Spring Techniques for Camellia bonsai

In this video Terry explains the techniques required in spring for your camellia bonsai to thrive. He demonstrates pruning, partial defoliation and repotting.
More about bonsai can be found here: www.bonsaitree...
Wire cutter: www.bonsaitree...
Pliers: www.bonsaitree...
Scissors: www.bonsaitree...
Aluminium wire: www.bonsaitree...
Growing media: www.bonsaitree...
Soil scoops: www.bonsaitree...
On a mission to provide plant enthusiasts with resources to take their growing enjoyment to the next level! To find out how, visit our website: www.bonsaitree.co.za

[@TheBonsaiZone]

A total spa day for this tree, great work Terry!

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Ha ha. Absolutely. I thought of massaging the branches but figured that was enough already giving it a good scrub!

[@chasingthefish9042]

I dont think theres a bonsai channel you dont follow Nigel.

[@victortaboada2058]

I have to say, your work is very informative and beautiful, and the quality of your videos is excellent; I can only imagine the time and effort that you take to produce these excellent videos...thank you Terry for putting high quality material on bonsai!!!

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thank you Victor for your very kind words. I have always done things I do to the best of my abilities. Yes the videos do take quite some time but they give me an opportunity to reach a global community, sharing my love for bonsai.

[@jeffsansom1304]

Wow! What a difference. Beautiful trunk lines. Some great tips shared too. Thanks Terry.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks Jeff. Yes this tree has got some nice movement. It’s easier to work with this species as a larger bonsai than this, both as the leaves support a larger tree (visually) and also as it’s difficult to create ramification on a tree this small.

[@Dulur-Bonsai]

thank you for sharing an explanation about bonsai. greetings one hobby from Indonesia

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

So nice of you! Greetings to Indonesia!

[@emiledb]

excited about camellia now more than ever, thanks for sharing. Super insightful 🙏

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Only a pleasure Emile. Branches need to be spaced to allow for the large leaves and of course flowers, so they don't look great when defoliated but they are awesome when in flower.

[@ChiffreSept69]

C'est une vidéo très instructive, avec des explications bien visibles et fort bien filmé. Merci !

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks so much Wakinyan! That’s so kind of you 😁

[@mcbabs7495]

J'ai vraiment apprécié votre travail dans cette vidéo, merci à vous!

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thank you so much for the compliment, I appreciate it.

[@jjasperchan]

'root-sickle' sounds like a root flavored popsicle

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

😂 indeed it does! Not sure I’d like to give it a lick though.

[@Martin-jt3zu]

Thank you Terry I, was hoping for a guide on Camellia! Any advice for starting with young nursery stock? Initially just let it grow and thicken up?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

mmmmm Martin, sorry for disappoint :) I will be doing a few more episodes on camellia as I love them. Look for the next one in two weeks, as this coming Friday will be the next part on JBP. I will be styling much younger material, material anyone can get their hands on.

[@KennetDeBondt]

Nice! Can they be propagated by cuttings? grts Kennet

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Hi Kennet. Yes indeed. I have rooted many cuttings. This is the primary method for propagating them commercially I believe.

[@nazaregil171]

❤😊

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thank you.

[@fredmanfv]

Very good video...thanks Terri. Question plz. Its late Spring here and my Camelia has grown significantly already. Shall I rather leave cut back till next year after flower...or can I still cut back now. Also can I still do rootwork and repot now? Its not yet fully developed...mostly starting ramification stage now.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Hi Freddie. Thanks. As I’m also in South Africa the season is same 😉. Usually the focus is on improving ramification when in the development phase at the expense of flowering. So wait till new growth has hardened and then cut back. Root work should be left, do this before/after flowering rather. When you do it’s best to reduce foliage a good amount if you are going to remove any amount of root. Use Kanuma soil for best results. www.bonsaitree.co.za/collections/growing-mediums-and-substrates/products/japanese-kanuma-mixed-particles

[@fredmanfv]

Thanks Terri. I'm actually in New Zealand...but the seasons are the same. I have a source for Kanuma here, but its very expensive....I mix a 1/3 into the bonsai mix for the Azalea and Camelia. Wish I could get a good source in Japan...but i'll have to bring a pallet I suppose...? Anyway thank you for your lovely channel 👍

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Apologies Freddie. I made an assumption based on your name 😅. Very expensive is relative I guess, depends on the quality of the tree. I import shipping containers of media from Japan for my business, so I use 100% Kanuma. 1/3rd is better than none and it will of course grow well. I don’t know the process to import into Australia, only SA I’m afraid.

[@fredmanfv]

@@TerryErasmusbonsai Haha...it is relative yes. Its still a youngish tree, so it'll have to do for now. Thanks for taking the time friend 👍

[@fredgrech1498]

Hi terry can you cut back to old wood or only on new growth

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

You can cut back to old wood for sure, just try to make sure the tree is well fed first.

[@fredgrech1498]

@@TerryErasmusbonsai thank you for replying

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

No problem. If ever you want to do a virtual consult let me know.

[@rudewaanwoodman6388]

hi Terry ... hope you good ... ive searched all over for kanuma ... please excuse the spelling if incorrect ... do you stock kanuma ?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Sure Rudewaan. We import it. www.bonsaitree.co.za/collections/growing-mediums-and-substrates/products/japanese-kanuma-mixed-particles

[@lil.plants775]

hi terry , can you hard prune a camellia to its stump and start a new bonsai from it ? im located in malaysia btw

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Mmmm, I am not sure. I’ve not done that before. If the plant is healthy it should bud from the trunk. If it’s still in the ground I’d prune it, allow it to bud, then at the next opportunity dig it up. They do seem to bud from old wood quite readily so I think there is a good chance this will work.

[@JesusChrist4ever]

I’m in fall were I live how is it spring !? Rlly pretty

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Well, I’m not going to give you a geography lesson but as you are clearly in the northern hemisphere and we are in the southern our seasons are opposite. 🤓

[@JesusChrist4ever]

@@TerryErasmusbonsai right! Duh im a little slow terry hehe 🙃 great vid

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

@@JesusChrist4ever 😂

[@marcmartinez1192]

Why cut the leaves ?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

I am sure I discussed this in the video Marc, nevertheless it’s to reduce stress on the tree caused by the repotting.

[@marcmartinez1192]

Thank you for your reply. I recovered two Camilla japonica of about twenty years, I will apply the same method as you after flowering. Thank you so much for your videos and tips. Marc