Why are Bonsai Pruned? (5 reasons!)

[@rtregear]

Very useful summary. Thank you. This sort of distilled wisdom is what makes KZbin valuable.

[@JohnThurlbeck]

That was an excellent informative video, Jelle! Thank you very much! Also, as for your target, just under 70,000 people clearly do not realise what they are missing my friend! Plus, as with our trees, there is always next year! 😁

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hahaha, thank you John! I learned last week that the estimate of active bonsai hobbiests in the world is roughly 10M people. So loads of people still to get to subscribe. But 100K subs would mean 1% of the global bonsai population, which is a crazy thought to me!

[@VoidloniXaarii]

This knowledge is so good and dense I keep rewatching it and still keep learning new things 🙏🙏🙏

[@GrowingBonsai]

Happy to hear that! Feel free to share the videos around!

[@MartijnSinkeler]

Absolutely informative. Even though I know these things myself, it’s always good to have reminders! Do certain things at certain times and why you should do it. Besides, it’s just nice to see the trees you’re growing and get inspired by it. 👍🏻

[@snox7320]

Love to see abot more of the cascade tree at the start . Looks to have plenty of potential.

[@GrowingBonsai]

That is the Yew right? I have a 3-4 year video in the making. ETA 2026 :). But maybe in spring or fall I am happy enough with the progress. It is a limb I initially cut from the 50 dollar challenge yew!

[@snox7320]

@@GrowingBonsai see ya in 2026 😉 keep up the great videos mate , you provide great content and information.

[@ludwigcodjambassis8866]

Very well organized information as Always Thank you as always

[@GrowingBonsai]

So nice of you! Great to see you here, as always! If you like to help me grow the channel, consider sharing some of the videos in your social networks!?

[@jang.1185]

The last thing mentioned I have learned this year. After the significant reduction of the roots there should be no pruning. I did that roots reduction by the small seedlings in the right time, when the buds started to swell. However, several I also trimmed at the top. These are doing quite well except one cherry tree, but it was unnecessary risk. I'm amazed how good the trees respond when the root pruning is made in the right time. I have two spruce seedlings which were planted together in small pot. These were quite neglected and weren't looking good, but I had to repot them anyway, so I waited until the buds start to sprout. I had to take them apart and I reduced the roots much more than I would consider to be safe. However now, after one month after the repotting, they look great. The shoots are growing well, also the needles became healthy green. So this was the first step. Now I need to learn how to grow spruce as a bonsai. Now back to the topic 😊 If I get it right, when the tree is repotted or root pruned at the right time in spring (when the buds are swelling), it is the best not to prune the branches. Because then the buds will power the growth of new roots. So now, if I plan to repot some trees in the next year, I prune this tree in summer. Then all the energy will concentrate in the remaining buds and I can do the root work the next spring with the best possible results. So, I would say I'm slowly getting it.

[@wallygrandpa]

It's always interesting to hear the why behind certain principles. It's not always clear in books and video's. Thank you for sharing this necessary information.

[@malsrfun2956]

Great summary. The right time is very elusive since there are always so many variables. Currently learning to just keep the darn things alive. 😅

[@terryc8674]

Absolutely great and a big thank you 👍👍

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you too!

[@andybone]

Awesome great information very clear, thank you.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for dropping in!

[@JaniLaaksonen91]

I did know all of these already, but what a good and informative video. Excellent, compact reminder if you already knew all that, but also packed full of information for beginners too. Also seeing your trees gives me always so much inspiration. Keep up the good work, Jelle!

[@devilzbeats]

Great video! You have one more subscriber to get you to your next goal.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thanks for the sub! Awesome!

[@sueb1317]

Brilliantly done! I usually remember some of the reasons, but I forget the interplay between the different reasons - this great vid really reinforces the whole picture of bonsai pruning.

[@magnetorubumark5277]

Great summary of things already known. Nevertheless thanks a lot for the reminder. Very informative, as always. Your channel is one of my favourites. Greetings from Berlin

[@GrowingBonsai]

Much appreciated! Hm, love Berlin! One day I should find a bonsai reason to be there!

[@wendybarclay7908]

I’m a fan👍🇨🇦

[@rebelliousbrands3253]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad to hear it!

[@pjqziggy]

Nice 1

[@DavidAllan-zd8wm]

Excellent summary Jelle, even for those who are already familiar with this topic. You are becoming the number one goto for all bonsai information 👍. Your clear and informative teaching method is a winner. Please don't change 😂

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you so much David! Spread the love, and will try to not devolve into just another bonsai channel!!

[@VoidloniXaarii]

Thank you so very much! What a great lesson! Thank you Master! It is such a privilege to learn from you! I can feel how much love and knowledge you've put into this lesson... Feeling so thankful you've chosen to share your life experience. Thank you so much ❤

[@GrowingBonsai]

Happy to hear you enjoyed it! Feel free to browse my channel. There might be more interesting stuff there for you! If you want to help increase my reach: Please share in your network

[@Evermore220]

Always appreciate the videos in the years to come I hope to have plenty of beautiful trees using the knowledge gained from you. Thank you.

[@LadyMiner100]

Im having good luck with number 5, my rather gangly and too tall tree is looking much fuller with smaller leaves.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Great to hear!

[@menn2522]

I'm new, thank you for sharing.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thanks for coming! Have a look around the channel

[@emilystubbs5650]

Ohhh thank you for the detailed explanation of #5

[@MartinBBB]

Excellent. Very interesting and informative. 👍

[@rebeccahunter725]

Of course, another reason is to shape the tree and introduce taper and movement to the trunk and branches. I love those maples you showed; as we move into winter, I am enjoying the spring and summer growth shown by "northern" KZbinrs!!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Great point! You are in South Africa, correct?

[@rebeccahunter725]

@@GrowingBonsai No, I am Victoria, Australia. Similar climate, though!

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@rebeccahunter725 love victoria, lived in melbourne in the past!

[@misovalachovic4988]

Superb explanation, thank you, definitely helped a lot understand the basics

[@bobbymalta73]

Thanks For Sharing Mate, But Your Teaching is All New For Me. BLESS You & Your Dear Ones. 🙌

[@rtweedtwee]

Dank je wel voor al je goeie info, gaat zeker in praktijk gebracht worden.

[@mattlohr3901]

Great information 👍. Thank you, Jelle 😊

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Just watched it and I think we must have had the exact same inspiration. We both missed the main reason...because we're bored and want to produce a KZbin video 😆🤣😉

[@GrowingBonsai]

what main reason did we mis my friend?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@GrowingBonsai I wrote it down - very tongue and cheek. We are bored :)

[@jeremyhewitt7840]

Thank you. Really helpful 😊

[@GrowingBonsai]

you re welcome!

[@christophe5740]

Amazing video, clear, short, beautiful trees. Do you have a video on how/why to take off the growing tip dpecificly on japanese maple. Its a bit unclear to me. Thanks

[@GrowingBonsai]

Not yet I think! You feel it is so specific it needs a separate video?

[@christophe5740]

@@GrowingBonsai as you prefer chief

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Away any doubts! 😂 Thanks Jelle 🙏

[@thomassiebenburgen6464]

Thanks Jelle!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thanks Thomas!

[@kevinsluder3711]

really helpful and informative!

[@kreszenziajusupoglu8298]

I loved the frog in the background 😁. Is there a time limit to pruning during the year as well?

[@GrowingBonsai]

Great question! After the summer solstice many trees start responding less so that is for me a turning point. THe next weeks I make sure to unwire, prune, rewire all my trees to benefit from a last mid-summer push, which which I hold back on many species.

[@ernsttencate6699]

Hele mooie video. In mijn ogen zijn jij en my bonsai and koi de beste op dit gebied. Maar ik wou je een vraag stellen, ik moet nog 2 bomen marcotteren. Die bomen heb ik dit voorjaar verpot. Is het verstandiger dat ik dit volgend jaar doe. Ik dacht dat ik zoiets hoorde in deze video. Graag een antwoord aub. Video zoals al gezegd 👍👍👍 ik hoop dat je echt nog veel meer volgers krijgt. 100.000 voor het eind van 2024 is veel maar je weet nooit

[@GrowingBonsai]

Ik probeer zelf niet te marcotteren in het jaar dat ik veel wortelwerk gedaan heb. De plant moet immers reserves gebruiken om de marcot te voeden en bij lage reserves ivm herbouw van de wortelkluit is dat een uitdaging. Maar .. Ik ben ook wel eens ongeduldig..

[@ernsttencate6699]

@@GrowingBonsai oke dank voor je duidelijke antwoord. Ik ben altijd erg ongeduldig. Maar ik zal je advies opvolgen.

[@richardmutt1033]

Hi Jelle, i have collected a beech tree in autumn, do you think it’s a good idea to not prune it for this year? Even if the tree do not appear to be weak

[@GrowingBonsai]

It s tricky. Safe response is: Do not prune. But.. You can see the tree and have to judge whether it is recovering enough. People with less experience often take growth for health. But healthy growth after recovery is different from just an initial push after collecting.

[@richardmutt1033]

@@GrowingBonsai thanks for the answer Jelle. The beech has grown almost 6-8 leaves for every terminal bud, like a normal beech would have done i guess (?) The thing that blocks me to do any work on it is that it’s still in the original ball of soil, only few roots i think are in the new medium. I plan to do a bare root repot next year, so i think it’s better for the tree to become vigorous by that time, but my fear is (by not pruning this year) to lose the inner buds. What do you think about? Have a nice sunday!

[@bluesteel9]

can you replant the cut off branch/ stem?

[@GrowingBonsai]

in many species, yes. Search my channel for videos on rooting cutting

[@swimminwitdafishes8059]

I’m misunderstanding about not pruning after root work because I thought when you reduce roots an equal amount of foliage needs to be removed.

[@GrowingBonsai]

This is often said. I have never understood this advice. I see no good reason for it.

[@swimminwitdafishes8059]

@@GrowingBonsaithank you for your reply. Perhaps it has to do with the amount of root pruning. I find your videos informative and delivered in a very calming manner … subscribed

[@abydosianchulac2]

And of course, super not-so-secret #7: we're finicky and like to keep our hands busy.

[@rtregear]

Just a little more trimming...oh dear, that's too much 😱

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@GrowingBonsai]

So great to see you return over and over again!

[@Ramalito]

For all beginners...again. prune only for a reason.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Good summary! Thank you!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Just guess my video title for 4pm :)

[@misovalachovic4988]

Looking forward to it:)

[@jasonhampton9988]

I was wondering if you 2 planned this in advance. Same 5 reasons to prune!😂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@jasonhampton9988 and same ones for not pruning :)

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@jasonhampton9988 I've just spoken with Jelle and it appears we are on the same topic today as well :)