Bonsaify | The One Mistake All Bonsai Beginners Make: Here's How to Avoid It!
Рет қаралды 511,516
Жыл бұрынEric shares the one thing beginners get wrong when styling commercial nursery junipers, and provides detailed guidance on how to avoid it and keep on the path to creating better bonsai.
You can support this channel by purchasing bonsai starter plants from our website! Thank you to everyone who has done so! www.bonsaify.com/products/kis....
00:00:33 Eric begins with 2 Shimpaku Junipers he picked from a commercial nursery and cut back once 1.5 years ago. He plans to clean-up the foliage so he can see the structure of each branch.
00:01:31 Example of foliage clean out with detailed explanations.
00:02:47 Removing trees from their growing containers.
00:03:28 Eric styles one like he sees many beginners style nursery stock, and the other how he would style it himself.
00:04:39 Eric explains the difference in styling and results. Which tree do you like better?
00:06:41 Example of incremental work on a third tree.
00:07:14 With the fourth tree, Eric styles it to become a finished bonsai.
00:08:36 Eric's KEY POINT - DON'T SKIP!
00:09:06 Further comparison with a 15 year old bonsai. Discussion of scale in composition.
00:09:54 How to get a "twisty" trunk - start with much younger material, such as these www.bonsaify.com/products/kis....
Did you find this tip helpful? Let us know in the comments below. Please like this video and definitely share it with anyone you know is new to bonsai!
@alandouthwaite6980 Жыл бұрын
Made those mistakes over the last 18 months (just started at 85yrs of age ) but in my defense, it is the first time I have seen this explanation. Oh well, back to the nursery, in more senses than one !!!
@KitakuBonsai Жыл бұрын
Never too young to start bonsai Alan!!
@alandouthwaite6980 Жыл бұрын
@@KitakuBonsai Ha !!! If only I had found this interest in my 20's !!!😪
@kaweGD Жыл бұрын
@@alandouthwaite6980 You live on in your bonsais 🙂
@greasylimpet3323 Жыл бұрын
@@alandouthwaite6980 good for you starting this great hobby. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with your trees. Best wishes 🇦🇺
@alandouthwaite6980 Жыл бұрын
@@greasylimpet3323 Thanks a lot, I no longer see shrubs and bushes only potential bonsai !!! Stay safe and well
@berealistic 11 ай бұрын
There no mistakes, just a learning curve. Been growing bonsai for 40 years
@TheBonsaiZone Жыл бұрын
I think this could be echoed to most deciduous trees also!! Keep the small branches and remove the too thick ones!
@murray821 Жыл бұрын
Indeed, developing branches too early will result in branches almost as thick as the trunk. It feels like a waste to cut them off but it’s necessary.
@alandouthwaite6980 Жыл бұрын
I think you have just savedme from spoiling a very nice 18" Hemlock ! There are so many branches (All Very painful to handle !) that it is going to be a problem trying to see which ones to remove, any advice please ?
@yalithratnavibushena9953 9 ай бұрын
@@murray821😢😢
@jfdb59 Жыл бұрын
One rule of thumb I've only heard once and never since, I forget the source however, is that the height of the tree should only be about six times the trunk diameter. So, for example, if you have a one inch trunk nursery stock, you should only be planning for a tree that is six inches tall. This keeps the perspective nice.
@PaulWall. 10 ай бұрын
As in the diameter or circumference of the trunk?
@trashbuilds8351 9 ай бұрын
can you do this calculation based off of the goal size you want it to be in the future? I like bigger bonsai esp for varieties that have larger leaves
@vancelanger7749 7 ай бұрын
This would be DIAMETER since that's what you see visually when you look at the composition. Your eyes have no idea what the circumference is
@nathanshirley9671 Ай бұрын
@@vancelanger7749I mean, I piece of string would give me the circumference pretty quickly lol
@trebledog Ай бұрын
Like they say, you'll are missing the forest looking at the trees.
@markoffmichael Жыл бұрын
Another typical beginner mistake I call "Ikea-bonsai". That is, following some instructions and going step-by-step, never to revisit any of the prior steps. eg; Step 1: Clean out dead, weak, and unnecessary foliage. Going on to step 2, eg; selecting the front and trunk angle. However, ignoring newly-discovered dead/weak foliage, because you've moved on. Experienced hobbyists, etc. are continuously cleaning out dead, weak, or unnecessary foliage and are open to new fronts and angles throughout the entire design process.
@AJ-th6zc 9 ай бұрын
I thought the mistake "Ikea-bonsai" was getting one of those factory ginseng bonsais from Ikea that come half dead. But that "mistake" gave me my first bonsai and brought me here so I think it's still a win.
@Dylan-ok6ft Жыл бұрын
You explained that really clearly. I like that you demoed the beginner approach side by side with the experienced method for getting better scale!
@KitakuBonsai Жыл бұрын
Agreed. Very well done!
@photovincent 23 күн бұрын
Haven’t even started, but yes - the beginner one is exactly what I’d do - afraid to cut down too much, loose the growth, and try to shape already too thick branches into a shape. Thanks, immediate subscribe
@pablobartelotte4553 Жыл бұрын
Bonsai is a long term commitment in a time when people's attention span is that of a goldfish. I too want something pleasant to look at almost immediately without breaking the bank. So, I purchase 3 small juniper plants and style them in 3 stages, first one is traditional bringing the plant down to the bare trunk save for a few small branches, second one I trim about halfway there, and the third one i trim "biginner" style. With 3 inexpensive pots and starter soil i have invested about $100 for an interactive ever changing piece of art. I'm a hobbyist without a large income. As informative as your video it is also intimidating for beginners and hobbyists/ amateurs who may want to get into bonsai but watch a video with a background of a ton of supplies on a large shelving unit and think wow do I need all that just for a hobby? Occasionally remind people they can start and enjoy the hobby without extensive investment or a huge knowledge of horticulture. A lot of people can be amateur hobbyists for life and break all the rules but their trees are still alive and they enjoy doing it. For some it may be more of developing a relationship with a plant without worrying if it looks like a "proper" bonsai.
@Bonsaify Жыл бұрын
A good set of points, and thank you for making them. The shelves of pots in the background were one part accident in the sense that I built them to house my pot collection, and then didn't have a better background available. You are right that it can send the wrong message. I try to show the long-term commitment in my videos - in this case by first taking raw material and styling it, but then later showing a piece that is further along, alongside something I have been working for 15 years. Cheers.
@alisinwonderland1308 Жыл бұрын
@@Bonsaify the background is great
@trashbuilds8351 9 ай бұрын
wow as a visual learner this was so good seeing them side by side.....I'm definitely guilty of the beginner version lol. I've been practicing on "weed" trees/shrubs that grow in my yard (blackthorn, mulberry, rose of Sharon, various evergreens, boxwood, privet, cherry, clover, even ivy) and because I like big bonsai so much I've been fusing saplings together over chicken wire trunk shapes because I'm terrible at this kind of pruning lol. I would never think to shape the tree like you did but I can see how visually it is just more appealing!
@gramsci121 10 ай бұрын
Thank you. Now I can turn $1 clearance juniper into something that begins to look like bonsai.
@cbobgo1 Жыл бұрын
Truly an excellent video. I don't think I've ever seen a side-by-side comparison like that before.
@KitakuBonsai Жыл бұрын
It’s definitely helpful!👍
@thomasplaster155 Жыл бұрын
My first couple of attempts look just like the 'beginner example'. This is such great advice and has got me excited for the next project.
@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim 9 ай бұрын
I'd have bought the 'beginner' example as after watching the whole video, I *still* prefer it.
@fryconntinumum6559 Жыл бұрын
It's never easy to cut foliage off a tree and it is definitely the first big mistake. That finished juniper you brought in is wonderful, I love that tree.
@markn26 Жыл бұрын
I love this, it is always the most difficult part to master... letting go of those established branches and being able to envision what everything will become
@adamkoehler3371 Жыл бұрын
This is great info that's very well presented. Totally changes how I'll approach converting my big box store purchased plants into bonsai. Thanks, Eric!
@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Жыл бұрын
A really great video and you hit that major stumbling block perfectly. I still find it difficult with junipers to get that scale correct. Cheers
@cesarvelasquezz Жыл бұрын
Guilty! I am so grateful for your demonstration and your clear explanation with two trees. Your videos always demonstrate ideas/ techniques that so many others avoid or dont address. Thank you very much and hope one day you make it down to the San Diego Bonsai Club.
@bobmccarlie382 Жыл бұрын
This is the best instructive video on designing young junipers (or any variety tree) I have seen. I have numerous junipers, and I have always done what you say you don’t do! Kudos! I will definitely use these techniques on my trees going forward! Keep doing these great videos.❤
@KitakuBonsai Жыл бұрын
Knowledge is power! Keep learning and growing - pun intended 😂
@landsurfer66 Жыл бұрын
100% Agree!
@InfiniteLoveandLight 10 ай бұрын
Yes me too .. I search for something that I can adapt which is fun but not the real thing.
@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim 9 ай бұрын
If you have been happy with the results of what you've been doing to date, then don't change just because one person says he doesn't do it that way.
@MD-wk3gj 11 күн бұрын
Why has it taken me several years of casual interest and owning bonsai trees to learn this most important lesson? I have always tried to save the larger branches and never connected the reason they never look right is because the large branches are not to scale for what we are trying to do. Thank you. Your first example really was a slap in the face to your point.
@bobcatbonsai Жыл бұрын
That makes so much sense. Thank you for breaking this down in the K.I.S.S. method. My confidence is feeling a bit higher to go hard on the initial cut. Thank you!!
@ianleroux2567 Жыл бұрын
Eric, I do appreciate you taking the time to answer me. Thank you very much.
@joegarland4885 Жыл бұрын
I enjoyed watching your explanations of styling a Juniper to a point were we would be happy to call it a styled bonsai, thank you so much for spending your time doing these videos, unfortunately I am in the U.K. and we don’t see as many Juniper types as you do, they are not popular sellers in garden centre outlets around the U.K. as with most plants fashion dictates what is on sale.
@louisetwinberrow5508 Жыл бұрын
Great video thank you for explaining, the importance of removing the large branches, when starting out
@darkshadowsx5949 Жыл бұрын
keeping branches in scale with the trunk is actually the best advice for styling a bonsai tree. i seen another youtuber just chopping off limbs leaving one branch to grow the trunk out, but he didn't explain style. his oldest tree was massively scarred and ugly.
@DavesBonsai Жыл бұрын
Brilliant video Erick!! Thanks!
@luisaguirre1482 Жыл бұрын
This video really opened my mind Thanks!
@mm6918 Жыл бұрын
It's so helpful how you did the side by side work on those trees to demonstrate this point!
@KitakuBonsai Жыл бұрын
Super helpful right? Good stuff.
@ryanf5894 3 ай бұрын
This video is one the best ones I’ve seen on how to start from nursery stock! Thank you!
@armingivili Жыл бұрын
One of the best bonsai video i've watched till now! Really thanks!
@cameroncorley7927 Жыл бұрын
Super helpful! Really appreciate your perspective and your explanations on bonsai dos and donts 🙌🏼
@KitakuBonsai Жыл бұрын
Good pointers help us all grow and advance our art. 👍
@thomastessier4529 Жыл бұрын
Very good info. Thank you.
@adebolanos6977 Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for this explanation. Its a huge principle to work with: The scale!!!
@mikeyswallow2162 Жыл бұрын
One of the best of many videos i've watched on beginner bonsai, thanks!!
@ryanf5894 Жыл бұрын
Great advice in this video that you don’t hear on other bonsai videos. Thank you!
@FrostBiteBonsai Жыл бұрын
Very helpful explanations! Thank you!
@frenchfries2148 Жыл бұрын
I agree, I bought a creeping juniper about a year ago, and I did very light pruning. This year I want to be bolder with it. I think this comes from the fear of killing the tree.
@MakeMoreBonsai 10 ай бұрын
Super valuable insights!
@Gabriel-dm1du Жыл бұрын
I loved this approach. They look amazing
@simonjones686 Жыл бұрын
Another cracking and informative video, brilliant 👍🏾 thank you from UK
@sbragaglia Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Very useful info, I wish there were videos like this for each doubt I have! Now I feel confident enough to tackle the junipers I’ve been basically just growing for the last 3 years! (Cool upbeat music too! 🤟)
@KitakuBonsai Жыл бұрын
Agreed! Junipers can be challenging at times.
@razasshahril751 Жыл бұрын
Wow just wow. Learned a lot today.thanks!!!
@katherinespencer2073 Жыл бұрын
OK that was REALLY helpful. I'm someone who LOVES having large houseplants, larger the better. But as I transition to smaller house after the next one, I want to have Bonsai started, ready to take up space that will be more limited & your demo was great.
@HoundStuff Жыл бұрын
Nice video! Like so many others have said.... I really liked the examples and comparisons, too. That really helps illustrate the point. Thanks!
@Bonsaicrazy Жыл бұрын
This is a great video. Thanks it’s actually really helped me out 👍👍👍
@miracozkir Жыл бұрын
Fantastic teaching! Thanks!
@Reviveftp 4 күн бұрын
beautiful work
@mattbrennan647 Жыл бұрын
Amen brother. Well done and said. Thanks, keep growing
@intheocean007 3 ай бұрын
This is so helpful…Thanks !
@awalktowardsglory Жыл бұрын
Great information! Thanks
@maureenfaulkner4323 Жыл бұрын
This is a great explanation and happy to see Nigel Saunders weigh in. Inspiration from both of you. Thanks
@buterfly7x7 2 ай бұрын
great info, thanks!
@TellMeMoreTMM Ай бұрын
Lovely video. Thank you
@chiendo8460 2 ай бұрын
Thanks for pointing those things out
@nerinat8371 6 ай бұрын
This video is very helpful, thankyou
@julidev1445 Ай бұрын
Great lesson. You are a good teacher and a genius. Thanks so much.Bonsaify.
@DavidScheltema Жыл бұрын
Great video! Really helpful information for a beginner like me.
@dildobaggins8987 Жыл бұрын
Came in skeptical but this was a genuinely helpful and simple direction. Being too precious holding onto big branches leaves it looking more like a shrub than a tree, I’ve been guilty of it many times
@davidreid622 Жыл бұрын
Oh my, thank you. That was great.
@philipandrew6241 Жыл бұрын
Fascinating video thank you. Very enlightening.
@KitakuBonsai Жыл бұрын
Super helpful right??
@BillsBayou 11 ай бұрын
Thank you for this lesson. Now I know why I only liked a couple of my junipers. Our local club is having a juniper styling event for our next meeting. I'll be be putting what I've learned here to the test. I've often said that the only failure is when you learn nothing from your failure. That is incorrect. The second failure is when you learn nothing from your success.
@jfarrell50 Жыл бұрын
Brilliant, and so well explained. Thank you!
@KitakuBonsai Жыл бұрын
Definitely really helpful!! 👍
@mostafahosseini2872 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for your Tutorial. this is one of the best video about Bonsai
@patriciatatich3014 Жыл бұрын
Great examples on the approach in the use of nursery materials - very helpful explanations. Thank you.
@KitakuBonsai Жыл бұрын
Nursery material can have some great potential if you pick the right one! 👍👍
@michaelwenzel3196 2 ай бұрын
Very interesting - particularly regarding truck size and composition. Also helpful to see how you approach the application of "jin" in your work. Thank you very much!
@andrehak 8 ай бұрын
This is amazing. Thanks!!❤
@arpadvarga3475 19 күн бұрын
Great demonstration
@TheBonsaiGarden Жыл бұрын
Great video Eric.
@KurisuBonsai Жыл бұрын
Ichiban! Superb demo and love the results, excellent little trees!
@joemoore1023 Жыл бұрын
What he did was really cool! A technique I have not seen yet! Well done sir! Very nice looking trees.
@mokdog666 Жыл бұрын
Another great video !
@jasonbollman 3 ай бұрын
Thanks for the great insight. I've been guilty of these beginner mistakes.
@conspiraterry7393 10 ай бұрын
Brilliant! Great video!
@westcliffsmusic Жыл бұрын
looks awesome!
@dylanschultzable 3 ай бұрын
Excellent advice!
@vtabiggie Жыл бұрын
Love the videos!
@nogravynopie2396 Жыл бұрын
one of the best videos so far!
@MsOSheDidIt Жыл бұрын
That's a great explanation for how to get the proper scale of trunk to branch size. Thanks for your time and wisdom. 😉
@KitakuBonsai Жыл бұрын
Definitely really helpful!
@denvermadison9052 27 күн бұрын
I’ve been told i have a natural eye for it im a sculpture artist and have been into bonsai for 4 years now…my rule of thumb for beginners (as if I’m not one) is to make the branches below longer then above as trees in nature have shorter branches the further up you go. think about it in triangles
@BONSAIenCORTO Жыл бұрын
Thanks, really usefull.
@theoschmitt3037 9 ай бұрын
Deine Gestaltung dieser Bäume gefällt mir gut❤
@fruitlessbeast 11 ай бұрын
I’m certain my product would have been like the leftmost one of the first pair had I not watched this. Loving this channel and learning so much. I’m a potter and budding bonsai enthusiast and appreciate your time and work! Also, the Retrograde synth wave works on the last half. Sometimes music overlay choices are unfortunate. Not here. Nice!
@conspiraterry7393 10 ай бұрын
Awesome! Just the kick in the pants I needed, thank you!
@deepanjanbanerjee3491 Жыл бұрын
Excellent video …. We have all made these mistakes at one point or the other.
@dantepicantemartinez Жыл бұрын
This was very helpful. I would just find myself staring at nursery material I bought and I’d think to myself, “ok what do I do now?”. I wish I would’ve seen this video a couple of years ago.
@Old52Guy Жыл бұрын
Thanks! This is a mistake I make all the time. Thanks! That's one mistake down, another 99 to solve and fix.
@lifeshow3966 Жыл бұрын
its amazing, great job
@debcampbell4076 Жыл бұрын
Your explanations of what your trying to do or make out of this material is excellent. I love the way you add a aged look to young stock, great job. I'm looking forward to your next video,thank you.
@txturbo930 6 ай бұрын
I make these beginner mistakes. Thank you for this!
@shahrafiq2165 Жыл бұрын
Love it thank you regards
@kylecruz9788 11 ай бұрын
Beautiful
@bonsaisforever Жыл бұрын
Thank you for that I have been doing it the other way, keeping larger branches .and it's off to my greenhouse to practice.
@KitakuBonsai Жыл бұрын
Spending time in a greenhouse is always a treat!
@ponderanceofagravedigger2564 Жыл бұрын
Those junipers at the end of the video are beautiful!!
@minli2584 8 ай бұрын
Very helpful!
@njcr4688 4 ай бұрын
I've never seen this explained. Wow I've wasted so much time and trees. This is a great video and makes so much sense. Thankyou
@thirdrockjul2224 11 ай бұрын
Nice work. ❤
@9daywonda Жыл бұрын
Nice specimens especially the last 2 depicted.
@johncspine2787 Жыл бұрын
We all do things differently..before taking scissors to a tree, I’d remove it from the pot, scrape the soil down a bit, and get a look at it before trimming. If too many branches need more just..rank development, I’d maybe trim the roots a bit so they have an head start in the right direction and put it repot back into the pot for further growth. If it’s destined for transformation right away, then, I’d remove it and look first.
@philmorton4590 Жыл бұрын
Agreed as a beginner this looks too harsh in one session for me, there's letting the material dictate design and a force of will by the artist, but in the end I just want the plant to thrive not kill over. Lol
@Bonsaify Жыл бұрын
update: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/q61gorpn057Yqnk.html
@bonsaidinhvuong Жыл бұрын
Beautifully bonsai. Thanks
@cherylandrews3195 Жыл бұрын
LOL its like you saw me do my tree.... this was so helpful!!
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