How To Bonsai - Trimming Bonsai Tree Care

[manninge20]

@orlandoBonsaiTV thanks so much for the help.

[manninge20]

I just found out that it is 3 years old.

[manninge20]

Also it is pretty prickly. Should I pinch the leaves off or should I trim them with shears?

I don't want to kill my tree. :|

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@manninge20 Just make sure it gets lots of sun and does not stay wet and you should be fine

[manninge20]

I just got a juniper bonsai for my birthday. It is about a foot tall and has a really bushy top. Should I prune it or let it keep growing?

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@manninge20 If the tunk is as thick as you want it to be then you can prune it back. Just pinch the tips of the branches off. The tips will brown up in a da y or two when you pinch them off but those brown areas will drop off in time. If you want the trunk to get bigger than let it grow and then trim it back later on

[iaidosamurai]

A pleasure watching an expert. Thank you

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@iaidosamurai I really appreciate the comment! This is always a learning process no matter what level you are on. I just keep sharing as I continue to learn.

[loxley70]

i like your fast and to the point videos...im buying my first tree soon and doing some research before i choose species and style id like to attempt and yours are the best vids i have come across,im looking forward to watching the rest.Keep up the good work my friend

[JulieMint]

I just got my new bonsai tree. It looks a bit full and bushy right now, so I'm planning on trimming it a bit. After that do I only need to trim it three or so times a year? Do you mean just trimming the actual branches a few times a year and to trim the leaves when ever need be? I don't want to kill my tree by cutting it to pieces! Thanks for your help :)

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@JulieMint Thanks for your comment :) You only need to trim the tree when it begins to get out of shape. Some take multiple trimmings during the growing season and then they can go a long time before needing to be trmmed back. Don't over do it, because you want to keep the tree healthy. Its easiest once the tree is in shape and full because all you are doing then is just controlling the growth. Good luck

[cuticachon]

Thanks for this video. Very educational

[LacobrigusRomanicus]

Hello. I have a question, is it normal for some trees, in nature, to have twisty trunks? Like S shape or semy S shape?

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@LacobrigusRomanicus Trees will grow in all different types of shapes. It really depends on where they are growing., Along a cloastline they will be pushed by the wind and may twict and bend. A tree in the shade of another tree will lean as it reaches for the light. also a tree that has had its trunk damaged may start a new trunk taking the tree in a new direction

[missy19bond]

Hi, i was wondering if you could help me. I have a bonsai tree for a little under a year now and it's suddenly started dying, all its leaves are turning yellow. It's autumn now - do bonsai trees loose their leaves like other trees? I've watered it when it's started getting dry, but not too much. i've kept it indoors out of direct sunlight but in some light. I've pruned it a bit. The only thing i haven't done is re-potted it but i'm not sure if i should or not? Any advice would be welcome

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@missy19bond Yes Bonsai Trees are real trees and act just like their big relatives. Some trees don't it depends on the type of tree. Sounds like you have a decidulous type of tree (drops their leaves in the fall) If so cut your watering back to once or twice a week, and in the spring it will put out a new set of leaves.

[missy19bond]

@OrlandoBonsaiTV thank you!

[KaylinJH]

are their any tips you have for cutting a cypress back to hard wood? I recently let the lower branches grow larger than needed to thicken the lower portion of the trunk a bit more, and now have to cut them back.

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@KaylinJH Wait until the tree goes dormant and then reduce the length of the branches. They new growth will pop out all along that branch next year. I'll be doing the same shortly so I'll post a video on the subject

[michaeldupre7286]

Thank you orlandobonsaitv will do keep up the awesome videos and help out people

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@michaeldupre7286 Thank you , and more videos to come!

[michaeldupre7286]

Hi i have a juniper bonsai and i have a few questions i live in webster ,MA its September 21, 2011 should i be putting my bonsai outside to adapt it to winter or another words shutting down the plant stoping the growth of it

when should i wire my plant and how long should it stay wired

when should i replant

i can put up pictures so that you could help me out if you like

Thank you Michael

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@michaeldupre7286 Yes let it go through th efall process of cooler nights so that it slows down for winter. YOu can wire that type of tree any time and I would lieave it one for about 3-5 months or until the wire starts to cut into the bark. Replant in early spring. No need for pics. Thanks

[bahamabubba]

I'm new to bonsai and I bought some trees but I don't know exactly what type they are. is there a way that you could help me with identifying what type it is?

[dandan832]

DO you know anywhere that i can get bonsai and accessories in Connecticut? Anyone?

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@dandan832 Sorry I don't have any connections in CT

[luchador1764]

I just discovered wat bonsai really is and im so stoked.

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@luchador1764 Glad to hear that you're starting in Bonsai.  If you have any questions let me know

[AndAy224]

When I recently received my first bonsai, many of the leafs had their tips snipped off from the nursery. What is the purpose of this?

Thanks!

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@AndAy224 I'm not sure what that would have been done for other than just cosmetically trying to reduce the leaf size. Some people do that to promote the tree to put out a new set of leaves becuase those ones are damaged.

[MrWthisthis100]

i just got a microcarpa and it was growing really well. The extensions from the trunk aren't really branches. they feel like stems. How long does it take to turn into an actual branch?

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@MrWthisthis100 Microcarpa put put aerial roots when shoot from branches and the upper trunk. They don't produce leaves but grow over time to reach the soil. When they reach the soil they thicken up and provide water and nutrients to the tree the description you are giving sounds like aerial roots instead of braches. New branches will start with leaves first.

[UstadZed]

i'm a noob. and i dont quite realize what straight up and down means..isnt the tree go up and down...

its a nice tree though

[MrWthisthis100]

what are the basic tools i need for starting with a bonsai?

[pandabear102409]

Hay there again..I have a question..I looked up my USDA zone and it said my location is 8b-10a?..So how do I choose my plants according to this?

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@pandabear102409 There are two ways you can see what trees grow in your zone. First you can Google search for "trees in zone 8b" or 10a and a list of trees will come up. Of if there is a specific tree you like you can search for growing zones for that tree. Even though the tree does't grow in your zone it means that you would have to provide extra protection of more tropical trees. However if a tree requires cooler weather than your zone I would avoid those trees.

[pandabear102409]

Hay there again. I have a question..I looked up my USDA zone and it said I'm 8b-10a? How do I make my choices plants acording to this?

[MrWthisthis100]

What are good indoor bonsai's?

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@MrWthisthis100 I'm not a fan of growing bonsai indoors. They are actual trees and thrive in the sunlight. However if you do want to grow an indoor bonsai I would suggest a tropial tree. That would include a ficus (nerifolia, green island, benjamina). Also Fukien Tea might be another species to use. Try to keep them near a window and check the watering and you should gave good success. Good luck

[plastation7]

I do have one question. I have a Chinese elm in a pre bonsai stage. It has some curve to the trunk. But my main question is it is putting of tons of new growth which is what i want but at the same time its dropping a a lot of leaves. Im making sure its being watered only when the soil feels dry down about a half inch under the soil level. Any ideas?

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@plastation7 Chinese Elms don't always drop their leaves in the winter but instead drop old leaves as new ones push out. So what you are probably seeing is old leaves falling. Pay attention to the new growth and if it has good color and health your tree is doing just fine.

[HoekRen8000]

VERY CLEAR WAY TO BEGIN!

[OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@HoekRen8000 Thank you. I know how challenging bonsai is in the beginning but there really is nothing to dear keeping your trees looking good.