Those Norfolk Island Pines you got for Christmas, Here’s an Idea... 26-Dec-2024

[@dkstott29]

I wish you success with these Norfolk Pines....I never had any success in back budding after pruning them.

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

From what I hear, very few people have had luck with Norfolk Island Pines as Bonsai. But doesn’t that make for more of a challenge? Success or failure, I will bring you the results without censorship. Thanks Dave.

[@nerinat8371]

Although Australia is so close to Norfolk Is l have yet to see this plant in a plant nursery 😢 good luck with the forest Steve

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

That must be because we get all the trees here in the USA! From all reports, it’s not a great tree for Bonsai, but that only increases the challenge for me. Let me know if you can find them anywhere. They are even in grocery stores here around the holidays. Thanks Nerina.

[@mattbrennan647]

Based on personal experience I predict that you’re looking at months if not years of bonsai frustration 😂Thanks, keep growing

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

As frustrating situations go, I’ll take Bonsai frustrations over life frustrations any day. Thanks Matt.

[@baldyeti]

I’m with Matt But best of success to you, good sir.

[@maryweber4176]

You got this!

[@dreamingofbonsai]

It’s funny you make this today, I was going to run over to the big box home improvement stores today or tomorrow to see if they have any after Christmas sales on their trees. Good luck with these!

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

I hope you find some good bargains Dave. Thanks again.

[@MehranAshkanian]

With a little care and your great expertise it will turn in to a well established, well styled Bonsai forest in about 10 years or so . Great work. 🌲🌲🌲🍃🍃👍👍👍👌👌👌✌️✌️✌️

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

I very much appreciate these comments, and I will do my best to keep them alive and flourishing. In 10 years I will be about to turn 80, so I may be looking for someone to take it over by then! Thank you Mehran.

[@MehranAshkanian]

​@@Steves_Backyard_BonsaiForget about age. I am 72 . And this Spring I intend to create a Taxus Forest.mg son is in Germany with his wife and too busy as and not interested. As soon as I fell I have to pack up I give them all away. I wish I had started on Bonsai when I was 9-10 years old . I started too late. So I have decided to pass 120 to see the fruits of my efforts and the exp expenses . I am sure God understands me Wish you and your good family a Merry Christmas & a very happy & successful new year and a very very long,healthy and happy life 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌺🌺🌺🌹🌹🌹👍👍👌👌🙏🙏💙💙✨✨✨⭐⭐🌿🌿

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Cool Steve, I hope most survive and become a nice forest!!

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

It would be great if most live. They may not be a good subject for Bonsai, but they are an interesting species. Thanks for watching, Nigel.

[@n8tyler]

I had a chance to buy some 'for sale' Norfolk but I understand they can be pretty finicky so I'll be interested to know how your forest progresses...Thanks for sharing and have a great new year...Sequim, WA...

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

Same to you Nate. You are right about them. From everything I hear, they do not cooperate as Bonsai very well. I’m always up for a challenge. Cheers from the other end of the country.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Production, production, production is the name of the game for the holidays to get out some nice indoor trees for the holidays. They tie the roots to hold the clump together to make a fuller tree so that it looks like a regular Christmas tree so people can decorate. At least my theory on the NIP's.

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

I get why they do it, but it goes against my sensibilities that these are produced as disposable gift items. I hope others try ways to keep them viable for more than just one season. Thanks you Tom.

[@BuffaloBonsai]

I love the determination! I hope they grow for you steve! Id like to send you a "small" bonsai care pkg if i can. Lemme know 👍 edit: try lava rock but not the expensive stuff the big one's they sell for grills and break it up with a hammer. Ya know as a partial perlite substitute .

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

I would be thrilled to receive a Bonsai care package from you. Thanks so much Andrew. You can email me at [e-mail] and I’ll send you my coordinates. Good tip on the Lava Rock. Pumice might make a better perlite substitute I think, because it holds water, and is light weight.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Cool pot. Cool trees. Cool forest. All done by that master of the landscape, Dr. Steve. As time goes by. Great song. Memories. Now that would be a great song for the closing of the video for the forest.

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

I sang “As Time Goes By” when I was performing with a big band MANY years ago. It is a great song. My fingers are crossed this forest thrives, but not much invested in case it fails. Thanks Tom.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

@@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai Wow!!! A singer. Now that would make a good intro on a video from the big band years. Have you heard: Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman. Now that will knock your socks off. I always wanted it for my intro, but, to many copy wrights and all that stuff. Enjoy the evening with a cup of tea.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Cool term!!! Spit balling. Easy to remember for a forest planting of this nature.

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

Sorry if the term was inappropriate, but It was uttered in truth. I am not building a final forest, just getting them planted as a group and hoping for a reasonable survival rate. Thanks sincerely for all your great comments.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

@@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai It is not inappropriate to me. I thought it was cool telling it like it is. Sometimes we have to use easy terms to understand. Not to worry, Steve. Always great videos.

[@ScottHolcombe-qn1cl]

Best to keep in clumps. I tried to make a forest too. Long gone now. My roots were tied too

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

It just seems so unnatural to keep them in clumps. For the amount of money and time invested, I can be quite happy with even minor successes, and not devastated if it all fails. Thanks for watching and for your comments, Scott.

[@mattbrennan647]

Foisting 😊

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

I appreciate your foisting.

[@MehranAshkanian]

What potting soil you used for this ? Didn't you use peat moss or any type of soil or coco peat ?

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

I used my standard Bonsai soil mix, which this year included Perlite, SafetySorb (Turface), Akadama, some Haydite (expanded Shale), Pumice, and Pine Bark (mixed with Yew bark). I will be changing up these components for my next batch, but I don’t use any commercial compost or Coco Peat in my Bonsai soil.

[@MehranAshkanian]

Thanks for your great guidance. Rest assured nothing else will be added to your potting mix. When you get a good result why should I tamper with this formula . Good luck 👍👍👌👌🙏🙏🌲🌲✌️✌️​@@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai