Perfect topic for the time of year! May I take a backseat on this one and watch it another day? Gotta go plant some plants in the garden before sundown & frost spikes again! The garden JUST defrosted before my premiere,.
Such a brilliant comprehensive video on bonsai in winter! You covered all the points and now it makes sense to me as to why they rapidly freeze frozen fruit in the shops! If it is done slowly the cells burst! Always learning from you Xavier thank you for sharing!
Don't start me on fruit Adam! We keep getting half rotten stuff delivered to us. Probably been sitting in cold storage for weeks and then is going off as they transport it. It is just criminal :)
Clubs are usually awesome . . . not just the shared knowledge, but the fellowship and friends. One of my clubs would meet for dinner at a Mexican restaurant, along with a few Shiner beers, margaritas, or glasses of wine. This was before the meeting at a nearby arboretum. You can imagine the frivolity that followed. But we did good work, sponsored a yearly exhibit, a convention, and an annual yamadori dig. Enjoyed Peter's being the raffle master.
Don't get me moaning about birds and pots. They drive me crazy. It looks so great seeing the little robins 'playing' between the bonsai...then you go out and see how many have been uprooted :)
@ It seems that way.. We will have to nurture the nature.. I’m on a patio on the Atlantic coast (other side of the pond). The wind.. you said it… I suppose it’s the chill factor that does it.. great reminder and advice. Outstanding plants
Super interesting! I've always wondered why some winters are worse than others on the trees. I do play with seedlings from border-line hardiness zones. These are the ones most hit by successive cold/warm/cold cycles. Took me forever to figure this out!
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat we had 24 degrees F or -4 Celsius overnight. Much of the US is even colder. Im thankful the Pacific Northwest has mild winters. Cheers!
I wish I had your mild winter temps here in Alberta Canada. -26c today for a high and down to -33 with a wind chill of -41c tonight. I have to keep trees outside native to Canada or at least trees from cold climates. I keep a Chinese juniper and a Japanese maple as well as an elm in a fridge for winter. The rest the pots are buried in the flower bed letting the snow do the rest. I have some Tamarack and some Alberta spruce in my unheated garage. Never had one die from the cold. So my point is to be very careful of species when picking trees to the area you live in. The winter care changes drastically depending on climate.
Absolutely spot on Bruce. The problem with living in a milder climate is we take on the risk of having trees which are not equipped to deal with some of the extremes we get here. I definitely recognise when i use the word winter...it probably makes you laugh :)
Great tips, here in sweden the trees usually know its winter but i was thinking about this because we have had a very mild winter this far with one week far over freezing then one week far under, over and over again
I think most of our trees get through the ups and downs if they have been in our gasrdens for a while BUT the weather patterns do seem to be changing and causing a little havoc sometimes :)
Mate, you again smashed it, thank you for humouring me on the night and allowing me to join you guys for breakfast, the joys of Jason almost burning the place down was quality and it’s something I’ll never forget.
great video mate, nice to see a group of people with the same hobby in one room :) i would love to go to a bonsai club unfortunately i cant travel.. glad you enjoyed yourself :) looks like you had a great time
It was fun but I struggle to find anywhere near enough for me to do this myself. These days night driving is a little more challenging so i avoid that.
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat yeah same mate, only thing is i tend to latch onto people that can help me in any way possible.. so sorry if im a pain mate. just love your content and the help you have given me is really appreciated :)
I'm supposed to get to -23 c (-10 f) tonight. (Sorry... trying to learn Celsius. Lol) I can't lie... I'm nervous. Worse yet, the past 2 days have been 7.5c (45.5 f). So yesterday I got into my cold frame to cover them with blankets. I tripped and fell on about 8 of them. So I'm discovering there are even more ways my trees are in danger. Jeeze. Lol. Stay warm!
Great tips Xavier in the midlands we get loads of rain so waterlogged trees my tip if the trees are saturated tip them on there side for a day or two excess water runs out not soaking in the root system and the really cold nights - 5 -7s I cover with a fleece these are cheap and do the job great work buddy 🫶
Another great video , I've tried a new approach this year to try to protect my little trees, similar to what you've done by collecting them together outside but I've just buried all the pots with decorative bark from the garden centre to insulate the roots , well see if it's helped later in the spring?
Very good tips my friend I do mainly what you do, I haven't had to water for over three weeks and then only a couple, but it so important to spend time looking at each tree to make sure they are doing well, I can spend quite a few minutes just looking at a tree almost lost in the thought of where I want it to be going forward, clearing debris off the surface were bugs can hide over the winter, all my small trees are in a unit that protects them, but trees still need light so I will open it during the day for a short time but not on frosty days some are in my green house which I have to leave slightly open but they are still protected from the worst of weather. The period you spent with the new club must have been special also having Peter there teaching the newbys how to wire for their first time would have been extra special for them, pity the club is so far away for you to travel to. I am chomping at the bit to get working on my trees but patience has to be the name of the game. Spring is on its way.
It is amazing how quickly the month seems to pass. It is the anniversay of Zita's death today so I will take things easy and enjoy some quiet memories :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Hi xav, I know the anniversaries are a time to realise that our loved ones are no longer with us, people say it gets easier over time, I don’t but it does get different the memories will always be there but we have to carry on our lives as well as we are able to, in the knowledge that they would want us to be happy and content in knowing we will, god willing meet again in a better place.
@@joegarland4885 So true - I said a few prayers last night at her grave. Each year the memory seems to fade a little more...so i still keep her pictures near to me :)
I only got some as part of a bulk order from Poland last year - not really seen it locally in the UK. I am going for anothe rproduct this year called Leca, which is another version of molar clay.
I have done a few videos but it is not a topic people generally like to watch. The truth is you just have to keep practicing. I still regularly break twigs and branches so don't worry :)
No1 is Wet ! Rain are my Biggest current and Future problem. Everything Else is Secondary. Global Warning is here now some trees cannot cope. Bonsai growers can provide useful knowledge of Climate change impacts🖖
I've said as much in a few of my comments to this video. I think we are going to continue to face bigger challenges with more regular 'extremes'. Wet is deifnitely out number one issue here. Thanks for this Stuart
Thank you for the timely advice. I'd not thought of the fluctuating temperatures affecting Bonsai in that way.
It can be a tough one but normally affects us more in the late winter / early spring when the buds have just opened :)
Perfect topic for the time of year!
May I take a backseat on this one and watch it another day? Gotta go plant some plants in the garden before sundown & frost spikes again! The garden JUST defrosted before my premiere,.
No worries Jelle - I enjoyed catching the tailend of your video :)
Such a brilliant comprehensive video on bonsai in winter! You covered all the points and now it makes sense to me as to why they rapidly freeze frozen fruit in the shops! If it is done slowly the cells burst! Always learning from you Xavier thank you for sharing!
Don't start me on fruit Adam! We keep getting half rotten stuff delivered to us. Probably been sitting in cold storage for weeks and then is going off as they transport it. It is just criminal :)
Spring...allmost there!
I know...I could do with a few more weeks of quiet contemplation though :)
Loved this video Xavier!
Thanks Raymond - a bit of everything
Excellent advice for this time of year. I always appreciate your helpful tips! It looks like you all had a great time at the event!
It was my first ever bonsai meet - so I enjoyed mixing :)
This is what I want to know… thank you!!! Love you bonsai guys.
Cheers Christian
Now there's a word for it, the bonsai shuffle. I do that here as well. This was cool to see.
It definitely keeps me fit and my socks wet :)
Great info Xavier thanks for showing my pot n trees mate 👊👊
Getting the world ready for your big reveal at the Bonsaifest in March :)
Love love
We need more of that in the world :)
Must be amazing to visit Herons and talk to legendary Peter Chan. I'd like to visit his place sometime.
I was amazed that he remembered me from my earlier visit. He must see and speak to so many people.
Great video. Very interesting thanks xaver keep up the good work my friend thanks
Thanks for the continual support. Fingers crossed 2025 will see some more great bonsai development
Great video Xav thank you
Cheers
Thanks for the great tips Xavier
I can imagine that this is just what you need right now nerina :)
@ bring on the cold weather 🥶lm melting down here 😩
Clubs are usually awesome . . . not just the shared knowledge, but the fellowship and friends. One of my clubs would meet for dinner at a Mexican restaurant, along with a few Shiner beers, margaritas, or glasses of wine. This was before the meeting at a nearby arboretum. You can imagine the frivolity that followed. But we did good work, sponsored a yearly exhibit, a convention, and an annual yamadori dig. Enjoyed Peter's being the raffle master.
That sounds awesome - just the sort of club I would love to be a part of :)
Definitely! It’s the wind and wet that causes most damage down here in Cornwall! Plus the occasional Blackbird that goes digging in the pots!
Don't get me moaning about birds and pots. They drive me crazy. It looks so great seeing the little robins 'playing' between the bonsai...then you go out and see how many have been uprooted :)
"30 years and some skill" - that's what we all need!
except Peter, of course.
No shortcut for that Roger :)
He is so genuine
Great vid… true true. Thank u
I think the weather changes are going to become more problematic for us in the UK.
@ It seems that way.. We will have to nurture the nature.. I’m on a patio on the Atlantic coast (other side of the pond). The wind.. you said it… I suppose it’s the chill factor that does it.. great reminder and advice. Outstanding plants
Great discussion Zav! We’re getting our coldest temps yet in the next 3 days. Brrrrr! 😬
But you get REAL cold not the fake stuff we have :)
Nicely done! Great winter tips and such an encouraging new group in your area. Glad you are cataloging clips with Peter Chan 🏆
He came out with some very funny quotes which I might share on a short :)
Great video and thank you for attending our open day , was so nice if you all (Lee)
Thanks for making me an honourary member :)
Super interesting! I've always wondered why some winters are worse than others on the trees. I do play with seedlings from border-line hardiness zones. These are the ones most hit by successive cold/warm/cold cycles. Took me forever to figure this out!
It sound slike you are doing the right sort of research to improve success. ggreat stuff :)
Very timely topic, thanks for the great advice. Good luck to Leatherhead Bonsai club, all the best for the future.
I just hope something starts around me sometime in the future. My days of running stuff are well and truly over :)
Lots of great info here 🙏
Cheers Jason
Great video Xavier, really helpful, cheers for that m8. i got a few tips from it ;)
They will only be the tips I copied from you :)
Perfect timing 👍
The temps are all over the place right now...but nothing like real cold in the US North :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat we had 24 degrees F or -4 Celsius overnight. Much of the US is even colder. Im thankful the Pacific Northwest has mild winters.
Cheers!
I wish I had your mild winter temps here in Alberta Canada. -26c today for a high and down to -33 with a wind chill of -41c tonight. I have to keep trees outside native to Canada or at least trees from cold climates. I keep a Chinese juniper and a Japanese maple as well as an elm in a fridge for winter.
The rest the pots are buried in the flower bed letting the snow do the rest. I have some Tamarack and some Alberta spruce in my unheated garage. Never had one die from the cold. So my point is to be very careful of species when picking trees to the area you live in. The winter care changes drastically depending on climate.
Absolutely spot on Bruce. The problem with living in a milder climate is we take on the risk of having trees which are not equipped to deal with some of the extremes we get here. I definitely recognise when i use the word winter...it probably makes you laugh :)
Great tips, here in sweden the trees usually know its winter but i was thinking about this because we have had a very mild winter this far with one week far over freezing then one week far under, over and over again
I think most of our trees get through the ups and downs if they have been in our gasrdens for a while BUT the weather patterns do seem to be changing and causing a little havoc sometimes :)
Mate, you again smashed it, thank you for humouring me on the night and allowing me to join you guys for breakfast, the joys of Jason almost burning the place down was quality and it’s something I’ll never forget.
😂😂😂
I finally found a Premier Inn with a working toaster… 🔥
Shame i didnt capture that on film :)
That was so funny
great video mate, nice to see a group of people with the same hobby in one room :) i would love to go to a bonsai club unfortunately i cant travel.. glad you enjoyed yourself :) looks like you had a great time
It was fun but I struggle to find anywhere near enough for me to do this myself. These days night driving is a little more challenging so i avoid that.
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat yeah same mate, only thing is i tend to latch onto people that can help me in any way possible.. so sorry if im a pain mate. just love your content and the help you have given me is really appreciated :)
@@BenshobbyStuff Never a problem Ben
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat i just finished my chinese elm mate did a 360 of it and posted it. and just publishing a few pics atm ready for the channel :)
Thx for sharing you winter tips
Cheers
I'm supposed to get to -23 c (-10 f) tonight. (Sorry... trying to learn Celsius. Lol) I can't lie... I'm nervous. Worse yet, the past 2 days have been 7.5c (45.5 f). So yesterday I got into my cold frame to cover them with blankets. I tripped and fell on about 8 of them. So I'm discovering there are even more ways my trees are in danger. Jeeze. Lol. Stay warm!
Hope you're okay.
@theinfidel2143 I am. Lol. More upset I saw broken branches. But I'm hoping nothing serious.
Real winter!!! We moan when the temperature drops to 5C over here :)
And the trees too
I have fallen on many trees and dropped stuff on them too. Funnily, it is these accidents that often lead to more interesting and better bonsai :)
Great tips Xavier in the midlands we get loads of rain so waterlogged trees my tip if the trees are saturated tip them on there side for a day or two excess water runs out not soaking in the root system and the really cold nights - 5 -7s I cover with a fleece these are cheap and do the job great work buddy 🫶
I think this is the big disadvantage I face with having so many trees - not enough sheep to cover mine in fleece :)
@ lol 😂 that’s a good point Xavier 👍
Love this video was great to see you at our club grand opening hope to see you again soon you are more than welcome ❤ (Dave )
I am sure I will find an opportuntiy to pop around for another meeting at some point :)
Another great video , I've tried a new approach this year to try to protect my little trees, similar to what you've done by collecting them together outside but I've just buried all the pots with decorative bark from the garden centre to insulate the roots , well see if it's helped later in the spring?
That is exactly what I have done in the past - just watch out for little critters invading the top soil :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat ill have to
Very good tips my friend I do mainly what you do, I haven't had to water for over three weeks and then only a couple, but it so important to spend time looking at each tree to make sure they are doing well, I can spend quite a few minutes just looking at a tree almost lost in the thought of where I want it to be going forward, clearing debris off the surface were bugs can hide over the winter, all my small trees are in a unit that protects them, but trees still need light so I will open it during the day for a short time but not on frosty days some are in my green house which I have to leave slightly open but they are still protected from the worst of weather. The period you spent with the new club must have been special also having Peter there teaching the newbys how to wire for their first time would have been extra special for them, pity the club is so far away for you to travel to. I am chomping at the bit to get working on my trees but patience has to be the name of the game. Spring is on its way.
It is amazing how quickly the month seems to pass. It is the anniversay of Zita's death today so I will take things easy and enjoy some quiet memories :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Hi xav, I know the anniversaries are a time to realise that our loved ones are no longer with us, people say it gets easier over time, I don’t but it does get different the memories will always be there but we have to carry on our lives as well as we are able to, in the knowledge that they would want us to be happy and content in knowing we will, god willing meet again in a better place.
@@joegarland4885 So true - I said a few prayers last night at her grave. Each year the memory seems to fade a little more...so i still keep her pictures near to me :)
Great tips . Very quick question where do you source your soil mix materials ... I struggled to find Xeolite (if I have spelt it correctly)
I only got some as part of a bulk order from Poland last year - not really seen it locally in the UK. I am going for anothe rproduct this year called Leca, which is another version of molar clay.
I’m more concerned that this year in Finland temperatures have been more similar to the UK. Compared to the -15c and lower that we usually get 😅
I think the weather patterns are going to continue to confuse both us and our trees :)
👍👌🙂
Thanks Bruce
Wish someone would show me how to wire. I don't have huge hands but I seem to be unable to gently wire without breaking everything as I wire it. 😅
I have done a few videos but it is not a topic people generally like to watch. The truth is you just have to keep practicing. I still regularly break twigs and branches so don't worry :)
Lots of rain, then frost is the danger, 94-1995 temp - 20c, 2010 - 20c. I hope we never get this combination again. Roots look like boiled spaghetti.
Definitely.
Words don’t flow today and as I‘ve just accidentally deleted my comment before posting, I stick to: Thanks. 😘🙋♀️
Cheers martina - anything from you brings me a smile :)
No1 is Wet ! Rain are my Biggest current and Future problem.
Everything Else is Secondary.
Global Warning is here now some trees cannot cope.
Bonsai growers can provide useful knowledge of Climate change impacts🖖
I've said as much in a few of my comments to this video. I think we are going to continue to face bigger challenges with more regular 'extremes'. Wet is deifnitely out number one issue here. Thanks for this Stuart