STARTING BONSAI in 4 SIMPLE STEPS!

DON'T let a future Bonsai defeat you! Learn about the 4 EASY steps I use when starting on any NEW Bonsai material. Today we will tackle a Yamadori Hawthorn Stump. This method really does work 😊
More great help for Bonsai Beginners:
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God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing
Xavier
-- TIMESTAMPS --
00:00 We all get Daunted by bonsai.
01:32 Step 1: The Base & Trunk.
03:37 Step 2: Remove ALL unwanted Growth.
05:42 It is NOT a race.
07:18 Creating a simple Branch Pad.
09:32 Take regular breaks.
11:48 Step 3: Define your Branches?
14:40 Step 4: Setting the Structure.
17:26 Some last cuts to make.
19:07 Fertilise & Water well.
Equipment & Acknowledgements:
I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC 330 Bridge Camera
All video production using AVC Video Editor Software
Sound equipment courtesy of: johnaronphotography.co.uk
Handmade Ceramics by: Dawn Isaac of deiceramics.com
Please be aware that all details of products used are given for your benefit only - I do not receive any financial recompense. I just think they are good value and you should know where to buy them if interested.
#bonsaiuk #bonsaitree #bonsaicare #yamadori #hawthorn #bonsaibasics #bonsaigarden

[@susanbossert6833]

Quite a comprehensive presentation. Well done!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you so much Susan - it almost seemed like I planned this video (for a change) :)

[@GrowingBonsai]

You have been doing bonsai for 20 YEARS? Man, you started when you were just 15?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That made me laugh Jelle :) I was waiting for you to say...'and this is all you have learnt' :)

[@sueb1317]

Oh Yes!! It's like you read my mind Xavier. Every year, I love seeing the masses of healthy growth, and then my heart drops a bit because I'm overwhelmed with decisions. Thank you so much for this clear, well-demonstrated path to success!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

This time of year is always bad for that when I am faced with all of the spring growth leaping for the stars :)

[@marosbonsai]

Good textbook approach for tackling collected tree, easy to understand and clear for any newcomers I believe. Well done

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you for the compliment. It can still be daunting when you are faced with the starter tree :)

[@jazzrat2000]

I love a break for some coffee.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

and biscuits too :)

[@malsrfun2956]

Loved this, because I always struggle with how to begin.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It really can be daunting some days.

[@thebrightsidepotteryandbonsai]

Honestly, THAT was a fantastic instructional video Xavier!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks for the encouragement

[@nerinat8371]

Excellent video Xavier, thanks so much

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Nerina - at least I put off forming an apex till next year :)

[@AlexBraunton]

Brilliant video Xavier. I'd forgotten about this! What a great piece of material.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers Alex - it has definitely been ignored for a good year :)

[@joegarland4885]

Hi Xav that has a really good trunk, you can see it is an old tree obviously a yamadory, as you went on I thought to my self, he has got use wire to get the best out of the tree which you have my friend, you are right about not rushing into cutting branches that in the end you may want for the final design, it sometimes a good idea leave off working on the tree for a day or two, just look at it each time you pass by, not that we would pass by much over the last couple of days as it has not stopped raining and is going to continue over the next few days. Keep doing what your doing Xav with the enthusiasm you show for bonsai work. Take care my friend.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I really appreciate your wise words of support Joe. I have learnt to become more patient with each tree I abuse :)

[@raymondplodzien7459]

Well done Xavier!!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Raymond

[@MeadowViewBonsai]

Surely step one boss man is to cut all the fu@%#&g thorns off 😂😂. Epic stuff dude, a master class indeed🌳

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

You definitely make a good point Darren :)

[@deepanjanbanerjee3491]

Good one. It took me years to summon the courage to do a hard stump chop but still struggle to identify the leader after that!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

The real issue is getting that leeader to develop enough to be credible - that's my biggest issue and one I have done a video on for next February :)

[@DavesBonsai]

What a fun tree that is becoming! Nice info my friend!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is definitely a great tree for practicing different skills. A little bit of carving next :)

[@walterknittweis5976]

very helpful video. careful explanation of what can be done to something that was intimidating at first glance.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is amazing once you start cleaning a tree out how quickly it becomes a 'manageable' prospect AND fun :)

[@OutsidethePot]

I know you have a lot of trees in your collection. I have about 300 in development now. But I remember what I’m doing with every one of them. 😆

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I get into trouble because of doing videos. I get a subject or idea in my head and grab the first tree that looks like a good candidate...usually forgetting the 'reason' for it not being a good candidate :)

[@ScottTheExperimentalist]

Thanks for another video! Love your content

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I appreciate you taking the time to watch and support me :)

[@stewartjenkins4001]

Great video excellent observation knowledge for a beginner like me now I have an an idea how to tackle my 35 year old feild maple stump thankyou

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I really look forward to seeing and hearing how you get on with it :)

[@donnadornbusch6738]

Love your approach

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you Donna - once you clear the mess it all starts to become a lot easier to tackle :)

[@KennetDeBondt]

Step 0: find a good rootbase😂 Grts Kennet

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Funny you should say that - that is always step 1 usually. But in this instance, I still haven't had a chance to look 'down below'. The viewable rootbase is a bit of a mess so I am not really setting a front until the first repot next year.

[@rainproofjeans]

Great breakdown, and great progress on the tree!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is just so good to finally get a start on it. I might do a little bit of stump carving in a few weeks time.

[@rainproofjeans]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Nice. Will enjoy seeing your progress. I am trying to figure out what to do with my redbud stump that’s a similar diameter although a bit shorter. It was a rescue (was accidentally pushed over and broken while clearing a trail), so the trunk chop was not very calculated haha. Originally had promising growth near the top, but it died off this Spring after trying to shoot out new buds. Plenty of suckers coming from the base now, so I’m letting it grow wild until inspiration strikes hah..

[@JasonHolbrooks-bk4rp]

Love the tree love the videos but could you show more of grafting and air layering

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I show stuff as I tend to do it. The last two years I have done quite a bit of airlayering videos but I am about to airlayer a Holly and a Beech. I tend to start this process a little later than other because I really want the spring growth to have hardened off properly. I have only done one thread graft so that is still a new area for me to explore. Thank you for suggesting content and thank you for your support :)

[@phillipwaterman5721]

Nice to go backwards sometimes Togo forward thanks xavier keep up the good work mate thanks

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That is such an important point and one we sometimes have trouble dealing with :)

[@raymondbirds2392]

Lovely job

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Raymond

[@Yurup]

I feel that the right side might be a better front, but great video!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

You may be right. In truth, until I have had a look at the roots, I haven't really fixed this position yet. Cheers for your advice :)

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Daunting 🥰 Love this term 😁 Kind of prehistoric looking tree, I definitely like what you have done to it. 🤩 Thanks Xavier and enjoy your day 😘 Cheers 🙋‍♀️ Martina

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Daunting...haunting...and flaunting! I love playing with language :)

[@andrewbeattie5245]

Spot on ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Have you settled on a front yet?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

No - until I look at those roots next year I am keeping my option relatively open...give or take 25 degrees :)

[@user-zu6nd2bn6i]

Thanks Xavier, a really useful and well presented video, wish all this was available when I started. All I have to show is a "Turtle back" Field Maple and Lime, l am thinking how do I recover these. Best wishes Pat

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It was good fun doing this and to be truthful - I did find it daunting to begin with. I have a few trees like this that just get left each year - especially a few of my larches :)

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Oooh never seen that before - that’s some chunky material. I have something similar that I am planning to air layer the top off - thought it’s easily the thickest material that I have tried that on. Cutting away the thick, crusty bark is going to be a challenge 😮 In fact, the more I look at that tree, the more it looks like the one I have… have you considered air layering off the top? 🤔

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

No way. This is set up perfectly for a strong design. I have had very mixed success with airlayering Hawthorn and I would not chance it on this project. I can definitely see why you would airlayer thee material you have though :)

[@johng3669]

“My no cut square” 😳 You have a nice base on that tree but have you ever let the bottom up growth grow for a season/year to help fatten the root base and if so how did it work out?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Yes I have often let the bottom growth go crazy for a year but it just causes higher twiggy branches to die off - in my experience. The phrase relates to a 'TIKTOK' trend amongst girls last year relating to 'My no go square'. My mind comes up with random stuff far too often during videos :)

[@johng3669]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat thanks for the additional insight. I’m happy to say I missed out on that TikTok trend but I’m familiar with the term. That was definitely random. 😄

[@jazzrat2000]

Have I asked you if you would do a video about your setup to make these videos? What kind of camera, what kind of backdrop and so on? You could use my videos as a "before" picture.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Yeah you have asked mee and I think i said I would look at doing something soon. I did cover this in one of my early videos but I would never expect you to inflict that much viewing agony on yourself :)

[@jazzrat2000]

could You do a video about how you set up your videos? What kind of camera stand and what kind of backdrop you have? Those two things make my videos awful.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I shall try and put a something together in a few weeks time if that's ok?

[@jazzrat2000]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat I lost where in the video I made my comment about if it can't be used it has to go... I end up saying that to myself as I prune all the time!

[@jazzrat2000]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Excellent, and just ignore me if I keep asking because I don't often keep track of what I've asked. Just ask my wife!

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Bruce

[@jazzrat2000]

yes, could it possibly be made to be part of the final design, if not, it has to go

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

If you let me know where in the video you are talking about then I might understand a little better. Cheers :)

[@johng3669]

Not sure if I missed it but did you determine which branch will be your apex or could it be either of the top two branches? With my very limited hands on experience and what I can recall and understand from information I’ve tried to absorb I likely would have cut off the 2nd branch from the top because it looks thicker than your first branch. And continuing from there I would have cut every branch to the first or second bud except for the first branch. Or does that tree’s branches thicken quicker at the bottom than from the top?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I think I suggested that I was still uncertain which of the branches I was going for but I did want thickening - hence I left them to grow upwards. It is likely that I will prune them both back hard next year and then build an apex from that new growth. It is mainly because I will be carving the tops of those stumps that I want all those to be thicker first. Cheers for your views :)

[@bonsaisn]

Chào người bạn của tôi ❤❤

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Xin chào bạn cũng vậy. Bộ sưu tập cây cảnh tuyệt vời của bạn hiện tại thế nào?

[@bonsaisn]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat cảm ơn người bạn, cây vẫn xanh tốt phát triển khá ổn định.