WINTER IS COMING! Essential tasks for my Hornbeams & Mugo Bonsai

[@christinedaw4686]

I like the autumnal colors, very nice sharing. Have a great day

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks you so much Christine - we definitely had a contrast of colours this last 10 days :)

[@maryweber4176]

I think the mugo pine looks great, as does the hornbeam.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you mary - the Mugo is slow but positive. I am hopeful that 2025 will see soem really decent growth :)

[@autumnmclaughlin1548]

the wire marks are a good thang as long as the branch don't die

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

You make a good point. I have quite a few trees where the bark is nicely roughed up and previous wire scars have swollen over to give real character to the tree.

[@greasylimpet3323]

Hi Xavier, I love your Hornbeam (and the others!). It looks like winter has come early for you with the snow. Summer's early here; we had 40°c yesterday, not very comfortable 🥵 Thanks for the video 😊

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

We have had the typical Uk response...the last few days temps have risen into the teens and now the buds are all confused!

[@Bearded_Bonsai]

I'm envious of your Mugos. I have a few I started from seed almost 3 years ago, they'd be lucky to be more than 2" tall, I don't think they're totally happy in my climate. I think that first Hornbeam has potential. It might be a bit different, but that's what makes bonsai so much fun, the diversity in styles and tastes. Keep up the good work 👍

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers for that. I think the mmore some people tell me to 'stop wasting my time on it' the more motivated I am to try and make something of it. I like unusual anyway :)

[@augustine778]

Hi Xavier, another great video! Liking the close up shots and the Korean Hornbeam even made an appearance! I dont know why im drawn to them so much but ive seen some great specimens across various channels. Ill be starting off some from seed next year as a long term project, so wish me luck! Would love to see more of yours. All the best and God bless on todays solemnity!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That sound slike a great long term project for the Korean hornbeam. Every year i thik I will do more with mine but it puts on enough of a spurt for a late spring pruning and then that is about it. It is quite an old tree. God Bless

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Congratulations on 6110 subscribers 🥳 Excellent 🤩👍🙋‍♀️

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you Martina

[@dermo1981]

Thanks Xavier 👍

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you for watching

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Those mugo pines will probably benefit from those wire scars as the bark grows over them, adding to the character of the bark. And you have reminded me to get a first winter wash application on my trees (once the snow has gone).

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I actually edited out me talking about Peter Chan and his method of leaving wire on the branches to aid thickening and character. Too mcuh background noise

[@derekgillan7314]

A very nice garden, thx for sharing.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is definitely looking a little miserable now with all the rain and mud :)

[@user-OMF]

Good video again xav ❤️👍

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I appreciate the support - thank you

[@randysmith1723]

Great video as usual, and I appreciate the recommendation for the apple tree tribute to your wife. Very touching! I hope the apple tree is doing well, will have to see if there are updates. Also, thinking about getting a Mugo or a Larch for my next tree. 🌲

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

You won't regret getting yourself a Larch. We shall see more on the apple in 2025 - along with some crab apples as well

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Good morning Bruce

[@sharonbuckley4591]

Your Mugos are doing 100% better than mine. I have yet to keep one alive.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I am hoping to see some real growth in 2025. Fingers crossed

[@Bonsaicrazy]

Great video xav mate at least the snow went quickly. 👊👊

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

The last vestiges of it are just melting now

[@pauletheridge7594]

Another lovely and informative Video your trees are beautiful especially your Korean hornbeam my dream tree hope one day I have one in my small collection 🫶

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is one of the few trees that has stayed pretty close to how it looked when I purchased it.

[@RocamboleMan]

stoked to see the mugo's again! it's some real progress on them. I'm always surprised by how much they grow. And what is your winter wash? thanks again for your excellent videos

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Those Mugo's have hug in and demonstrated a strong will to survive! The winter wash is just some local organic mix - purchased from a superstore.

[@rodschroeder1048]

It’s Vance wood lord mugo on bonsai nut. A guy on bonsai nut gathered all of his advice and put it in one article and I copied it off bonsai nut to have it for personal reference and it works great loads of back buds within two years more than I need. But if you want a copy I can send one to you.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I appreciate your reaching out to me. I recently joined the forum but I rarely have anything worth saying :) if it is not too much trouble could you send it to me via [e-mail] ?

[@kubawojciechowski6212]

Xavier please make a video on ash tree! when i started i heard they're one of the most "prized" bonsai along with oaks and evergreens, but i rarely see any videos on them. Myself i have just starting saplings of fraxsinus exelsior (insert Stan Lee meme here) and fraxinus ornus. would love to hear about ash specifics, as they seem to be a little odd trees to me

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I have done a couple of videos on the Ash and find them a brilliant tree to work with. My updates tend to be within a mixed species video.

[@autumnmclaughlin1548]

plant the hornbeam in the ground

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I am glad you popped into the comments. I think that might actually be a very good idea for this development. Cheers

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Hi Xavier, I wonder if your trees with exposed roots are going to stay outside in winter? Lovely trees showed, as always enjoyed. 😍👍 Cheers 🙋‍♀️ Martina

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

They will stay out Martina - never seems to be much of a problem. :)

[@KennetDeBondt]

Love the mugo´s! The hornbeam, I do not like: too straight and a 90° angle branche. The Korean one is nice. Some rootgrafts might even make it better. Thanks for the video! Grts Kennet

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Cheers Kennet - you know I keep challenging myself with material that problem should go on the bonfire :)

[@sylviahardy4568]

Hello Xavier, British weather eh...can't rely on any of it 🤷‍♀️ Larch Mountain appeals to me, and the Mugo look good. Wow a 50 yr bonsai too 😮. My trees in pots are maybe 5 🤔 No matter, at least the Japanese Azalea were are undercover. Do other Azalea need winter protection? Those and the chinese Elm are still outside. Keep warm, Sylvia 🙂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

The local dwarf azaleas and mame bonsai go undercover for me and anything that has a lot of fine twiggy ramification. BUT...there ahve beeen many years where I haven't protected anything and they all appeared fine the next spring. I think the real issue occurs with big temperature fluctuations over a short period of time

[@Chris-oq6kn]

The subs corner the first tree the hinoki said before branch removed and after branch back on😂😂😂. Good laugh though. I had to do a double take on that one

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Oops - sometimes my storage sytem fails me and I lose track of what was the message for each tree.

[@markjagger7139]

Peter Chan is always saying that the wire on pines is no problem biting in as it helps thicken them up, in fact he says it’s a famous tip that everyone is now employing to help fatten them so the bit of bite you have on yours is not a problem as I can tell, some great trees in the viewer’s section. Will look forward to your videos as you slow down in winter even more then i do now. Stay warm.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I actually cut that little piece of information out of the video - load of background noise during the filming :)

[@joegarland4885]

Hi Xav. First snow twice and now a days rain, I managed to put a few vulnerable trees into the open greenhouse, just to be safe, why take the leaves off the that tree ? . The couple of pines are looking good, the one on the stand has a lot going for it, pity about the wire but I think it not as important as it can make the trees look older, some Chinese white pines from China have the wire ,eft in permanently as you know, the first one I ad did have the wire left in and it did look older, I know one thing my friend I am fed up not being able to get out todo some work. Nice to see some other peoples trees, the Greenwoods tree willbecome a great tree in your hands I have no doubt. Jelle as you know has a great video on setting up trees to get through the winter. Stay warm my friend and enjoy a well earned rest.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Joe - I did my winter prep videos last year and didn't really fancy repeating. truthfully I am in a video slowdown cycle right now. I'm less bothered about wire on the pines and I definitely have a few elms with wire in branches :)

[@andysbonsai]

Another great video. I'm sure it's in a video somewhere, could you let us know what goes into the winter wash please?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is definitely in my seasonal guide from last year. The label has come away but it was a commercially produced organic mix.

[@andysbonsai]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat thanks 👍

[@PBwarfare]

Sorry Xav but I can’t help but think you remind me of Lez off the big lez show 😂😂😂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Now that has made me curious - Big Lez???

[@PBwarfare]

@ very immature aus cartoon you just need the pink vest 😂

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@PBwarfare gotcha. I shall see iff i can find it ;)

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@PBwarfare I think you are right - he looks like me. made ne laugh as well :)

[@Tore1972Wisdom]

Hornbeam drop there leaves. It´s beech where they stay on.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

My Hornbeam keep their leaves through the winter, as do my oaks and beech. Funny how trees act differently in different climates :)

[@andrewbeattie5245]

Love the Korean hornbeam just as it is.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks for that Andrew. Sometimes it is nice to just leave a tree alone. I do think it might benefit from a better fertiliser routine in 2025 :)

[@GrowingBonsai]

so they have started to aproach you now too huh for add campains. SO far I have turned down over 15 offers. If you ever do accept one, would be greatfull to learn what the deal is, as I just ignore hem to date.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

The Raycon deal worked really well and the product fits in with doing bonsai so i took it up. The ad is on Monday at lunchtime. I shall tell more privately.

[@autumnmclaughlin1548]

th

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

did you mean to type 'th...ink you are brilliant Xav' :)