TWO Occasions NOT to prune your Bonsai & FIVE when you Should :)

There are Two great reasons for leaving your Bonsai alone and FIVE reasons for Pruning them. Today I break this topic down with different Bonsai used as examples. Ideal for any Bonsai Beginner. Hang around for the BONUS Advice on not pruning…
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God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing
Xavier
-- TIMESTAMPS --
00:00 A flush of Spring Growth to Prune.
01:37 Maintaining Bonsai Shape.
04:43 Health & Vigour of your Bonsai.
07:42 What is Post Flush Hardened Pruning?
08:16 Energy Redirection.
10:30 A Problematic Trident Maple Bonsai.
11:18 Improve Ramification.
12:44 Directed Styling.
14:00 Check your leaf canopy for BUGS!
14:39 Four Goals of Pruning Bonsai.
15:13 A Great reason to NOT prune your bonsai.
17:03 One Last Bonsai Message.
Equipment & Acknowledgements:
I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC 330 Bridge Camera
All video production using AVC Video Editor Software
Sound equipment courtesy of: johnaronphotography.co.uk
Handmade Ceramics by: Dawn Isaac of deiceramics.com
Please be aware that all details of products used are given for your benefit only - I do not receive any financial recompense. I just think they are good value and you should know where to buy them if interested.
#bonsaiuk #bonsaitree #bonsaicare #maple #larch #privet #pruning

[@user-zu6nd2bn6i]

I always lean something from your videos, even if it's something I do, but didn't know why! P

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I know that feeling well :)

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hahahahha we made pretty much the same video! Will later take a look to see whether we agree!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I nearly pulled mine when I saw that your had gone up but then thought - mine will be funny and yours will be correct :)

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Deja vu? 😂 I’m here for the hot tip 😂😂😂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Hot Tip No 1 - Don't compete with Jelle :)

[@sueb1317]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat When you're both top of the class, there is no competition!!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@sueb1317 I wish that was true but thanks for the encouragement :)

[@greasylimpet3323]

Great video Xavier. It's much better to know why you're pruning than watching you do it without an explanation. Your trees look brilliant with the new leaves.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks - I have a nice little video on how quickly one of my evergreens responded to a late winter full defoliation coming out in the next week. It still amazes me how well some trees repsond to defoliation too.

[@joegarland4885]

Hi Xav. Very timely video on pruning various types of foliage types, this year the maples have gone mad chucking great long shoots out plus the leaves are bigger than usual, What I have in mind when I am pruning is if I was a bird could I fly through the canopy, I think it was John Naka that used that analogy when pruning trees. The Privet I also love as you know I have quite a few different types and sizes and they do keep chucking out suckers in places you don’t want them, you can cut them away and a week later they are back in a different part of the tree taking the energy away, I have pruned all my maples about three times this year so far and they need doing again to increase light to inner growth and to maintain shape. The rock planting is coming a long very well starting to look quite mature, I am jealous of that one. All the best my friend, just keep doing what you are doing as we all appreciate the amount of effort you put into your presentations.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks for the encouragement Joe - lots of fun with this video

[@sueb1317]

I love pruning videos - so many great reminders that I absolutely need. I usually get hyperfocused on performing one task, and then totally forget why I'm doing it, or how it relates to the tree's progress on whole. Very well done and thoroughly enjoyed!!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I am sure that you and I are from the same school of bonsai :)

[@Akatsuki-En]

Love watching you just shoot the s**t and work on trees and the jump cuts are hilarious

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I appreciate that - I love having fun with both the edits and my bonsai. Life can be far too serious :)

[@JaniLaaksonen91]

Dejavu after watching Jelles video! 😂

[@viktorsbonsai]

Right! 😅 that time a year i guess

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I don't normally adopt the '5 things' approach but with all the pruning I needed to do tried to change it up and be a bit different...then I saw what Jelle had uploaded and had to laugh. We get on well so at least I can watch his and find out what the 'real' reasons actually are :)

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

This used to happen with Tony and I quite regularly.

[@raymondplodzien7459]

I always enjoy your informative and amusing videos Xavier!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers Raymond - the humour covers up for the lack of knowledge :)

[@DavesBonsai]

Reminds me I have a lot more late spring work to do. Great show Xavier.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Dave - I have a ton of pruning which I know I will end up doing very late :)

[@dreamingofbonsai]

I got loads of tips from this video! Thanks for making this!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

My pleasure - we all put out different versions of the same thing in the end :)

[@markjagger7139]

Great minds think alike you and Jelle,.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is amazing that they were both so similiar and within an hour of each other. At least one of us knows what they are talking about :)

[@markjagger7139]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat there was great advise from both of you, i learnt a great deal so no complaints from me 👍

[@BonsaiGuidetoLife-op7dw]

Oh my, I remember when I had a lot of trees, and yes I had no chance of getting all the jobs done. But as you quite rightly say, there's no need to panic. Even now after all these years, I still think I have too many though. Thanks for sharing the bonsai basics, still good to feel reassured we're doing the right things at the right time.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Lots of work right now :)

[@Bonsaicrazy]

Great video xav. I might get Jason a privet 😂😂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Good idea :)

[@angry9901]

Almost as good as a Olive!

[@jeffhurst4744]

All excellent points. Well presented, and clearly explained. You’ve got a beautiful collection. Keep them coming.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks you Jeff - I do my best not to kill too many of them each year :)

[@MyJapaneseGarden5]

Informative as always Xavier you are brutal with your trimming i'm probably not trimmimg enough looking at you. Very enjoyable as always , shared .

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It has taken me over 20 years to get to the point where I now prune based on how healthy the tree is. If it is healthy then I go very hard :)

[@piotrdziadczyk8598]

Interesting video, beautyful trees. Piotr

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks :)

[@rtregear]

Thanks Xavier. Very useful vid. Looking forward to seeing the collection for real next week.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Looking forward to seeing you both :)

[@BonsaiForRoman]

Good stuff.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers :)

[@gerardoforesthillsbonsai]

Great Tips Xavier 👍

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks gerardo - although having watched your great content I am certain you know exactly when and what needs to be done :)

[@KennetDeBondt]

Nice vid Xav, well done.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers Kennet - I've just realised I have 3 or 4 of your videos that I need to watch. Oops :)

[@TOMSAI]

Thx for this very Good Tips ! The Acer Looks very Good . Nice Development 👍💪🏼😍 Cheers 🍻

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That maple has a lot of damage to repair but I hope to get it healthy first and then really work it hard :)

[@nerinat8371]

Right up my alley Xavier... awesome watch.. cheers & thx

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Nerina - just typical that Jelle produced a similiar video today :)

[@jejakbonsai95]

Very inspiring, thank you New subscriber 👍👍

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It gives me such a lift seeing someone new commenting. Thank you :)

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

Great tutorial. Great trees

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Steve - I need to spend a lot more time to catch up on all the pruning. It is never ending :)

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@rodschroeder1048]

Love your videos thanks

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I appreciate you taking the time to tell me that. Sun is shining right now so i am going to film my THINK AHEAD - Bonsai Tasks for June/July. It is amazing to think I have now completed the year for that series :)

[@donnadornbusch6738]

Great presentation

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Donna

[@nolanbrooks1588]

Here's one for Mr. Al Gore Rythem. Cheers

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I try to 'play the game' every now and then but Al does seem to like me much. Obviously has no sense of humour :)

[@baconfloberg]

Another great video. I've seen some of your work on rowan - did you ever attempt air layering them? Tips?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Not something I have tried but the stuff I have is relatively small in size. Maybe I will find one of my less inspiring trees and have a go for my airlayer video :)

[@baconfloberg]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat I'd love to see it. This spring I collected my first yamadori and it was a small rowan with an interesting trunk. Since then I have been "training" three more rowans that are still in the ground by pruning them down. But there are also several more larger rowans growing close by, it'd be cool to air layer them

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@baconfloberg sounds great :)

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Bruce

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Same story, different approach. 😄 Definitely enjoyed watching, Xavier 👍 Always went well, following your advice 😘 Thank you so much ❤ Have a great day 😘 Cheers 🙋‍♀️ Martina

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers Martina - the rain is falling again :)

[@mikec3820]

they arent suckers. they are actually wonderful branches 😂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

So true :)

[@chasingthefish9042]

Ever bud pinch your maple? I have heard that it keeps internodes short.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I only use that technique for refined maples. To be fair I haven't seen much difference when doing this. I know many other people adopt this technique :)