconuonggiacngo1220]

Wish you will have a wish garden bonsai .

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Sounds good Margaret, I love little seedlings, so much potential!

[@mil0s251]

Keep up the good work, thank you!

[@YOtaBZH]

Hooo yeahhh a nice day it was today ! (in france too!) I love this weird looking pot ! :) maybe 'cause I'm a little weird too haha :) Thanks Nigel, interesting as usual..!!! edit : I placed some avocado seeds on top of a glasse of water; I want to bonsai an avocado ! :)

[@maryshoemaker7593]

Looks like I’m way late again... but it’s been a fun weekend!!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It was a great weekend, but now it's going to cool down this week, oh well.

[@maryshoemaker7593]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone ... was 87 and full sun in Florida!!

[@danielmerrell8926]

Hi i was wondering if you could do a video on some of the faster varieties that are good for making bonsai's out of cheers

[@johnescudero1278]

Great job keeping the videos .. thank you 🙏

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks John, lots more to come!

[@peacecosmonaut176]

6:34 I wish I had your powers when working with repotting bonsai in my apartement =D

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Just a snap of the fingers is all it takes!

[@invertevision4757]

The window screen works just as good in my opinion! And its cheap!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I try and find used screen if I can, one window's worth will last a long time!

[@shahrafiq2165]

Hello Nigel ⛅

[@bonsaimoldova]

I suppose you can use the root from the big one to grow another oak. It will act like a big root cutting.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm not sure is the bottom of the root would give you another tree or not? I should have tried it!

[@notbonsai671]

Woooo spring!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It's the mooost wonderful time, of the year!

[@imJV]

Hey nigel you should invest in a cheap gimble for your up close panning gopro shots ! Trust me you will not be disappointed

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I have to look into that, it would really help with getting smooth shots of the trees and help them look more miniature!

[@imJV]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone keep up the good work nigel ! You're my favorite youtuber by far and deffinetley my biggest inspiration in my bonsai journey

[@TobyJin]

How old are these seedlings?, I planted some English oaks (Q.robur) and did the same work you did with these right after they gone through their first winter in Australia, they survived fine and grew very well. your seedlings should survive as they are pretty tough trees.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Toby, this will be the third summer for them.

[@dinudavis4230]

ഇന്നത്തെ വീഡിയോ എനിക്ക് നന്നായി ഇഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടു nigel, ഓക്ക് മരങ്ങളും ആ പ്രേത്യേക ചെടിയും ഇഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടു, larch forest കാണുമ്പോൾ മനസിന്‌ ഒരു കുളിർമ...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

നന്ദി ദിനു, ഇത് ഇന്നലെ മനോഹരമായ ഒരു ദിവസമായിരുന്നു, 17 സി, പൂർണ്ണ സൂര്യൻ, എന്നാൽ ഞങ്ങൾ ഈ ആഴ്ച കുറച്ച് തണുത്ത കാലാവസ്ഥയിലാണ്, ഒരു രാത്രി മരവിപ്പിക്കാൻ താഴെയാണ്! നിങ്ങളുടെ ഇമെയിലിന് നന്ദി, ഞാൻ ഇതുവരെ മറുപടി നൽകിയിട്ടില്ല, പക്ഷേ ഞാൻ ഉടൻ തന്നെ ഇതിലേക്ക് എത്തുമെന്ന് പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്നു! നിങ്ങൾക്കും നിങ്ങളുടെ കുടുംബത്തിനും എല്ലാം ശരിയാണെന്ന് ഞാൻ പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്നു!

[@dinudavis4230]

@@TheBonsaiZone Im a proud malayali, 😃

[@pyotrtchaikovsky3242]

How can I develop a nice root base on my bonsai?

[@eleonora9920]

love it

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Eleonora!

[@ErikPukinskis]

Nigel I remember you used to mix some sifted compost in with your soil... What made you stop? Are you just compensating with liquid fertilizer? In one of the last episodes you mentioned past season's roots breaking down, is that just a good enough source of organic matter? Curious what your thoughts are on organics as of 2020!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I have been using an inorganic mix for about ten years or more now. I water and fertilize at the same time, here is a video on this... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYmseqOuitarmrs My trees are keeping healthy and the roots are growing really well in the turface and perlite mix. I think the fine roots dying is something that happens if you let the tree go below freezing for a few days in a row. I don't think they are an important factor in good root growth, as the new roots grow and thrive in new soil just as well as the trees that have not been re potted for a long time. The new inorganic soil seems to support the growth of benificial fungus just as well as the old soil. If I use organic material in my soil, the birds seem to be attracted to it and will dig in the pots constantly, the inorganic soil seems to help keep the birds away.

[@gruber5937]

Its really interesting to see these oaks in a slightly different climate - I live in south east England and the oaks are now in full leaf. Most deciduous trees have been in full leaf since early-mid April here in the UK. Do you recommend not repotting once the leaves are already out?

[@johnblack5189]

Hi Niguel. Where did you find your root rake? I like the rake/poker combo. I’ve only see them with either tweezers or a flat spade on them.

[@jameschicken7482]

and what would you recommend feeding oaks

[@bobrogers5522]

That larch forest is looking really good. If the temps get down to -1 or -3 will you have to bring in your hardy bonsais? Thankyou Nigel for the videos.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

They should be OK at these below freezing temperatures, most don't have any leaves out yet. I will bring my Larch forest into the greenhouse at night and a few others that do have some leaves showing.

[@bobrogers5522]

Thanks Nigel

[@tatianabonilla2181]

Hey Nigel, I really need your help. I have a 9 year old ficus benjamina. He was very luscious, but he got hit with a few below freezing days outside when I lived in UT. I repotted and trimmed him up here now in TX. He was starting to finally get over the shock and produce new leaves when I put him outside. Unfortunately, he was moved and the dog truly attacked him. I mean, chewed down to the nub. All foliage was destroyed and a lot of the roots. I just need to know if I can save him. He was literally MY plant. The one that I have tended to for years. Please, please help me!!!

[@notbonsai671]

More accent stuff please!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I'm just starting with my accent plants, they are so much fun to create!

[@cmarrugo]

Nigel, I'm trying to create the bonsai soil you have 50/50 perlite and safe t sorb (natural absorbent clay) here in Colombia but I am only able to find the Perlite but not the safe T Sorb, when I look for it I find Cat litter stuff, would this also do? If not what could be a good substitute. Thanks for the help and awesome vids again.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Some cat litter works, but you have to find the right kind that doesn't break down with water. There are many ingredients that will work just as well, here is a video about this. I would try and find something that you can get locally and at an affordable price..... kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6XCkmqda6hlgtU

[@jameschicken7482]

if the just have perlite and the safe t sorb where do they get there nutrients from?

[@curativebark1814]

I have been very inspired by you and I have started my own bonsai Apple tree from seeds I have a question I live in a cold place I know that there are only a few apple orchards here should I grow them in a 3 seasons room with lots of light the room is un heated but is Insulated what should I do

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I would keep your apple seedlings outside and only bring them inside your sun room when the temperature goes below -10 C (14 F). It is best to keep them cold all winter.

[@jeeperscreepers7]

How can the roots grow in a soil without organic material? thanks!

[@joelmillard5700]

Hi Nigel just curious are you going to be starting anymore bonsais in the ground to thicken the trunk faster

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I find that I don't get time dig them up yearly and root prune my trees in the ground! It is a good technique, but it's easy to forget about your trees and they can grow very large quickly with a very unbalanced root base. I prefer to grow them in pots now and just keep potting them up. The trees I have in the ground are very difficult to dig up and have survive, the roots have just been left untrimmed too long!

[@ericisconfused]

do you ever run out of pots??

[@pyotrtchaikovsky3242]

I’m fairly new to bonsai. I just want to ask two question, when making a bonsai tree, I am supposed to cut the terminal shoot and the taproot?

[@plants_before_people5329]

Eventually you will have to do that yes. The taproot you can cut once the tree needs to be repotted, so when the pot becomes to small for the tree. The terminal shoot you should cut only when you're done thickening up your trunk because cutting the tree down will slow the growth of the trunk. But eventually to make your bonsai more beautiful you'll have to prune over and over again cutting of more and more terminal shoots and letting new shoots grow in

[@pyotrtchaikovsky3242]

Thank you. One of my trees is a ornamental fruit tree which is almost a month old and 5 inches tall. At what age would be a good time to transfer it to it’s first bonsai pot?

[@elwys6562]

Hello Nigel, great video as always.How long will the Royal Oak seedlings be in that pot before the next repotting? And what is the music at the end of the video?

[@Bw40099]

i’d think it would depend just watch for signs of them becoming root bound

[@Piano_Man_54]

I'm just starting bonsai. I have dug up trees from my property. I have Eastern White Pine growing my meadow which I simply mowed down for several years. I dug one up and discovered a fascinating tree with a thumb-thick trunk and an umbrella shaped tree. Can someone help me?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I would plant it in a pot and then just try and keep it alive and healthy for now. Styling can come in the years ahead!

[@Piano_Man_54]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone. Thanks

[@njoirae]

Your larch forest is a masterpiece! :) Btw. I've been wondering if you're using half perlite and half safe t sorbent how do you fertilise your plants, if its not a mistery ofc? ;)

[@grobonsai]

He uses a weak solution of chemical fertiliser every time he waters

[@ahmedh3823]

Hi I'm trying to grow a pin oak (Quercus palustris) that I salvaged from the veluwe (Netherlands). I put it in water in order to root, but it doesn't seem to work. The tree itself has beautiful green leaves and seems to thrive but the roots just won't grow. Do you have any tips for me? Or anyone else?

[@WheelieFreak]

I need help, my beloved Ficus Microcarpa that i had for 8 months started droping leafes, not only some yellow ones but others that look perfectly healthy, is it normal?

[@TimNortonGuru]

Hi Nigel. Any reason you don’t 3D print the screening across the holes?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, often the roots grow through the drainage holes and expand. If the holes were 3D printed into the pot, it would ruin the integrated mesh and you would end up cutting out the roots and the mesh.

[@TimNortonGuru]

So autumn winter is repotting time?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It is early spring here, I generally repot my hardy trees early spring, my tropical trees late fall before I bring them in for the winter. I repot succulent bonsai mid summer. I do repot some tropical trees mid summer also when the weather is hot and humid. I do have to repot out of season occasionally, just because I have so many trees and it is hard to get all the work done at the best time!

[@EBOLAELA]

Do you use the same bonsail soil mix for everything? Maples, ficus, evergreens?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I try to add composted pine bark to my coniferous trees, but it is rarely available in small size chunks.

[@chrisrosario3311]

Yo tss store still around still.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

TSC is open for business, but they only let a few people in at a time and there is usually a long lineup to get in!

[@robijakus6860]

okay i need some opinions here i've been seeing you use a lot of different soil mixes lately so i might as well ask... i've been using a mixture of pinebark smashed terracotta and this cheep local black flower soil, how good would that be? what would you rate that? it's been working out fine for me like the trees are really really healthy but i could do with more fine roots

[@pansepot1490]

If you’re doing fine what’s your problem? The right soil mix depends on the species, the climate and what works for you. Google to find info pertinent to your situation. If you want more fine roots you have to keep the thicker roots pruned. As you get fine ramification by pruning branches so you get fine feeder roots by pruning roots (of course both these jobs have to be done during the right season).

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The fine roots need a good porous soil to develop in, one with a particle size of 2 to 4 mm. If you add potting soil, it can clog up the air spaces in the soil and limit the growth of fine roots. It does help with water retention, but it also limits the amount of oxygen that the roots can get. It replaces an air space with wet compost. If your soil is drying out too fast, try covering the soil surface with flat stones or tin foil to stop evaporation.

[@robijakus6860]

thank you for your advice it was really helpful i will use this information the next time i repot

[@skyemac9335]

Hi , I'm wondering if you or anyone here know of an equivalent to Safe T Zorb available in the UK?...I've looked but cant seem to find any...thanks!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Many people in the UK use a type of cat litter that doesn't break down. adamsbonsaiadventures.wordpress.com/tag/kittydama/

[@skyemac9335]

@@TheBonsaiZone Thank you very much indeed for that link...turns out I was pretty close as I have been using some low dust cat litter with a bit of soil and pine bark but with the added perlite and exo terra stuff that should work a treat...thanks again for your help😊🙏💚🌱🌲🌳🌴

[@KANGBONSAIBOGOR]

🙏

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks!!!

[@paulschaefer5241]

You have talked before about royal oaks. do you happen to know the latin name for them?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes they are Quercus robur, they are seeds from a Royal Oak that was brought to Canada from England.

[@19regal83]

Hi Nigel. I was wondering how fast do your bonsai mix dry out? Can you skip a day if needed?

[@pansepot1490]

You should do some research and use a soil mix fit for your plants and climate. For instance in hot climate it’s better to use a more water retentive soil else you’ll have to water twice and even three times a day.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It all depends on the weather, in fall with the cooler temperatures and lots of rain, I can go many weeks without watering, but in the summer, I need to water 2 to 3 times a day! I try and tailor my soil for the wettest conditions, I can always water more, but if it's raining, I can't water less!

[@19regal83]

Thanks Nigel. I was just curious.

[@19regal83]

Hi Pat. I'm very aware of using whats best for the climate and tree that one decides to grow. I was just curious about Nigel's soil mix and watering. What I use has been working great for me, my trees/plants, climate and my life style for years now. I appreciate your input though.

[@peacecosmonaut176]

7:05 No wonder that small one died. For science!

[@janandersen6001]

😁👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Jan and thank you!

[@karinmoonhawk3720]

💖💖👍😊💖💖

[@sanzacosta8867]

Bro can i have your mapple seedling..! 😊😊😊

[@TheBonsaiZone]

If only we had transporters!

[@toddmarshall9856]

Nigel, I can't concentrate on the bonsai your working on. Because of your hair. I know we are on lockdown. But going for that don king look,Ain't you.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, what can I say!!

[@beanperson]

@@TheBonsaiZone personally, i love your hair

[@selfpeace9539]

Foist

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Self Peace has found peace in The Bonsai Zone by being Foist!

[@maryshoemaker7593]

WTG Peace!!!

[@BonsaiJCan]

That was fast! 👍

[@selfpeace9539]

Thank you!

[@BonsaiJCan]

foist

[@TheBonsaiZone]

So very close J, only 3 seconds away!

[@maryshoemaker7593]

J... geez you can’t get a foist!!! Nice try!!

[@BonsaiJCan]

@@TheBonsaiZone 😆

[@BonsaiJCan]

@@maryshoemaker7593 Its getting hard to get !

[@BonsaiJCan]

@@maryshoemaker7593 If I got here before you I would think I did well 😆😀

[@dk2614]

Hi Nigel, I have to discuss something that has troubled me for a while watching you repot during spring. That tub of water... aren't you just a bit concerned about stagnant water and whatever microbes lurk in the water. I'm not concerned for your trees but here in the US we periodically hear from time to time about amoebas that wreak havoc in our bodies. It's usually caused by people swimming in stagnated water. I understand you're not swimming but.....

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I've never really thought about it, the tub has stayed full for about three years, every time it rains it fills it to the top again, maybe I should be more careful?

[@dk2614]

@@TheBonsaiZone I would encourage you to look up brain eating amoebas and swimming to see what pops up.