That vigorous top growth really draws the eye effectively, however I fear without aggressive pruning soon, all sense of scale will be lost. But enough about the hair, the bonsai is beautiful! Nice work. ;)
Hi Nigel. After 4 years I still find your videos calming. I've always loved the bonsai forest landscape pots. I live in western Washington and most of the specimens you have will grow here. I've learned much. Thank you!
I am attempting to grow a redwood forest bonsai. I have no idea what I am doing so I perused youtube and found Nigel. I have watched most of his videos now and have learned A LOT. Best collection of vids I've found. My trees and I thank you.
there are mini flowers in like a moss that people add to there mini fairy hardens all the time. I'd love to see those added I think! and I love your videos. I will remember to like more! I watch every morning while doing my crafting and relax with coffee. I love that you don't add crazy music and we can hear nature and quiet
I have always wanted to take care of bonsai trees , train them , love them , take care of them ...Your art of Bonsai is beautiful. Wish I lived somewhere near to see them , but unfortunately it's far.. My garden is part forest and since I was a child I was amazed by trees , I really love them ....Maybe I get the opportunity to see some beautiful Bonsai trees someday ... It would be a dream come true to learn how to take care of them , but I know , just reading and searching for tips isn't enough ....Someday maybe ... Thank you for loving them and taking such a good care for them , it means a lot to me ...Greetings from Croatia
That is simply amazing. I do a lot of mushroom foraging, and i must say it look incredibly realistic. if you were not standing next to it, I would be asking for its location to forage around it. Respect.
I love that seed tray frame you built great idea and what a use of materials , I have never owned a Larch but am leaning toward getting one in the future
Good day Nigel, I saw an older video of yours (May 2015) Larch Bonsai Forest. While this is an older video of yours, I was totally taken away with your incredible economical moulding frame for placing the seed tray in. The oak crown moulding ( I think it is) is beautiful. I don't see this kind of moulding anymore. Most of what I see in the lumber yards is very plain. At any rate, I just love this idea to make a plastic seed tray look so wonderful in this wooden frame. Simply awesome. Thank you for yet another inspiring low-cost way to do things. Eric
I got the wood from the re-store, it was probably pulled from a nice old house. I think it makes a nice bonsai pot and I'm hoping to make some more one day! Thanks Marjorie and Eric!
Thanks for getting back to me Nigel. It is much appreciated. I have found some moulding that I think will be good. Once made I will pass on a picture of it. Eric
Absolutely beautiful. I wasn't even aware you could make a forest with Bonsai. I got my first Juniper, and am working on keeping it alive. I doubt I would ever be able to create such a wonder, but it is joyful to watch.
Hello Nigel! I have started watching your vids and other bonsai tutorials here on RUclips. I keep going back to yours due to your easy going voice and library of information. I had to comment to let you know this is by far my favorite video so far. I think the walk in the trees was especially helpful. Thank you for sharing!!!
Brilliant frame for the seed trays. Really shows off your forest. AND made of recycled materials; just brilliant. To me, the forest arrangement looks fine just as it is. The recommendation for odd numbers is simply because, in general, humans tend to arrange even numbers in configurations that look man-made, try as we might. You avoided that. The smaller trees added to each side in the back simply makes it look a bit panoramic, as though those little trees are large ones but further off in the distance. If you have not already done so, I would think long and hard before changing a thing in this forest arrangement. It is perfect as it is. Judging from the comments you have received, others seem to think so, too. Well done!
Of all the trees you have I'm wondering if you have a favorite. This forest is certainly one of my favorites of yours. It's so realistic, creative and natural looking, I just love it!
Domenick Barone Trees are like your kids, you're not allowed to have favourites! I do like the Larch forest, it's like taking a walk in the woods every time I look at it.
Thanks for all the effort you put in this video :) It's awesome, watching you work and hearing you talk about the forest. Helps me relax after a long day, I learn a lot and it makes me happy. I really enjoyed this :)
Very beautiful and inspiring 😍 two weeks ago I came across your videos and definitely a subscriber because I’m hooked & eager to get started on my first Bonsai tree. Love the noise in the background, the birds or sometimes I hear the chickens or roosters it pretty nice. 👍🏼
I will be doing a total re pot, separating all the trees, root pruning and replanting. The hills and rocks will be removed and put back as closely as possible. A video will be coming this spring.
Was re-watching this and it dawned on me that you could try a small patch of wooly thyme to get the flowers in your forest floor. I've had it as ground cover between flagstones for years and it has been easy to maintain. Small foliage and small purple flowers. Not sure what the roots would do in your current pot but they've been easy to pull in my gravel.
I paused your video real quick because something clicked. (really am enjoying your by the way.) You mentioned that area became a sort of bog area. Then you came across that tree. Where the tree is separated from the trunk, it looks gnawed on, not like a tree would look like if it fell. Not sure where your located, and I'm certainly no expert, but I thought about a beaver. Who knows. Great video!
Thanks Nigel. The woods look a lovely place to visit with lots to inspire. Would miniature alpines work ? They would like the free draining soil but the light levels may be too low in summer. Maybe something that flowers early spring before all the foliage blocks the light (as with bluebells in a full size woodland) then die back over the summer. Cheers Sid
Sid Pavey Again, I'll have to do some research to find a miniature flowering ground cover, maybe thyme?, but the soil may be to moist for it. Irish moss has the right look, but it's too invasive and the roots grow a thick 2 inch mat beneath the soil surface. I'll check into miniature alpine flowers, they would have to be really small. Thanks Sid!
Hello Nigel, I like the forest a lot. Were these larch grown in individual pots at first? I'm wondering how repotting and root pruning work s for a multi-tree pot.
They were grown together as a group, but I separated the trees when I arranged them into this planting and root pruned each tree separately. They will again be separated this spring and root pruned again.
Can you save and use everything you take off the trees and moss as nutrition for the forest floor? It looks beautiful! Imagine a little stream going through there as well
Yes you can, I used to do that until I planted the trees in this pot with the moss. I would get too much organic matter from the tree trimmings to allow the moss to grow. I do leave the fallen needles on the surface of the forest floor until my spring tidy up. A stream would look good!
I just moved from a really beautiful rolling hills forest area to the city for college. It feels awful. I need to start doing this, I love nature too much to live in the city.
It seems harder and harder to just be able to go for a walk in a nice forest these days, it's all private land or land that's used for hunting or expensive park land. Bonsai gives me the feeling your are in a forest looking up at giant trees!
Absolutely realistic and beautifull. Maybe one idea: cutting of the very fine roots on the dead tree would make it even more realistic. greetings Kennet
Kennet De Bondt Thank you, cutting the fine roots would make it look better, I'll do it. I'm thinking of adding a little pool of water in the right front side, sort of a bog area, similar to the one in the video. I'll be doing a video soon on pinching the new growth, so I'll be adding more details to the landscape at the same time.
Nigel, you inspire me. I love your work. The idea of using these plant bottoms for forest is genius. I have started a couple, one a Larch like yours and another a pine forest. This is my first year getting into Bonsai and already find it addicting. By chance do you have a Facebook page dedicated to your Bonsai?
Lonnie Ward Hi Lonnie, glad you are enjoying your bonsai. I don't have anything on Facebook, I'm just sticking to RUclips. I just fear I would spend more time on Facebook then working on bonsai! You can send me pictures of your trees to.....thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com I would love to see them!
mohannad al madanie The ground cover is moss, one is a sun hardy variety and the other is a shade moss. The moss likes frequent watering in a well draining soil to grow really well. Cactus soil should work well. If you are trying to grow moss with a cactus bonsai planting, the amount of water required to keep the moss green, might be too much water for the cactus. You might be better with a ground covering, such as thyme. Where are you are you from?, it might help me answer your question better.
mohannad al madanie I remember your from Saudi Arabia, I forgot. I'm not sure if you have a natural moss that grows in your area. I looked on the internet and couldn't find anything. I would check at your local nursery, some of the imported plants may have a layer of moss on the soil. I have good luck keeping my portulacaria alive and the moss too. The portulacaria is native to Africa and is a succulent. I think it would grow really well in your region of the world. Let me know if you find something that works for you. All the best, Nigel
I check your videos from time to time this one is good i like to have one like this the only option i have is light would it grow under light? my place is in shade all day.
The Larch trees require a cold winter each year to stay healthy. They also require sunlight to grow their best. I don't think they would grow well under lights. It would be best to grow tropical trees, like ficus or dwarf schefflera.
it's really beautiful! i collected some pine trees to try to make one like yours but they just died.. so i started to plant the seed from a pine cone, and my seedlings are doing good and healthy, I'm afraid they will die too if I repot them in time..
ASLIM PASHA I had a great time visiting NYC a couple of years ago! I will definitely be adding a path with roots going across, like in the video. I just ran out of time with the rain coming. Next video I'll be adding all the cool details, should be fun.
It stays outside on the bench. Occasionally a bird kicks off a bit of moss looking for worms, so I just patch it up. I put the trees inside the unheated basement in the winter. They probably could stay outside, but I'm always afraid rabbits and mice will chew on them.
Amazing skills... Do you keep them outdoors or indoors? what temperature do they like? i want to create a like that for my basement and wanted to see it was possible. i am in northeastern PA region, pennsylvania. We do get snow here on the winter, so keeping them outdoor is not possible. Do you provide any food for them (nutrient mix)? or just the soil + water.
The Larches in the video are very hardy. They can take temperatures down to -65 C. They shed their needles every fall. You can store them in an unheated garage or shed for the winter. Some people leave them out on the benches all winter also. They do get fertilized in the summer. The trees are native to Canada and the United States.
Shalaka Booyaka I love some of the aquarium landscapes!.....but, I'm trying to limit my hobbies. I love model building, sports cars, violin making, art and lots more, but bonsai keeps me busy and happy.
Hello Nigel! It's me again. I followed your instructions on how to trim the bougainvillea to form a bonsai out of it and it's growing really great! I'm so proud of my first achievement as a beginner in this area thanks to you! Also, how would I know that the part I cut is ok for planting?
would you recommend growing trees separately for the forest or should I plant all saplings or cuttings together from the very early stage in a forest group.
I like to grow them as a forest in the early stages. You will find that just like a full size forest, the trees on the outside get more light and grow their branches outwards. The trees on the inside grow more straight and vertical. This effect will help create a really natural looking forest.
Ben Parkinson It's always fun doing some woodworking! I hope to make some more planters this winter. I'll have to do a video on it. I'm hoping to find some other size plastic containers to frame in.
Good morning Nigel, watching this for the second time and the question came to my mind question as you walk through the forest you described a variety of trees that were in the same area. What about mixing varieties of trees in a Bonsai forest, is that something you have done or would consider. Thanks again for your very creative work, Jack
Hello Jack, I just answered the same question with some Rajesh, so I am cutting and pasting ther same reply, hope you don't mind! Mixed plantings are rarely done. Every tree has a certain scale to the observer, you automatically picture the height of the tree and how tall a person would be if they were standing beside this miniature tree. When you start to mix different types of trees, they rarely have the same scale. The eye sees a certain scale for one species and a different scale for another. This confuses the brain and the overall look of the forest can be ruined. This said, it can be done using the right combination of trees and with proper pruning to keep the miniature illusion intact
Nigel Saunders hi Nigel, thanks for taking the time to respond. As I am growing my understanding of how to cultivate my trees , I have been intrigued with the group plantings. What you say makes sense, again I appreciate your creativity and hard work.
HI Nigel, I am curious to know if you are creating these works from seed, or do you forage in the woods for shoots and replant. also, how do you achieve all the plants living so closely together. I am ready to extend my bonsai collection, but I am not sure if I should be growing from seed, or trying to grow from off shoots. I havent been very successful in rerooting any mini trees i have found. thanks!
The larch forest was created by collecting young seedlings from an area that is regularly cut back for hydro lines. The trees that were collected were only about 3 to 4 years old. Starting from seeds is a good way to go if you can wait a few years before the start to look like trees. I will be re potting the Larch forest this spring so you will be able to check out the root structure and see how they are spaced together.
Wonderful forest planting you have there and great videos! I was just wondering you manage to keep your moss alive and looking so lush and constantly growing? I have been using moss covering on my chinese elm forest landscape slab planting. i water and mist usually every day, but still the moss is appearing to go brown on the tops, i recently replaced some of it. yours seems to last forever?
Bobby Lane The moss I use is the kind that grows in full sunlight. I collect most of it from the cracks in the sidewalk. I think the secret is to have a good draining soil. Moss doesn't like to be wet all the time. It's best to water it well twice a day. I usually water in the morning and then again in the afternoon. I try not to have my moss dry out. If it does it will begin to brown. This brown can be cut off with scissors, back to the greener layer beneath. As your forest fills out, you will get more shade on the forest floor, this helps also. Towards fall, the moss will really green up and grow a lot. You will need to do more scissor pruning to keep your layer thin. Good luck Bobby.
It is a native North American Larch.... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larix_laricina The trees in this planting were young saplings when collected, maybe 2 to 5 years old, I have been training them for about 17 years.
It is best to start them from seeds. Check out Graham Potters video... ruclips.net/video/kU2gtm7vGlQ/видео.html It only takes a few years to get some nice trees that you can then develop into a forest or a single specimen. Seeds can be ordered on line.
I haven't done it yet, but I need to plant some soon for my forest! I am going to check out the tree in the back yard to see if I can get some seeds from the cones. I may have to order seeds if I can't find any. Here is a good link to growing Larch seeds, it has a downloadable PDF...... www.treeseeds.com/howtogrowlarchtrees
+PiNgPoNgLaDd10 Hi Calum, moss will not hurt your trees or cause them to grow less. Some people put moss on their bonsai trees only before a show. After the show the moss is removed. I like to keep it on my trees all year round. I'll be making a video on moss soon, I'll explain the pros and the cons.
Mixed plantings are rarely done. Every tree has a certain scale to the observer, you automatically picture the height of the tree and how tall a person would be if they were standing beside this miniature tree. When you start to mix different types of trees, they rarely have the same scale. The eye sees a certain scale for one species and a different scale for another. This confuses the brain and the overall look of the forest can be ruined. This said, it can be done using the right combination of trees and with proper pruning to keep the miniature illusion intact. Check out this article for bamboo.... www.bonsaimary.com/bamboo-bonsai.html
+praveen kumar The Larch trees need a cold winter, with a dormant period of at least two months. I think it would be very hard to get and also hard to keep alive outside their natural habitat. The only tree that is similar is a bald cypress. They grow in the swamps of the southern states in the U.S. These trees also loose their leaves every year. I think they would be hard to find these trees in India also. Your best bet is to find some native trees to India and develop them as bonsai.
Just picked up my first Bonsai, I believe it's a Jade. Not sure if it's a African or Chinese. would love your input on it. Anyway I could send you a picture of it?
Yes, some nurseries carry them around here. They are a very hardy tree, but they do need a cold winter to keep them healthy, here is a map of their range in North America, you will see they are a Northern tree only. dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=159
That vigorous top growth really draws the eye effectively, however I fear without aggressive pruning soon, all sense of scale will be lost. But enough about the hair, the bonsai is beautiful! Nice work. ;)
Great comment Ryan, I've given it a chuckle and a thumbs up!
@@TheBonsaiZone God I love word play
Hi Nigel. After 4 years I still find your videos calming. I've always loved the bonsai forest landscape pots. I live in western Washington and most of the specimens you have will grow here. I've learned much. Thank you!
I am attempting to grow a redwood forest bonsai. I have no idea what I am doing so I perused youtube and found Nigel. I have watched most of his videos now and have learned A LOT. Best collection of vids I've found. My trees and I thank you.
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed watching!
there are mini flowers in like a moss that people add to there mini fairy hardens all the time. I'd love to see those added I think! and I love your videos. I will remember to like more! I watch every morning while doing my crafting and relax with coffee. I love that you don't add crazy music and we can hear nature and quiet
I have always wanted to take care of bonsai trees , train them , love them , take care of them ...Your art of Bonsai is beautiful.
Wish I lived somewhere near to see them , but unfortunately it's far..
My garden is part forest and since I was a child I was amazed by trees , I really love them ....Maybe I get the opportunity to see some beautiful Bonsai trees someday ... It would be a dream come true to learn how to take care of them , but I know , just reading and searching for tips isn't enough ....Someday maybe ...
Thank you for loving them and taking such a good care for them , it means a lot to me ...Greetings from Croatia
+DarkArachna Check out this blog from your country Croatia....
sandevbonsai.blogspot.ca/
That is simply amazing. I do a lot of mushroom foraging, and i must say it look incredibly realistic. if you were not standing next to it, I would be asking for its location to forage around it. Respect.
I love that seed tray frame you built great idea and what a use of materials , I have never owned a Larch but am leaning toward getting one in the future
The lush vibrancy of your Larch bonsai forest is very beautiful.
Mia M. W. Thanks you, I enjoy working on the trees and landscape!
Good day Nigel, I saw an older video of yours (May 2015) Larch Bonsai Forest. While this is an older video of yours, I was totally taken away with your incredible economical moulding frame for placing the seed tray in. The oak crown moulding ( I think it is) is beautiful. I don't see this kind of moulding anymore. Most of what I see in the lumber yards is very plain. At any rate, I just love this idea to make a plastic seed tray look so wonderful in this wooden frame. Simply awesome. Thank you for yet another inspiring low-cost way to do things. Eric
I got the wood from the re-store, it was probably pulled from a nice old house. I think it makes a nice bonsai pot and I'm hoping to make some more one day! Thanks Marjorie and Eric!
Thanks for getting back to me Nigel. It is much appreciated. I have found some moulding that I think will be good. Once made I will pass on a picture of it.
Eric
Absolutely beautiful. I wasn't even aware you could make a forest with Bonsai. I got my first Juniper, and am working on keeping it alive. I doubt I would ever be able to create such a wonder, but it is joyful to watch.
+Kara Bismarck Thanks Kara, good luck with your Juniper.
Hello Nigel! I have started watching your vids and other bonsai tutorials here on RUclips. I keep going back to yours due to your easy going voice and library of information. I had to comment to let you know this is by far my favorite video so far. I think the walk in the trees was especially helpful. Thank you for sharing!!!
Thank you very much, I do love going for a walk in the forest!
Just now I saw this video, Nigel. Wow, divine! So beautiful. Thanks, Nigel.
Thank you, here is the complete playlist for this forest....
ruclips.net/p/PLQouTWwmTQoxFL4cBBle6CJkVtWtCtcf2
Thank you for this. I just love watching guys like you make beautiful breathtaking bonsai art
Thank you!
Brilliant frame for the seed trays. Really shows off your forest. AND made of recycled materials; just brilliant.
To me, the forest arrangement looks fine just as it is. The recommendation for odd numbers is simply because, in general, humans tend to arrange even numbers in configurations that look man-made, try as we might. You avoided that. The smaller trees added to each side in the back simply makes it look a bit panoramic, as though those little trees are large ones but further off in the distance. If you have not already done so, I would think long and hard before changing a thing in this forest arrangement. It is perfect as it is.
Judging from the comments you have received, others seem to think so, too. Well done!
Love the larch forest nicest trees ever to me! Just love them
#BonsaiBobRoss
ThatKidFromColorado ! 😁
Wow, you're right :o
beautiful friend ... very original ... congratulations
Wow! What a transformation. Beautiful! I'm hooked.
Thank you Chad!
Amazing! Bonsai is one definitely an art that finds new way to amaze me. Congrats- It seems that your skills and dedication have paid off!
Thank you very much!
Great video Nigel! Your larch forest is magical!
Erik Reutermo Thanks, Erik. I hope it continues to improve!
i was in a bonsai musuem thing today, and i saw these things i fell in love with them. they are just gorgeous
Yes, I agree!
Of all the trees you have I'm wondering if you have a favorite. This forest is certainly one of my favorites of yours. It's so realistic, creative and natural looking, I just love it!
Domenick Barone Trees are like your kids, you're not allowed to have favourites! I do like the Larch forest, it's like taking a walk in the woods every time I look at it.
Nigel we love ❤️ you bro!!! Stay awesome. Your videos give me life
Thank you Nick, lots more to come!
Thanks for all the effort you put in this video :) It's awesome, watching you work and hearing you talk about the forest. Helps me relax after a long day, I learn a lot and it makes me happy.
I really enjoyed this :)
Good to hear, thanks!
That looks awesome!!!. I just bought my first Bonsai a week ago. I can’t wait for it to get bigger.
Try your best to keep it healthy and growing and bigger it will get!
Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone thank you. I bought a green mound bonsai. Read they were the easiest to care for if you are a beginner
I've been watching several different bonsai video and I really like this one alot. looks cool
Thank you Ted!
Looks great, we have just purchased our 1st Bonsai, a beautiful Swamp Cyprus. Enjoying your videos
Thanks, we don't see any Swamp Cyprus bonsai up here in Canada..
That is beautiful! I love the detail of the rocks and dead tree with this. It would look awesome with some of my small wolf sculptures I have. :)
Wolves would fit right in! Thanks.
Very beautiful and inspiring 😍 two weeks ago I came across your videos and definitely a subscriber because I’m hooked & eager to get started on my first Bonsai tree. Love the noise in the background, the birds or sometimes I hear the chickens or roosters it pretty nice. 👍🏼
We have lots of wildlife in our backyard and my wife loves her chickens and ducks! Thanks!
Love your larch forest. Fantastic!!!
Thank you Victor!
wow fantastic - no need to change a thing. So beautiful
Thank you!
I loved it!
Like you, I am also in love with plants.
congratulations.
Thank you!
What a beautiful work!
My compliments!
Thank you, I'll be re potting the forest in spring, a video will be coming.
That's great.
I'm looking forward to it.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful video. I was wondering if you had to redo all the surrounding landscaping when you repot the trees.
I will be doing a total re pot, separating all the trees, root pruning and replanting. The hills and rocks will be removed and put back as closely as possible. A video will be coming this spring.
Thats so freaking cool, mini forrest. Just bought my first Bonsai
Good stuff Jose, happy growing!
Wow! Truly a piece of living art!
Thank you Barohn! The forest is growing well after it's re potting this spring.
Work of art. God Job Master!
Was re-watching this and it dawned on me that you could try a small patch of wooly thyme to get the flowers in your forest floor. I've had it as ground cover between flagstones for years and it has been easy to maintain. Small foliage and small purple flowers. Not sure what the roots would do in your current pot but they've been easy to pull in my gravel.
Thanks, I may try Thyme in the sunny spots!
that is the most beautiful forest bonsai I have ever seen just WOW
Thank you Aurora!
maravilloso bosque excelente trabajo . is a beautiful mini forest!
Thank you Juan!
Do you have an update on the larch forest please and also how you set this forest up initially please
Very interesting. It looks real!
+Jamnian Nantadilok Its not real ???????????????
I paused your video real quick because something clicked. (really am enjoying your by the way.) You mentioned that area became a sort of bog area. Then you came across that tree. Where the tree is separated from the trunk, it looks gnawed on, not like a tree would look like if it fell. Not sure where your located, and I'm certainly no expert, but I thought about a beaver. Who knows. Great video!
I really love your forest. its so natural looking . I wonder how you repott this forest..
I will be re potting this coming spring, it will be a challenge!
+Nigel Saunders
could you please make a video how you do it
holy fuck that is beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you!!!!!!!
Your videos are amazing!
Niko Contreras Thank you for watching!
Thanks Nigel. The woods look a lovely place to visit with lots to inspire. Would miniature alpines work ? They would like the free draining soil but the light levels may be too low in summer. Maybe something that flowers early spring before all the foliage blocks the light (as with bluebells in a full size woodland) then die back over the summer.
Cheers
Sid
Sid Pavey Again, I'll have to do some research to find a miniature flowering ground cover, maybe thyme?, but the soil may be to moist for it. Irish moss has the right look, but it's too invasive and the roots grow a thick 2 inch mat beneath the soil surface. I'll check into miniature alpine flowers, they would have to be really small.
Thanks Sid!
Hello Nigel,
I like the forest a lot. Were these larch grown in individual pots at first? I'm wondering how repotting and root pruning work s for a multi-tree pot.
They were grown together as a group, but I separated the trees when I arranged them into this planting and root pruned each tree separately. They will again be separated this spring and root pruned again.
Can you save and use everything you take off the trees and moss as nutrition for the forest floor? It looks beautiful! Imagine a little stream going through there as well
Yes you can, I used to do that until I planted the trees in this pot with the moss. I would get too much organic matter from the tree trimmings to allow the moss to grow. I do leave the fallen needles on the surface of the forest floor until my spring tidy up. A stream would look good!
I just moved from a really beautiful rolling hills forest area to the city for college. It feels awful. I need to start doing this, I love nature too much to live in the city.
It seems harder and harder to just be able to go for a walk in a nice forest these days, it's all private land or land that's used for hunting or expensive park land. Bonsai gives me the feeling your are in a forest looking up at giant trees!
It's amazing. Thanks for the reply.
Absolutely realistic and beautifull.
Maybe one idea: cutting of the very fine roots on the dead tree would make it even more realistic.
greetings
Kennet
Kennet De Bondt Thank you, cutting the fine roots would make it look better, I'll do it. I'm thinking of adding a little pool of water in the right front side, sort of a bog area, similar to the one in the video. I'll be doing a video soon on pinching the new growth, so I'll be adding more details to the landscape at the same time.
Yep, this will look great to.
greets
Keenet
Nigel Saunders Water would be amazing !! your work is inspiring !Thanks
I've enjoyed many of your videos! How do you repot of your forests? How does it differ from single bonsais and do you have a video by any chance?
I am in the process of re potting this forest now. I will be posting part one of the video very soon.
that's nice I love the forest
sir
Thank you very much!
this is verry cool im glad i found these videos
This is really beautiful.
Thank you!
Nigel, you inspire me. I love your work. The idea of using these plant bottoms for forest is genius. I have started a couple, one a Larch like yours and another a pine forest. This is my first year getting into Bonsai and already find it addicting. By chance do you have a Facebook page dedicated to your Bonsai?
Lonnie Ward Hi Lonnie, glad you are enjoying your bonsai. I don't have anything on Facebook, I'm just sticking to RUclips. I just fear I would spend more time on Facebook then working on bonsai! You can send me pictures of your trees to.....thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com I would love to see them!
as usual wonderful
could you tell me about this nice plant that you have prune on the ground and if can grow it around cactus soil
thanks a lot
mohannad al madanie The ground cover is moss, one is a sun hardy variety and the other is a shade moss. The moss likes frequent watering in a well draining soil to grow really well. Cactus soil should work well.
If you are trying to grow moss with a cactus bonsai planting, the amount of water required to keep the moss green, might be too much water for the cactus. You might be better with a ground covering, such as thyme. Where are you are you from?, it might help me answer your question better.
thanks a lot i live in saudi arabia and here it is very hot and dry weatherNigel Saunders
mohannad al madanie I remember your from Saudi Arabia, I forgot. I'm not sure if you have a natural moss that grows in your area. I looked on the internet and couldn't find anything. I would check at your local nursery, some of the imported plants may have a layer of moss on the soil. I have good luck keeping my portulacaria alive and the moss too. The portulacaria is native to Africa and is a succulent. I think it would grow really well in your region of the world. Let me know if you find something that works for you. All the best, Nigel
thanks a lot you are so kind and Collaborator Nigel Saunders
a beautiful forest you have .
Good day Nigel do you have a video for the larch when you started it as bonsai as I'm willing to make one. Thanks
Unfortunately this is the first video of the Larch forest, I wish I had started RUclips earlier!
I check your videos from time to time this one is good i like to have one like this the only option i have is light would it grow under light?
my place is in shade all day.
The Larch trees require a cold winter each year to stay healthy. They also require sunlight to grow their best. I don't think they would grow well under lights. It would be best to grow tropical trees, like ficus or dwarf schefflera.
Nigel Saunders so living in a lower building apartment, will do good for the larch trees
I LOVE YOUR FOREST!!
Amazing my friend
birdes chirping in the backgrond! epic
I love it !
it's really beautiful! i collected some pine trees to try to make one like yours but they just died.. so i started to plant the seed from a pine cone, and my seedlings are doing good and healthy, I'm afraid they will die too if I repot them in time..
I would re pot them in spring and wait until they are 2 years old before starting them in a forest planting. Good luck, I hope they grow well.
Do you ever add creeks or suggestive ones with rocks. Very lush looking.
+Eek D'cat I will be adding a little bog area with a small pond. A little creek would look good, maybe I'll add one in my Cedar forest.
Beautiful work !
Hola Nigel. Greetings from nyc. How about adding a hiking trail to your forest. It might look neath
ASLIM PASHA I had a great time visiting NYC a couple of years ago! I will definitely be adding a path with roots going across, like in the video. I just ran out of time with the rain coming. Next video I'll be adding all the cool details, should be fun.
OOOO Man that is Marvellous.
Thank you very much, forest are really fun to work on!
I like the forest look that you are working on. Where do you keep it when maintenance is done?
It stays outside on the bench. Occasionally a bird kicks off a bit of moss looking for worms, so I just patch it up. I put the trees inside the unheated basement in the winter. They probably could stay outside, but I'm always afraid rabbits and mice will chew on them.
Amazing skills... Do you keep them outdoors or indoors? what temperature do they like? i want to create a like that for my basement and wanted to see it was possible. i am in northeastern PA region, pennsylvania. We do get snow here on the winter, so keeping them outdoor is not possible. Do you provide any food for them (nutrient mix)? or just the soil + water.
The Larches in the video are very hardy. They can take temperatures down to -65 C. They shed their needles every fall. You can store them in an unheated garage or shed for the winter. Some people leave them out on the benches all winter also. They do get fertilized in the summer. The trees are native to Canada and the United States.
Have you looked into, thought about doing any aquarium aquascaping?
Shalaka Booyaka I love some of the aquarium landscapes!.....but, I'm trying to limit my hobbies. I love model building, sports cars, violin making, art and lots more, but bonsai keeps me busy and happy.
Nigel Saunders yea, I hear you. I don't do bonsai YET, but it definitely seems like something that would help pass a lot of hours
Hello Nigel! It's me again. I followed your instructions on how to trim the bougainvillea to form a bonsai out of it and it's growing really great! I'm so proud of my first achievement as a beginner in this area thanks to you! Also, how would I know that the part I cut is ok for planting?
If the branch that you prune off has a woody look to it, it has a good chance of rooting. If it is green, it may rot away before creating roots.
Nigel Saunders thank you!
Nice one dude.. I'll definitely try it
Awesome, thanks!
would you recommend growing trees separately for the forest or should I plant all saplings or cuttings together from the very early stage in a forest group.
I like to grow them as a forest in the early stages. You will find that just like a full size forest, the trees on the outside get more light and grow their branches outwards. The trees on the inside grow more straight and vertical. This effect will help create a really natural looking forest.
You’re the Bob Ross of bonsai
Thank you, I'm a Bob Ross fan!
genius idea for a planter. I will try this too! thanks Nigel
Ben Parkinson It's always fun doing some woodworking! I hope to make some more planters this winter. I'll have to do a video on it. I'm hoping to find some other size plastic containers to frame in.
That looks amazing !!!
Thank you!
Good morning Nigel, watching this for the second time and the question came to my mind question as you walk through the forest you described a variety of trees that were in the same area. What about mixing varieties of trees in a Bonsai forest, is that something you have done or would consider. Thanks again for your very creative work, Jack
Hello Jack, I just answered the same question with some Rajesh, so I am cutting and pasting ther same reply, hope you don't mind!
Mixed plantings are rarely done. Every tree has a certain scale to the observer, you automatically picture the height of the tree and how tall a person would be if they were standing beside this miniature tree. When you start to mix different types of trees, they rarely have the same scale. The eye sees a certain scale for one species and a different scale for another. This confuses the brain and the overall look of the forest can be ruined. This said, it can be done using the right combination of trees and with proper pruning to keep the miniature illusion intact
Nigel Saunders hi Nigel, thanks for taking the time to respond. As I am growing my understanding of how to cultivate my trees , I have been intrigued with the group plantings. What you say makes sense, again I appreciate your creativity and hard work.
That looks great !!
+Tom Weber Thanks Tom, I have a later video where I add a hill, here is the link....
ruclips.net/video/iup1zCaN1V8/видео.html
+Nigel Saunders thanks Nigel you are a very teacher
HI Nigel, I am curious to know if you are creating these works from seed, or do you forage in the woods for shoots and replant. also, how do you achieve all the plants living so closely together. I am ready to extend my bonsai collection, but I am not sure if I should be growing from seed, or trying to grow from off shoots. I havent been very successful in rerooting any mini trees i have found. thanks!
The larch forest was created by collecting young seedlings from an area that is regularly cut back for hydro lines. The trees that were collected were only about 3 to 4 years old. Starting from seeds is a good way to go if you can wait a few years before the start to look like trees. I will be re potting the Larch forest this spring so you will be able to check out the root structure and see how they are spaced together.
beautiful forest
Wonderful forest planting you have there and great videos! I was just wondering you manage to keep your moss alive and looking so lush and constantly growing? I have been using moss covering on my chinese elm forest landscape slab planting. i water and mist usually every day, but still the moss is appearing to go brown on the tops, i recently replaced some of it. yours seems to last forever?
Bobby Lane The moss I use is the kind that grows in full sunlight. I collect most of it from the cracks in the sidewalk. I think the secret is to have a good draining soil. Moss doesn't like to be wet all the time. It's best to water it well twice a day. I usually water in the morning and then again in the afternoon. I try not to have my moss dry out. If it does it will begin to brown. This brown can be cut off with scissors, back to the greener layer beneath. As your forest fills out, you will get more shade on the forest floor, this helps also. Towards fall, the moss will really green up and grow a lot. You will need to do more scissor pruning to keep your layer thin. Good luck Bobby.
I would absolutely LOVE to have one exactly like yours. How long will it take, and which variety of larch is it?
It is a native North American Larch....
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larix_laricina
The trees in this planting were young saplings when collected, maybe 2 to 5 years old, I have been training them for about 17 years.
How can I purcharse Larch Trees like your. I have googled them, been on ebay, I have found nothing?
It is best to start them from seeds. Check out Graham Potters video...
ruclips.net/video/kU2gtm7vGlQ/видео.html
It only takes a few years to get some nice trees that you can then develop into a forest or a single specimen. Seeds can be ordered on line.
Thank you.
Would alpines be small enough to simulate flowers on the forest floor? Do you have any Larch bonsai on their own?
Ronnie Hatt I do have one other Larch. A single tree . It's slowly taking shape. I'll have to do a video on it soon.
You can’t see the forest for the floor?
Hi Nigel. Do you know what is the right way to plant latch from seed?
I haven't done it yet, but I need to plant some soon for my forest! I am going to check out the tree in the back yard to see if I can get some seeds from the cones. I may have to order seeds if I can't find any. Here is a good link to growing Larch seeds, it has a downloadable PDF......
www.treeseeds.com/howtogrowlarchtrees
You have chickens, I like that 👍
We have a good assortment of both chickens and ducks! My wife loves them!
Hi Nigel,
what moss do you use, any tips for growing it? And I have always wondered, does the moss stunt the growth of the tree?
Thanks
Calum
+PiNgPoNgLaDd10 Hi Calum, moss will not hurt your trees or cause them to grow less. Some people put moss on their bonsai trees only before a show. After the show the moss is removed. I like to keep it on my trees all year round. I'll be making a video on moss soon, I'll explain the pros and the cons.
Very Nice your forest ...
Thank you Esteban!
l would like to know your views on mixed planting for a forest.
l also wish to make a bonsai of bamboo( miniature variety). any suggestions?
Mixed plantings are rarely done. Every tree has a certain scale to the observer, you automatically picture the height of the tree and how tall a person would be if they were standing beside this miniature tree. When you start to mix different types of trees, they rarely have the same scale. The eye sees a certain scale for one species and a different scale for another. This confuses the brain and the overall look of the forest can be ruined. This said, it can be done using the right combination of trees and with proper pruning to keep the miniature illusion intact. Check out this article for bamboo....
www.bonsaimary.com/bamboo-bonsai.html
It would be interesting to have a glass window with a wooden door to observe the roots but also keep them not too exposed to light.
can you suggest any good tree with heavy canopy for India
I would try a ficus, they can grow very well in the heat and you can develop a nice large umbrella style canopy.
Great stuff, Peace and Blessings
Thank you very much, stay green!!!
dude,these trees are gorgeous amazing, i love all ur work, i am from india, can i grow these in indian climate,any help will be appreciated.
+praveen kumar The Larch trees need a cold winter, with a dormant period of at least two months. I think it would be very hard to get and also hard to keep alive outside their natural habitat. The only tree that is similar is a bald cypress. They grow in the swamps of the southern states in the U.S. These trees also loose their leaves every year. I think they would be hard to find these trees in India also. Your best bet is to find some native trees to India and develop them as bonsai.
Just picked up my first Bonsai, I believe it's a Jade. Not sure if it's a African or Chinese. would love your input on it. Anyway I could send you a picture of it?
Sure, send it to...
thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
Happy to have a look!
+Nigel Saunders Sent you an email!
Very beautiful
now can I buy these larch trees in a nursery or and store
Yes, some nurseries carry them around here. They are a very hardy tree, but they do need a cold winter to keep them healthy, here is a map of their range in North America, you will see they are a Northern tree only.
dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=159
Hello Nigel, What are the dimensions in cm. of those seed trays? thank you.
In cm they are 53.34 X 27.94 X 5.715 deep. Inches they are 21 X 11 X 2 1/4.
I forgot to mention, I´m offering you the forrest pot as a gift.
***** Thank you Christian! Can you send me an email to...thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
Thanks.
Nice idea to put that dead tree on the bottom.