My thoughts of the end shape was more of a John Travolta; Saturday Night Fever iconic disco pose. Seriously, I like the look of it and the Dawn redwood. Just wondering what was the carving tool you were using? Thanks for the video!
Hi Randy - it now has a new name. My Disco Elm. I have a video out where I talk about all those tools when I carved this for the first time last year. Basically a Diegrinder and dremmel using Nibbler attachments purchased from Kaizen Bonsai.
Cheers Dan. Oops - I know that Andrew also sent me a couple of images with different options on the deadwood removal. I think the real decision will be sometime next year when I see how much extra growth I get on the new leaders. At the moment it is netiher 'one thing or the other' :)
I love that redwood Xav, a lots of options with the Chinese Elm, the past has gone so get on with making the most of what is still there and there is a lot of foliage to work with, wasn’t sure about the carving but burning it has made a difference. Xav I watched a video tour of the site where Dan Robinson has all is very old gnarly trees he has hundreds some over a thousand years old the whole place is amazing, he was asked how often he repots the trees, his answer is never he does not repot any of his trees, he just lets them get on with it and they are thriving. Worth the time to watch his video. I thought I might buy his book but second hand it is expensive and hard to get, it is not how to book, I gather it’s more the journey of him and his trees.
Strangely my trees thrived best during the first 10 years - when I wasn't looking after them at all. I think the guy from Bonsai Heirloom has a similiar approach. It wouldn't surprise me if this increased rate of repots is linked to pushing more people into buying pots and bonsai soil...it's all a conspiracy to make money :)
From my point of view, this is the best redesign from those “S” trunks to something realistic that I’ve seen! I’m truly diggin where you are taking this tree, good sir.
@ 18:43 or 18:44 i see can also be a tree. Cascade the one branch to the right and maybe even shorten and bend the deadwood to the right . Man soo many possibilities with this one. I just like the curve of the trunk at that position. Powerfull little tree and that branch flows with trunk also
I think you sum up the challenge of this tree. I do believe I will eventually shorten it right back to emphasise that incredible trunk and repot it as a semi -cascade. I just love mucking about with the deadwood and new leaders right now. Not sure it will work though :)
Great hearing from you my friend. The Redwoods have suddenly perked up now that I have hidden them in the dark recesses of the garden. This elm is turning into a fun experimentation project. I think long term it will be reduced to a chunky semi-cascade :)
Thanks Scott. That first Redwood has just boomed out in brilliant foliage right now. I probably won't do anything with it until the autumn - but I shall feature it then with some before and after leaf fall video.
Really interesting vid Xavier! Your elm has really done magnificently the last 2 years. Did you ever find the cause of it's original decline? I think this is going to be such an intriguing composition with the movement of the upper branches. BTW, is it possible to do a winter video on how you sharpen your tools? I've seen a lot on sharpening scissors, but very little on sharpening the curved tools like knob cutters. Much appreciation :)
I know that this may sound absolutely barmy but I think I would have tried to use at least one of those long branches as a "tanuki". The height could remain the same and over time once it had thickened the branch /branches would look totally natural.
I used that approach on one of my other 'dead elms' but for this one I was inspired by comments from Candice of Bonsai Science fame. I do agree that the original dead branches could have been used in that way. Cheers
Good morning Xavier 😘 Congratulations on your Dawn redwood - incredible 🥰 Lovely development on your Chinese elm. I can imagine markjagger7139‘s idea of wrapping around the two top branches around the dead wood 🤩🙏 Although the present style is absolutely perfect in its way too. 😍 Enjoy your day, cheers 🙋♀️ Martina
Thank you Martina - I am hoping to have the side shoots on the new leaders extend across and start 'embracing' the deadwood naturally. Always nice to be embraced :)
My dawn red wood needs some love to i got it as the 50$ bonsai challange 2 years agoe where we had to find tree soil and pot for 50$ and i am still waiting for the next update challenge to see when/if get to buy a 50$ pot or what part 2 will be or if we get a part 2 or if ppl evin try to style or repot em
So glad to hear from you again Anders - I hope all is good with you. I have done updates on my Azalea Vesuvian $50 planting but not seem many others updating.
Ur dawn redwood looks great ! How do i get a bald cypress to biforcate? I seem to have problem with my bald cypress i cut into some older wood after the fronz hardened off in spring but no biforcation. Is it possible only younger branches give better ramification then older ones? I wonder if i should keep the older branches or younger ones around. Any tips? Thanks . Great video
Nice Elm Xavier! Nur the deadwood is to long and to massiv . And i thing you Must change the Front and the angle . And then the tree will Get a New Look what the 2 New branches. Have Look . Cheers 🍻
Definitely in agreement but I am taking this one slowly. I think the big decisions will take place on the Spring repot. What front are you thinking - have you got a time mark for the video?
You would have to go back to my earlier video where I talk about the unexpected effects of cold winter snaps comibned with a poor repot regime for this tree. It also got hit the following year with a very hot summer spell. So a combination of care factors is my final answer to why this one died back so badly.
It does look too long but I am interested to see how it will look if the new leaders end up growing around it? It's an interesting experiment for sure.
My thoughts of the end shape was more of a John Travolta; Saturday Night Fever iconic disco pose. Seriously, I like the look of it and the Dawn redwood. Just wondering what was the carving tool you were using? Thanks for the video!
Hi Randy - it now has a new name. My Disco Elm. I have a video out where I talk about all those tools when I carved this for the first time last year. Basically a Diegrinder and dremmel using Nibbler attachments purchased from Kaizen Bonsai.
This was a brunch video for me. Thank you for taking the time to film your journey and sharing it with us. And off course 👍 for your warm feeling 😂😂 👊
I just appreciate you all taking the time to wwatch and share my journey. Thanks
That looks so much better than the Gonzo look, if you can twist the 2 top branches around the dead wood it will look impressive in years to come.
I would love to see this tanuki twisting branches 😍🙏
I am hoping that the side shoots will slowly 'embrace' the deadwood and give it a more believable look :)
Only one tanuki in my collection Martina :)
It was me that suggested the apex🙋🏼🤣
Awesome stuff Xav the tree has come a long way
Loved the video thanks for sharing my friend 👊🏻
Cheers Dan. Oops - I know that Andrew also sent me a couple of images with different options on the deadwood removal. I think the real decision will be sometime next year when I see how much extra growth I get on the new leaders. At the moment it is netiher 'one thing or the other' :)
I love that redwood Xav, a lots of options with the Chinese Elm, the past has gone so get on with making the most of what is still there and there is a lot of foliage to work with, wasn’t sure about the carving but burning it has made a difference.
Xav I watched a video tour of the site where Dan Robinson has all is very old gnarly trees he has hundreds some over a thousand years old the whole place is amazing, he was asked how often he repots the trees, his answer is never he does not repot any of his trees, he just lets them get on with it and they are thriving. Worth the time to watch his video. I thought I might buy his book but second hand it is expensive and hard to get, it is not how to book, I gather it’s more the journey of him and his trees.
Strangely my trees thrived best during the first 10 years - when I wasn't looking after them at all. I think the guy from Bonsai Heirloom has a similiar approach. It wouldn't surprise me if this increased rate of repots is linked to pushing more people into buying pots and bonsai soil...it's all a conspiracy to make money :)
Your redwood looks very beautiful and a credit to you.
It has definitely surprised me - as has my Spooky Redwood which you will see very soon :)
From my point of view, this is the best redesign from those “S” trunks to something realistic that I’ve seen! I’m truly diggin where you are taking this tree, good sir.
So nice to hear a voice of agreement and support. Cheers
Good Morning. A great way to start the day!
Thank you Steve.
That Dawn Redwood - Looking better than mine. The tips of all my foliage have crisped up.
Mine are going crazy since they have been situated in a tray of water. All the best 🙏 Cheers 🙋♀️
@@oachkatzlsmumI may need to move mine to a more shaded part of the garden. The drip tray has not been sufficient this year.
All my crispy tips have dropped and the new fronds pushed out now.
Same here - great to hear Martina :)
Shady is the best option in the end - it works for me...with the drip tray :)
Great video Xavier and its been really interesting following the history of this tree.
So nice of you to say Alex :)
@ 18:43 or 18:44 i see can also be a tree. Cascade the one branch to the right and maybe even shorten and bend the deadwood to the right . Man soo many possibilities with this one. I just like the curve of the trunk at that position. Powerfull little tree and that branch flows with trunk also
I think you sum up the challenge of this tree. I do believe I will eventually shorten it right back to emphasise that incredible trunk and repot it as a semi -cascade. I just love mucking about with the deadwood and new leaders right now. Not sure it will work though :)
Great Video Xav. the redwood looks awesome m8. The Chinese Elm is one nice tree love it gets better every time ;)
Great hearing from you my friend. The Redwoods have suddenly perked up now that I have hidden them in the dark recesses of the garden. This elm is turning into a fun experimentation project. I think long term it will be reduced to a chunky semi-cascade :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat yeah its being a while just being too busy ;). i think the elm is going to look awesome m8 i think semi cascade is the way
Great video! Pease share more about the first tree too!
Thanks Scott. That first Redwood has just boomed out in brilliant foliage right now. I probably won't do anything with it until the autumn - but I shall feature it then with some before and after leaf fall video.
Awesome tree
Thanks Chris - I still see another big change next year...
Really interesting vid Xavier! Your elm has really done magnificently the last 2 years. Did you ever find the cause of it's original decline? I think this is going to be such an intriguing composition with the movement of the upper branches. BTW, is it possible to do a winter video on how you sharpen your tools? I've seen a lot on sharpening scissors, but very little on sharpening the curved tools like knob cutters. Much appreciation :)
I did do a video on tool sharperning in my first year but will do another one this winter too :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Thank you so much - I have definitely watched your earlier video too.
I know that this may sound absolutely barmy but I think I would have tried to use at least one of those long branches as a "tanuki". The height could remain the same and over time once it had thickened the branch /branches would look totally natural.
I used that approach on one of my other 'dead elms' but for this one I was inspired by comments from Candice of Bonsai Science fame. I do agree that the original dead branches could have been used in that way. Cheers
Good morning Xavier 😘 Congratulations on your Dawn redwood - incredible 🥰 Lovely development on your Chinese elm. I can imagine markjagger7139‘s idea of wrapping around the two top branches around the dead wood 🤩🙏 Although the present style is absolutely perfect in its way too. 😍 Enjoy your day, cheers 🙋♀️ Martina
Thank you Martina - I am hoping to have the side shoots on the new leaders extend across and start 'embracing' the deadwood naturally. Always nice to be embraced :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat embracing - yes, always nice
My dawn red wood needs some love to i got it as the 50$ bonsai challange 2 years agoe where we had to find tree soil and pot for 50$ and i am still waiting for the next update challenge to see when/if get to buy a 50$ pot or what part 2 will be or if we get a part 2 or if ppl evin try to style or repot em
So glad to hear from you again Anders - I hope all is good with you. I have done updates on my Azalea Vesuvian $50 planting but not seem many others updating.
Great video xav 👊👊
Thanks Andy
How's your Creme Brûlée caramelised sugar skills Xavier😂 the tree look so much better now. Well done ❤
Truthfully, that is katarina's forte. I like eating it though :)
Great video
Thanks Donna - I hope all is well in your neck of the woods :)
Ur dawn redwood looks great ! How do i get a bald cypress to biforcate? I seem to have problem with my bald cypress i cut into some older wood after the fronz hardened off in spring but no biforcation. Is it possible only younger branches give better ramification then older ones? I wonder if i should keep the older branches or younger ones around. Any tips? Thanks . Great video
Unfortunately Chris, I have absolutely no experience with Bald cypress. Sorry
Nice Elm Xavier! Nur the deadwood is to long and to massiv . And i thing you Must change the Front and the angle . And then the tree will Get a New Look what the 2 New branches. Have Look . Cheers 🍻
Definitely in agreement but I am taking this one slowly. I think the big decisions will take place on the Spring repot. What front are you thinking - have you got a time mark for the video?
The dieback started after winter dormancy?
You would have to go back to my earlier video where I talk about the unexpected effects of cold winter snaps comibned with a poor repot regime for this tree. It also got hit the following year with a very hot summer spell. So a combination of care factors is my final answer to why this one died back so badly.
What kind of tool and drill bits are you using for carving ?
I use a dremmel for my smaller nibbler tool and a die grinder for the larger one :)
👍👌🙂
Morning Bruce
I've been trying to find a nibbler for carving. Just got my die grinder and haven't had luck finding the terrier nibbler. Help please!
Hi Kevin. All my tools have come from either Bonsai4Me or Kaizen
Hello
For me the front is at 18:44 and the deadwood is too long and straight.😊
Grts
K
It does look too long but I am interested to see how it will look if the new leaders end up growing around it? It's an interesting experiment for sure.