Thicken trunks for bonsai. 3 Ways to grown trunks out.

When you have a young plant, you need to develop the trunk. How do you get from a seedling to a thick trunk? In this video I will share 3 ways of growing thick trunk!
Please do let me know in the comments what you miss, where you would like to explain things in more detail. I will in my next video spend some time!
0:00 Which is the better bonsai?
4:47 The fastest way to a big trunk: chop
6:02 The intermediate fast route to big bonsai trunks: Sacrifice branches
8:08 The high quality route for bonsai trunks: Grow and trim and grow bonsai development

[@doctorrockso8126]

Thank you. My trunk got thicker just watching this video 👍

[@GrowingBonsai]

.

[@krisletsplay3266]

Ayo thats kinda sus😂

[@redmadness265]

📸🤨

[@jlg395]

@@krisletsplay3266 Don't say "sus".

[@thomasmets2152]

Don't want to know what your browser history looks like... ;)

[@tommy1273]

The idea of each branch contributing to the trunk was a real 'light bulb' moment for me!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad to hear there was something new!

[@Tamaresque]

Same here.

[@jasonhartsell6975]

By far the best explanation of trunk thickening that I've heard. I understand it so much more now! Thank you!

[@GrowingBonsai]

You are very welcome! Please let me know whether you have other topics I should addtess!

[@FuzzyButtCheese]

My wife said she wants a thicker trunk, this video saved my marriage!!

[@lomofatboy]

Ee

[@Mike-up6qb]

@@GrowingBonsai Hi may I know what type of soil can I used?

[@patchmota]

Jelle explains completely and has answered many of my questions simply by watching his videos. I can see that time and consideration were used in editing. Thank you, Jelle!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Great to hear! Wish you happy growing!

[@marthinedybvikvage4484]

This was so helpful, i have been struggeling with understanding how to properly trim my bonsai to get it nice and thick but now i feel like i have a much better idea on how to do it

[@GrowingBonsai]

great to hear! Please have a dlip through my videos. There are a few of them on pruning.

[@jonathanthomas7059]

Tony Hawk doing bonsai now!? Amazing! Great info mate 😅

[@GrowingBonsai]

Don't know Tony, so I cannot tell you whether he is doing bonsai. Guess you were planning to post this somewhere else.

[@Hermadas]

@@GrowingBonsai He’s saying you look like Tony Hawk, most famous skateboarder in the world;)

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

You just keep getting better and better with your explanations of important stuff. One of the biggest challenges I face is stopping myself from forming a bonsai 'before' I have waited long enough for a decent sized trunk!! It is so frustrating making myself wait sometimes. After seeing this video I am going to force myself to rethink some of my intended pruning decisions on my younger maples.

[@GrowingBonsai]

💕Thank you so much for this very nice compliment. I AM trying to get better. When I started this channel 5 months ago, I had never given youtube much thought and never really put a video together. So although I dare say I have pretty decent knowledge on growing bonsai, the learning curve on video making is VERY steep. My workspace is a mess, because I have spent so much time on getting video material together!

[@Xose873]

Great video! Thanks for showing the different ways to thicken bonsai trunks!

[@GrowingBonsai]

you re most welcome

[@Gowalkabout]

Concepts I’ve studied before, but your fine repetition of common ideas was such a huge help.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Great! Good to hear!

[@ericcuti]

Great job explaining the three methods. Patience is a key ingredient in all of these methods. Thanks and keep up the good work!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thanks for watching!

[@zzhou1557]

Great simple advice! Thank you for putting this together!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lynnhopping2162]

Excellent … and makes so much sense. Finally it’s clear how when and what and why. Thank you!

[@GrowingBonsai]

:)

[@dhruv_bhardwaj_01]

Just love the simplicity and rawness of the video. Very informative and it actually felt like someone physically present here is trying to explain it.

[@jamielawrie2728]

Very helpful and informative, 1 year deep so far and feeling alot more confident how to proceed. Thank you

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad to hear this! Bonsai is not dificult :)

[@Chiq20101]

I'm a beginner, struggling to know where to start with pruning my bonsai. This is such an excellent explanation and very clear, and has changed my whole idea of how to prune and grow my bonsai. Thank you so much Jelle, I'll be keen to watch more of your videos ❤

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad it was of help! Looking forward to hearing you being successfull

[@justinmacquiddy3238]

One of the most helpful and informative videos I've ever watched, thankyou.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Wow! One of the most biggest compliments I have gotten! Thank you!

[@randydaigle]

Thanks for making this video. Very well explained for us new bonsai gardeners.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you so much!

[@rohtdnivio]

Thank you ! Excellent information

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hi Thor, so great to hear from you! I am glad you found it usefull! Always nice to get a response. After producing and posting a video, it is always a bit of a gamble whether people like it!

[@What_If_We_Tried]

You explain things so well. thank-you and subscribed.

[@urbanexcursion]

Great video! Everything was well explained and easy to understand. Thank you!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Good to hear! Thank you!

[@AHMi-ArmandsHandsMadeIt]

Finally a video from what I can start making decisions... Thanks 🤘😎👍

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad I could help! Do let me know what you decide upon!

[@Tybold63]

Great video in a slow and thorough manner with many good examples on how to make thick trunks.😀

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you for your feedback

[@jimbothesailor4217]

Man, this video is great. I've ben growing bonsai for about 8 years and this is the best video on this topic that I've seen. Lots of great advise for any level imo.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Great to hear! Thank you so much!

[@kgrvr6029]

Good explanation of thicken trunk.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cpgilliam7]

Great information!! Ty for sharing. I learned much! I have several young maples.

[@GrowingBonsai]

great to hear! Good luck. Do watch the creating nebari video too!

[@SaffronJ7R]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@GrowingBonsai]

My pleasure! Thank you for dropping in!

[@andremiller4863]

This was more helpful than any other video I have seen on how to create tapering

[@GrowingBonsai]

Ohw, thank you so much! I am so happy you liked it! Did you have a chance to look at some of my other videos? Would be great to hear whether they are also helpfull to you!

[@njdpdv]

Thanks for the clear explanation! Just started with tree seeds this week. ✊️

[@GrowingBonsai]

Welcome to the new addiction Nicolas!

[@lilyrockatutu]

I am very glad I happened to find this video. It was very interesting and informative.

[@pesoverwatch9324]

Thank you for sharing that!

[@michaelp.nguyen7872]

Very informative and excellent explanation with video footage of your points. Keep up the great work! Thx!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hi Michael, great to hear! I am happy to hear you find the videos usefull! Spread the word! :)

[@126wil]

Very informative and well-presented. Thank You.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad it was helpful! Do look around on the channel and discover more videos!

[@kostastheo2043]

Thanks!! Amazing, simple explanation!

[@GrowingBonsai]

glad you liked it!

[@daisydoes3166]

Thank you! I am a beginner and had been searching for a video explaining this!!!

[@GrowingBonsai]

You are very welcome. I hope it helps you!

[@josemoreira-]

You keep giving very informative videos, thank you

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hi Jose, thank you so much! I hope you keep enjoying them!

[@julidev1445]

Nice vid. Lots of genius ideas. I will do it my Disoho. Thanks J.

[@Nanticoke]

Thank u for making this video! So inspired!

[@GrowingBonsai]

You are so welcome! Now watch another video of mine, close the computer and go work on your trees ! ;) Seriously. great to hear! Thx.

[@matthewmcintyre1881]

This video is wonderful. Thank you.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you so much! Glad you like it. Feel free to look around on the channel!

[@miltonescobar8685]

What a great job. You are a master. I love your work

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hi Milton, thank you so much! Too kind!

[@HoundStuff]

Nice video, very helpful! The many different examples were great to see and show the techniques.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad it was helpful!

[@danielchristiansen594]

Very instructive. Thank you.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidstokes925]

Did enjoy this video and seeing some of your trees!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hey David, I know. @Clicio has some great trees!

[@aathaath]

Thanks for the video! I shall try all three methods. What has worked for is letting the tree grow in wild for few years

[@GrowingBonsai]

great! Hope they work for you. Planting out is one way to speed up growth of your tree in general. there you can still apple each of the methods of course

[@anathema157]

Very nice video with examples. Excellent for beginners like I am

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnrdeyoungsr4726]

Very well done and helpful. Thank you

[@GrowingBonsai]

you are very welcome!

[@mayarada2059]

Again this is another pretty good video , another way for me to learned by making my house plants bonsai , do watching carefully with your video all the way bcoz exactly what I want to do with my house plant later on .

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hi Maya, I am so happy these short videos are helpfull for you! Hearing back from people that they can use some of the content for their own projects is what makes it all worth it :) Thanks!

[@harlzAU]

Timely video as I'm just doing my winter re-potting and pruning

[@GrowingBonsai]

Winter repotting.. That sounds like southern hemisphere? Where are you located Harley? Have a scroll though my channel.There are a few more videos dealing with repotting, but, granted, those are videos I made at the start of my YT journey and may not be as informative!

[@akurojak]

I feel fresh look up your plant sir...good job

[@GrowingBonsai]

So nice of you

[@bobbymalta73]

Thanks for Sharing Mate..

[@GrowingBonsai]

Any time!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Are you growing out bonsai trunks? Have you heard anything new in this video? Please do let me know in the comments what you miss, where you would like to explain things in more detail. I will in my next video spend some time! What can I do to make these more interesting for you, what should I skip? Any suggestion, please let me know how you experience this video.

[@tsmxshotgunx3469]

this video was very helpfull,thank you very much

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad it was helpful! Hope it helps

[@Evan-tt5kk]

Been watching bonsai videos for a few years now and NEVER understood this until now

[@GrowingBonsai]

So glad to hear this made a difference!

[@rajeshvarma7135]

Very nice way to thicken the trunk of tree & nice way to tell how to do it . Thank you very much

[@GrowingBonsai]

You are very welcome. Glad you liked it!

[@GrowingBonsai]

thank you!

[@ferguslowrey6452]

Very Good video , in explain , how to thicken plant trunk and eventual proportion of Bonsai.

[@louiswarmoth7354]

Very interesting. I’ve known bonsai for years but not much about how it’s achieved. Thanks.

[@jessienavarro]

Thank you. It helps a lot

[@GrowingBonsai]

Great!

[@johnlindell5024]

Love your channel Jelle! 🌳🌲

[@linhtran6910]

Well explain. Thanks.

[@GrowingBonsai]

very welcome!

[@rashpalpuarr3687]

Great video - helped me a lot

[@GrowingBonsai]

cool! That is why I make these, in the hope they may help people grow better trees !

[@sandeepchaturvedi1]

Simply love it

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you! Glad to hear!

[@secorskater]

Very helpful thanks bro

[@GrowingBonsai]

Happy to help

[@oscar_jjuarez5266]

Very helpful video ! 👍

[@GrowingBonsai]

Great to hear!

[@tylerjamesnewton1422]

Thank you for imparting wisdom - this puts into perspective shaping trunks in general, but especially for me as a beginner, shaping trunks of collected bonsai from the wild. I will use these tips to both shape collected bonsai and grow young trees. Bonsai is more important than videos 😉 Keep it coming tho!!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Bonsai more important than videos, and then you ask for more videos!? :)

[@seemooreb.9724]

Very interesting,,informative

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you Seemoore! I hope you have some time to flip around in my videos. Maybe there is another one you like?

[@naviwest5283]

Great lesson for me, would like more info from the start! Thank you.

[@GrowingBonsai]

What sort of information are you after Navi?

[@misteri09]

Very informative and straightforward. I'm really happy I came across your video. I've been wondering how bonsai's get those thick trunks and the reasoning for how and why you pick specific branches to cut. Thank you for this awesome video!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thanks for watching!

[@Comicslime]

Honestly the scars add character to the tree just like it nature you can find a lot of scared up trees and I think they look nice

[@rmhomegarden7726]

Nicely explained

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thanks for liking

[@rejuvinator7387]

Thanks a lot...interesting video!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you so much!

[@sbragaglia]

Very good and very helpful video Jelle, thank you! I’ll try to apply these techniques to my little plants… too many branches to choose from! I’ll see if I can take a clear picture of them and ask for your suggestions, if possible!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hi Stefano, would be happy to help. In the end it is not all that dificult, but for the first one or two trees it is nice to have someone walk you through the process & choices! Aim for taper, movement. Low branches thicker than higher branches. Shorter internodes over long internodes.

[@sbragaglia]

@@GrowingBonsai hi Jelle! So nice of you, thank you! I’ve just uploaded a video to explain my situation and ask for a few specific suggestions. What else can I do to prune the trees selectively and start them as a bonsai properly? Shall I wait till they grow bigger before pruning? Thank you so much in advance for anything (and apologies for the verbosity)! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZvRnoOdr7SBhpY

[@MatteJz]

Thanx..very interesting and useful vid. 👍

[@GrowingBonsai]

So nice of you Matte! Glad you enjoyed it. Do browse the channel if you have the time. I think there might be more videos you could like

[@davemoore4323]

Very informative video👍. I'm only new to bonsai growing. Got my 1st Chinese juniper maybe a month ago & have been struggling to find videos that actually help steer me in the right direction. Keep up the great work mate✌

[@GrowingBonsai]

great to hear! Anythjng you need info on in. particular?

[@davemoore4323]

Atm I'm a bit scared to cut my tree back as it is quite young & very small. Right now it's only about 18cm tall & the trunk less than 5mm wide. How long would you recommend before I start to cut it back or try to shape it? We're about to go into summer here in Australia too if that helps

[@theEVILone0130]

I've have always found the bonzi fascinating. And now I've gotten some time to start a new hobby. I am going to try a rainbow eucalyptus from seed.

[@mauryanlndian3679]

Yes good 👍 explain I don't much English but understood your voice.

[@GrowingBonsai]

thank you so much! Glad you could understand!

[@drkenweil]

Very Informative. I am a Japanese Maple fan, but not yet experienced in Bonsai or growing seed, layering or trimmings.

[@GrowingBonsai]

:) The first step is to get started :)

[@maxbabb2785]

Thank you very much!

[@GrowingBonsai]

You're welcome! Hope you enjoyed that

[@FairyFrequency]

Fantastic bonsai tips and advice. Planning on working with a couple of bonsai maples here in Missouri ♡

[@GrowingBonsai]

What species do you grow there?

[@FairyFrequency]

@@GrowingBonsai ...we have two little red maples that were rescued from garden spaces.

[@keefardin612]

GOOD VIDEO BEST BY FAR,

[@GrowingBonsai]

Wow, thanks! Humbled!

[@mostafahosseini2872]

Thaks for your Tutorial

[@GrowingBonsai]

I hope it was usefull!

[@natrjack965]

Fantastic video thanks for sharing hello from the UK 🇬🇧

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hey Michael, you are very welcome!greetings from Germany!

[@natrjack965]

@@GrowingBonsai I have been keeping bonsai now for about 5 years I am still very much a beginner I did try way back in the eighties thanks to the karate kid but failed due to lack of knowledge, but thanks to you and many others I am learning and doing OK. I have grown some from seedlings other I have bought as mature plants and I am training them to become bonsai.

[@5877user]

I’m just an amateur bonsai grower. My thickest bonsai trunk is a Japanese maple that I was growing and chopped off the top when it looked like it was dying in my clay soil. I dug it up, plopped it into a container with compost and potting soil and it survived. That was many years ago. It is still in its planter pot and the trunk is quite thick and aged. All my other bonsai attempts are young and have nice little trunks. I like the little trunks too. I also have several Japanese maple trees thriving in my little backyard and giving lots of shade during the summer months.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hey, nice to hear from you! Lovely collection you must be building there!

[@JasonSchmidt-1979]

Great video man, very informative

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you!

[@joewatkins1667]

Awesome thanks

[@GrowingBonsai]

Welcome 😊

[@iBEEMproject]

You explained it well more subscribers to come ❤️

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@MilesVlam-db7ib]

Thank you so much major help

[@GrowingBonsai]

Great to hear! Have fun growing bonsai!

[@mukeshchaturvedi]

Very good explanation, and I will definitely put it to practice. In many of the species however, banyan for example, the new branch grows only from the end where it has been cut. Thus, it proliferates at that end, but there are no branches in the lower part of the trunk.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Sometimes species require a bit more overall approach, such as removal of growing tips throughout to be triggered to budd. Many ficus species a full leaf removal and clipping of the growing tips is effective in getting budding. Naturally, one only does this with a very healthy tree!

[@HAJUBONSAI]

Very good

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you for the nice compliment!

[@barryauguste9734]

Great video Jelle - clear and precise. The algo's brought you up in my feed so your chanell is doing well. I will subscribe and watch all your other video's. Its such a shame we live such short lives compared to our bonsai. You are still a young man and have years to enjoy their maturing. I'm 65 and well aware that I will never see my plants grow thick trunks with taper. But I continue on anyway. I daresay they will end up in the dumpster one day, along with most of my belongings, as I don't have anyone to pass them onto. But In the meantime I continue to water, fertilize, repot, and chop....what else is there? Thank you for the channel.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Dear Bary, time is relative. I focus on enjoying the now. I grow from seeds, cuttings, get big trunks and can be tempted to get a nico pot every once in a while. It may sound cheeky, but the journey is more important than the endgoal to me. So in my garden there will always be more projects than finished trees. I am sure you will see many of your projects grow bigger, more beautifull and enjoyable!

[@wellbonsaicollection]

Nice bonsai

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you,!

[@woocashwombat3897]

Hey Jelle/Leatherback. Nice video, the algorithm just got you appearing on my KZbin feed so your channel must be gaining some traction. I like your style and its nice to put a face to the name! Now I’ll check out the rest of your vids.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hey!! Good to see you here! One could say it is getting some traction, yes. I am looking with amazement at the power this platform has, once it decides to put your content in front of larger groups of people! Some of my videos are spread around!

[@ponyrang]

Wow, My best friend, Wonderful video dear. I enjoyed watching. Hope to see you soon...

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thanks for visiting!

[@LuisRojas-rs6pv]

Beautiful red maples

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you!

[@pamelalandrum82]

Thank You

[@GrowingBonsai]

You're welcome! Hope there was something new in there for you!

[@mattelisar1343]

Thank this was helpful for my first attempt at bonsai life and growth. I'm starting with a inch trunk in diameter, and hoping for a crooked trunk.

[@GrowingBonsai]

:) Great to hear! Wish you a great bent trunk!

[@awalktowardsglory]

If you get them young you can bend them at an early stage.

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@awalktowardsglory absolutely!

[@Brian8059]

This is so cool! I just ordered my first bonsai seeds online. I know you have to be careful with seeds online, but I'm eager to hopefully at least get a few sprouts going!!! Your garden is wonderful. Thanks for the video.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Wow, i wish you lots of luck growing from seed. Did you get one of those starter kits, or seeds from a treeseed dealer?

[@Brian8059]

@@GrowingBonsai starter kit for now, but I figure if I don’t have luck with it, I can always just order seeds from a different dealer until I have a result. The kit was pretty inexpensive, so I was willing to roll the dice. I’ll update you on how it’s going. :)

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@Brian8059 OK, wish you best of luck. I hear varied opinions about the seed starter kit. Maybe I should get one and try & document.

[@12345678943330]

Nice

[@GrowingBonsai]

thx Vicky!

[@TheTunnellTake]

Fabulous

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you!

[@SrivatsChari]

Thanks for the explanation. One of the best video out there and has helped me a lot. I wanted to ask you if you could make another video about the third method (frequent cutting) going more in detail and more and clear examples? I have been growing a lot of seedlings and don't want to go the trunk chop route. So that method is ideal. But would love more detail. Also, there is barely any information on the internet about this 😭

[@GrowingBonsai]

probably because it takes a loongg time? Will look into it over winter!

[@paulhorn24]

Thanks a lot! Bedankt!

[@GrowingBonsai]

You're welcome!

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Thanks jelle. Without knowing i use all 3 Methods

[@GrowingBonsai]

That is excellent news! Have a forgotten a common method there there?

[@gayefanner731]

Que?