After a long hiatus, we return and apologise for our absence!  

Winter has kept Hugh and Jarryd busy behind the scenes: learning, refining, and evolving as their practices and businesses grow.

Jarryd’s been deep in the work, tending the Niwaki pines at MONA, surviving spider attacks, pencil pine forest cleanups, and travelling for the GAB event in Western Australia.

Hugh’s been also immersed in Niwaki pruning, teaching an intensive rock planting course, creating with students, including a long anticipated forest planting, and making a trip to the U.S., including a visit to Mirai and the Oregon Coast.

Love the podcast? You can support us here and 'buy us a coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/bonsaisidequest

Hugh Grant - Tree Makers https://treemakers.com.au/

Jarryd Bailey - Montane Bonsai https://www.montanebonsai.com/ 

Eve Sczechowski - Yves Media https://www.yvesfilm.com/ 

In this episode, Hugh and Jarryd share their upcoming repotting season anticipation, preparation work, and woes from mistakes past. They dig into the nitty-gritty of soil substrates, chopsticks, moss, and much more. 

Love the podcast? You can support us here and 'buy us a coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/bonsaisidequest

Hugh Grant - Tree Makers https://treemakers.com.au/

Jarryd Bailey - Montane Bonsai https://www.montanebonsai.com/ 

Eve Sczechowski - Yves Media https://www.yvesfilm.com/ 

Hugh is back from a client trip 'across the ditch', making trees in some of New Zealand’s top bonsai garages, and Jarryd is deep in proud dad bonsai mode, with students studying at his garden. In this episode full of catch-ups and predictable detours, the two reflect on a surprising truth: bonsai isn't as patient as it's made out to be; it’s actually quite busy. After several rounds of beer, the conversation finally lands on the key question: what defines a tree as having "soul"?

Love the podcast? You can support us here and 'buy us a coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/bonsaisidequest

Hugh Grant - Tree Makers https://treemakers.com.au/

Jarryd Bailey - Montane Bonsai https://www.montanebonsai.com/ 

Eve Sczechowski - Yves Media https://www.yvesfilm.com/ 

In this episode, Jarryd and Hugh finally accomplish the long-awaited finale of the top 20 Australian native species for bonsai. Sample side quests include: life updates, snow, and hot tips on paperbark species bark removal. 

Jarryd's picks - Melaleuca Virens, runner up - Sassafras 

Love the podcast? You can support us here and 'buy us a coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/bonsaisidequest

Hugh Grant - Tree Makers https://treemakers.com.au/

Jarryd Bailey - Montane Bonsai https://www.montanebonsai.com/ 

Eve Sczechowski - Yves Media https://www.yvesfilm.com/ 

This week on A Bonsai Side-Quest, Hugh and Jarryd battle the sniffles and post-convention burnout as they hunker down at home, firewood chopped and fireplaces burning in the changing season. Still recovering from what they dub “convention COVID,” the duo digs into all things Canberra 2025 AABC—covering standout trees, winning displays, demonstrations, and display conventions. It’s a cosy, congested, and comprehensive recap you won’t want to miss.

2026 AABC Convention - https://aabcconvention2026.square.site/

Love the podcast? You can support us here and 'buy us a coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/bonsaisidequest

Hugh Grant - Tree Makers https://treemakers.com.au/

Jarryd Bailey - Montane Bonsai https://www.montanebonsai.com/ 

Eve Sczechowski - Yves Media https://www.yvesfilm.com/ 

In this episode of A Bonsai Side-Quest, Jarryd and Hugh welcome Harry Lush—a passionate advocate for Australian native species and a dedicated bonsai enthusiast. Together, the guys all take a deep dive into the Nothofagus genus, exploring its ecological significance, traits, and aesthetics.

Additionally, Harry introduces his non-profit organisation 'The Gondwana Project', which aims to conduct research, bio-banking, education, and conservation projects, all aiming to understand, protect, and spread awareness about precious relic forests.

The Gondwana Project https://thegondwanaproject.org/

Love the podcast? You can support us here and 'buy us a coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/bonsaisidequest

Hugh Grant - Tree Makers https://treemakers.com.au/

Jarryd Bailey - Montane Bonsai https://www.montanebonsai.com/ 

Eve Sczechowski - Yves Media https://www.yvesfilm.com/ 

In continuation of the much-loved and never-ending series of "Australia's Top 20 Native Species" the boys come back to cover all of 2 epic species this round. Of course, they start with a delightful side-quest of bird watching and a recent Nothofagus Cunninghamii styling demo.

Hugh's pick - Banksia marginata

Love the podcast? You can support us here and 'buy us a coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/bonsaisidequest

Hugh Grant - Tree Makers https://treemakers.com.au/

Jarryd Bailey - Montane Bonsai https://www.montanebonsai.com/ 

Eve Sczechowski - Yves Media https://www.yvesfilm.com/ 

They're back! After some time off the radar, the guys return with big news and bigger stories. Hugh tied the knot, and not long after, he and Jarryd disappeared off the grid for a private honeymoon hike (not with Hugh's wife, just the two boys). Now reunited post-bucks party, they're catching up on everything from Jarryd’s time at the Bonsai by the Beach event, to dramatic new angle repots, and the standout moments from their annual autumn hike in the Tasmanian wilderness.

Love the podcast? You can support us here and 'buy us a coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/bonsaisidequest

Hugh Grant - Tree Makers https://treemakers.com.au/

Jarryd Bailey - Montane Bonsai https://www.montanebonsai.com/ 

Eve Sczechowski - Yves Media https://www.yvesfilm.com/ 

In this continuation of Australia’s top 20 natives for bonsai discussion, the guys only manage to cover 3 more (with a minimum of 5 side-quest species features)...

Jarryd’s picks: Huon pine, Woolly Tea Tree

Love the podcast? You can support us here and 'buy us a coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/bonsaisidequest

Hugh Grant - Tree Makers https://treemakers.com.au/

Jarryd Bailey - Montane Bonsai https://www.montanebonsai.com/ 

Eve Sczechowski - Yves Media https://www.yvesfilm.com/ 

In this episode, the guys spinulosa’d around, only getting to 5 more out of the top 20’s greatest hits of native species with many informational species side-quests. In continuation of Jarryd and Hugh's top 10 picks for bonsai material, here are the selections of this round: 

Jarryd - Strawberry Pine, Varnished Gum

Love the podcast? You can support us here and 'buy us a coffee' https://buymeacoffee.com/bonsaisidequest

Hugh Grant - Tree Makers https://treemakers.com.au/

Jarryd Bailey - Montane Bonsai https://www.montanebonsai.com/ 

Eve Sczechowski - Yves Media https://www.yvesfilm.com/