Creating a Desert Rose Bonsai Forest, The Bonsai Zone, March 2022

I've always been fascinated by the beautiful landscapes of Socotra Island with the Desert Rose (Adeniums) and Dragon's Blood trees (Dracaena cinnabari). This has inspired me to create a miniature Desert Rose bonsai forest!
To see previous videos with Desert Rose, click on the playlist here...
• Desert Rose Bonsai
#TheBonsaiZone

[@PSPMHaestros]

One of the things I love the most about your channel is that you're not afraid to try out new species and innovate with different ideas. Traditional bonsai techniques and styles are nice, but it gets monotonous if that's the only thing you do. Nice work!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Edu, I've always liked something a bit different!

[@bluekettle9060]

Dude ur so right that video got me thinking so much as well

[@exploitingtheirpower]

Why am I thinking of prairie dogs after seeing all these videos of dessert rose lol really cool stuff here Sir! Definitely subscribed

[@BlueJayBonsai]

A masterclass in creating a forest landscape! Thank you Nigel! 🙏😍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Jay, I'm already thinking of improvements to it!!! Lol!

[@blueridgebonsai9155]

Nigel, you’re going to need a bigger greenhouse soon if you keep growing all these tropicals! But they do look good.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

So true, I must resist getting more....but can I?!!

[@thenaturecreater8906]

No you cant nigel 🤣

[@blueridgebonsai9155]

@@TheBonsaiZone No, they’re like potato chips, one is never enough!

[@mattbrennan647]

Just when I thought I’d seen it all with Landscapes and Penjings Nigel delivers something totally unique. Absolutely amazing. Thanks, keep growing

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Matt, I hope it develops nicely over the years!!!

[@barbkrienke8400]

That Socotra landscape is AMAZING, Nigel! I really love it! And I can’t wait to see your second island, with the jade dragon blood trees! It will be fun to see how those evolve over the years under your care!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Barb!!

[@amyjones2490]

Omg the wonders of the Creator are truly astonishing! I’ve been interested in these plants for years. I’ll enjoy watching yours grow.

[@TobyJin]

The Adenium forest looks good, can't wait to see it in the future when it flowers.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Toby, I've got them by the heater and fan to help dry them out. I hope they do well!!

[@TobyJin]

@@TheBonsaiZone I think Adeniums can tolerate slightly more water than some succulents, it's been wet and humid for around 3 weeks where I live and I have my Adeniums under cover and non seem to have any problems.

[@tomconnaghan9610]

Nigel that is drop dead gorgeous. It’s amazing that you created that in 1 day. The only thing I feel my eye is drawn to the stark whiteness of the photographer. If he were done in a light gray or light green he or she would blend better into the composition.thanks again for sharing your beautiful work

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll be painting him in a future video, thanks Tom!!

[@lorigraham2496]

Agree. Could the photographer be spray painted? All that really matters is that you are happy with it.

[@dabblingwithbonsai]

Looks very authentic Socotra landscape. Will be magnificent when in blooom ❤️ Now only to paint the mini-figure!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, that is next and I'm also going to plant a few more succulents as bushes!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

This is one super fantastic landscaping!!! Landscape 101 with Bonsai Master Saunders.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Tom and thanks for the aquarium gravel too!!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

@@TheBonsaiZone They are out on Amazon. Once in I will get you another bag.

[@kuwatsugiyono]

Sekilas seperti bentuk aslinya hanya dirubah menjadi bonsai minimalis. Sungguh luar biasa 👍 Terima kasih sudah berbagi ilmunya ♥️♥️👍

[@pattivermeersch7348]

Turned out wonderful…..love the island feel ….thanks for sharing your great imagination

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Patti!

[@bokachannel4056]

Bautiful. Inspiration idea... thanks nigel...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Glad you enjoyed it!!!

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

Socotra has incredibly unique plants. Frickin love that place.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Indeed!

[@arunchandwaney449]

I've falling in love with adeniums since past 1 year I spend hours and hours with them

[@loycemarch8409]

Making these scenes is like playing in dollhouse. Fun and calming.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Indeed, it certainly takes you away to a different world!!

[@dylanbehan6202]

The windswept trees are awesome!

[@greenspacezambia]

I love the idea of created a mini landscape with desert roses. We will have to give it a try.

[@lorigraham2496]

Wonderful to see another option to the twisted pine. Your forest may encourage many to try something new. Great work.

[@Lorijeantanangkilvlog33]

Woow it so very nice and beautiful. I have a lot of this flowers I love it

[@romtom8588]

This is absolutely fantastic, and I look forward to seeing its growth!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Rom Tom!!

[@kiki-drawer2669]

Your eye for composition is so trained and experienced! Every time I can't see your vision until the very end when it all comes together so perfectly! This will be a favorite of your work for sure!

[@TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

That’s a nice landscape and beautiful island... I found a pot on the street and purchased a dessert rose this May similar to the ones you have there in small pots from a convenience store. After some growth and pruning and fertilizer it’s looking awesome, but no flowers yet. I water a couple teaspoons every few days, so it is always both wet and dry, it likes it.

[@JamesEndo1]

Phenomenal Soccotra pics!!! That is inspiring! Thanks!

[@jhinabhaipatel819]

Excellent landscape.

[@sean8333]

I wish my local nursery had those things. Those are neat. I like thick trunk succulents.

[@MIMMO4068]

Complimenti veramente un bel lavoro, fatto bene, proverò a replicare qualcosa di simile anche se sono alle prime armi nel mondo del bonsai, di ritorno dalle vacanze alle Canarie ho comprato delle bellissime piantine di rosa del deserto, grazie mille per i tuoi consigli e saluti dall'Italia.

[@DavesBonsai]

Very cool planting! Can’t wait to see it as it grows out.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

If it grows out, lol! Thanks Dave, I'll take good care of them!!

[@aniketabasu4658]

Fantastic!! I'm spellbound with your idea.❤❤❤

[@markosteen2704]

My word!!! Those are massive!!

[@avalancheadenium]

hi, i am crazy Adenium lover, this project is more interesting for me

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Glad to hear that!!

[@passionbonsai88]

Inspiration work Nigel ,thanks for sharing

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Many thanks!!!

[@margaretsimmons7542]

I was very excited to see this project and I am not disappointed. It's fantastic!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Awesome, thank you!

[@pamkeers4445]

Love the composition!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks so much, it is doing well!!!

[@Shilohsparadise]

This is a fascinating video. I love your plants!

[@7puggiescyndycarruthers193]

i freaking LOVE your Socotra Island! and ironically, my beautiful mature adenium rotted out just the other day. i barely watered it, but it just retained too much of the water. so i watched your work on this planting with a mixture of both envy and glee! well done, Nigel.

[@michaeleber4752]

Ufff, Nigel, I worked and lived in the states but retired to Medellin (City of Eternal Spring). Watching you deal with all the snow there gives me nightmares. jejeje but your lessons outweigh the horror of snow!!!

[@barryauguste9734]

Its about time you gave us an update on your Adenium Socotra Island landscape isn't it Nigel.....please!

[@sean8333]

That turned out really nice. I like it

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you!

[@mindfulmusicing7900]

This is wonderful. I feel you certainly captured the Socotra Island vibe. I really enjoy learning about how you do your landscapes. Thank you for the post.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks!!!

[@zoyashtern4535]

what the soil composition is ?

[@peterkeightley4256]

Hi Nigel. Great to see you and your channel back again. Your rocks look like Seiryu Stone, the one aquascapers use in planted aquariums. Really nice planting, inspired me to buy some Adenium seeds.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Peter!

[@raveichandrangovindasamy4804]

Beautiful ❤

[@uppergorple]

Quite remarkable Nigel. Awesome - as everyone has said. I do have reservations about the photographer...

[@carynludwig6667]

Turned out beautiful, Nigel! 👍

[@BBQNBLUES]

Excellent choice of music for this Beautiful "National Geographic Quality" tour :)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Many thanks!

[@KleinBonsai]

This is my new favourite from your collection. I absolutely love it! 😍

[@vivadevega]

Can't wait to see your updates on this!

[@juliesmith1874]

Really like this planting

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Julie, I hope the trees do well!!

[@dim2035]

Loved the montage. The music was beautiful!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Di, it is Desert Caravan - Aaron Kenny from the KZbin audio library!

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

Wow...so freaking cool.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

More to chop!!! Lol! Thanks Colin!

[@Boredoldman]

I have started Desert Rose from seed this winter. They are not growing very rapidly yet, but I am thinking they will take off when spring gets here. Thanks for another great video.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I think once they get the warmth and good light, they will grow really well!!

[@Moh_Mia]

Great video.

[@shvshvhkv8608]

Wah...👌👌👌

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Sunit!

[@eveturner1260]

Beautiful

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Eve!

[@jeannetteberlin3967]

Sieht super schön aus Nigel. Ich liebe Desert Roses. Ich habe auch welche,leider nicht soviel Platz. Tolles Video.

[@mimirose4012]

It came out so good!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Mimi!

[@mimirose4012]

You are welcome!

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

So much yes!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Seiyuokami!

[@salc348]

Genius👏beautiful Nigel

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Sal!

[@adelaguerra5687]

Wow super good, love it 🥰🤗😊❤️

[@JamesEndoSanJoseCARealEstate1]

Love the Socotra Island landscape!!! Love the caudiciforms there, like people guarding the Island. Warm outside? LOL Love that other bonsai mountain stream . Wow!!! Beautiful Socotra Island arrangement. how do you keep the Adenium small?

[@foreverblueleafs]

AMAZING.....❤

[@ansonclark3588]

Super cool. Love it! Anson.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks!

[@IJones]

We need a desert rose update this spring

[@lachainemanquante5397]

Curious trees these are. I like them...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, they are so bulbous and then they put out these beautiful flowers!

[@saritalopez1021]

Great. job.😊

[@DakotaDS]

Thanks, Nigel!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Glad you enjoyed the video Dakota!!!

[@Johnfranco-o7x]

Wow😍 Waching your video give me lot of inspiration😊

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Glad to hear that!! Awesome! I've seen many succulent arrangements that look really good!

[@Johnfranco-o7x]

Keep the good work and this positive Hobby😇

[@lukasmihara]

Looks good! Very authentic :)

[@Tybold63]

Excellent start, you have such a good eye for compositions

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@plantsnfishin412]

I feel so tempted to try my own take on this

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope you do!!! Every one should have a Desert Rose forest!!

[@ph-vf5hx]

Amazing alien looking plants

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, the plant world has some interesting forms!

[@belleve2understand]

COOL!!!!

[@RahulPandey-tj7yq]

Nigel, you can add one more tree with the last tiny one...then it will look better 👍 ...i think 🤔

[@samyjagam8292]

Want a combination of soil mix.thanks

[@barryauguste9734]

Gorgeous desert landscape - outstanding interpretation....

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Barry!!

[@Liisa3139]

Your most exciting group planting. I realize how you don't need to travel much as you make the world come to you. That's a concept worth selling to a wider public.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That would be much better for the environment too! Thanks Liisa!

[@alicer3423]

Nigel, Adeniums will get wrinkly and feel soft when they are dehydrated. Good luck with growing them. They are a total different monster than trees. Which I am sure you already know.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'll do my best Alice, me and Adeniums usually don't get along!!!

[@huntermcdonald9928]

Your forest arrangements are always exceptional!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Hunter!!!

[@marysoldeeley2218]

Absolutely fantastic! I most certainly learned a thing or two here!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Marysol!!!!

[@Allinone-yl6mw]

Nice good 👌👍♥️🥰

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

I've been waiting for you to do this one for sooo long! It looks really nice already, but I can already see the future potential there too. They will look great in a few years

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, I'll continue to refine it over the years!

[@debfaulbonsaigurl]

What a beautiful landscape you're very talented man. Thank you for sharing

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Deb!!

[@TeamFishweights]

Wow, great result 👏 👍 👌 unfortunately lost the bottom 3/4 of one of my Adeniums to rot, despite carving out and spraying tons of anti-fungal. Next time I'll just leave it out of any soil to dry up properly

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It's easy to kill them, especially when they are that small!!

[@PlantObsessed]

I wonder how old those addenium are in the real island?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I would think they are very old. I've never seen a really large one in person, the biggest I have seen is about waist high.

[@MrThomascor]

Well done Nigel, this looks amazing!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thank you Thomas, I already have plans to improve it!!!

[@craft-o-matic2377]

This planting is a huge WOW Nigel! I love it so much, and I can't wait to follow its progress! It is stunning! Love the music you used too! Perfect! Thank you! Lisa

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Lisa, now the hard part, keeping them alive!!!

[@craft-o-matic2377]

@@TheBonsaiZone You can do it Nigel! I have every confidence!

[@twodogsyyc6729]

Great composition. I've had mediocre luck with desert rose, also nobody has them in Calgary on a regular basis so super harf to get. I hope yours do well. Take care Nigel

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope I can keep them alive!!!

[@navdeepsharma3112]

Vision❤❤❤

[@aaronleslie1581]

I know your a flower guy!! So am I and trust me it’s so worth the wait for those flowers to pop out, this will be my second year growing mine and I literally am a school girl waiting for those flowers lol

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, they are so nice in bloom, I think that's the beauty of succulent's!!!!

[@aaronleslie1581]

I’m not so good at growing succulents, but I find this acts more like cactus and for some reason it’s been super easy!

[@josesoto9099]

Dang they get that big in the wild

[@stuartrose7628]

Cool man very cool🙂

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Stuart!!!

[@SamDoeckeAussiebonsaibloke]

Had to laught, Fairly warm out today ( meanwhile snow and ice everywhere 🥶🥶)) 🤣🤣

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Just like you Sam, walking around in 40 plus heat, saying what a beauty day! I guess we're opposites!

[@SamDoeckeAussiebonsaibloke]

@@TheBonsaiZone 🤣

[@michelreyder8954]

You said in the clip: it looks quite nice"." I dont think it looks nice, but it looks fantastic!!! Very beautifull!!! I normally really dont like treegroups/forrests (yeah i know: i'm crazy, haha). But this looks stunning! Would love to have a group like this! warm greetings from Germany!!

[@loycemarch8409]

My granny would say... it looks like you are frustrated and you are pulling your hair out.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Michel!!

[@bluekettle9060]

I never knew that U put the biggest tree at the front that's some cool shit I'm Gunna try a forest or something similar now cheers central coast Australia

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks!

[@ck8313]

Very nice. Loved the Caravans theme music

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks C K!

[@otterwench]

So fascinating to see it brought to life. Wonderful job.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Diana!!

[@GrantGreetings]

You so inspire me. I have three varigated Portulacaria Afra bonsai trees that I have placed near a west facing window and they are doing great. I have had them over a year and they look so beautiful. You were my inspiration to try them. I'm glad I did.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Awesome, nice to hear Grant!

[@nl7426]

how did you grow the adeniums in small pots and yet have really big trunks? 😊

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think they are root pruned and potted into these small pots?

[@nl7426]

@TheBonsaiZone Thanks!! Your mini forest looks amazing, by the way. 🙂

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

By the way, I found some pre-made bonsai soil prefect for just about anything if you want the brands name. My adeniums love it, cacti love it, ficus love it, I think it's a pretty well all around balanced soil for just about any zone.

[@miming2020]

Do you have an update of this desert rose sir😊 i want to see how it goes now😁😊

[@HansWeberHimself]

Like Matt said elsewhere in the comments: “keep growing” 😁🙏

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope they do Hans!!