Why growing Ginkgo for Bonsai can be a Challenge BUT is still fun!

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Hi Xavier, didn’t mean you are a Rocky fan. 😂 Adrian… 👍 I like that Ginko are prehistoric, like the dawn redwood. How about planting a forest - group of prehistoric woods, as a project? And put one of your fantastic dinosaur in 🦖😘 Love the video, although I do not have a Ginkgo. 😘🙋‍♀️

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I definitely put together a young Dawn Redwood planting with my 3 year old cuttings earlier in the year but now need to find a suitable dinosaur. :)

[@jiijino_bonsai_ch]

I'm going to grow ginkgo for the first time this year.✨ I watch your videos and study.🤗

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Can't wait to see what you do :)

[@greenmachinesweden]

My local bonsai shop have ginkos grown from seed for 25 years. You inspire me. I may go there and get one.🙂👍

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That will be great to see Magnus

[@milenaruzickova8026]

Take pestuji ginkgo ze semen, jen cesta k bonsaji je dlouha. Vloni jsem sestavila lesik, i kdyz moudre knihy pisou, ze se na lesik ginkgo nehodi. Budu zastrihavat az v cervenci, jak radi japonsti mistri.

[@raymondplodzien7459]

Love ginkgo trees. Not having much luck growing mine. But not giving up.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I do find some years they sulk a little but overall I find them a nice easy tree to grow.

[@JackC1961]

I have a huge (40 foot) Ginko in my new back garden. Thinking of air layering it to have mini Ginko's. Good luck with the title change's, I've noticed lots of "You'll not believe etc" or "Taking the UK by storm" and "Bonsai master don't want you to know this" 😂🙄.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I will be very interested to hear how air layers fo. i am guessing you wont be taking it as a ground layer :) As I said above it is shame that google puts us int he position where we have to go that way with titles - it looks a a bit naff! I was thinking of something like: GBH on trident maple leaves one without limbs...

[@Chris-oq6kn]

I dont have a ginko but I always here to put lime in them it really helps them out alot.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Not heard that one but shall do some more digging - so to speak. Thanks :)

[@Chris-oq6kn]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat not the lime u eat though🤣

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@Chris-oq6kn lol

[@tacobonsai]

trees look great! i didn't know about the wire scarring so i'm glad i know now

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Definitely a soft barked and easily marked tree. Takes years to even start healing wounds...if ever :)

[@raymondbirds2392]

Lovely job

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Raymond - they are a nice undemanding tree. I can now forget them until next year :)

[@raymondbirds2392]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat sounds good

[@tacobonsai]

before i even watch: i'm glad i am not alone with my frustration with ginkgo. thank you for that

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

My pleasure taco :)

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

Another thing you can play with to get more hits via searches. Tags! Not sure if you add tags to your videos.... The thing is, with kids, even if they had 6 arms and 9 fingers. They still wouldn't get their room clean or their toys off the floor... Hahaha! You're doing great with your video technical mumbo jumbo stuff Xavier! Like making cheese, it takes time to change from milk to something so tasty, not that the milk wasn't tasty to begin with. Ironically, cheese doesn't do well in hot sun either! Thank you for this video!! Ginkgo are fascinating! Right from the spelling and pronunciation of their name! Another on my want list. But also one I fear. They cost a pretty penny. To have one die... But. I was thinking to try seeds. I love growing from seed. There are different types of Ginkgo too! Great video Xavier!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Get those seeds germinating Marysol!!! I use tags but don't see any difference. I think it may just be about demographic sometimes. dare I say it: I am a middle aged....etc (I left my binary instructions in the cupboard somewhere)

[@simonbremner2707]

To me, if you want grow Ginkgo you are going to need to embrace the flame style (clump) as they can be very basally dominant. ✌ 21:53

[@simonbremner2707]

I've no idea how I put the time stamp on my comment😂 P. S. There is nothing relevant to my comment there😂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Spot on Simon. Traditionally that is exactly how they should be developed and I know ryan Neil is very clear on that. I think I talked a lot about that in last years video. In truth, I just have fun with them and see what happens :)

[@StevesBackyardBonsai]

I’ve only just started experimenting with my Ginkgos. All grown from seed except one grafted small leaf variety which I hope grows on nicely. Great content for the learner like me! I may take a page from your exciting title playbook for my own channel.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

No worries. It is a a sad fact that If we want google to put videos in front of people they have to tick all the right boxes first. It has taken me ayear to finally accept that fact and beecome 'sensationalized...'

[@PSPMHaestros]

To me they're worth growing just for the leaves, totally unique and beautiful. A bit tricky to train but cool nonetheless

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

The leaves are great and definitely catch the eye as you wwalk around the garden. You get a really rich yellow colour in the autumn as well :)

[@mandyhernon2238]

The group with the wire and the last one have lovely shape. Will do my one,tomorrow thanks for the reminder. 🎉keep growing.xx

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers Mandy :)

[@mandyhernon2238]

@expressionsofgracebonsai had a look and mine doesn't need anything ATM.

[@keepingitkoi]

Glad your staying 😊 but don't retire just yet its a long hard slogg to earn anything worthwhile 😅

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

No - I just need a bit to top up on my private pension when I hit 60.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

My only ginkgo was a sad rescue from a garden centre. One main stringy trunk overdone with the wire and having wire scars. I have hope it might look better in 20 years with a bit of care. 😮 There were some really beautiful, dense shrubby examples at the last club night. Ps. Glad to be giving you purpose. 😊

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers Jason :)

[@JustJane1972]

Great collection! Interesting to see their repot too. Good luck on the KZbin side of things. Audience retention is worth looking at in considering video lengths etc. Canva helps a lot too for thumbnails. As a newbie you know I'm drinking in the information. Take care xav.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Try everything until you find a style that suits who you are best. Ultimately views will come when your personality shines. It has been a lsower journey for ma and it has been 'frustrating' watching others do better. Ultimately, however, you need to enjoy what you are doing for that to come across and help us to enjoy what you are doing. Cheers

[@KennetDeBondt]

Some interesting material you got there Xav. I should get a ginkgo... Grts Kennet

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Kennet - it always seems a bit of a lottery when you find something in the nursery centres. All of them suffer from the scars of cheap imports :)

[@Bonsaicrazy]

Great video Xavier there all looking good 👍👍

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Andy

[@bonsaiexpression]

Another top video, I'm surprised that little one survived with the roots being all dried out, well done. Mine are kept in full sun all day, I don't really have much of an option, as I get sun all day long and no shade.other than that the only other option is in the greenhouse where it's super humid. They seem to enjoy the sun though. 😅

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

To be fair - I have also kept them in full sun some years. I just switch things around to see if the tree responds better or worse. i am very wary of hot summers at the moment with all of the dying trees so far.

[@bonsaiexpression]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat best be on the safe side, not sure I can keep losing trees every year with the heat. It's not good for the soul. I've up'd the amount of watering and hose misting I do to keep them happy ☺️

[@lilresende6275]

Really good content Xavier. I just bought one myself and you give excellent tips on pruning and repotting. Do you have experience in growing a ginkgo bonsai indoors? Would live to year your thoughts on it!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately I have never tried to do these indoors - is this soemthing you have done or seen yourself?

[@lilresende6275]

Hi @@XaviersBonsaiRetreat no I have no experience, and I've been trying to find content on YT about it - I thought maybe you would have some tips :)

[@bonsaikastur]

The clump gingko is the best of all, imo.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Definitely agree with you - but who knows what surprises the others hold in store for next springs bud points :)

[@bonsaijourneyuk]

Selling out your knees for views! I kid of course, thanks for the video Xavier, I love Ginko's, yours are looking nice and healthy!!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers - they are slower to develop but I love the unique leaf shape and trunk colour.

[@andrewbeattie5245]

Thanks Xavier never been happy with my Ginkgo. I have spent years removing all the suckers for little return on the main tree. If i had left the suckers i think i would have had a sizeable clump style by now. 😞 Is the tree at 24:20 a dwarf variety? the leaves look nice and compact.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I dont think so - it is just now very well this year and had a baad bug infestation on the first bud flush :(

[@simonbremner2707]

K is before the G Xavier. You are not alone I thought there was a H in there for along time.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I just blame it on my Aussie schooling Simon. I keep changing the spelling every year - Oops :)

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Bruce

[@maryweber4176]

Hi Xav. I have a dwarf ginkgo, with the largest leaves being less than an inch. They have very short leaf stems, and look very odd. I much prefer yours with movement in the trunks. I don't think I could put any movement in mine. I was also shocked to see how little root growth is on it.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks mary - I was shocked it lived with so few roots :)

[@DrunkBonsai]

It's hard to get movement and ramification from a ginkgo, but I like them nonetheless. Except for mature ones that fruit. The fruit is foul.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

You are right with that. I have quite a few rooted cuttings that i am wiring up gently for the future :)

[@gayefanner731]

Camp it up more Zav ⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️ n definitely LOUDER shirts! n more adventurous with the hair!! BTW it’s BI - LOBA i . e two lobes referring to the leaf having , you guessed it, TWO LOBES!! God bless you 🙏✝️. ✌️🇷🇺☮️🇺🇦✌️

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Where would I be without your keen sense of fashion and top notch knowledge. I still think Ginkgo Balboa is much more punchy :)

[@gayefanner731]

Ta! You’re probably right, I dare say you have a whole following devoted to your mispronunciations! What about experimenting with hair colours, people with be agog waiting for your next hue! Or hats?! Yes hats could be your THING!! ✌️

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@gayefanner731 This could get very silly - very quickly Gaye :)

[@gayefanner731]

🤐

[@Rhizo0me]

Bi lo ba

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I am guessing my pronounciation was a little wrong or was it a spelling error? Was the video any good?

[@ToMu29]

Gingko are so hard to work with, but it’s my favorite tree because of it’s leaves

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I love Gingko but it is a very slow process to build a bonsai. All the leaves have dropped off mine now and i am getting them ready for winter. Cheers