The 5 year journey of a Maple Bonsai

In our longest running KZbin project we share the progression of a Maple Bonsai (Acer palmatum) from nursery stock to Bonsai. We share how to thicken a trunk using sacrificial branches and apex, and how to prune, wire and repot.
The video you are watching now shows years 3, 4 and 5.
Year 1 video: • DIY: Making a Maple Bo...
Year 2 video: • Making a Maple Bonsai
Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to:
www.bonsaiempi...

[@eeeealmo]

Fantastic. Long term progression videos are incredibly valuable to see how an end goal is achieved. Keep up the good work.

[@bonsaiempire]

Thanks, I appreciate you appreciate the time it took to make this haha - it has been quite a project but it is nearing completion I'd say :) Still has some way to go!

[@jeffhurst4744]

Just amazing. Seeing several years’ results in trim/design come to fruition. You’re going to have a beauty.

[@bonsaiempire]

Wow, thank you!

[@W9SL9Y]

So glad you decided to do a long form video on this tree after following it since that first video. Really helps seeing a few steps ahead working on similar material❤

[@bonsaiempire]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SubjectiveFunny]

I had no idea about removing a portion of the exposed roots like that to weaken them! I have watched hundreds of hours of youtube, that is the first I am hearing of it!! Great tip, thanks!!

[@bonsaiempire]

Well, its not something you would often need to do but in this case those two big roots just couldnt be removed in one go without weakening the plant a lot. I hope to remove them in one year from now and start work on a much better nebari.

[@deepanjanbanerjee3491]

Lovely video and enjoyed every moment of the progression

[@bonsaiempire]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@Babson73]

Inspirational as always. Beautiful work.👍

[@bonsaiempire]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@wabisabi3619]

Great! I remember watching the first video a few years ago 😊

[@bonsaiempire]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@AmeliaYeung]

Amazing project 🎉

[@bonsaiempire]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Bentley.Carlson]

Beautiful tree😊

[@bonsaiempire]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@anthonyredden1130]

I get the best information from this channel and the app. Thank you!

[@bonsaiempire]

Wow glad you like it. This video (hopefully) shows which techniques to apply when :) Patience is key growing deciduous material!

[@anthonyredden1130]

@@bonsaiempire indeed. Every bit of information I've utilized from this channel and the app has made my trees incredibly happy and healthy.

[@b.c.h.u.a]

I grow my bonsai and it's only good for 1 or 2 years and it dries up and slowly turn brown. I water it but dont know why I cant succeed. Gave up on it.

[@OjaiBonsai]

Awesome tree

[@lidiagracielamontaldo4846]

Gracias 🌎👌💖

[@guillermoalmansaavellaneda6080]

Un trabajo com el acer meagustado

[@toddlymburner5783]

How old is that Japanese Maple? I want to grow a mature tree like that then cut it down like did to about a foot but I’m worried it won’t grow any branches lower. Can you please explain?

[@toddlymburner5783]

Is that a dwarf tree or a regular sized tree that you are just keeping it small?

[@CYPHERCOMPLETE]

Thnks!

[@b.c.h.u.a]

What did you put to cover the big roots you cut off?

[@bonsaiempire]

I think you refer to the woundpaste?

[@soberhippie]

The music sounds like a mixture between "Good thoughts, bad thoughts" by Funkadelic and My Sweet Lord by George Harrison

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@ADRIAN-zh4ti]

Your bonsai looks like a chopped stick with a wig of leaves on top

[@Andrewnelsonz]

the tree looks completely disfigured and horrible. maples are elegant and beautiful trees. to think you can just chop a 10 year+ year old maple in half and expect to get a bonsai of any quality is poor thinking. this poor tree should have been left alone. start working on trees that you grow from seed and watch it grow over time. not this instant gratification style of making trees. maples are elegant and feminine. not this “thick trunk” monstrosity

[@Andrewnelsonz]

sorry, im having a rough day

[@bonsaiempire]

Oh I cant say I agree with you - its a 5 year journey and might need another 5 years - but if the apex is shaped it will look quite different from now and far more like a finished tree. Anyway, growing from seed is great and something anyone should do, but that doesnt mean we can't experiment with other material ;-)

[@DarthMasiah]

a hundred different ways to grow a bonsai is what makes the art so awesome 🖖

[@Andrewnelsonz]

@@bonsaiempire thats valid. i agree. Experimentation is always a good thing. and i suppose i have strong opinions about maples. whelp, have a nice day.

[@bonsaiempire]

haha no worries! :)