Spring Bonsai Updates & My WORST Failure of 2023.

[@rainproofjeans]

Greetings from Alabama, USA. Enjoyed the Spring tour. All of the bench improvements look great (and the trees too, of course)! I’m new to bonsai last year. Found your channel maybe 6 months ago. First time commenting. Thanks for all of the encouraging content!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I appreciate you taking the time to say a few words and thanks for the support. What do you have in your collection?

[@rainproofjeans]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat 40+ pots and counting. Deck is filling up, so it’s time to figure out some yard spaces haha… Started with neglected young landscaping trees from my mom’s garden pile (few maples of different varieties and sizes, sweet bay magnolia, rose of sharon, and river birch) and a few dying ficus ginseng and fukien trees rescued from the clearance rack at local box stores. Dying dwarf schefflera gifted to me at work from a neighboring business owner, which has proven quite tough and has produced half dozen or more successful cuttings for me. Few thujas from my mother in law, only one has been pruned into shape. Collected: privet, eastern redbud, native oak saplings from seed, native pine seedlings. Purchased last year: black and red crape Myrtle from nursery, couple young-ish Chinese elms. Most recent purchases during a trip to Denver and Chicago last month: tiger eyes sumac from nursery stock, and carissa natal plum, trident maple sapling, young kishu juniper, and 5ish year old Japanese black pine all from bonsai nurseries. Really haven’t lost much of anything, so I’m gaining confidence with soil mixes, watering, etc. Didn’t really feed anything last year very much as I’d started late in the growing season, so I’m learning fertilizer routines now. The JBP is my most intimidating tree right now…

[@johng3669]

Quite a collection in one year. I watched videos for nearly a year before starting to acquire material last spring. Since then I’m much more careful about what wild plants in my yard get indiscriminately cut to the soil line. Oaks sprout by the dozens so I want to make use of those and I have what I think is a winged elm that I’ve clearly chopped off in the past but am now letting it grow.

[@rainproofjeans]

@@johng3669 Haha I know what you mean. My wife and daughters are always giving me a hard time now, “oh, hah, do you want to bonsai that?” I needed a good hobby, and bonsai has proved to be a good fit. Previously, my only hobbies were different types of side work haha. Slowly trying to change that and carve out more regular bonsai time, as I really enjoy all of it- learning, practicing, etc.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

700 trees wow, thanks for the tour Xavier!!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks for dropping in Nigel - it is impossible to stop collecting. Every new twig has a little magic attached to it I fear :)

[@philipbooth9755]

Great presentation Xav, we’ve had a very cold wet spring so far, mist trees are way behind in the North.

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Zita‘s apple developed gorgeous ❤

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It6 does seem to be recovering nicely. I'm going slow with this one but I think it will trun out pretty nice one day :)

[@Darkfire1300]

Your new benches are wonderful. Kudos to you and James for all this hard, elegant work. Inspiring.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Susan - a few more things to build before I lose him to Miriam :)

[@Kriywan]

Thanks for the tour of your super Retreat Xavier. Hope the family enjoyed the wedding yesterday & in beautiful sunshine😎

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It was an incredible day and the sun took its toll - a ltouch of heatstroke for me before my speech :)

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Absolutely exceptional 😍 Enjoy Tammi‘s day ❤ Happy wedding 👩‍❤️‍👨 Cheers 🙋‍♀️ Martina

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

We are all feeling very hungover this morning - but more of that on Wednesday :)

[@markjagger7139]

Your trees are looking super Xav, hopefully things will go from strength to strength through out the year.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I am definitely enjoying this spring - loads of pruning to do next week.

[@sueb1317]

Lovely update. Your Japanese maples are just in their glory right now! Looks like some fun projects ahead in the future - can't wait!!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

They are well overdue pruning - now the wedding is done I am hoping to get to that this week.

[@sueb1317]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Happy congratulations to your family!!!

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Nice project update. Great to see the progression over time. 👍

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Jason

[@Darkfire1300]

I have an Android. Not an old telephone but a complicated handheld computer GalaxyNote22. Takes great pics. Its just the dummy behind the button that slows me down! Love the larch forest but would suggest that wolves don't have ears like Labrador Retrievers... 700? omg. I thought I was swamped with 275.... I loved this tour. So much "eye candy" to savor and plan on seeing in the future. Thank you so much for the tour. I am certain that all this will keep you "off the streets and out of the bars" for some time to come. Thanks!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

When I do these little tours I get reminded just how much stuff I have forgotten :)

[@rtregear]

Thanks for a great tour, Xavier. Looking forward to seeing it (and you!) for real. Jo worries that bonsai might have weed like abilities to take over an entire garden, house, and yard. Even after just a couple of years there is some evidence at our place that this may be a strong possibility. Your retreat might be her worst nightmare, so I'll need you to be on your best marketing/sales form for our visit.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is good for the environment and helps increase the bee population :)

[@jeffwatts4264]

another great , down to earth video, nice to see something about the early development in the ground , which is where i am with most of my trees

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is the way ahead for effective development I think.

[@greasylimpet3323]

Looking great! Thanks for showing us all the different varieties you've got. I wish we could get Larches here; yours are so nice with the new needles.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

You know they are my favourite. I do feel spoilt having them grow so easily here :)

[@raymondplodzien7459]

Splendid trees and garden Xavier!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Raymond - it is looking the best it ever has this year :)

[@BonsaiDruid-qo9lo]

Great tour, Xavier :-) Love the new benches. I'm seeing so many interesting trees! Gimbal wasn't too bad at all. Thanks for another interesting video

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers - a week of rain now!

[@lisawagner6076]

Beautiful garden Xavier!! I love how it's all sectioned in many different areas. So interesting. Can I make a request? Because your garden is so extensive, I would love to see maybe a "species" tour, or even a section tour. Your garden is so huge and I would love to see better all your trees. If you just focus on one species maybe we can see all of your maples, or all of your Black Pines? Or all of those trees in the Railway section? Thank you so much for the tour!!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That is an interesting idea. I have tended to move away from 'long' garden tours because a lot of people seem to lose interest in them. But for you what I will try doing is some shorter 'section' tours and see what the reaction is like :) Although I have some species together, a lot of stuff is still mixed around the garden.

[@lisawagner6076]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat I would just like to see your trees a little closer. Shorter species tours are great too. They don't all have to be in the same video. Thank you so much!!

[@andrewmiles611]

Trees are looking great. Definitely the correct choice with the maples in the self made lava/slate pot. I’ve got the same style pot with a cascading cotoneaster in as yours. Love it.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers - are you able to send me a picture of it?

[@bonsaiexpression]

Great video Xavier, the garden is looking brilliant 👍🏼

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks - a week later and it looks like an absolute jungle :)

[@joegarland4885]

Hi xav nice to see the garden in all its glory, lots of colour my friend. Loads of projects to get on with over the next season. Hopefully we will see the progression on here through the year. What stood out for me as one planting was the larch on rock, it is looking really healthy, as I am sure I have mentioned Larch are my favourite trees as tough as old boots but look quite delicate in leaf. You were right about the heatwave it is surprisingly hot and has been for a few days, soon I will be praying for rain to fill my water butt, the ideal is to rain overnight and dry and sunny through the day. It was Greenwood’s bash today and tomorrow, I would loved to have gone but not possible, Corin touched lucky with the weather for it, he has really changed and updated the site it looks amazing now. All the best Xav. BTW your idea to include some smaller larch trees and redesign the planting of the ramrod straight larch next year.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I am guessing you are saying that it is good idea to alter that planting?

[@joegarland4885]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Hi Xav yes I mentioned and sent you a pic of the 3 ramrod larch trees and asked you what you would do, you suggested adding some smaller trees and redesign the planting which I aim to do next year, I have some small larch ready to use, if I am still here I will do it. Joe.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@joegarland4885 Sorry - the memory fades quickly :)

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

Great tour!!So many trees!! I love trees... 😋

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

You like snow better :)

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Ummm... 😵‍💫

[@MarksJapaneseGarden5]

Wow didn't realise how many trees you had also didn't realise you were in Grantham , i'm in Louth so not to far from you . Another enjoyable viewing .

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Looks like we need to meet up then soon :)

[@KennetDeBondt]

Looking great Xav!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Kennet

[@BonsaiForRoman]

All kinds of trees, very impressive 👍🏻

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers - a few of them even look like Bonsai :)

[@adamsowter923]

Wow so many trees great tour.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

And so much watering to go with it :)

[@mikec3820]

wow 700+ thats awesome. nice tour xav. thanky you. happy bonsai'ing. or non sai'ing lol. i know the feeling. of my 100+ trees most are pre bonsai

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

But that means in the future you can look forward to having over 100 finished bonsai :)

[@suer666]

Great tour. I wish i had as much garden space to play with. But i wont feel so guilty about my collection of trees now. I thought i had gone too far. 😅 I'm sure I only have 100 plants at the most ❤

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

You can never go too far Sue :)

[@Bonsaicrazy]

Great update Xavier 👊👊👊👊

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Andy

[@MIMMO4068]

Come sempre ti faccio i miei complimenti, ottimo video.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you so much :)

[@made1Nbritian]

I’d definitely take you up on that offer I pass Grantham every over week on the way home from working away, I don’t think the other lad I work with would be as keen though 😂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Just drop me an email if you ever find yourself alone - you will be welcome

[@nerinat8371]

❤❤❤

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers Nerina :)

[@MeadowViewBonsai]

Xav, your trees or looking so good and vibrant, I was at greenwood’s earlier and stopped into the KFC for a beverage near you and contemplated knocking on your door for a chat and a brew, but decided against it for the short notice 🙈🙈

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

If you had KFC I would have given you my van as well as a cup of coffee :)

[@MeadowViewBonsai]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat I’ll pop in with a bargain bucket next time I’m up that way 🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗

[@baldyeti]

Good tour, good sir! Looking forward to getting into some of these projects with you.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Let me know when you get here and you can do them for me :)

[@baldyeti]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat well played 😏

[@TheCosmicDrama]

Love that you show both the good and the bad. I appreciate getting to see the failures. There’s always a lesson we can all take away from every failure. Thanks for the update!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

You definitely have the right channel if you want to see 'things that go wrong'. The only way we get better at this hobby is by understanding that things go wrong and sometimes stuff dies. Sometimes its not even our fault :)

[@johng3669]

Pond baskets vs. wood crate pots? And is that a laundry basket I saw with a tree in it?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Yes it was - anything that has space and lots of holes :)

[@cmr92]

I even have one year sapling I am growing from seed 😂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I don't normally have success with seeds but the ones you saw are like my 'babies' - got to keep them happy :)

[@Akatsuki-En]

Omg the small soldiers jump cut was epic 😂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Some of those memes are magic :)

[@timameye7687]

Xavier, may I ask how long you have been into bonsai?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I got my first 20 larch saplings in 2002 after seeing my friends bonsai collection. A month later I purchased the Japanese White Pine and The Korean Hornbeam. The rest is history :)

[@C1tyground5155]

Hi Xavier,can I ask a question,can I make a bonsai from gillenia.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Truthfully I have no idea but having looked at the plant description I would probably want to know where it backbuds and does it do this from bare wood? I would treat it like potentilla and watch it with interest :)

[@C1tyground5155]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat 👍🏻

[@Akatsuki-En]

Is there a particular reason why you couldn’t use your other camera? Or are they the same camera?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

The main camera is difficult to walk about with. Using a mobile with the gimbal should give you a lot more filming options and angles etc....without shuddering.

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌👑

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Morning Bruce

[@ScottMatthewsBonsai]

Email on its way shortly:)

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I shall wait with excitement :)