Bonsaify | The One Mistake All Bonsai Beginners Make: Here's How to Avoid It!

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Жыл бұрын

Eric 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.
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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!

Пікірлер: 407

@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 !!!

@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.

@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.

@TheBonsaiZone Жыл бұрын

I think this could be echoed to most deciduous trees also!! Keep the small branches and remove the too thick ones!

@berealistic Жыл бұрын

There no mistakes, just a learning curve. Been growing bonsai for 40 years

@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!

@gramsci121 Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Now I can turn $1 clearance juniper into something that begins to look like bonsai.

@trashbuilds8351

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!

@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.

@cynicwild Жыл бұрын

Guilty as charged

@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!

@ianleroux2567 Жыл бұрын

Eric, I do appreciate you taking the time to answer me. Thank you very much.

@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!!

@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.

@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.

@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.