Bonsai Stuff

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

We're all different and so are our bonsai. Rather than focus on where we are similar I think it's more important to focus on and celebrate  where we are different. That's the beauty of bonsai. Large trees, small ones, the beauty is in the elegance. 

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

When you can't see the bonsai for the tree you need to have a process. Something simple and easy that puts you on the right path to making good decisions. One simple task, then another and another and suddenly the bonsai starts to appear. Having a focus and not rushing will greatly assist you in making beautiful bonsai. It also helps when managing developed bonsai too. As always, there's a process.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Our Australian natives can make excellent bonsai and here are so many varieties to navigate. Depending on the species, a task like repotting can be simple or quite complex. I chat about the timing for repotting, the various sensitivities different species may have as well as my repotting process and most importantly the aftercare. 

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

When you have bonsai you have a contractual obligation. You will play many roles including Custodian, Guardian, Caretaker as well as Supporter. And to be a better bonsai practitioner I believe that observation of your trees is crucial to your understanding of what to do and when to do it. Right now Australian Natives will tell you one thing while your Cedars will tell you something else. So get out there and observe!

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Exposing your bonsai (and yourself) at a bonsai show can be terrifying! But it can also be the best experience of your bonsai life. I strongly support working towards showing your bonsai and I'll run through the process I go through when getting ready for a display. From pot preparation to stand choice as well as making your bonsai beautiful. 

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

As a follow on from the Spring Pinching podcast episode, now is a great time to undertake seam early spring pruning before your bonsai starts to allocate resources to growth that is unnecessary for your design. As with most things bonsai the timing is important and now is the right time. Your tree's ability to heal after pruning plays a bit part in the timing. It is also important to review the structure, taper and flow while we have this opportunity.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Spring is upon us and one of the techniques we can use to build the ramification on our deciduous bonsai is pinching. It is a really simply and efficient technique and to understand what the process achieves and how will better equip you to make the correct choice to use it or not. As always just because we can do something to our bonsai doesn't mean we should. Let's dig around and talk about things like auxin and internodes and see where it takes us!

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Spring fills me with excitement about the development opportunities for my bonsai and it is so important at this time of year as the work starts to increase that you focus on the 'long game'. Actions you take now have a ripple effect for many years to come. Having a vision of any kind for the future of your bonsai will help provide focus and guide your actions. It doesn't need to be exact but you need something. Acting now or later can have a consequence so you need to ask yourself...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Well Spring is almost here again and it's time to get prepared. Knowing what and how you are going to manage the Spring growth will go a long way to achieving your development objectives. Plan review, fertilising, watering, pinching, candle breaking they're all on the table for this podcast! Harnessing the strength of this initial Spring period is vital for you and your bonsai.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

What is the most appropriate time for repotting your bonsai and why? I was always told when to repot but never why that was the right time. And honestly I think it was something that was just passed down the line without many understanding why. So let's break it down and give you the information you will need to determine the best time for you and your bonsai to be repotted. 

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Going to miss repotting that bonsai this year? You sure?? There is going to be an impact on your bonsai if it is overdue for a repot and you decide not to. Now I of all people can understand why you would like to leave it for just one more year but right now there is still an opportunity to change your decision so I want to chat about the negative side effects a bonsai that is excessively pot bound will encounter. Also what you can do if there are problems later...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

I had a brave moment, finally. Only took approximately 10 years but I finally got there. Here's the story of a Chinese Quince that has been on quite the journey with me and recently it was given the full once over. Repot, angle change, rotation, major branch removal...Basically one with the lot! It is an interesting and important story that I'm sure will connect with a lot of bonsai lovers.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

It is such a small task in the overall scheme of bonsai management and care but it is so important. We repot every few years or maybe longer and the simple job of securing your bonsai at the time of repotting can make a massive difference to the health and ability to achieve your targets for development. There are different methods of securing your bonsai that I'll discuss on top of the reasonings. 

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

It's certainly not sexy but it's very important. What is root rot? How do you identify it and what are the common causes? And most significantly, how do we prevent it?? All such good questions when it comes to the health and wellbeing of your beloved bonsai. 

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Changing your soil mix can be terrifying! But it's something we all must go through at one point or another in our bonsai lifetime. There seems to be two steps in the process, a mid way change and then a complete change. I'll tell you my story when I needed to change my mix and how I have never looked back. Fortune favours the Brave!! Being brave and taking that uncertain step will certainly be beneficial. Do a workshop, put a bonsai on display, cut off that branch! 

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Repotting is one of the most important tasks that we will ever do with our bonsai and planning (of course) is key to being successful. Before removing the tree and working the root system you need to know what you are going to do and why. Working then thinking is wrong. Think, plan, then work. And after you've repotted what is your process? Where will the bonsai be kept while recovering from the repotting process? Think, plan, then work...

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

We are meticulous with our bonsai and their design, we spend so long getting even the smallest detail perfect and we should also do this with everything associated with good bonsai. As we commence the repotting season, well I do, it's time to be mindful of the quality and cleanliness of both the work area as well as the tools used in the process. We need to be safe and very importantly we must not have a situation where we transfer any nasties from one bonsai to the next. Also it's balancing...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

We have all had the experience of looking at a particular branch or section of a bonsai and thought, I don't like that and I should cut it off but you hesitate or just slide the bonsai back on the bench thinking 'I'll do it next time'. Me included! I have just had this very thing happen on an old Scots Pine but this time I took action. Pine season is coming to a close for me and it's time for me to reflect on what I learned and what I have...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

You might start your bonsai journey loving the artistic side of the hobby but you must grow to love the maintenance side. This is where you will end up spending nearly 99% of your bonsai time. I also have a little tip for you too regarding the direction you work on your bonsai. Think of a chicken...don't worry it will all make sense in the podcast I promise. 

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

In order to make or develop beautiful bonsai, you must be able to work at both a macro or big picture level as well as at the micro level which deals with the branch that you're looking at right now. It is easy to become distracted by the future and miss the opportunity to work in the now for your tree. I also think bonsai confidence and bonsai overconfidence need to be managed. A lack of confidence means nothing happens, overconfidence means something bad may happen! How do we fix that? Have...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

The concept (or mistake) of one of all species of bonsai in your collection can really make life difficult for you. Sometimes we need to curb our enthusiasm and make sound decisions. Easier said than done right?? I know it's a very difficult thing to walk out of a bonsai nursery without any new acquisitions but hear me out. Not everything has potential and are you certain it will thrive in your yard? We've all been there and I want to offer some practical first hand advice from someone who knows only...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Winter is a great time to see your deciduous bonsai in their naked glory. It is also a time where their structural issues are more apparent than ever. So what should you do? Remove it? Hide it? Live with it? Yes, yes and yes. I will talk through the various options you have and some considerations for you to answer this question. I like to work on my bonsai in a 'mode'. That is, if I'm doing maintenance work then that is all I'm doing. If I'm wiring, then I'm wiring. This...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Late Autumn around your bonsai collection will show you signs of potential issues that may be significant in Winter. So if you know what to look for you can make changes or take appropriate action to avoid these issue. This time of the year is a necessary time for pine work, on all variety of pines. But there's no need to put yourself under the pump, we have time and I'll explain why.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

When I am working on any of my bonsai but especially my pines at this time of the year I ask myself a few simple questions for every branch that I work on. The integrity of the design I either have built or the design I am working towards rely on me making the correct decisions about removal or reduction. And that applies for all species and every time they are in front of you. The flow and movement of the bonsai is very important and so too is the design and...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Styling your pines (or any of your bonsai) requires a dedicated focus. So before working through your bonsai and wondering where it's going to end up I have a few areas for you to focus on. Building pad height and volume, avoiding flattened structure, length reduction as well as talking about the ski jump effect and an approach to wiring while avoiding the trunk. There's always so much to chat about at this time of the year and while this episode specifically relates to pine bonsai it can also be applied to...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

We are rounding the corner toward Winter and the last stretch of Autumn is a really important time. Understanding your bonsai and their needs right now will have a massive impact on their future development. There are jobs to be done around the yard too, debris removal, weeding, fertilising and we are starting the most important time of the year for our pines. Now bonsai is all about the detail but overcomplicating issues really should be avoided. When something doesn't look correct or there are problems with your trees, I have a...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

The idea of the perfect bonsai for each of us is a target we set for our trees, but is perfection the ideal target? Will it just lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction with our bonsai? No. Not if we breakdown the path to perfection into bite size achievable pieces then perfection is the best target. Also practising poor techniques over and over will not lead to improvement. Slowing down, building your skills and techniques is the only way for improvement. Then practice that, correct techniques. It will be almost impossible to have...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Autumn is a very important time for deciduous bonsai and our maintenance program will set them up for a successful Spring and beyond. Tasks like leaf removal, light pruning, gentle wiring and wound management are all on the menu. Positioning takes a high priority right now too, chasing the sun and avoiding the frost. Takes some time to sit back and review your bonsai before they head to winter dormancy and take action.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Well we're mid way through the Autumn period and you need to be very careful with watering at this time. Different trees in your collection will be at different stages as we head towards a dormancy period so their water usage will start to vary as well. Overwatering can be a significant problem around now. There are techniques you can use and things to keep an eye out for that will let you know before a problem develops. I have been travelling around this beautiful country of ours recently and had the...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

The approach of Good Structure is Good Bonsai is a great fall back position when you ever get doubt about the next step to take. When you sit there scratching your head and are ready to just leave it until next time, don't leave the issue, don't ignore it, take action. Bend the rules where possible of course and avoid rigidity in your design but always come back to horticultural principles as a priority for the longevity of the design of your bonsai. What looks good initially may be impossible to maintain...

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Good structure does not mean rigidity in design. Breaking or bending the rules can be one of the most enjoyable components when designing your bonsai. In this episode I want to offer some good structural advice or guidelines (not rules!). Things like good branch placement, visual weight, negative and positive space, bend distance consistency and branch origin angle are all on the agenda as well as others. Again, they're not rules, just considerations.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

One of the most important areas of bonsai for me is the structure of our trees, and good structure matters! I talked about this very early on in the podcast back in season one and it's well overdue for a freshen up and some deeper thought. In this podcast I'll talk about why good structure matters and also that good structure starts with taper. Taper of the trunk, roots, primary and secondary branches. Remember, good structure is good bonsai.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

I could almost guarantee that everyone that has been involved with bonsai for more than a couple of years has gone down the path of taking cuttings, planting seeds or purchasing young tube stock. It's built into our DNA! But once it takes what do you do with it? How to you turn a tiny cutting into a large magnificent bonsai? You need a plan. As it's time to fertilise your bonsai I want to chat about my approach and why. I completely understand there are so many ways to feed your...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Thin trunk bonsai can be extremely elegant! And there is often a push on how to thicken trunks where bigger is seen as better. I thoroughly believe thin trunk bonsai can be magnificent when they are designed and managed correctly. There needs to be balance between the trunk, the apex, the foliage and the pot or container. They do not always need to be a literati style either, the trunk line and flow and movement of the tree is as always very important.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

How old is that bonsai? Ever been asked that question and wondered why it has been asked? Does it really matter how old it is? We work so hard on the perception of age through the application of styling techniques that I just wonder if the age of a bonsai should change from 'Actual' age to a 'Feels Like' age. I feel there are areas within bonsai design that can help with the appearance of age for the viewer, like branch angle, formation of the apex, nebari and the ramification.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

I am a planner, I like to be prepared and I always want to achieve as much as I possibly can with my bonsai. So with Autumn just days away I am breaking this season into segments and looking at the species and work that will be needed at each particular time. Always planning...And I think about my early days with this bonsai addiction and I see so many people with that same glint in their eyes that I had, that fire in their belly, and I want to offer some...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

It's late Summer and your pines are starting to look a little shaggy after decandling or candle cutting so what should you do?? Absolutely nothing! There are some great reasons for leaving them in peace for now and all of your hard work (and the bonsai) may be undone by rushing. One of the most, if not the most, important skills we need to obtain for the art of bonsai is waiting. Knowing when it's best to leave your tree alone and let it do what it does best. 

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Beautiful bonsai for me have well balanced and positioned foliage pads. While it is easy initially to create larger pads, longer term this can be to the detriment of the structure of your bonsai. There is a process I use to create and separate pads. Another thought that runs continuously through my head when working on bonsai is Compaction. How do I make this tree smaller and push it back? Not by using twisted long branches but by developing good structure. It comes back to the inner buds and the ..... bud conveyor...

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We are now two thirds of the way through Summer and it has been brutal! Weather extremes, floods to bushfires, prolonged heat, strong winds. Welcome to Australia! For me now if the best time to start doing a review of your bonsai environment and start making a list for immediate improvements and also one for longer term improvements which includes what you will do differently in future. We still have a way to go too so this is important. And I offer some advice on where to start when you seem to...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Junipers make excellent bonsai! Always have and always will. Like all species they have a specific care regime and you need to understand where their strength comes from. They are simple to care for when you know how. This podcast has an overview on junipers and their care as well as some how to's which will make your love for them even greater.

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