Growing a Ponytail palm as a bonsai tree. In this video I prune the growing tips, leaf prune and clean up the landscape. This tree is native to Eastern Mexico.
That was very helpful! During a recent move, one of my ponytails got damaged. I waited 6 months to see if it would bounce back, but it continued to look sad and bedraggled. It was well over 2 metres tall, so I cut off at least a metre of the affected branch (using the method you demonstrated). It already looks better and I'm hoping for a full recovery!
Good luck with it Jamie. There is a ponytail palm at a nursery here and it is over a metre wide at the base. The bark is really old, it's almost white and full of interesting texture. The tree is about 8 feet tall..
Hey Nigel! Thank you so much for making these videos. Since ive been watching your videos ive learned a lot more about bonsai than id ever hoped to know before.I use many of the techniques you use on my own trees! i will likely continue to pursue bonsai in the future and learn as much as i can. (being only 16 i think i have a long road of learning to go) People like you make me continue my love for plants, bonsai and everything green. Again, Thank you and keep making videos!
Thank you for your kind comment, I'm always learning about the wonderful species of trees from all over the world. Good luck and have fun growing your tree collection!
Hi Nigel! again its good to see the efforts you make on the trees that are usually in our possession. That mini entrance was looking interesting on the pony palm but since you are letting it grow over I,d like to see it when it does. Thanks for your instructions.
I have seen many different styles of ponytail palms, some that are more of a tree style and some that are low and fat like mine. They all make interesting bonsai!
Glad I found this,my ponytails cracked the pot ,just a large garden pot ,i replanted it,hoping it will regrow,one of my ponytail flowered the other 2 not, tfs your process.
Hi Nigel :) Really cool I saw this video pop up in the list..... I have just recently bought the smallest one I have ever seen of this one :) it's "foot" is just a tat smaller than 1"..... it's adorable :) I have 3 in total now and starting to get the feel of a russian doll lol!! Thanks for sharing :D
Hi Nigel, I have a ponytail base of 15”. Question: I’m going to chop it, should I leave a few inches on the trunk stump or carve it down to the natural curvature?
Sir Nigel, This is a fantastic very informative video on Ponytail Palms thank you so much for sharing. Can l ask you this 1. is it possible to grow another Ponytail from the off cuts you cut off? 2. Is it possible to propagate the new growth Ponytails from the main Ponytail Palm trunk growing on the trunks? I’m sure it must be possible because l rarely see these left on the main palm trunk unless they are growing from the Elephant Foot bulb but l can’t find anything on how to do this? I used a box cutting knife (Stanley Knife) to cut around the new growths bulb hoping it would allow me to remove it successfully but unfortunately it snapped off with no base or bulb left around it, l have put the off cut in water praying it will grow roots but l don’t know enough about them. Do you have any advice please?
I have one that I purchased for $.79 in 1976. It has gotten quite tall and I cut it off to make it so it will fit in my house . But the trunk....is probably 2 and 1/2 feet wide and in a deep pot. Any chance of bonsai it now?
It will have to be a large bonsai! You can get nice pots that large and I have seen some this big in the greenhouses. They aren't your typical bonsai, but they look really good as they get old.
Good Afternoon from Ohio, Question please, I have two tall ponytails that I've had for years. Moving from Texas to Ohio, my plants one day had bugs and not knowing what to do after spraying many times, I cut tops off. New shoots did come back. Much smaller. now I have shoots bursting all over at the bottom of the trunks. I clip them away and have painted a pruning black looking tar on them, hoping it would force the growth on top. It's not working. Shoots just come back. Can you help me? Thank you, Soni~
You may have to just let one or two of the smaller shoots grow and then when they get high enough, prune back the dead tops from the old ones. I find the growth also hard to manage on these trees! Good luck!
Hello Nigel, can you please give some information on how to remove the sprouts which grow onto the stem? What is the way the best/ safest way to remove the sprouts and plant them in their own pot?
Hi I am from Kenton Ohio I have a ponytail palm seedling very tiny seed that I bought off from Amazon now it started to root it I see one little root on it I want to know is there anything that I can do to help it proceeded to grow I don't want to kill it I never dealt with ponytail palm before help...
The Ponytail palms like warm weather and sunshine. If the seedling is started indoors, be very careful in the transition to full sun outside. The sunlight will burn the indoor leaves and could kill the tree. Move the tree outside to the shade at first, then after a week or two, move it to a place that gets morning and evening sun. After a couple more weeks, it should be ready for full sun. Keep the tree well watered and it should grow really well for the summer! Good luck Fannie!
How did you get it so short like a Sumo look? Because the one I have is fat at the bottom like yours but narrows skinny and tall at the top. Say 12inches tall, about a foot. Can I just chop the top off and start with a fat low based trunk?
Sorry for stupid question, I am kinda a beginner. Does repotting the plant always mean moving it to a bigger pot? Or it just means pruning its roots and new soil? Also what happens if you don't re pot it? I haven't repot my ponytails for 2 years and it still looks healthy. Thanks
Nigel, does the sand not flow through the quick draining bonsai soil? If not, wouldn’t it clog up the drainage and reduce airflow? I like the idea of using soil that matches the native environment but have always been concerned of the above mentioned and opted out.
Hello Mr. Saunders. I have a ponytail palm with many shoots and now rootbound. However it now November in Canada and had our first snowfall. My palm is indoor. Should I wait for spring to replant into a pot about 2 inches bigger? Even rootbound, will it survive into spring? Thank you very much for any advice you can give.
It wouldn't hurt to slip pot it into a bigger pot, but if you are doing root work to sort them out, I would wait for nice warm summer weather to be sure!
It should be around time for to you to re-pot your ponytail palm. I've got one that I need to re-pot but I'm from hesitant to do it before you create your video. Should I also wait to prune or can I prune now and wait until you re-pot to re-pot.
What to do is my bark feels extremely soft I had two but the first soft one my dog ate it but that was 10 months ago the last one I have I had it outside but I took it back inside because of the softness my dog doesn't touch my plants since he got older
I would let it go a bit on the dry side and see if it firms up, it is possible that the roots are rotting, especially if you have had a lot of rain lately.
What type of sand did you put on top of the soil? I really like the look of the sand on there and I've been thinking about getting a ponytail palm, so I might do that if i get one.
As usual a great video. I watched some time ago and followed your directions. Great results. Did you follow up the pruning as you said in the video? If so can you give me a link to the new vid? Love ALL of your videos. Keep it up.
Do you think that hollow will make an interesting feature as the tree ages, or will it heal over completely? Or is it just gonna end up as a scar that you will just end up hiding at the back of the tree? Also, maybe I ought to get myself a ponytail palm if they make good bonsai! they are easy enough to find in the stores. Only trouble is I keep getting trees that aren't cold hardy in my area, (ficus, serissa, citrus from seed). Eventually I'm gonna run out of room to keep them indoors in the winter. Or at least, run out of room that my parents don't mind me filling with trees, hahahah! XD Next spring I'll probably get more cold hardy nursery stock to start filling the outdoor bench I built this fall.
I think it will look natural eventually, but it will take many years. It will always have an indentation, or a split, but I think it will look like a trunk died off and rotted away. Good luck with your tree collection!
Ponytail Bonsai very different and interesting.. Not for me..It was very heartbreaking 💔 to see where you cut that hole in the plants bulb to make a fairy garden thriller look...Only hope it heals over for you...Keep it natural like God intended it to be...
I just bought a very small ponytail palm and can't wait to see it grow. How often do you think I should water it? it is in well draining bonsai soil. I've read they can go a couple weeks without water.
I treat it like all my other bonsai and water whenever the soil begins to dry out. They can go for a long time without water, but you risk the roots drying up. They can survive this and grow new roots when the soil becomes moist again.
Lovely video! I have a nice ponytail palm tree. It is probably about 5 years old. I am getting long brown leaves now... What am I doing wrong? I water it 1 time a month or less
If it is just the older leaves going brown, this is natural. As the plant grows, the older ones will die off and as long as the new growth looks healthy, all is well. If your new foliage is going brown, you may have a problem with root rot, lack of water at one time or general poor health. It is best to keep it in good light and keep it on the dry side, but mist it daily. Hopefully it will recover.
Hi Nigel, Do you have any information on Dawn Redwood bonsai? A man from my local nursery gave me a dawn redwood . he told me he had grown it in the same container from a cutting around 10 years ago. I been learning bonsai for about a year now, and I can't help but think this tree would make good bonsai material. I sent you some pictures on google but I don't know if you saw! Let me know how I can show you this tree? I want to know what you would recommend. WWND (What Would Nigel Do?)
I have some seeds that I will be planting in spring. Hong in our club has one. You can ask him questions on the KW bonsai facebook page. Hopefully by next year I'll have some experience with them.
I have tried twice to grow one, but both times they ended up rotting and dying. My plant room is very humid in the winter and there is not a lot of sunlight during the winter months. I will try again!
do you have any updates?? I love this kind of plants (ponytails) and I would like to make one a bonsai, i know they take a long very long time to grow!
A very similar looking plant is also found in North Indian Forests - it's called "kodi kaanda" in Hindi. Haven't seen it elsewhere. Will share it's pictures soon :)
I know I asked this question last year, but I'm still very curious about this ponytail palm. You had said you were going to repot it during the Summer, but didn't get to it. We are on the verge of a new Summer now. Do you think you will repot the ponytail this Summer? Thanks :-)
I'll repot it for sure this year, I have to think of a good style for it, maybe add some smaller ones around it in a clump type style? It should be an interesting challenge.
I can't wait. My first tree was/is a ponytail palm. It's about 10 years old, and I think a re-potting is in order. I can't wait to watch you do yours to see what I can learn. Thank you for all your hard work on this channel.
Beautiful. I have a few 6 year old 4-6' feet tall pony tail palms with 12-15'' inch bases in planters. Can i lop off the tops and get it to off shoot pups like yours?
Yes, but the tree must be healthy and the conditions right for the tree to recover. The middle of summer is the ideal time to do this. I would smear a coating of white glue across the cut points to stop them drying out too quickly. I have tried bonsai wound paste, but it seems to seal it too well and the top begins to rot. The white glue stays on just long enough to do the job and then it washes off in the rain. Before you cut the tops off the palms, let the soil become almost dry. If the soil is too wet and you have no leaves up top, you can get rotting at the base. I would just mist the palm, keeping the soil almost dry until it starts to grow new leaves.
FAST response you rock! ! Do i have to leave some leaves or can i lop it off low and hope for the best. i live in California hot and dry cut area will dry fast. . if i leave some leaves it will still be 3ft tall, i guess that would be ok.
They aren't really bonsai tools, the pruners are from the hardware store "Canadian Tire" and the rest are from the surplus store. The scissors are surplus medical tools for cutting stitches and bandages. Some day I hope to get a nice set of bonsai tools, but I just work with what I can afford.
awesome! 5:50 I suggested this method on your last podocarpus video. great minds think alike aye =) Iv used this method and I like the bit of browning the ends get. its a nice charming little detail.. I was excited when you mentioned fairy gardens, I hope you decide to continue that idea with other trees. I have a little 2 inch gnome holding an acorn for my red oak bonsai, I need to find him some more props come spring. which brings to mind just now the idea TREEHOUSE IN A BONSAI?? how well do you think that would work? feel free to keep the idea if you like it.HAHAH
Hello, I have seen some really nice fairy gardens and they can look so good. John Geanangle has a really nice treehouse.... ruclips.net/video/5LlfdGhjVl4/видео.html Thanks for your comments and creative ideas!
beaten to the punch! haha. I don't know how I missed that, I thought id seen all his videos here on youtube. that looks like oak if im not mistaken(my fav group). thanx so much for showing me this Nigel.
I work as an illustrator and I really enjoy the interesting work I get. I think bonsai should stay a hobby with me, money might just take the fun out of it.
Here is some on RUclips....Set concept art, bus design and stage layout, train design and stage layout, monster design ruclips.net/video/KlPfs0tf0VU/видео.html ruclips.net/video/6avhdt-Csik/видео.html ruclips.net/video/QDCeIEK6j6Q/видео.html ruclips.net/video/nVekQSaeT2c/видео.html To see illustrations, you will have to email me at the kwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
You had mentioned you were going to repot this plant the Summer of this year. Any plans to do that? We are at the end of July now. I am very interested to see you repot this plant. Thanks for the great video.
Thank you for reminding me! I have a number of tropical trees that I want to re pot, I'll have to finish part two of my latest video and then get at them!
I die have a Poinsettia bonsai that was over 20 years old, but it died one winter when we got record cold temperatures outside. The one corner of the plant room got too cold and the tree died. Since than I have insulated better and have installed a fan in the room. I do have a cutting off of the original tree and am growing it as a bonsai also. I will be making a video on it this summer.
morning glory grows as a weed in my backyard and iv found that they will grow a woody trunk. no successful projects yet, but working on it. the leaves seem to be able to reduce extremely well.
most of my early projects were with small weeds and such, anything i could find with a woody trunk. in my area just about all the grass is littered with this species im not sure the name of, but it gets mowed over and over and ramifys and makes these great little trees. the small unnoticeable stuff that gets walked on and trampled yet soldiers on are a great place for us rookies to start. hopefully soon il have some morning glory to show you.
I'm glad to see it survived with the hole in its side, i have one from someone that was throwing it out as dead. It did have new growth on the top but i knocked it off when putting it in my car, oops! It also had a patch of rot which I have cut out and treated, hence the hole lol No new growth yet but i'm hoping.
Here is the definition of a tree... Though no scientific definition exists to separate trees and shrubs, a useful definition for a tree is a woody plant having one erect perennial stem (trunk) at least three inches in diameter at a point 4-1/2 feet above the ground, a definitely formed crown of foliage, and a mature height of at least 13 feet. The pony tail palm is a succulent plant that attains a tree like form and can grow to a height of 18 feet with a 6 foot wide crown. It may not be technically be a tree, but a miniature version of the mature plant is a bonsai to me! Many plants used in bonsai are not classified as trees, but instead are shrubs or even plants that look like trees. The Japanese make a bonsai out of the Chrysanthemum flowering plant, they even have special shows just for "Mums" There are many different opinions as to what a bonsai is or isn't, my definition includes tree like succulents and any plant that gives the viewer the feeling of viewing a slice of nature in miniature!
Yep, that's the definition of a tree. As you said, the pony tail palm technically is not a tree. Also, it doesn't make your plant a bonsai, except by your own definition.
I guess all my "bonsai" are considered just house plants, as they are growing in my house. Sorry to infringe on your definition of what a real bonsai is. The translation of "bonsai" to English means "tray planting" . Nowhere does it mention "tree". Maybe you shouldn't watch my Aloe bonsai video!
And that's exactly why so many people have no idea what the art of bonsai really is about. The image of bonsai being anything in a pot is so widespread that people even think you can make coconut bonsai. Or Aloe bonsai, which, of course, is rather silly.
That was very helpful! During a recent move, one of my ponytails got damaged. I waited 6 months to see if it would bounce back, but it continued to look sad and bedraggled. It was well over 2 metres tall, so I cut off at least a metre of the affected branch (using the method you demonstrated). It already looks better and I'm hoping for a full recovery!
Good luck with it Jamie. There is a ponytail palm at a nursery here and it is over a metre wide at the base. The bark is really old, it's almost white and full of interesting texture. The tree is about 8 feet tall..
Hey Nigel! Thank you so much for making these videos. Since ive been watching your videos ive learned a lot more about bonsai than id ever hoped to know before.I use many of the techniques you use on my own trees! i will likely continue to pursue bonsai in the future and learn as much as i can. (being only 16 i think i have a long road of learning to go) People like you make me continue my love for plants, bonsai and everything green. Again, Thank you and keep making videos!
Thank you for your kind comment, I'm always learning about the wonderful species of trees from all over the world. Good luck and have fun growing your tree collection!
Thanks so much for the video, I learn a lot about pruning this tree.
Awesome Dee Chad!
Hi Nigel! again its good to see the efforts you make on the trees that are usually in our possession. That mini entrance was looking interesting on the pony palm but since you are letting it grow over I,d like to see it when it does. Thanks for your instructions.
Thanks Patti, I'll be sure to do an update when the tree needs some more work.
You are fantastic I am new to owning my ponytail palm and you were really helpful!!
They can be fantastic as they grow old!
I just bought my first Ponytail tree. I thought it was so cute. Thanks for the info!
I have seen many different styles of ponytail palms, some that are more of a tree style and some that are low and fat like mine. They all make interesting bonsai!
They are interesting! Im new to the world of bonsai's. I was giving mine a haircut while I watched your video :D
Glad I found this,my ponytails cracked the pot ,just a large garden pot ,i replanted it,hoping it will regrow,one of my ponytail flowered the other 2 not, tfs your process.
You can transform your tree into a Smurf house. That is a very good idea.
I almost made a small door for it and I'm sure I will in the future!
Great video! Thanks for the leaf pruning info.
I hope the all goes well with the tree over the winter and we can see the effects of the video in spring.
Just what I wanted to learn. Thank you!!!
Thanks so much!!
Thanks Nigel. I just bought one this weekend it looks to be several years old about half the base size as yous. Appreciate the tips.
Good luck with it.
Hi Nigel :) Really cool I saw this video pop up in the list..... I have just recently bought the smallest one I have ever seen of this one :) it's "foot" is just a tat smaller than 1"..... it's adorable :) I have 3 in total now and starting to get the feel of a russian doll lol!!
Thanks for sharing :D
Learn a lot will start a bonsai tree!
I enjoy your content mate
i loved the grove of ponytail palms.
Hi Nigel, I have a ponytail base of 15”. Question: I’m going to chop it, should I leave a few inches on the trunk stump or carve it down to the natural curvature?
My pony tail palm has a good bit of brown leaves on the bottom.
I may have overwatered it, is there something I should do to help it?
Sir Nigel,
This is a fantastic very informative video on Ponytail Palms thank you so much for sharing.
Can l ask you this
1. is it possible to grow another Ponytail from the off cuts you cut off?
2. Is it possible to propagate the new growth Ponytails from the main Ponytail Palm trunk growing on the trunks?
I’m sure it must be possible because l rarely see these left on the main palm trunk unless they are growing from the Elephant Foot bulb but l can’t find anything on how to do this?
I used a box cutting knife (Stanley Knife) to cut around the new growths bulb hoping it would allow me to remove it successfully but unfortunately it snapped off with no base or bulb left around it, l have put the off cut in water praying it will grow roots but l don’t know enough about them.
Do you have any advice please?
Can you tell me why my ponytail palm has alot of brown leaves, otherwise it looks healthy. Thank you 😒
I have one that I purchased for $.79 in 1976. It has gotten quite tall and I cut it off to make it so it will fit in my house . But the trunk....is probably 2 and 1/2 feet wide and in a deep pot. Any chance of bonsai it now?
It will have to be a large bonsai! You can get nice pots that large and I have seen some this big in the greenhouses. They aren't your typical bonsai, but they look really good as they get old.
Good Afternoon from Ohio, Question please, I have two tall ponytails that I've had for years. Moving from Texas to Ohio, my plants one day had bugs and not knowing what to do after spraying many times, I cut tops off. New shoots did come back. Much smaller. now I have shoots bursting all over at the bottom of the trunks. I clip them away and have painted a pruning black looking tar on them, hoping it would force the growth on top. It's not working. Shoots just come back. Can you help me? Thank you, Soni~
You may have to just let one or two of the smaller shoots grow and then when they get high enough, prune back the dead tops from the old ones. I find the growth also hard to manage on these trees! Good luck!
Hello Nigel, can you please give some information on how to remove the sprouts which grow onto the stem? What is the way the best/ safest way to remove the sprouts and plant them in their own pot?
Hi I am from Kenton Ohio I have a ponytail palm seedling very tiny seed that I bought off from Amazon now it started to root it I see one little root on it I want to know is there anything that I can do to help it proceeded to grow I don't want to kill it I never dealt with ponytail palm before help...
The Ponytail palms like warm weather and sunshine. If the seedling is started indoors, be very careful in the transition to full sun outside. The sunlight will burn the indoor leaves and could kill the tree. Move the tree outside to the shade at first, then after a week or two, move it to a place that gets morning and evening sun. After a couple more weeks, it should be ready for full sun. Keep the tree well watered and it should grow really well for the summer! Good luck Fannie!
Your video is awesome. I just bought one today!
Thank you Dennis! I hope yours grows well!
9:58- The Bob Ross of ponytail bonsai
How did you get it so short like a Sumo look? Because the one I have is fat at the bottom like yours but narrows skinny and tall at the top. Say 12inches tall, about a foot. Can I just chop the top off and start with a fat low based trunk?
Sorry for stupid question, I am kinda a beginner. Does repotting the plant always mean moving it to a bigger pot? Or it just means pruning its roots and new soil? Also what happens if you don't re pot it? I haven't repot my ponytails for 2 years and it still looks healthy. Thanks
the way you talk reminds me Eugene Levy in A Mighty Wind.
It must be the Canadian accent, eh!
What type of sand did you use?
Great stuff, I let my pony tail palm run wild, time to trim it back and see if I can't get new growth to start. It loves to climb upward.
Thanks David, they can get to be very large plants, I've seen some big ones at the nurseries!
How do i know when to water, i just brought one frome Lowe's, i gave it water, but im unsure if i over watered it! If i over water will it die?
Really nice ,I am enjoyed all your video.
Thank you Steven.
Nigel, does the sand not flow through the quick draining bonsai soil? If not, wouldn’t it clog up the drainage and reduce airflow? I like the idea of using soil that matches the native environment but have always been concerned of the above mentioned and opted out.
I did just cut my tree but the ends turned brown is that okay for my tree? i just dont want to damage it
Yes, it won't affect the health of the leaf or the plant!
@@TheBonsaiZone okay great that is good to know
Great video. I hope you don't forget about your willow that this year suffered from frost and cold.
I won't, the willow is getting it's fall colours and all is going well.
Glad to hear it. The mines are getting fall colors too.
Congratulations friend, here in Brazil we call this elefente paw plant, its pretty okay but I have a inda has much work to do it, have a good weekend.
Thank you.
Hello Mr. Saunders. I have a ponytail palm with many shoots and now rootbound. However it now November in Canada and had our first snowfall. My palm is indoor. Should I wait for spring to replant into a pot about 2 inches bigger? Even rootbound, will it survive into spring? Thank you very much for any advice you can give.
It wouldn't hurt to slip pot it into a bigger pot, but if you are doing root work to sort them out, I would wait for nice warm summer weather to be sure!
It should be around time for to you to re-pot your ponytail palm. I've got one that I need to re-pot but I'm from hesitant to do it before you create your video. Should I also wait to prune or can I prune now and wait until you re-pot to re-pot.
I'll try and get at it soon! Stay tuned!
What to do is my bark feels extremely soft I had two but the first soft one my dog ate it but that was 10 months ago the last one I have I had it outside but I took it back inside because of the softness my dog doesn't touch my plants since he got older
I would let it go a bit on the dry side and see if it firms up, it is possible that the roots are rotting, especially if you have had a lot of rain lately.
@@TheBonsaiZone it was storming for the past tree days thx
What type of sand did you put on top of the soil? I really like the look of the sand on there and I've been thinking about getting a ponytail palm, so I might do that if i get one.
It is playground sand, you can get it at a building center. It is just washed sand used in sandboxes.
As usual a great video. I watched some time ago and followed your directions. Great results. Did you follow up the pruning as you said in the video? If so can you give me a link to the new vid? Love ALL of your videos. Keep it up.
Do you think that hollow will make an interesting feature as the tree ages, or will it heal over completely? Or is it just gonna end up as a scar that you will just end up hiding at the back of the tree? Also, maybe I ought to get myself a ponytail palm if they make good bonsai! they are easy enough to find in the stores. Only trouble is I keep getting trees that aren't cold hardy in my area, (ficus, serissa, citrus from seed). Eventually I'm gonna run out of room to keep them indoors in the winter. Or at least, run out of room that my parents don't mind me filling with trees, hahahah! XD Next spring I'll probably get more cold hardy nursery stock to start filling the outdoor bench I built this fall.
I think it will look natural eventually, but it will take many years. It will always have an indentation, or a split, but I think it will look like a trunk died off and rotted away. Good luck with your tree collection!
Thanks! ^-^
Ponytail Bonsai very different and interesting.. Not for me..It was very heartbreaking 💔 to see where you cut that hole in the plants bulb to make a fairy garden thriller look...Only hope it heals over for you...Keep it natural like God intended it to be...
I just bought a very small ponytail palm and can't wait to see it grow. How often do you think I should water it? it is in well draining bonsai soil. I've read they can go a couple weeks without water.
I treat it like all my other bonsai and water whenever the soil begins to dry out. They can go for a long time without water, but you risk the roots drying up. They can survive this and grow new roots when the soil becomes moist again.
Nice video! i have saw some of those trees here in Costa Rica. Question doesn't the sand affect the soil's humidity retention?
The sand tends to draw moisture up to the top of the soil, this keeps the bonsai soil on the dry side and helps the roots.
Lovely video!
I have a nice ponytail palm tree. It is probably about 5 years old. I am getting long brown leaves now... What am I doing wrong? I water it 1 time a month or less
If it is just the older leaves going brown, this is natural. As the plant grows, the older ones will die off and as long as the new growth looks healthy, all is well. If your new foliage is going brown, you may have a problem with root rot, lack of water at one time or general poor health. It is best to keep it in good light and keep it on the dry side, but mist it daily. Hopefully it will recover.
I just uploaded my first bonsai video and wanted to know what you think. Also do pines lend well to air layer?
Pines can be air layered, but it can take many years for roots to form. The chances of getting a good root base from an air-layered pine is slim.
Hi Nigel, Do you have any information on Dawn Redwood bonsai? A man from my local nursery gave me a dawn redwood . he told me he had grown it in the same container from a cutting around 10 years ago. I been learning bonsai for about a year now, and I can't help but think this tree would make good bonsai material. I sent you some pictures on google but I don't know if you saw! Let me know how I can show you this tree? I want to know what you would recommend. WWND (What Would Nigel Do?)
I have some seeds that I will be planting in spring. Hong in our club has one. You can ask him questions on the KW bonsai facebook page. Hopefully by next year I'll have some experience with them.
Olá olá amigo tenho essa planta não sei o nome dela você pode passar o nome da planta obrigado
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaucarnea_recurvata
Great idea.
Thank you Tuyet!
have u tried an adenium bonsai? they look quite nice when planted on seed as they grow a nice fat caudex trunk.
I have tried twice to grow one, but both times they ended up rotting and dying. My plant room is very humid in the winter and there is not a lot of sunlight during the winter months. I will try again!
do you have any updates?? I love this kind of plants (ponytails) and I would like to make one a bonsai, i know they take a long very long time to grow!
I will be re potting it soon and will post a video on it, stay tuned!
Wating for updates 🌟
A very similar looking plant is also found in North Indian Forests - it's called "kodi kaanda" in Hindi. Haven't seen it elsewhere. Will share it's pictures soon :)
Thank you Rahul!
Can you make update video on this ponytail?
It needs re potting, I'll be working on it as soon as I can!
I know I asked this question last year, but I'm still very curious about this ponytail palm. You had said you were going to repot it during the Summer, but didn't get to it. We are on the verge of a new Summer now. Do you think you will repot the ponytail this Summer? Thanks :-)
I'll repot it for sure this year, I have to think of a good style for it, maybe add some smaller ones around it in a clump type style? It should be an interesting challenge.
I can't wait. My first tree was/is a ponytail palm. It's about 10 years old, and I think a re-potting is in order. I can't wait to watch you do yours to see what I can learn. Thank you for all your hard work on this channel.
Thanks Brandon, the video will be coming! I've been downloading pictures from Google images for ideas. Lots of interesting full size ones out there!
Beautiful.
I have a few 6 year old 4-6' feet tall pony tail palms with 12-15'' inch bases in planters. Can i lop off the tops and get it to off shoot pups like yours?
Yes, but the tree must be healthy and the conditions right for the tree to recover. The middle of summer is the ideal time to do this. I would smear a coating of white glue across the cut points to stop them drying out too quickly. I have tried bonsai wound paste, but it seems to seal it too well and the top begins to rot. The white glue stays on just long enough to do the job and then it washes off in the rain. Before you cut the tops off the palms, let the soil become almost dry. If the soil is too wet and you have no leaves up top, you can get rotting at the base. I would just mist the palm, keeping the soil almost dry until it starts to grow new leaves.
FAST response you rock! ! Do i have to leave some leaves or can i lop it off low and hope for the best. i live in California hot and dry cut area will dry fast. . if i leave some leaves it will still be 3ft tall, i guess that would be ok.
I didn't leave any leaves on mine and it grew back fine. Good luck!
Como eu não falo inglês não entendi pra que aquele buraco no tronco da planta
Eu ia fazer uma portinha, como uma casa de fadas, mas depois decidi não também. Eu acho que o buraco vai se curar lentamente em alguns anos.
Nice work, i was wondering where you picked up your bonsai tools?
They aren't really bonsai tools, the pruners are from the hardware store "Canadian Tire" and the rest are from the surplus store. The scissors are surplus medical tools for cutting stitches and bandages. Some day I hope to get a nice set of bonsai tools, but I just work with what I can afford.
now i want a ponytail palm.
do u know u have a hole in your plant
Yes, I was going to make it a doorway for a fairy garden at one time, and then changed my mind.
Got to see if I can get one of them in the UK
Trying to find a video on cutting off a sprout I have 7, I’d like to cut One off! 🌞
I think if you use some nice sharp pruners, all will go well.
is that normal ?
Maybe?
Найджел, как часто вы пересаживаете это дерево? жду с нетерпением следующего выпуска! :)
Я пересаживаюсь примерно каждые 5 лет. Я думаю, что если бы вы чаще заводили пот, дерево очень быстро росло бы в гигантах!
do they ever bloom
I haven't had mine bloom, but they will under the right conditions.
nice
Thank you, the Ponytail palm is growing really well after the re pot, here is the latest video on it....
ruclips.net/video/PLQ49RCLWq0/видео.html
Hello Nigel... can i know about you...?
You can email me at...
thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
awesome! 5:50 I suggested this method on your last podocarpus video. great minds think alike aye =) Iv used this method and I like the bit of browning the ends get. its a nice charming little detail.. I was excited when you mentioned fairy gardens, I hope you decide to continue that idea with other trees. I have a little 2 inch gnome holding an acorn for my red oak bonsai, I need to find him some more props come spring. which brings to mind just now the idea TREEHOUSE IN A BONSAI?? how well do you think that would work? feel free to keep the idea if you like it.HAHAH
Hello, I have seen some really nice fairy gardens and they can look so good. John Geanangle has a really nice treehouse....
ruclips.net/video/5LlfdGhjVl4/видео.html
Thanks for your comments and creative ideas!
beaten to the punch! haha. I don't know how I missed that, I thought id seen all his videos here on youtube. that looks like oak if im not mistaken(my fav group). thanx so much for showing me this Nigel.
good video ;D
Thanks Alswind.
Have you thought of making this a profession? I would love to go into horticultural therapy and have a segment on bonsai.
I work as an illustrator and I really enjoy the interesting work I get. I think bonsai should stay a hobby with me, money might just take the fun out of it.
Nigel Saunders interesting point. Would you mind sharing some of your illustrations? or a title of a piece where your work is in?
Here is some on RUclips....Set concept art, bus design and stage layout, train design and stage layout, monster design
ruclips.net/video/KlPfs0tf0VU/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/6avhdt-Csik/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/QDCeIEK6j6Q/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/nVekQSaeT2c/видео.html
To see illustrations, you will have to email me at
the kwbonsaisociety@gmail.com
You had mentioned you were going to repot this plant the Summer of this year. Any plans to do that? We are at the end of July now. I am very interested to see you repot this plant. Thanks for the great video.
Thank you for reminding me! I have a number of tropical trees that I want to re pot, I'll have to finish part two of my latest video and then get at them!
Nigel Saunders did you have a poinsettia bonsai (or am I thinking of another youtuber)? If it was you, what happened with it?
I die have a Poinsettia bonsai that was over 20 years old, but it died one winter when we got record cold temperatures outside. The one corner of the plant room got too cold and the tree died. Since than I have insulated better and have installed a fan in the room. I do have a cutting off of the original tree and am growing it as a bonsai also. I will be making a video on it this summer.
OMG...he messed up the beautiful plant. He dug a hole on the bulb which really really messed up the plant
I thought that saber leaf ficus was crazy, but this take it to whole new levels haha! Is there anything you wont attempt to bonsai!? Good stuff!
My wife just gave me a pepper plant to start on!
Nigel Saunders Cool! I have a number of chili pepper plants I am bonsai'ing and trying fusion techniques on.
morning glory grows as a weed in my backyard and iv found that they will grow a woody trunk. no successful projects yet, but working on it. the leaves seem to be able to reduce extremely well.
FuckUrTribute Sounds like an interesting project. There are a wealth of native trees and shrubs that can make very interesting bonsai.
most of my early projects were with small weeds and such, anything i could find with a woody trunk. in my area just about all the grass is littered with this species im not sure the name of, but it gets mowed over and over and ramifys and makes these great little trees. the small unnoticeable stuff that gets walked on and trampled yet soldiers on are a great place for us rookies to start. hopefully soon il have some morning glory to show you.
Ouch. You butchered that tree. From cutting a troll doorway into it to giving it a horrible supercut hairdo.
It's all grown back and looking good again, I may have to put a door in the hole.
I'm glad to see it survived with the hole in its side, i have one from someone that was throwing it out as dead. It did have new growth on the top but i knocked it off when putting it in my car, oops! It also had a patch of rot which I have cut out and treated, hence the hole lol No new growth yet but i'm hoping.
That's a house plant, not a bonsai.
Here is the definition of a tree...
Though no scientific definition exists to separate trees and shrubs, a useful definition for a tree is a woody plant having one erect perennial stem (trunk) at least three inches in diameter at a point 4-1/2 feet above the ground, a definitely formed crown of foliage, and a mature height of at least 13 feet.
The pony tail palm is a succulent plant that attains a tree like form and can grow to a height of 18 feet with a 6 foot wide crown. It may not be technically be a tree, but a miniature version of the mature plant is a bonsai to me! Many plants used in bonsai are not classified as trees, but instead are shrubs or even plants that look like trees. The Japanese make a bonsai out of the Chrysanthemum flowering plant, they even have special shows just for "Mums" There are many different opinions as to what a bonsai is or isn't, my definition includes tree like succulents and any plant that gives the viewer the feeling of viewing a slice of nature in miniature!
Yep, that's the definition of a tree. As you said, the pony tail palm technically is not a tree. Also, it doesn't make your plant a bonsai, except by your own definition.
I guess all my "bonsai" are considered just house plants, as they are growing in my house. Sorry to infringe on your definition of what a real bonsai is. The translation of "bonsai" to English means "tray planting" . Nowhere does it mention "tree". Maybe you shouldn't watch my Aloe bonsai video!
And that's exactly why so many people have no idea what the art of bonsai really is about. The image of bonsai being anything in a pot is so widespread that people even think you can make coconut bonsai. Or Aloe bonsai, which, of course, is rather silly.
Just had a look at some of your other 'bonsai', but I have to say your larch forest actually looks quite good.
Como sexama está pranta
Thank you!
:(
Next time:)