Repotting My Cotoneaster and Gardenia, Part 2, The Bonsai Zone, March 2022

I'm root pruning and repotting my Gardenia from a large nursery pot down to a smaller training pot. Just like the Cotoneaster in part 1, this Gardenia root base was quite a challenge!
To see previous videos of my Gardenia, click on the playlist here...
• Gardenia Bonsai
To see part 1 of this series, click on the link here....
• Repotting My Cotoneast...
#TheBonsaiZone

[@timameye7687]

I can't explain it, but the french Lilac seems to have a musical aura around it, It feels like I can almost hear french music in the background everytime Nigel films it.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Gardenia in operating room1. Paging Dr. Saunders. Paging Dr. Saunders. You are wanted in surgery. Gardenia in need of a root prune. Paging Dr. Saunders. Dr. Saunders, Master Surgeon of root pruning. Excellent!!!

[@kevinrandell5189]

🍵☕📻💺🌵🌴🌳🌲😂🤣😂🤣🤣😂

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Under your guidance, the 2 should do great.

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Major root pruning! Some future bonsai stars just started their journey. 👍🤞

[@marysoldeeley2218]

🗼😊 Another giant chop off! Fingers crossed for this one as well. These videos help me be more brave..

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Greenhouse is really helping your trees to enjoy Spring.

[@DeWhiskeys]

Apart from the entertainment of watching somebody exercising his mastery, your thinking out loud has thougwht me the mindset I need, the process, what to think about, when, and why. Thank you

[@LetsDoBonsai]

Damn it i was busy so missed it - ah well im getting to watch it now.

[@pjbabu2169]

And I am started KZbin channel Because your the inspiration

[@craft-o-matic2377]

Good morning Nigel!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Good morning Lisa!!

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

Lots of young exciting project to follow. Looking good Nigel!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Colin!!

[@pjbabu2169]

This pj I am big fan of the bonsai zone

[@lukasmihara]

Looks like both trees are off to a good start on their bonsai journey :)

[@beth7467]

5:40 On the limits of how much you can root prune. I got a bit over-eager and transplanted all my maple seedlings into more suitable soil yesterday and perhaps was a little over-zealous on the root pruning. As I told my family, bonsai is all about cultivating patience, so I may have learned a nasty lesson from yesterday's work. (I'm in the same town as you, Nigel.)

[@kevinrandell5189]

Twenty Eightoist! Ish!🖖🌲🌳🌴🌵

[@pjbabu2169]

Thank you sir 😊

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Most welcome!

[@stuartrose7628]

Its encouraging to see some body with your experience still get the collie wobbles, ive root pruned my maple today and keeping my fingers crossed

[@baldyeti]

Loving all the root work videos. So very satisfying. Another tricky root plain you got under control. Lookin great, brother. Thank you for sharing.

[@dabblingwithbonsai]

Nice work! Hope the Gardenia survives also! We get a cold spree coming, it's been around 15c on the sunny days here, but heading down to -5c at night time for a week or so. No repotting for me yet, tho one of my birches has already leafing out. Hoping it won't die.

[@pjbabu2169]

I am inspired by your videos

[@ploddinon]

I'm dying to see an update on this one!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The Cotoneaster is doing well, the Gardenia didn't make it through the winter.

[@thenaturecreater8906]

I am sure they will be fine😀

[@sherryparry6651]

Nigel, you are scaring me🤞🤞

[@trentcardin3767]

I found a very nice gardenia in the spring this year, did some light pruning and a pretty good root job. Potted it in kanuma soil. It's finally, after months of scaring me, beginning to throw off new growth. For months it was acting as picky and sensitive as a serissa with it's location and watering. How is this gardenia doing for you now Mr. Nigel?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

My Gardenia didn't like the hard pruning, the trunk is still green, but still no shoots!

[@trentcardin3767]

@@TheBonsaiZone I hope it catches up for you. I literally started treating mine like I treat my serissa. Pretty much, set it and forget it! I finally found a spot it prefers but it still kept yellowing and dropping a few leaves here and there. I began to only water when the soil started drying out, same as my serissa. And I started to only use rainwater. 100% kanuma soil. Japanese tamahi fertilizer. I was excited to see your video on gardenia as bonsai. There just isn't a lot of videos or information out there for gardenia as bonsai. I have 56 bonsai/pre bonsai so far. Various species.. the serissa and gardenia have been tough for me. Have a great week Mr. Nigel and thanks for the cool videos. If you're ever in Louisiana give me a shout. Ill take you alligator hunting and we will talk bonsai while we eat 'em. God Bless.

[@trentcardin3767]

Not sure what the pH of your soil is, and I'm sure you already know, but gardenias are an ericaceous species. They love acid. Have you tried lowering the pH with spent coffee grounds or perhaps sprinkling some kanuma on top of the soil?

[@Lilliancooks]

@@trentcardin3767 yes, it’s hard to find info on gardenia bonsai. I got my first one 3 months ago…thankfully it’s doing beautifully…and it’s been indoors the entire 3 months.

[@dianejudd2897]

Hi Nigel I just love your videos. I have a question...your gardenia that you kept in your greenhouse did you keep your heater on all winter? tku take care dj

[@bluekettle9060]

I watched it training video from the other day on tigers 60yrs young give or take,30 in the bonsai game I've been asking everyone lately wot music do U listen to n ur favourite band, cheers

[@Liisa3139]

Ugh, that pot is so ugly! Gardenia is such a beautiful plant that it deserves a nicer pot.

[@saltdee9477]

Hey Nigel! What is your reasoning for using a regular nursery pot as opposed to a bonsai pot? I'm quite new to this still

[@mikeconroy8214]

Hi Nigel. I have the same question.

[@bonsairomero]

I think the pruning was extreme and long time may be not so good, but that is just me. Quick question, Nigel, do you always use the same tool for the different cuts you make during pruning the roots?

[@suz4keeps]

Savage much on this one

[@debfaulbonsaigurl]

Hi Nigel another scary video 😬

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, it gets less severe as the trees get older!

[@whollylostandgone]

Quick question Nigel, noticed Ontario Grower Supply has Turface was wondering if you have used it at all for a substrate?

[@howard946]

Hi .Did the gardenia grow? May we see it?

[@pjbabu2169]

Hi sir How r u

[@sbragaglia]

Another video part, another large root system to tame! Thanks for sharing, videos like this really help to learn repotting. 🪴

[@stepheneurosailor1623]

4th

[@hyperionhelios190]

Foist

[@otterwench]

Is it possible to start a new gardenia from a big juicy root? I'm thinking one of the upper roots that have some trunk tissue still attached. Also I saw someone use a flattish convex rock centered under the main trunk, buffered by a little soil to train the roots at a good angle. Have you ever tried that? He also wired the roots but that didn't appeal to me.

[@rebeccahunter725]

That is a cool technique. Specifically to adjust for wiring the tree into the pot, which is something I have not seen Nigel do. Basically, the equivalent is lifting the tree and working the soil around the roots, then putting some rocks on the surface to keep it stable while it establishes. I love the sharing of ideas and techniques, it allows for great personal refinements to be made! I have had success (and failure) with using rocks on the surface, and will be trying the rock under the base in spring. Fingers crossed for good maple roots to come!

[@Sandy-yz1yr]

2nd

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌👌🍎

[@thoduosapriina4750]

How to make bonsai soil!!!?

[@getyourkicksagain]

There are quite a few variables involved, as it depends on your climate and the individual plant's needs, but here are a few guidelines: You want a soil that can dry out in a couple of days without watering, but that will readily absorb water after drying out. The components to a bonsai soil mainly fall into two categories with some crossover. Components like gravel and pearlite which mostly shed water and help the soil drain and aerate the roots. And components like potting soil and peat moss, which help the soil retain moisture. Roots in general do not like to sit in water all day, neither do they like to dry out completely. They enjoy being cycled daily between wet, moist, damp and almost dry. If I don't know what a specific plant needs in its soil, I would start with one part water retaining and two parts water shedding components. Water the plant well, making sure it runs freely through the drainage holes. Your soil should ideally drain through the surface in a few seconds at the most. If it stays puddled on top, you need to add more water shedding component. This soil should allow the plant to stay moist most of the day, and feel quite a bit drier in the evening. If it stays too damp, add water shedding components. If it dries out too much or too fast, add water retaining components. Lastly, there are those components which do both things relatively well. The safety-sorb stuff Mr. Saunders uses as well as the much more expensive Akadama soil from Japan readily accepts water and dries out acceptably enough that some people use it on its own, or with added pearlite to make it lighter. Good luck!

[@magdagrif]

Have you ever done wisteria?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

That will be coming soon!

[@magdagrif]

Yay!!!

[@sherryparry6651]

You are not leaving any roots

[@pjbabu2169]

I hope next time my nephew did better than his old videos

[@pjbabu2169]

So please send to me suggestions and massages

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I can't send you a massage, but messages are good!!! Lol!

[@nadirin776]

Banyak ngomongnya...berisik..

[@Tybold63]

😅 Think I almost heard you laughing when finished the pruning lol. Maybe you know we all think you are so bold on sizing down the roots? CHeers

[@getyourkicksagain]

Good root work, sir, but I am a bit confused as to why you would put the gardenia in such a narrow, deep pot. The new roots have nowhere to go but down, as the root tips nearly reach the edges. If you want the roots to spread radially, you want a wider pot. Placing a flat rock under the tree in its pot will discourage downward reaching roots while allowing for more soil volume which helps to hold more moisture and regulate temperature better than using a shallower pot.