Starting a Ginkgo Bonsai, The Bonsai Zone, April 2019

A bit of a rescue mission, to save a box store Ginkgo biloba and turn it into a nice bonsai.
I also take a field trip and check out some interesting Ginkgo trees in the city.
The Ginkgo is also known as the fossil tree or maidenhair tree.

[@dominicko79]

The ginkgo is my absolute favorite tree. I am so excited to see you take on the challenge of bringing this little one back to life. I look forward to seeing it in future videos.

[@flamomo]

I have a 150 year old Ginkgo in my backyard it’s absolutely massive. And it’s a male so it doesn’t have the stinky fruit.

[@ashliiprigmore5441]

Does it have the chi chi yet? I'd heard they tend to get aerial roots after about a century.

[@saturnynetitan]

I love that you are now including little snippets of your own musical compositions in the videos. Keep up the great inspirational work!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, it's really fun composing music and I hopefully with practice I'll become a good composer!

[@maryshoemaker1437]

Nigel, I was saying to my self as I went through my videos... where is Nigel.. he has to be almost ready to upload a video... none last night but so happy to see one tonite... geez spring has sprung!!! This means you will be a busy, busy man with all the projects you have waiting... I can’t wait to see the nursery going up!!! To see how you organize and style the bonsai’s in there new home!!!! The community gardens will get started.. what an exciting year this will be for you... and I’m so excited to share with you...

[@petermolinari2877]

I think its amazing that Ginkgo has male and female trees, plants do have consciousness and feelings.

[@emilyb4583]

We had a ginkgo in the courtyard of my elementary school, and one year we had an early snowstorm and the tree lost all of its leaves over the course of one day. It was fascinating and the bright yellow was so beautiful against the snow! Interested to see how this one develops as a bonsai and how you approach improving the roots once the tree recovers a bit.

[@Montezuma03]

I had a giant female tree at my previous house. The yellow leaves were gorgeous, and they also took forever to pick up. I never could quite get all the fruit either, I called them poop balls and my yard was always a bit smelly. I took a few saplings from fruit I missed when I moved out, they are growing nicely and just starting to sprout leaves for this year.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes the fruit has a horrible smell, I hope your trees grow well!

[@PSPMHaestros]

I agree, growing trees from seed is the best feeling ever

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Most of my favorite trees were grown from seed!

[@jeffdodson1675]

For those with an interest in ginkgo trees please look into Cor Kwant’s webpage at Ginkgo Pages. Lots and lots of fascinating information and a ton of bonsai photos of ginkgoes. There are many cultivars of ginkgoes selected for reduced leaf size....for example, Chase Manhattan, Witches Broom, and many others. Extremely suitable for bonsai. I have 25 bonsai ginkgoes and cannot wait to get the next one! Nigel, another challenge ginkgoes present to bonsai enthusiasts is their thin, easily damaged bark. On growth the size of your trees newly forming from the roots and lower portions of the tree, I find wrapping them in raffia for protection and added support before wiring to be the method of choice....for me, anyhow.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Jeff, great tips and here is the link to the Ginkgo KZbin channel...... kzbin.info/door/cwt8sthaqzFZ6Bt9Tlx0Zg I'm really looking forward to developing this tree!

[@jonahbloomfield6444]

Ginkgos are so cool

[@sundarsankar167]

absolutely love your videos, watching them made me take up bonsai has a hobby

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, very nice to hear and all the best with your trees!

[@paulschaefer5241]

Ginko biolba is the only surviving species of an entire order of plants that lived at the same time as the dinosaurs.

[@verticalmatt]

yes! Apparently they were preserved by monks inside monasteries. Along with the Ficus which is the sacred tree for the World's La rgesreligions, the Ginko is apparently also sacred for Chinese and Japanese religions.

[@verticalmatt]

yes Ginkos and Sago Plants, for Jurassic Park diorama!

[@BridgerMitchell]

Your music is beautiful. I love watching your videos. Can’t wait to see this trees development.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, lots more music and videos coming!

[@AntOninPortequoi]

waking up with the sun, get dressed with my kung fu clothing, then walked outdoors to check my bonsai, and watching your video, that is the program for a nice morning thank you nigel

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Sounds like a dream!

[@AdventurousInsight]

Another awesome video!

[@pattin4015]

Very informative. Loved ginko trees for the simple beauty of the leaves and the fact they've been on earth for the longest time in the plant world. I grew mine from seed from the Asian grocery market. May be about 5-7 years old now, only a foot high.. Love your channel.

[@user-xt7id2cz2c]

Good morning from Athens Greece this is my first comment in your channel, thank you For all the useful information you are giving. Spring is all around here in Greece looking forward for bonsaing

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Spring is in the air around here too, I'm hoping the snow goes away soon and the gardening can begin!

[@cal7843]

“Off with his head!” Thanks for the great video of a work in progress. I’ve thought about starting a ginkgo for a while, you’ve inspired me. And thanks for the giggles. I always enjoy your videos!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you!

[@Lazarus-aap]

Bit of a weird tree, I like it 👍🏻

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, a very unique tree, I hope mine lives! I did see a little bit of green showing on the buds today.

[@skaistetylaite607]

One of my favorite trees! In one of my country's towns grows 18m (~ 59 ft) tall Ginkgo Biloba. He's a real beauty. Good luck with your tree!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Sounds like a nice one, if you ever take a picture, I'd love to see it! [e-mail] Thanks.

[@tyrovive]

I would love to see a picture as well.

[@cooperolm9687]

There are a couple large female ginkgo trees down the street from me. I affectionately refer to them as the stinky ladies, due to their unfortunately vomit scented fruit in the fall.

[@PlantObsessed]

They cut all the girls down near me. I wish I had one of the old girls.😇

[@RafaelGuerra14]

It is either vomit smell of male reproductive cells into your lungs. If you are prone to allergies, the vomit smell is a much better choice.

[@Bw40099]

ginko is such a fun name for a tree

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, very quirky!

[@sakanason]

Very informative video. When I was in Japan they were all over the place. In the parks near our hotel in Tokyo there were no leaves but buds the size of my thumb all over the tree. They were all very large. Thank you again for an awesome video.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Lyle, I wish I could see them! Hopefully my tree will grow well this year!

[@sakanason]

@@TheBonsaiZone send you some photos via email.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That would be great! [e-mail]

[@pupfriend]

Awesome. I have two ginkgo bonsai, one of which I airlayered from the other last year. It was my first (and only) successful air layer

[@TheBonsaiZone]

They seem to grow roots really well, I've seen a couple of Ginkgo from an air layer and they look really good!

[@annebrunner3649]

Thank you Nigel. Another great video!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Glad you liked it, thanks!

[@lorib1696]

I would love to have a ginkgo bonsai. Those leaves are so pretty. I'm a renter so it doesn't make sense to plant a full sized tree in the yard and then have to leave it behind. There's a male ginkgo at the local post office. I've been so tempted to sneak a few cuttings and give it a try. I think a ginkgo would make a good subject for a large bonsai so that the leaves wouldn't look so huge in relation to the trunk.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

You can try growing some from seeds too, best of luck!

[@Nhoj31neirbo47]

I can’t believe that Lowe’s kept that tree on sale and for so long! One of the many things I like about your approach to the craft of Bonsai is how enthusiastically you take on an experimental, some might say questionable, challenge. You could have splurged and bought a healthy , full sized tree but instead your interest was peaked by this tree hardly worthy of the clearance area. This trees infirmities imbue it with potentialities that are not unlike a Yamadori that has struggled to survive in the wild. ~ As you noted Ginkgo trees are extremely fascinating. For me they are endlessly fascinating. They are planted widely in urban areas because of their ability to tolerate air pollution and they are conveniently upright growing. Unfortunately, in the past it has been difficult to determine the sex of these trees until they matured at 30(?) years and began flowering and producing fruits. This resulted in the still common belief that Ginkgoes can change sex! A well known tree on a city street that had never produced fruit would suddenly one fall litter the sidewalk with stinky fruits smelling of vomit. So people erroneously thought the tree had changed from male to female! The reality is even stranger. Some male Ginkgo trees in China have rarely been known to produce a couple of fruit bearing female branches! Weird. (P.S. - Did you receive the pencil cactus photos that I emailed you? )

[@Nhoj31neirbo47]

Emmeline marie - That’s funny and may be true in some cases but rare partial sex conversion has been scientifically documented. Here is a published study conducted by two of the leading experts in the field; ‘Sex Conversion in Ginkgo Biloba ‘ by Peter Crane and Toshiyuki Nagata. (2015)

[@jdsgotninelives]

It will be a lovely Ginkgo bonsai under your care Nigel. They grow well in a number of climates and they seem to grow very well there in Ontario. They grow very well here in Brisbane and further north (sub tropical). A very lovely, pleasant, tree.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you John, I'll do my best!

[@SidsTrees]

Excellent video as always. My gingko is a slow grower for sure but the large scar is gradually healing over so there's always hope. Cheers. Sid.

[@BonsaiJCan]

Really interesting trees, hopefully you could do an update on yours this summer.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll be sure to update the tree and show the leaves coming out! (hopefully they will)

[@douglasfir306]

You could approach one of these trees in summer when their new growth has fully developed and you can grow them very easily as cuttings.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll give that a try, I've only tried a few hardwood cuttings in the past and I'm hoping to do more!

[@michellessard7047]

Thank you so much Nigel , definatly my favorite tree . Awesome information . I tried to salvage 3 of them from a Wallmart years ago , one survived and has been living in my solarium . It spends its Summers outside and Winters inside. I would love to plant it outside , but I don't know with our Alberta winters and the Chinook winds ! Thanks again and cheers !😊👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

We have a lot planted as street trees around here and they do well, but Alberta is a different story! I think you would be better to keep it in a pot safe and sound. It might survive outdoors if you mulch around the tree and protect it with burlap, but it would be a bit of a gamble.

[@michellessard7047]

@@TheBonsaiZone Yes I think you are right , I would not want to lose it, it's been through a lot and I love it ! Thanks , I will have to raise the roof on my solarium 😂😂!

[@erikzellers2925]

That weather outside sounds frightenful.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Today is nice, we were just out practicing baseball at the diamond!

[@Sherrallea]

Nigel, Fantastic lesson. Also, very helpful about the water...Beaver Cut. Eager to watch the last video. Sherrallea

[@ashliiprigmore5441]

Ginkgo are probably my favourite tree, mine's just beginning to leaf out now. The buds began breaking about mid March, it's nowhere near as thick as your's yet, but I'm excited to see how your's and my own ginkgo grow!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm looking forward to working on this tree into the future!

[@BonsaiAmador]

como sempre grande aula

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Muito obrigado, espero que a árvore cresça bem e algum dia se torne um bom bonsai!

[@011CJ]

I love what u do i have 2 young lemons i just poted with my old graoefrout maby 8 years or so old on gf 1 year on lemons .starting a few big leaf maples hoping to limit soil and keep leafs small we will c

[@ashwarirai]

Sir u r awesome gardener i love it.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you , I noticed some green on the tips of the buds, hopefully all will go well!

[@peterw2845]

great video as always nigel thanks , even better i have a ginkgo tree about that size ( the trunk is probably half the diameter) , hopefully they will grow together in time ,it will be really interesting to follow this series

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Sounds like a plan Peter, the leaves should be coming out in about a month around here!

[@treelife365]

Very cool tree, Nigel! As a fellow Canadian, don't overlook the fact that you can bargain with even the biggest of big box stores (though it's not intuitive), but usually only for stuff that they're trying to get rid of. You could've probably gotten it for 50% off the first time you saw it. Give it a go the next time ;)

[@SmallBalconyBonsai]

I think you will do a great job in the roots when the tree is healthy again, its in good hands! 😃

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, I think I can get the roots sorted out within 5 years if all goes well!

[@mikethompson5966]

ginkgo's are very special tree's. anyone who wants to plant a tree on their property should consider a ginkgo they usually grow formal upright and need little or no maitnence i have only seen afew with storm damage and that was after a tornado. extremely resiliant trees.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Our city is planting them as street trees and some of them are slowly getting to be nice trees!

[@MrTributes]

ginkgo seems to be a very unique deciduous.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, it would be a good tree for those "true facts" videos, especially if you look into the trees reproductive cycle!

[@vamanjoshi4053]

Hope one day it would be nice n healthy bonsai in your collection.

[@woutervandenbosch8161]

I as a amateur bonsai guy, I have to say and ask a couple of things. Point 1. Do not use that tool to remove dirt, you can only damage roots with it. Point 2. Do not remove to much biological materials that are in the root system. Or put some of it back when replanting. Question 1, Why not use a huge bucket filled with water and wash out most of the dirt before you start poking the dirt with that combe? I usualy use a water spray and a stick to poke at dirt pockets. So I do les harm to the rootsystem. After I got rid of most of the dirt, I put my dirt filled water bucket aside and start with a fresh one. Sometimes it even takes multiple buckets. But at the end, I end up with a tree with still loads of roots so it wil get used to its new envirement more easy. Specialy with a tree u saved from dying u should be more carefull. Just my few cents, going to look at your update now. Hope it is doeing wel.

[@bricker918]

Started one this year as well!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Nice, mine is just starting to some green on the buds!

[@emmkay]

Kanedda :)

[@woutervandenbosch8161]

Looking at a lot of bonsai video's like yours for a couple of hours, I think I have to start my own.... Most of these video's (not all yours) are based on old believes or to modern way's as in the grounds.... Making and keeping bonsai is way easier and cheaper then you all make it look! Bonsai - > Tree in pot It's no more and no less! Make your tree look like what ever you want, after all it's your tree! If it is a tree in a pot but doesn't looks like the rules for bonsai? So what, it is your bonsai! Sorry Nigel Saunders, this was not ment against you but against all so called bonsai leaders here on youtube... I got them in Huge pots, so not bonsai but my tree's trive. So my small tree in a pot is happy n I'm happy. Win win I should say! All that shallow small pot bs, forget about it. Trees are way way more happier in a bigger pot. Mine are still small but have the oportunity to grow beneath. What makes stronger and more sterdy treas. About the soil you use, why do you think the milions old earth would make earth to grow plants in if it could choose for such a sterile and unfertile soile u use? Use 2 thirds of sived potting mix and 1 third sand. Thats to me the best potting mix for trees. Sorry, Do not meen to offend but these are just some things in my mind that do not compare with yours.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Growing trees in pots is quite easy, making a really good bonsai is more difficult. If your trees are doing well and you are happy with them, then you are doing everything right!

[@RafaelGuerra14]

Hello Nigel, Great video, thank you for sharing. I am not familiar with the technique involving cutting the chi-chi of a Ginkgo and use it as a propagating option. Could you share the source of that information? I have been studying hard Ginkgo and propagating them since 2017, so I am curious about this technique. Thank you in advance!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Here is a link to this style of Ginkgo bonsai.... kwanten.home.xs4all.nl/bonsai.htm#Styling Thanks Rafael!

[@marysoldeeley2218]

Very neat! Likely not a tree I would try, but still neat to learn from!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I sure hope it does well, I don't want to loose my 20 dollars!

[@marysoldeeley2218]

@@TheBonsaiZone Hahaha! I'm sure it will in your care! 😆😊

[@seanhampson4126]

I'd start any ginkgo seeds you have as early as you can so you have the most time for them to sprout. They have been finicky with me in the past.

[@treebark99]

I planted a Ginkgo tree from a 15 gallon pot about eleven years ago and it's doing fine. I chose to plant a Ginkgo because I had read it survived the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima. Quite a tree. Watching it drop all it's bright yellow leaves in 48 hours is an event we look forward to every autumn. I'm in Northern California. The Hiroshima/Ginkgo link: www.inverse.com/article/47833-hiroshima-gingko-trees-atomic-bomb

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you for the link and for the story on your tree! I've noticed that some trees drop their leaves when they are still green, others when they are a deep yellow. It may depend on the fall weather or the genetics of the tree?

[@verticalmatt]

Today I got four grown-in-crevices palm-size ficuses! (urban yamadori, buenos aires) Love ginkos but no luck with them yet.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope your Ficus trees grow well, and don't watch the movie "Starship Troopers"

[@Chumfin]

Great video I have a REQUEST A fusion BONSAi they interest me maybe some willow shoots and also I'm looking forward to seeing a giant tunnel greenhouse omg blast from the past you on this fish tank skrapeing away at roots love the Ginko always wanted one seen some great miniature ones that look like GIANT rainforest trees yours already has great form sent you a couple pictures on Instagram because have no idea where else to send them, the green house heaters I realise are great for co2 really important in maximising but they are gas and dont know if can be re installed keeps up the great videos

[@SamisBonsai]

I've thinking of perhaps starting ginkgo of my own. I like their leaves.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Sami, it seems everyone who grows a Ginkgo bonsai really likes them!

[@mistergreeen]

@Nigel Saunders I just received 3 cuttings from my grandfather's ginkgo and I find it my mission to keep them alive, I have two inside under a grow light and one outside missing leaves daily and making sure soil is moist (should I keep them in standard soil or sand?!) I also have three woody nodes under the grow light with mistings. I'm just wondering if I need to do anything different because it's all I have of my grandpa's belongings

[@Metroidf4n]

I bought a bunch of trees at a garden center, cut them down A LOT, they're all growing nicely now. I bought a ginkgo bonsai from a bonsai retailer, and it is pretty much dead. Sad times.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Sorry to hear that, but at least you have some trees still alive!

[@Metroidf4n]

@@TheBonsaiZone Yes! I'll just try getting a ginkgo from somewhere else, it's a shame the retailer was a letdown as well. Tree was all scarred up due to wiring.

[@Madran7]

Itˇa about 16 degrees outside, some trees are already blooming, my bonsai already sprang new leaves...and Nigel has still a snow on his garden :D ...well, it's a tough life in Canada :D

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I covered up most of the snow with wood chips, problem solved!

[@diddle_fruit1977]

Lets hope this guy grows well.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope so too! I've always wanted a Ginkgo!

[@diddle_fruit1977]

@@TheBonsaiZone question: have you ever considered putting something like the white clover? They are very nitrogen rich plants and are used to help grass grow. Or would the clover roots mess with the bonsai's and suffocate them in the small pots?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think if you are going totally organic, this would be a good solution. I do like the idea of organic soil and fertilizer, but our growing season is so short here, that most of the time the soil is too cold to get micro biological action.

[@PlantObsessed]

Wow I've never seen the chi on ginko trees where I live. I wonder if it is both sexes or just one?

[@ykeyke9]

Nigel i love everything about your video's, but please use something else instead of the glass plate.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I had a few nasty scratching sounds in this video, I'll try not to do this again!

[@fr.Loukas]

I would like to see the ginkgo tree after this time of the year....I hope it stayed alive!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The Ginkgo is doing really well, it is in the basement now, protected from the extreme cold of the winter. I will be re potting it in spring and pruning the new growth. A video will be coming!

[@fr.Loukas]

Great. I look forward to it. Thank you for responding!

[@soberhippie]

I think the thing you think might be a bamboo or a stake to hold the tree might be a piece of the trunk left after air layering.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That is possible, the rots did grow all around it!

[@jameswalker3416]

Hello nigel where did you get that root rack. Can they be bought on line?

[@garymccarthy4994]

Enjoyed the repot! Can I ask where you got the Volcanite? Thanks.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I buy it off of "The Bonsai Guy" facebook.com/thebonsaiguychris/

[@garymccarthy4994]

Thanks!

[@blakewharper]

we have a massive female on our front lawn in Port Credit if you are in the area.....also gives us a bunch of seedlings every couple years ....cheers

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Can you send me the street names that it is on and I can look for it in Google street view! Thanks!

[@gimmethebits]

Is the Cello your main instrument Nigel? I've read studies that found the music plants react the most positively to, is Cello music. That would explain why all of your trees look like they have an extra boost of happiness! Of course alongside the nurturing care you give them, lol.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I used to play the trumpet and the violin, I don't have the time these days to play, so I compose using the free software "MuseScore" Thanks Daric!

[@gimmethebits]

@@TheBonsaiZone No sweat! I'll have check that out!

[@TTime685]

You need a set of two handed loppers for large cuts like that ;)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, that would have been good!

[@TTime685]

@@TheBonsaiZone Love your work man!

[@markw6609]

Hi Nigel, just watching this for the first time. How is the Ginko doing? Did it leaf out this spring and hold on to its leaves? It looks like it will have a lot of character as it matures.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The Ginkgo is doing really well, it's growing like a weed, I can hardly wait to see the roots this next spring!

[@TheresaPowers]

Peter Chan from Herons Bonsai is a real Japanese master at Bonsai puts a seal over the cut place. Why don't you watch his channel to see how a REAL master creates bonsar?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

There is some science out there that indicates that cut paste actually encourages the wood to rot beneath the wound. www.bonsaiempire.com/forum/basic-techniques/9372-wound-paste blog.davey.com/2016/04/wait-before-you-use-pruning-sealer-on-trees/ I have never claimed that I am a bonsai master and I never will. I just enjoy growing my trees. Thank you for the comment.

[@evasterade9479]

I have a ginko bonsai that I got from a nursery, its only to years old.

[@tomvandessel2981]

Nice one Nigel ! How can I sent you a picture of my ginkgo bonsai ?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That would be great! [e-mail]

[@lisawieland7757]

I tend a volunteer cemetery crypt garden that is near to a very large, female ginkgo, much bigger than any tree in your video. I tend an organic pollinator/butterfly garden, and the fallen ginkgo fruits are a real pain in the butt! Anyway, there are many other older & huger ginkgos in the cemetery that date back to The Victorian Era - gifts from Japanese visitors. I think one of them might be the 2nd biggest in PA. The trunk measures about 6ft. around. But my tree is smaller (about 3 ft. around) & is an odd girl. The fruit tends to drop while green. I don't ever experience the rotting smell of the ripe fruits. Any idea why? What would cause this? Could it be of a Japanese heirloom variety or something? Just wondering.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Interesting, I spotted a Ginkgo in Hamilton that had a very strange leaf shape, they almost looked like needles! Is it possible the seeds aren't fertilized and they drop early?

[@deploribusunum3894]

I planted some Gingko seeds last fall from a tree in my area. I'm hoping they come up.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I had mice take all my seeds the one year!

[@verticalmatt]

If you just can't wait for the "unboxing" FF to minute 8!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Nice!

[@dinudavis4230]

Now I make my soil mix using mix of perlite, cocopeat and pieces of baked clay, but the problem is, I have to work hard to make these pieces of baked clay, i have to break old tiles and briks, its takes lot of time...

[@annak2575]

May someone please tell me what the difference between ginko's with a split through the leaf and others that are fan shaped? Are these males and females?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Anna, I have seen different shaped leaves on the same Ginkgo tree. I don't think it has anything to do with the tree being male or female, but maybe more to do with the variety of the tree? kwanten.home.xs4all.nl/thetree.htm

[@randomassortmentofthings]

This is convenient, except I'm starting mine from seed. My college had a whole bunch of ginko fruit from the trees

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll be planting lots of seeds this spring, I'll wait a few more weeks!

[@katherinesmith9342]

Nigel, any update on your Ginko?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The Ginkgo was attacked by borers, it got about 10 holes in it and died shortly after. I do have a seedling that I am developing.

[@Obsidemon]

I never know you could use only "rocky" soils for plants....no earth at all?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes the roots love growing in this porous mix!

[@evanuutela511]

No more compost or pine bark in the soil?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I usually just use the perlite and turface. I'd use the composted pine bark, but it is hard to find locally.

[@DavidMFChapman]

How often will you water that repotted tree?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll check it every day, especially if it is sunny like today! I don't think I can over water it in that tall pot, so most days it will get watered.

[@Hijus1]

I'm attempting to grow some dry Chinese elm seeds that I have received but was wondering what the best approach is, they will have to be grown indoor since I, unfortunately, do not have access to open outdoor space but I do have places that have constant sunlight during the day any tips would be appreciated since this is my first attempt at growing from seed

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The seeds should germinate fine indoors, you may want to get one of those mini seed starter greenhouse kits to get them going. Be careful to remove the lid once the seeds germinate to prevent them getting too much moisture. Many people have good luck starting seedlings in pure perlite and then once they are stronger, you can put them in bonsai soil. A very dilute mix of fertilizer will help the seedlings grow in this soil-less soil. Use the fertilizer at about 1/20 of the recommended strength.

[@Hijus1]

Thank you for the answer i'll try it out and see how it goes!

[@kathykapsner3897]

We don’t have them in these parts--zone 4

[@ahmetbilalaytekin7563]

Hi Nigel, why did you switch to pumice? I thought you use perlite.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Usually I do use perlite, but I ran out of it and had to substitute pumice. I think the pumice is as good or better, but it is much more expensive. I'll have to get some more perlite today!

[@ahmetbilalaytekin7563]

I see. I use perlite too and I wondered if there is a negative effect that you've experienced. Thanks.@@TheBonsaiZone

[@redlight864]

Hi my name is mason I’m 13 and have started to do bonsai I was wondering if you had any advice or tips for me

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Mason, I would start with basic tree care, learning to keep your trees alive and healthy over the first few years. Learn all you can from books, the internet and fiends. If you can join a bonsai club, you'll learn even faster! Always try and learn from your mistakes and keep a positive attitude!

[@redlight864]

Thank you I really appreciate you taking your time to respond to my question

[@chiranmaysarkar9511]

Hi, want to send a photograph of a tree for your suggestions. Please let me know the method.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Chiranmay, you can send pictures to me at.... [e-mail] Thanks.

[@thealimirjalili]

foist?

[@thealimirjalili]

This one was on behalf of the kind of foist: Dubsy

[@TheBonsaiZone]

2 seconds away, ttt y is foist.

[@thealimirjalili]

I embarrassed the king once again :/

[@dubsydabster]

I was watching PewDiePie and missed this one

[@andrewbetrosian2784]

Trying to grow Ginkgo from seed now

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope it grows well!

[@zippyify]

hi nigel great video! I wonder if you could let me know the purpose of sifting the medium before use? thanks

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The ideal soil has lots of space in it for holding moisture and air. The fine particles clog up the drainage of the soil and the roots get less of water, air and fertilizer. The bonsai soil also helps promote a fine root system with lots of sub dividing of the root tips. The more root tips, the more the tree can take in water and nutrients. This promotes good healthy growth both above the soil and below.

[@zippyify]

@@TheBonsaiZone thanks for letting me know! I'll be sure to do that in my next repottings

[@dinudavis4230]

Dear Nigel, In my area saftey T absorbent is not avialabe, perlite is avialable. Searched a lot for saftey absorbent. Can you say other suitable soils? Any alternative to this saftey T absorbent?

[@AruthKandage]

You can use fuller's earth or diatomaceous earth as a replacement.

[@dinudavis4230]

@@AruthKandage thank you aruth

[@patsfreund9164]

WOW! What an example of what overpotting and potting too deep does to a tree. Did you have on sweat pants with the Canadiens Hockey logo team on it?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, a good example of what not to do when re potting! Yes I do have a Canadiens sweat pants!

[@bobmccarlie382]

Hey Nigel... I saw your problems with cutting the Ginko trunk... I have two saws from Lee Valley that I use in tight quarters when cutting tree branches/trunks. In the first link, I have the D option, the key hole saw. www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=58686&cat=1,42884,58686 www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=69363&cat=1,42884 Hope this might help you in the future.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Bob, it's funny, I had the perfect little saw in my tool box that I got from Lee Valley. I just forgot to use it! Thanks for the links!

[@momenta______9612]

but if you carved on the deadwood of your ginkgo it will be looking like an old looking bonsai.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm hoping it gains lots of vigor this year and then styling can proceed.

[@momenta______9612]

ok thanks

[@neutronshiva2498]

Funny thing: In Japanese "chichi " translates to "BOOBS" :D

[@ingridjordon-thaden3636]

I am surprised at the 0% organic matter in your soil for this plant. I wouldn't have guessed!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Here is how I water and fertilize this mix.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYmseqOuitarmrs

[@louiscastro2701]

someone needs to invest in a jigsaw

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Do they make a hand crank one?

[@louiscastro2701]

@@TheBonsaiZone Great video by the way. My office parking lot is full of Ginkos and I've been planning on making some cuttings for awhile.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I have always wanted to grow trees from hardwood cuttings, hopefully I'll give it a try one of these days! I hope your Ginkgo's grow well, they are a really interesting tree.

[@Tony-ys3yo]

N

[@TheBonsaiZone]

ice going, welcome to the Foist Zone!