Creating Jade Bonsai, Part 1, The Bonsai Zone, Feb 2019

[@kkohler0624]

A guy on a FB bonsai page said "Jade isn't bonsai." He then commented that Portulacara Afra is not jade, which is true, and said, "Show me a jade bonsai." So I posted your video. I think you clearly demonstrate he's wrong. Nice jade trees and forests! Thank you!!!

[@glow1815]

Am 4 years late but better late then never lol. Your video was in my feed since ive been watching Bonsai adn Succulents plants all day lol. Very beautiful. Ive nevrr seen or hear of Bonsai Succulents. I have a Bonsai trees for 4 years now i kept it small

[@brandyD33]

The aquamarine colored bonsai pot was actually phenomenal, in my humble opinion. It was a dynamic contrast to the earthen colors of the plant foliage and stalk. But hey, to each his own. Beautiful plants you've got there. Subscribed.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Brandy, it never hurts to play around with colours and shapes of pots.

[@josephascroft4774]

Really enjoying your videos as I have just started growing bonsai trees, I already had some jade plants and other succulents but didn’t know they could be bonsai’s so you have opened a new door for me so thank you so much and God bless 👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Wonderful!

[@juliaf_]

An ontarian! So refreshing to hear a familiar accent online :)

[@LilDirt12]

Hello. I usually don't like when people get off subject and get sidetracked but I'm so glad that you did It is absolutely beautiful in your yard. Thank you for sharing.

[@kimvG666]

I just decided to start doing bonsai. I was looking for some info and found your video. Luckily I have a Jade plant! He's not doing very well and I almost gave him up.... Until now! Thanks to your video my Jade plant will be fabulous again! ✨ Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and sharing your bonsai secrets🙏🏼

[@Bubble170]

Are you me? 😂 this is exactly what happened to me this morning! I was looking at trying bonsai and suitable trees to use, then saw my sad old neglected jade plant and thought…yeah I’ll try and save it and use for bonsai! How’s your Jade doing? I’m going to plant two from leaves and two from cuttings to play around with. I’m lucky I had any leaves left?

[@kimvG666]

@@Bubble170 Hahhah mine almost died again so I planted new leaves again and they are doing great! In summer it's too hot in my room and in winter it's too cold so I lose a lot of plants over the year :( But I'm not giving up! hahah

[@InbenNaidoo]

I like your casual approach and your inclusion of wintry conditions and snow is interesting for someone in South Africa who has seen snow maybe 3-4 times in his life

[@LShropper]

“See that one?” *immediately buries that one in snow* 😂

[@GardenTronics]

Jade forest is a wonderful idea! Thank you! I’m going to make one after I find a suitable pot. ❤️🌿

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks and I hope your Jade does well!

[@GardenTronics]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone so far I found a coconut coir lined basket laying around and I added 5 miniature bonsais with some other succulents. So far, they are doing good. Thank you for the well wishes. 👍🏼🌿💕

[@GraftingTactick]

Real cool showing those white snows on those tree branches, absolute beauty 👌also like you jade forest looks so beautiful 👍thanks for sharing

[@wodnyrak]

the jades with the original pot at 2:00 made me think of palm trees at the beach, the aquamarine looks like ocean water 🩵

[@genealogyjeremy]

Just starting four portulacaria afra’s from babies and on a mission to learn and train them as bonsai’s. Thank you Nigel!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope your trees grow well Jeremy! They are a good tree for bonsai!

[@lindsey4178]

I love "the look".... All plant lovers know that feeling. Lol. When you decide to clip something and try to decide exactly where and how, we get that look....we make our decision but then there is that moment of "here I go, am I sure this is what I want to do?" and then we work up the courage and do it. Lol. I know that feeling and I know I'm not the only one...

[@sophiaangelini4368]

Beautiful snowy garden tour.

[@kokilapatel5553]

Beautiful back yard ,wonderful jadeforest and very friendly tutor

[@ericsvideos1]

Sooo glad you see Winter as beautiful my friend. I live in Chicago and I am done with it! Lol. But only a true nature lover sees the beauty in Nature regardless of the Season!

[@mehdirahimi52]

New video 🙌,thanks for sharing this awesome videos about bonsai trees. ❤

[@snakesnake6938]

U persian ?

[@lesliejobe7800]

What an incredibly beautiful homestead you have!! I am in Texas and it's 100 degrees today...you live in paradise!

[@artao5]

HOLY FRIGGEN HARD PRUNING BATMAN!! Seriously. That was a shocking cutback on that jade forest. Wow! :O Very bold.

[@obadiahsvision8425]

brutal

[@michaelduncan6287]

Full on Nigel !!! Haha

[@ShiaShnaky]

I absolutely love his video, not only do I get to learn about bonsai and jade succulents, but at 4:30ish we get swept away in a backyard adventure of yours. Really wishing i didn't live in the city and could have a greenhouse of my own someday!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Tylar!

[@sabineshatraw7822]

Hello thank you for a relaxing and informative video. Plants are wonderful and so important. I have a small potted house jade plant. It's about 3 years old. One of my favorite plants to have.

[@patricialisowski1080]

Well, that was very enlightening!! All this time I have just discarded most of the Jade cuttings.....There will be a change here, and I will try some of the stuff you are doing....on a much smaller scale, though. Aren’t you glad spring has finally come to us!!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I can hardly wait to get all the indoor trees out on the benches, but that will be another 3 weeks at least. I hope my little Jade forest works out, the trees are all growing the leaves back in.

[@lamyaarigati8589]

فيديوا زوين بزاااف عجبني ومحتوى تاع قناتك كنستافد منوا بزاااف اتمنى لك مسيرة موفقة

[@kevcrabill7921]

This gave me some real anxiety but I appreciate it. I'm trying to take care of my old jade that was a gift and I'm so worried it wont come back from anything I do to it but this made me feel better. Thank you.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

So far all the Jades are growing well, with proper watering and good light, Jades are a very tough plant!

[@ThriceFan16]

I’m learning so much from your videos, Nigel. Thank you!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, very nice to hear!

[@87pastrychef]

I am watching this from Brazil, I have never seem this amount of snow in person, can't even begin to imagine how cold it must be 😆

[@chlodelune8387]

this put the biggest smile on my face this is just so pure

[@obadiahsvision8425]

You seem like the kind of geezer I need to listen to. Just getting started with bonsai. thanks

[@SuperManning11]

Wonderful video! I'm watching this in the middle of summer in Palm Springs where it's about 42 degrees today (107F), so the beautiful tour of your snowy backyard was fantastic. Here my jade trees go dormant in the summer and have to be brought inside or they essentially 'melt'. Left out in this heat the plant cells must die, then the cell walls break down so the whole tree crumples into a pile of mush. Indoors they survive but don't thrive until cooler weather returns and they can go back outside. I have learned the hard way that this is true for most succulents. They may look a bit like cactus plants but the similarities are only superficial. However the plant that looks like a jade but with smaller, rounder leaves (I'm forgetting the name) does take the heat and seems to thrive in it.

[@greggles1987]

Thanks for showing us your winter wonderland Nigel

[@lesliejobe7800]

I have just discovered you after searching about how and when to plant my baby bonsai trees in new pots. After one video, I went and pruned my fig like no other....I'm excited to see how it grows out. I also have a HUGE jade plant in my greenhouse that I KNOW needs pruning..so here I am! So excited to find your videos!!!

[@PleasantPrickles]

That cutting! Wow! 😍 jades are my favorites! Thanks for sharing your expertise. 🌱🌱🌱

[@exert2020]

How ignorant am I. I've just received a ginseng bonsai and only just realised I had two jades. I've never known what they were, where I got them or that they were even bonsai. Amazing.

[@charmanehenderson4625]

Wow...the snow is Beautiful

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I agree!

[@BonsaiJCan]

The Jade forests are really cool! I appreciate your advice. On to part 2!

[@courtneylee5633]

I’m curious what it looks like today two years later and I like the contrast of the teal with the dark green!

[@shesothorny9892]

Nigel, I am very grateful to have found you. Every day you seem to post something interesting and whenever I need help/inspiration you always have a helpful video. Thank you for being awesome!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you very much!

[@elliybear2]

Beautiful!! Do you have any updates on your jade forest?

[@MakeoutTakeout]

I find your videos so interesting

[@skiendhiu]

Some go0d tips, was going to do a couple of mine today as it snowed over night and I got the urge to stay in and get at them, your video just came up, so very timely, the Canada arm made me smile, hello from Vancouver island 🇨🇦

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Dhiu, the Canada arm is so nice, I can move it around with no wires or stands to trip on! Go Jades!

[@SaikatJoydhar]

Mr. Nigel, a suggestion about social media: can you let us know which one is going to be your next video through twitter or instagram or any other social media? That way we can ask questions, and you can discuss them in your videos.

[@joe33011]

He isn't on Twitter or instagram , there's fan pages though

[@sheska8207]

@@joe33011 He does share pictures on Google plus tho, which is shutting down, so there's a chance of some new social media outlets for The Bonsai Zone. I'd personally love to see an instagram account. ;)

[@hirgoghari6595]

Your house back yard is very bigger and beautiful plant are there..

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you, I do like having a forest in the back yard!

[@trevorsell4598]

Hi Nigel, thanks for the video. That Gollum Jade will be a wonderful bonsai! I have two mini jades off the same plant - one is in full sun and very dry, and the other is in good light, but no direct sunlight, and is watered regularly. The dry sunny one is nearly all red on the leaves, and the other one is green! They're both healthy but very different from each other.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The sun can make a big difference in leaf size and colour. A local greenhouse has a really old Jade that they use for cuttings, it's the perfect bonsai!

[@steveooooo4423]

What soil is good for my baby jades?, I have many that have always been suspended with the roots in water in drinking 🥂 glasses, I've got some terracotta tubs ready, they fell off the mother plant (i inherited) that i will now prune after watching you, so thankyou 🌈

[@nicolehall2006]

Winter scene looks beautiful and frozen . Unsure l will like it over a week.

[@toddbrown5399]

I' have an Africa Crasula or jade 11 yrs old ,Yes they do get very monster mountainous top footage roots mine is well into a tree now the leaves heart shaped and, very tiny on the bulky frame that is very dark brownish purple like Baobab. I' have many themes to this plant in its story . 18:18 you said that very well; these trees in bonsai can get incredible looking and, are no comparison to just a house plant style . Mine has a root span like your Ficus Microcarpa very hour glass looking massive; it is a I' like to say Shakan Moyogi meaning leaning informal up right wind swept but, then back to trunk base center a very exaggerated informal up right. It is in a spiral as it does this from root base to Apex and , branches following up on the outside of the going up counter clockwise . Has the appearance of an old oak or, Baobab .

[@munzer2006]

спасибо вам огромное за вашу работу!

[@deadeyeski]

We visited our homeland of Poland in 2018. We spent the first part of our trip on my side of the country, and then later we spent time at my father in law's. He had a Jade planting, must have been at least 20 trees. The trees, with some work would be an amazing bonsai planting. I did not dare even bring up the subject of his house plants, knowing what seeds his daughter and I have planted. Plus I doubt we could have snuck it passed customs. Love the whole idea of using a "house plant" as bonsai. Given time anything can turn out beautiful.

[@KaitlynBurtonISaGOD]

I've got a jade which is getting quite overgrown now I've had it for about 8 years and am nervous about messing about with it 👀

[@maryanntimodingal8213]

Wow what’s beautiful snow 😍😍😍

[@wernermeyer2670]

You missed a pot, go to minute 03:00, second shelf.

[@lindajackson7310]

Hi edagdwg love this video God at work enjoying the show I like it is that snow glad I'm not in N.y. anymore thanks for sharing linda j ☮️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️💯💯💯

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Linda, nice to hear!

[@paulschaefer5241]

Those outside views look a lot like it did here a couple of days ago. All winter we went without snow then last friday winter storm maya came through and dumped two feet of snow in 72 hours it is just now starting to melt a little.

[@gideonmccoll4892]

Heard your voice and wondered if you were relativly local... saw you step outside and knew lol. Hello from the GTA. Great content, subscribed.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, yes I'm not too far a way from Toronto!!

[@3388nora]

Thank you for your great work. Can you please do a video for the soil please?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes I will, I have one on soil, but I can do an update!

[@3388nora]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone please do.

[@ppiilloottee]

Beautiful 👍👍👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Tthhaannkkss ppiilloottee!!

[@LinLin-ep5wu]

did I just hear you dropping F* bomb? haha you're so gentle I'd never thought you would :P

[@CConn-df7hy]

Lin Lin so it was t just me that heard that lol

[@EnSnusTack]

was looking for this comment xD

[@chinookwind8535]

He said looking

[@LinLin-ep5wu]

@@chinookwind8535 ohhh hahaha thank you. I replayed it and he did indeed say "looking." It sounded so much like otherwise. Glad I am not the only one who thought otherwise lol

[@brianzampaglione6112]

Hahah!

[@purnimabhatt5355]

I can't wait to start one? Thanks.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

They get fantastic as they get older!

[@JOlivier2011]

I can't wait for winter. Hoping for this amount of snow at least once.

[@stirer1]

Gosh how beautiful the snow is so so white , not much of that in Australia

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It is a sight and very bright in the sun!

[@DinadoDarcio]

*WONDERFUL SHREK EAR BONSAI, I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS SUCCULENT, A BIG KISS FROM BELÉM DO PARÁ BRAZIL*

[@ningningprecious943]

I love your presentations I learned a lot from your video! Thank you!

[@karabonsai]

Hi Nigel, realy smooth pictures! And an awesome accent, kinda like that mixture. dewa mata.

[@bradley7013]

My mom has always been a succulent head Than I realized she propagates and mainly grows jade What a god cent🥲

[@aden8]

Thank you for sharing

[@jeffreyjeff777ify]

I live in Chicago. Is it okay to repot the plant in November? The jade is healthy for sure. I just want it in a nicer pot.

[@chriswillette8743]

Hey Nigel, would you mind doing a video on all the bonsai tools you use? I feel it would be very informational!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Chris, I do have some videos on tools, but not what I personally use. I should do a what's in my tool box type video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGPTZKmCaZqKma8

[@autumn5852]

OMG that snow 😍

[@beverleywatson1875]

Found your video by accident. Really enjoyed it especially when you said KW ! Hi from Waterloo

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Beverley from Waterloo. Waterloo, sorry I have that ABBA song in my head!

[@beverleywatson1875]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone , ha, sorry! Now we both have it. Ear worms the worst!

[@chaiwatpotichanid]

Tree beautiful keeps outlet 🌿Jack bodyguards wow picture child ❤

[@joshuamcdonald5850]

Haircut looks great!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Josh, it's getting wild again already!

[@shainasavoy]

Hi Nigel, I recently obtained an old jade plant that is 3ft tall, over 3ft wide, and many many years old. It is quite top heavy on one side, even after being redirected with light. A lot of the branches are very thick and established, so I am nervous to cut any branches off. Do you have any recommendations? Does the age/establishment of the branch ultimately matter to the overall health of the plant? I've been told by someone not to cut branches that aren't green or newly formed, but I'm not sure how much truth there is in that, as this is my first jade!

[@mostlytanks447]

Hi Nigel! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your page ever since I found it a couple years back. Recently I acquired a jade plant that I’d like to style into a tree but I’m unsure how I should go about pruning it back. Some of the top branches have very few nodes closer to the main trunk line. Is there any chance that I can send you pictures somehow to get your opinion on how I should approach pruning it??

[@patsfreund9164]

Loved the trek outdoors to find a suitable pot for the jade. You gave me a chance to enjoy the snow in the winter without having to be in it. So glad I live in s. FL. LOL Ginger is such a video hog. LOL again. (I actually love seeing her.) You really gave the jade forest a haircut. I was hoping you would make a raft style bonsai from that large cutting from your friend, Joey. Oh, well....... Any chance of a video on Joey's jade bonsai collection? (Noticed that you mentioned March break twice in your video. Do I detect an educator in you?)

[@michaelduncan6287]

With all the roots forming along the trunk, have you ever made one into a 'Raft' ??? Will they branch/trunk from the nodes if roots have already formed on one side?

[@haydenfox3116]

Great video! I was wondering if you are going to do an update on your bonsai from seed video where you planted those seeds. Been growing various types of tree seeds this spring and am looking forward to further developing them

[@Madran7]

Just today I sprayed my jades (crassula and portulacaria) with soap and water, and trimmed them...:D :D

[@nataliekidd2135]

I really enjoy your non traditional bonsai.

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

I too often have green on my pumice. It goes away when I reclaim it and let it dry for a while. (I amend and reuse soil because i use new soil when i repot. I just have to add new organic materials. )

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think algae likes to grow on the pumice, so does moss!

[@batmanthegrower4204]

i have a jada plant and it’s trunk is the size of my wrist it’s perfect to bonsai 👌🏽

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That's very cool, I love mature Jade bonsai!

[@shoulders-of-giants]

1:05 Round pot, round leaves, looks good to me.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I will agree!

[@propertylady57]

I do learn from your videos. Thank you.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you!

[@WatchItGo]

need some advice pls, I have a jade tree growing happily in my apartment which has all windows facing south. problem is I'll soon have to move to my new apartment and it has all windows north. really want to keep this plant, I love it, what can I do to create the right conditions for it? thank you in advance

[@entertainkingdoms]

Nice Video, love it. Learn more details

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Good to hear and thank you!

[@kestane123chesmo]

Are jade better for bonsai or Afra

[@jaimerico6499]

I love the Jade

[@melaniefranks5968]

Where do you get those nice pots

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I would look on line, many of the bonsai nurseries will ship them to your door!

[@daver9643]

Can I use banzai soil for my jade and a regular container pot? I was thinking about mixing it in with some of the succulent soil

[@xvln]

love the Jade!

[@bonsaiboy999]

Hi would it help my Jades in the Winter when theres not much sun around too use a Grow lamp ? i live in Cornwall THANK YOU

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, if Jades are kept warm in winter, they need a lot of light, the cooler you keep them, the less light they need. They do need to be kept above freezing though!

[@vanessavieira3435]

Tenho muita planta jade. Vou fazer um bonsai. ❤ Beijos do Brasil 😙😙😙😙

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Impressionante, não se esqueça de mantê-los longe de tempestades fortes e fortes, muita água apodrecerá as raízes!

[@boombapboom]

A gentleman and a scholar! How long should I wait to water my cutting pruning the jade? I turned 1 jade into 2.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I would mist the top of the Jade with rainwater, making sure not to wet the soil very much. A slight damp layer on the top of the soil is fine, but a deep watering could kill the newly forming roots. If you see the leaves starting to wrinkle, then begin to mist the tree and the top of the soil a bit more. I wouldn't do a thorough watering until the plant is outside in full sun. Be careful to slowly transition the tree to full sun next spring after the danger of frost has gone. (If you live in a cool climate)

[@thomasckuzia7129]

Hi Nigel, At my age (74) I cringe every time I see you cutting back a tree! I think I may need a variety of bonsai that's in steroids in order to see it grow! LOL Thanks for the video,,, Tom

[@caspar_gomez]

Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in

[@skiendhiu]

@@caspar_gomez nice....really like that...

[@abe8613]

What is the plant that you have on the left in your video at 22:00??

[@abe8613]

It looks like a china doll tree to me

[@jimsgardenproject3507]

Nigel. Trying to thicken up my plants. I’ve grown a lot from leaves. Some are years old now but they don’t seem to be doing anything. Is it true that if you keep pruning it the trunk will thicken? I’m not seeing it with mine.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Pruning only creates branches, if you want to thicken it up it's better to just let the tree grow. There is a balance between growth and pruning, too much growth and the branches will droop and possibly break!

[@jimsgardenproject3507]

@ thanks. Appreciate the reply

[@Cali16dale]

LOVE THIS VIDEO

[@BrokenZen311]

12:27 Can you make that into a raft style? It's already got the roots growing for you.

[@victorthompson5813]

How do you make a jade tree grow fatter? Mine are always skinny and have no branches. They are in plenty of light and i think i water them properly. Can you help me out? maybe its the pot? idk

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The Jades thicken up usually over the summer when the tree is grown outside. They need lots of strong sunlight, warmth and careful watering. Trunks can almost double in size in one summer once the Jade gets a strong root system. Too big a pot can cause the soil that surrounds the root system to stay wet and can cause the roots to rot and slow down the growth of the tree. The entire soil in the pot must dry out equally to keep the whole root system healthy. The pot size should be just slightly larger than the root ball. A good free draining soil should be used and the tree should be protected from the rain. Several days of rain can rot the roots and kill the tree. I fertilize every time I water and I mist the tree several times a day, being careful not to soak the soil.

[@askgbk]

Hey guys, does anyone know if these jade plants can be wired and set like regular trees ?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, Jades can be wired, you have to be careful and it's best done when the tree is dry and slightly more flexible.

[@morganjeanne4396]

On your final bonsai cutting, if you would have defoliated less on the trunks you kept, would the new roots be able to sustain the plant without putting too much stress on it?