Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Welcome to Spring and with that comes the close of the repotting season for me (well nearly the close) so I like to look back and reflect on what I've learnt and discovered of the repotting season. From tested tie ins due to late winter storms to hand cleaner. Doing it right now for future benefit is the name of the game. Plus now Spring has arrived we need to get moving on our early Spring tasks.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Sometimes when tragedy occurs it is an opportunity for improvement and that was the case with my large European Beech. A few years ago the bonsai was hit by a falling branch in the garden. Part of the apex was ripped off and the upper section of the trunk was bruised. Have a listen to the tale of heartbreak that lead to the chance to build a better bonsai the was two years in the making. Yet another forced redesign.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Will changing your soil mix fix the problems and issues your bonsai is experiencing? No, it won't. Soil is a massive piece of the bonsai puzzle but it is only one part of the equation. There are other factors to consider. And I have been flat out lately repotting so there are some tales to tell, including a cascade Pine that was stuck in the pot!

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Are expensive tools the best? Will they last forever? Tool fatigue is a real thing and something to expect when you work on your bonsai. But you can avoid unnecessary early tool retirement by using them correctly and maintaining them. The right tool for the right purpose. Around this time of the year during the repotting process avoiding making decisions or making the wrong decision is common. Buy yourself some time, gather your thoughts and make the right decision.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Repotting is a job we do not get to complete very frequently, only every 2-5 years, so you want to make sure it's done right. And I find that when you mound up your tree it can create some issue. So let's explore whether we should mound or not. When does a bonsai become yours? Or is it always linked to the previous owner? What has to happen for it to become yours? This is a really common question and I have a really simple answer.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

If you know me you will know I do not like rules especially when it comes to bonsai. However in this case I will make an exception! I've come up with six golden rules to consider before acquiring a bonsai and this relates to all bonsai lovers at all stages of their personal bonsai journey. Successfully owning and developing beautiful trees in pots takes not only a personal skill set but certain environments factors. Have a listen and see if you live by these rules or if you should.

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

The downside to not dealing with root issues last repot is that you have to deal with them now and it will be much harder to sort out. Bonsai that haven't been repotted frequently enough or were not repotted correctly last time means you may be dealing with a brick this time. Let's chat about how to resolve that issue. Root rot is real and I'll discuss how to identify it, what are some common causes and how you can avoid it in the future. 

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Welcome to Repotting Season! It's officially started and we need to talk about it. Firstly, not all soil mixes are created equally and I have proof. I'll tell you a story about a recent repotting adventure that proves my point. Repotting is all about technique and being absolutely perfect. You need to practice and ensure your bonsai gets stronger as a result. And drainage layers, should you always have one?

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

Do you need to adapt your bonsai care to allow for changing weather patterns and extremes? This isn't a podcast on climate change, it is more to consider how we need to adjust our care regime and timing of processes for our trees to be able to continue to thrive. What if your growing period is shorter? What if it's longer? What does that mean for fertilising? We have always had weather extremes and now they seem to be popping up a lot more frequently so we need to be ahead of the potential damage that can be caused. 

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Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

I have found that your mindset when working on 'small' bonsai needs to be very different as to when you work on the larger species. A little foliage extension can make a big difference when the bonsai is only 20cm wide but if it's 70cm wide you will barely notice. So you need to approach the work on the smaller bonsai with a few key thoughts in mind. How do you create separations and not simply work it as a blob, is there too much back budding, is it too crowded. Wiring your bonsai is an essential tool we use to create beautiful and strong bonsai. I have a simple tip for your primary wire application that will help with your secondary wiring.

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