A Houseplant to a Bonsai, Part 1, The Bonsai Zone, June 2022

Drastic pruning gets Manuela's dwarf Scheffera (Schefflera arboricola) underway as a bonsai!
In part 2, we tackle a giant Jade (Crassula ovata 'Gollum')
To see other video's of dwarf Scheffera bonsai, click on the playlist here....
• Schefflera Banyan styl...
#TheBonsaiZone

[@manuelapoli3283]

Yes, it's taken me this long to comment on the video I'm in. There is no way I would have attempted this on my own. Nigel you are an amazing teacher and mentor. Thank you. And, as you reassured me, two and a half weeks to the day, it began to sprout. Will keep you posted. M.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That's awesome, can't wait to see it develop!! Remember the new shoots will look like little octopuses!

[@jcbizthekey]

How is this doing now?

[@palatina6626]

Has it survived?

[@grobonsai]

Wow great material! That's setup from a great future, I really enjoyed watching this work. Just don't find schefflera like this in the UK

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Darren, I think it has a good future ahead!!

[@kreativ_corals]

"Reptile bark thrown in....for no reason" killed me hahaha! Great video thanks for sharing

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It may or not have any benefits!!

[@kreativ_corals]

@@TheBonsaiZone I think it does 😉

[@BonsaiCornwall]

I cannot wait to see updates on this tree, brilliant work 💪🏼

[@bradleyc9538]

Nice work Nigel. That is very well set up for the future. It will make a beautiful bonsai some day thanks to your vision today🙂

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Bradley, I think it will be really nice in the future!!!

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Great job Nigel! 💪👍 Manuela, you might not realize it, but letting Nigel work on those roots is like a present for him!! 🎁 Can’t wait to see the tree in the fall show, trees in training section! 🐦💙

[@jballenger9240]

And a real gift for Manuela as well. Win - Win.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

So true Jay, I can't wait to see it in leaf!!

[@jamesn7156]

The great thing about house plants… You can find them anywhere and cheap, and can afford to take big risks!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I always see some and think, can I squeeze one more tree indoors for the winter?

[@MitchellMasilun]

Her tree got what I like to call "The Full Nigel"

[@dabblingwithbonsai]

Thw schefflera sure got a Nigel treatment! 😅 Looking good, the aerial roots make kind of mangrove vibes ❤️💚💜💙💛🧡

[@ogsxl]

Hah! The pensive "are you ready for heavy duty cuts" most potted plant owners must think we are heartless sometimes

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

You have a great cardinal trio. Great singing.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, we get a lot of Cardinals, Blue Jays, House Wrens, Crows and more!!

[@hamr58]

Thanks, I have 2 of these trees. A previous occupant of my house had possibly 25 years ago placed one growing in a 14-inch plastic pot into a hollow log in their landscaping design 3 feet above the ground. Over time the roots cascaded and now some of those aerial roots are 3-inch in diameter giving me some great branches for air layering. My first new plant is approaching 10 yrs since separating from the parent tree. So thanks for showing me how to get it into a shallow pot.

[@your_local_reptile6700]

Trust me you do not need to air layer these guys cut a root off and plant it that is all that is needed could cut one these into just a stump and it will grow. To get rid of them you have to destroy the hole plant including roots or it will keep coming back, they're almost impossible to kill

[@josephascroft4774]

Love this video, I really relate to the sympathising with the trees and finding it hard chopping them back lol

[@TheBonsaiZone]

So true!

[@meenashah2311]

Thank you for making this video it’s so helpful for amateur like us gratitude for your help

[@Jaydabaus]

I think schefflera is quit an amazing tropical tree for bonsai. Had a cutting rooting in water last year, put it in an flowering pot and this early summer it went into a training pot. Cut the top off and it sprouted about six new shoots :D

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Oh wow, nice!

[@patsfreund9164]

Like what you did with this schefflera. It is definitely styled with the future in mind.

[@angieb6899]

Love the background rooster 🐔 😆

[@milkman81]

“Just, like, That.” ❤

[@ferasi6944]

Drastic transformation and a good basis for the future! If you use a bypass pruners it is much easier to cut through branches or roots if you bend the branch slightly away from the sharp side of the pruners. I got this tip from a gardener and it works.

[@luisw3406]

Potted plant owners are shocked & Odd at this video. Me I can't wait to see how beautiful of a bonsai it becomes.

[@milkman81]

7:00 GREAT INFO! Very happy to hear this!

[@jballenger9240]

What about Tom’s ratchet pruner? Seems it might have been a place for it today. WOW incredible hardwood.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I forgot about it, whoops!

[@jballenger9240]

Keep with your other wonderful tools. 😉🪵🌱🌿🪵

[@spudtaylor9]

A class from the master. What an honour!

[@jkhuu8]

Nice transformation Manuela. Way to take it to next level. Looking forward to seeing it some day...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks John, I can't wait to see it again too!!

[@AndreasR.95]

Im jealous, this tree is beautiful! Very good job Nigel!!

[@berkreatifria3396]

Its good, view a beautiful bonsai, verry job..

[@empret7704]

My hart sunk just like the lady with the first cut, why did you bring me here. But this will be a beautiful bonsai at the end ❤️ 👌

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think it will be a nice show tree one day!

[@TropicalBonsai]

Scheffleras are tough plants!

[@bonsai-tvc1426]

Wonderful. Thank you for sharing!

[@-ChrisD]

Very cool

[@Xerophyte316]

''And Reptile bark... for no reason'' hahahah I got that. I was surprised to hear him say that to you during that repot it wasn't very nice!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It was my soil we were using, I'm not sure if it has any benefit, lol!!

[@marysoldeeley2218]

Well on it's way to becoming something amazing!

[@mikec3820]

the weed comment was funny lol. its true too. bonsai soil/media and hydroponics are the same thing. the aeroponic systems are similar but have no media. id so watch the nigel cannabis zone! ty nigel and guest. great work and a awesome shefflera

[@thejackbonsai8201]

Nice concept at the beginning..

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you 🙂

[@arvindreddy4527]

This is a good training video for me. I have a multi trunk umbrellas tree which I hard pruned two weeks ago. It’s started growing new shoots now. I have to still fix the roots though.

[@TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

Looks awesome nice job! I’m going to offer a constructive criticism. This obsession with growing in basically rocks is overrated. I’ve grown pretty much everything including Bonsai in peat moss or soil based mixes for years with great results. Most people don’t want to water three times a day, or even everyday, and it’s also not natural or necessary, organic matter is actually a positive not to be avoided like the plaque…

[@profesorbonsai]

Semangat membuat bonsai mbah 🙏🏻

[@BONSAICERIACHANNEL]

Istinewa sekali 👍👍👍

[@HaiHai68]

very good,..........

[@ishajac3637]

I just asked this very question 5 minutes ago in a different video. Can you cut off the root system of a conifer shrub that's been growing in a standard nursery pot? It's NOT from a cutting and I'd like to get confirmation that it would be safe to do. ~~~~~~~~~~EDIT~~~~~~~~ Oh happy day! I am now half way through the vid and I see how he's handling the root system and I am very excited for my projects. The sad looking little shrubs that I've rescued from my job are going to be turned into beautiful swans.

[@LifeinLancashire]

A great transformation 👍. Hopefully we'll see in the future how it's getting on. Gradually the majority of my bonsai have died off ☹️ and now I'm only left with a hawthorn forest, a beech forest and two maples (all only 4 years old) and 4 ficus in the house. I'm keeping my fingers crossed hoping that these all continue to survive as it's a bit disheartening when they die.

[@hmm_silas]

Love your vids always are a good teacher

[@tarian_bonsai]

Amazing👍👍👍

[@danbehrens1621]

Wow! That was allot of work. That thing is going to look amazing. I hope they bring in back to you in a year or 2 to work on it again. Can’t wait to see it again. Did you kind of want to buy it from them Nigel?😁

[@paulbyland]

The biggest reason I've not switched to your bonsai soil is because I don't want to have to water trees 3 times a day. Lol, it seems bad enough that I'm having to water every 3-4 days right now!

[@keefe4484]

well done

[@otterwench]

So cool!

[@bonsaisemeru]

good work Nigel,, 👍🥹

[@bonsaisemeru]

i wait the next part,,

[@smack09]

Bet she wasn't expecting that!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think she had a bit of an idea that would happen!!!

[@mark-davidchandler5895]

wow she's terrified!

[@bastiv7806]

I'm sure all the single Bonsai guys want to marry her... 😅 Nice tree, as well.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

😁

[@kayakkevin]

Nigel, I just got some pine seedlings that are around 4 years old from a nursery. I should wait until spring to pot them in a bonsai pot right?

[@spudtaylor9]

Pot them up now. Just dont disturb/ trim the roots too much. Hope that helps

[@mrscotchguy]

I agree with spud. If you're jusy slip potting them, anytime soon is fine. But, spring time before the roots grow new tips if you plant to do rootwork. Health of the tree is the most important factor.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Surgery in operating room 3. Paging Doctor Saunders and Nurse Manuela. Paging Doctor Saunders and Nurse Manuela. Patient S. in need of your surgical skills and nursing assistance. The good doctor and surgical nurse, have the patient well in hand. Cool video. Excellent!!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Tom!!!

[@steev927]

LUL, Nigel's way of fertilizing mirrors the marijuana industry. Love it.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

They have the science!

[@spudtaylor9]

Nigel you should try hydroponics. A weeping willow would love it.

[@MaybeBonsai]

This tree looks a lot different after the pruning hahaha, although not unexpected!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I can turn any tree into a stick!!!

[@MaybeBonsai]

@@TheBonsaiZone or sticks haha

[@nickybeingnicky]

Hello party people 🥳

[@bebopkirby]

Funny how these Bonsai creators seem to use totally different ways to create a Bonsai. One guy in the UK seems to be always like a barber cutting and shaping , while after watching many of our host’s videos l decided to fast forward, yep it was a stump.

[@ianrowe9337]

" Who was that Masked Man ? "

[@carolficorilli9768]

What are you using for soil besides perlite?

[@Wolfy459.]

Hi Nigel. What exactly is safety sorb?

[@jeremyowen1]

I've used high frequency fertigation on many different plants I own. I still haven't come across one that didn't show better results.

[@meenashah2311]

Can I ask you one question why did you sealed the cuts with glue

[@TheDavveponken]

What function does the wood glue have? What would you risk happening if you wouldn't seal it?

[@sarah300c1]

Curious as to what the purpose of the glue is?

[@Prickly-Brew]

Nigel you up to help my bonsai the 125 yr old umbrella plant. Given to me from the matriarch of an amazing woman who says her grandmother got when she was a young lady.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Indeed I am!!!

[@Prickly-Brew]

@@TheBonsaiZone I have put up some videos of me doing a up-potting on my page in case you are interested in seeing the beauty! The family whom has had this like I said claim it was their grandmothers from a child. Then passed on to their mother and then on to granddaughter. It came into my life through said ( granddaughter ) via her brother (my boss) where it has been the last ten yrs ….In a brewery fully open for anyone to mess with ,which has resulted in some very disrespectful and or overly large clippings being took. 2 yrs I took care of this before I was asked to take it home and now here we are. This might be the most white knuckled drive across town I’ve ever taken watching this rocking around in the back of a pickup truck.

[@mrscotchguy]

Do scheffleras do better in full sun or partial sun?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

If they have a good root system, full sun is best for compact growth and small leaves!!

[@mrscotchguy]

@@TheBonsaiZone I'm aiming for a mini-forest inspired by yours. I repotted early spring and seems to be happy in full sun with a shallow pot. Hoping in a few years the forest will start coming together!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

@@mrscotchguy Awesome!!

[@noehernandez1898]

Is there an update to this??

[@alanrogers8535]

Please show an update sometime.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I will for sure!!!

[@palatina6626]

Has it survived?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, the tree is doing well!!

[@nrponugoti]

👍

[@sr20ser.]

I appreciate the plant part of the video, but I would be remiss if I were to not compliment you on the shirt instead. One of my bonsai has a part from a crashed A12 (06929 / 126).

[@Andi_M.]

17:18

[@LetsDoBonsai]

Foist

[@dubsydabster]

TURN UP!!!

[@bonsaitreasure6791]

so much long video

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Too long?

[@linepoto]

i want to do 1 on 1 with u how can i contact u? Mr Saunders.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Here is my email... [e-mail]