Here’s why I love this video: anyone who’s ever done any bonsai work can relate to the frustration you had with the string VS rock sequence. There are times when not a SINGLE thing will go as you imagine, and your instinct is to take whatever tree you’re working on/ struggling with, drive to the person’s house who made it look easy on the RUclips, knock on their door, and when they answer, take the tree and shove it DIRECTLY UP [censored] so that they understand how they’ve made you feel. I feel like this happens more or less 100% of the times that I’ve tried one of the oft presented bonsai techniques shown by the masters of the internet, whether it be root over rock, fusion, or some other “SIMPLE” method of creating a beautiful baby tree in a pot. Thank you for sharing in your calm, Canadian demeanor. I’m sure there was more frustration and/or adult language behind the scenes. We’ve all been there, so thanks for being one of the few to admit it. Yours truly, Buzzed in Beantown
🌟Dear Buzzed in Beantown. Thanks you for your kind words. Yes, I worked really hard on this one, and did get frustrated wondering why it’s so easy for everyone else. I’m glad you appreciate my calmness on camera.. and you may have noticed I had to switch to voiceover for that part (for a reason 🤬). Please say hello to your friend Colin when you see him next. Sincerely, Jay. 😁
You're so right, BBI... I've disposed of many failed attempts at replicating stuff I see on RUclips. I even have a RUclips video of my worst mistake ever burning in my fire pit!
Nice tutorial on the root over rock method. Great string idea as the string should rot in the soil and less for you to cut away. Dragon stone, great for this. Lots of nooks and cranny's for the roots. Great work!!!
Hahaha 😂 Thanks Jay! You have a nice tree, rock and pot combination there. The bucket idea is good, I'll remember that for next time 😄. It was definitely not easy, I had to redo the wire a couple of times (the longest I've worked on a tree yet 😅)
Natal looks nice. I tried to find this species but no luck... Like the string idea instead of using wire. It will eventually leave some marks but probably not that deep as wire would. Good luck with the project!
🌟Thanks Stefan! I’m thinking a mix of wire and string next time. Wire to hold it up. String to wrap the roots. We’ll see what happens and learn from it. 👍
Loved it Jay! Love the pot and the dragon stone! Can't wait to see the update of it in the future! You and Nigel are making me feel like I'm slacking with my trees. Lol I have been busy repotting. Great video!
🌟Thanks Carol! I hope this goes on to be a star. Already working on a better name for it. 😁 If people weren’t expecting videos I’d probably still be in bed. 🤣
The dragon stone is so cool! Can't wait for updates on this one. Hope the roots won't grow too thiccc for the twine to bite in.. Good growth on the Patton's beak. Happy lil fella!
Great project J, really nice rock you used and great idea using a nursery pot for a retainer. Can't wait to see updates including the cutting if you remember 😀👍
Hey Jay...I watch a LOT of bonsai videos and yours is really good. I especially appreciate the crisp detail AND the part about your frustration trying to fix the tree to the rock. There's a post below from Boston Bonsai Idiot that says it so well. BTW, Nigel's my bonsai hero, too.
Wow! Great work Jay. You’re fast becoming quite the bonsai master ;-). The perfect combination of tree, rock, and pot. Off to an awesome start. I’m really looking forward to watching this develop into the future. Thanks, keep growing
This is gonna be wicked cool. That stone is awesome. I sure hope those roots find their way into the holes and depressions. I liked the pot in a pot idea, or pot on a put, or through a pot...whatever, I like it no matter what it’s called.
Try some vermiculite to help root your cuttings. Easy to use and no water roots that have to get use to the soil once out of the water. Just a thought.
@@BlueJayBonsai Try vermiculite. Better than the perlite and will hold water and easier to water from the bottom since the vermiculite is good at picking up water. A bag is cheap and you can get it at your garden center or a Home Depot. Another added bonus is that the vermiculite is easy to remove from the roots. You cannot go wrong. Give it a try. Cheap and easy.
R.I.P. roots. Looks great Jay! Gmelina doing its typical gmelina things! It is coming along great too! Significantly larger leaves than mine though, hopefully the reduce.
@@BlueJayBonsai oh wow I didn't notice when I wrote it. I'll have to make some more cuttings soon, I think I've mentioned before I've only had success with slightly woody sections. 3mm or so branches but I don't put in water I plant right away.
🌟Thank you Joseph! No need to apologize - the video isn't going anywhere. Hope things are less crazy for you now. My course started today.. so will be busy too!
When I did my root over rack ficus last year, I used wire, but I am concerned that the roots will grow around the wires and I'm not going to be able to get it out. Guess we will find out soon, as I am starting to pull the soil back slowly. Thanks for sharing Jay.
Very nice root over rock. I like the use of the old pot to bury the rock and roots. I have been using sphagnum moss on my projects but I think your technique is better.
Looks great! I'm working on a root over rock plan too with a tigerbark ficus I grabbed from Tropical Expressions :) But I'm nervous to do any work on them now still lol I'm waiting until spring I think
🌟Hi @jamesholzschuh2572! In this video I am using Nigel Saunder's bonsai soil recipe. See ruclips.net/video/PKKZOBVjY00/видео.htmlsi=fr8KRj-hFjvfosoG for example how he makes it. 🐦💙
This is so cool, how is it doing now? I'm cracking myself up bc I also have the natal ficus from Nigel and was going to do root over rock too! Now I see you already did it, the roots are ideal for this composition.
If I was going for a natural look I'd place the tree a little to the side of the rock. In nature a seed wouldn't germinate and grow on the upper surface of a rock outcropping. That would be too dry and cold. Unless of course the soil around the rock had later eroded. But nice vid anyway.
"Rock on Jay"....no wait "On rock Jay"!
🌟Thanks Nigel! I’m going to steal that line, it’s a good one! 🤣
@@BlueJayBonsai absolutely
Here’s why I love this video: anyone who’s ever done any bonsai work can relate to the frustration you had with the string VS rock sequence. There are times when not a SINGLE thing will go as you imagine, and your instinct is to take whatever tree you’re working on/ struggling with, drive to the person’s house who made it look easy on the RUclips, knock on their door, and when they answer, take the tree and shove it DIRECTLY UP [censored] so that they understand how they’ve made you feel. I feel like this happens more or less 100% of the times that I’ve tried one of the oft presented bonsai techniques shown by the masters of the internet, whether it be root over rock, fusion, or some other “SIMPLE” method of creating a beautiful baby tree in a pot.
Thank you for sharing in your calm, Canadian demeanor. I’m sure there was more frustration and/or adult language behind the scenes. We’ve all been there, so thanks for being one of the few to admit it.
Yours truly,
Buzzed in Beantown
🌟Dear Buzzed in Beantown. Thanks you for your kind words. Yes, I worked really hard on this one, and did get frustrated wondering why it’s so easy for everyone else. I’m glad you appreciate my calmness on camera.. and you may have noticed I had to switch to voiceover for that part (for a reason 🤬). Please say hello to your friend Colin when you see him next. Sincerely, Jay. 😁
You're so right, BBI... I've disposed of many failed attempts at replicating stuff I see on RUclips. I even have a RUclips video of my worst mistake ever burning in my fire pit!
Nice tutorial on the root over rock method. Great string idea as the string should rot in the soil and less for you to cut away. Dragon stone, great for this. Lots of nooks and cranny's for the roots. Great work!!!
🌟Thanks Tom! Yes, that string is supposed to decompose.. let’s see what happens. 👍
Congrats on 500 subscribers!
🌟Thanks Matt! I am amazed that anyone other then my family watches these things. 😁 As long as you keep commenting, I will keep making them. 👍
Very nice sharing ⚘ fantastic video
🌟Thank you my friend! 🙏
Nigel 😍😍
we admire the same person...
nice bonsai, Jay 👍👍😁
🌟Thank you my friend! 🙏 Yes, Nigel is responsible for me starting Bonsai and RUclips! 🐦💙
I love that you show the struggling, nice to know it's not just me 😂
🌟Thank you @zicada7661! It gets easier every time you try it! 🐦💙
You make it look so easy Jay 😅🤣. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to see this ficus develop. Take care 😀👍
🌟Thanks Magnus! I’m really excited for this one too! 🙏👍
Hahaha 😂 Thanks Jay! You have a nice tree, rock and pot combination there. The bucket idea is good, I'll remember that for next time 😄. It was definitely not easy, I had to redo the wire a couple of times (the longest I've worked on a tree yet 😅)
🌟Thanks Matthew! The secrets are revealed. 🤣 Yup, same for me.. that took quite a while!
"Carnage cam" & "funky cold mellina" Hahaha Nice!
🌟Thank you Dante! Glad you liked it. 😁
looking great Jay! Can not wait to see the progression down the road.
🌟Thanks Aaron!
Nice tutorial root over rock bonsai
Thanks for sharing 👍👍👍
🌟 Thank you my friend! 🙏
Very nice trick, to maintain a bonsai, thanks for sharing
🌟Thank you my friend! 🙏
Natal looks nice. I tried to find this species but no luck... Like the string idea instead of using wire. It will eventually leave some marks but probably not that deep as wire would. Good luck with the project!
🌟Thanks Stefan! I’m thinking a mix of wire and string next time. Wire to hold it up. String to wrap the roots. We’ll see what happens and learn from it. 👍
Can't wait to see the progress! Thanks jay!
🌟Thanks Carlos! This was a tricky one, but well worth it!
Loved it Jay! Love the pot and the dragon stone! Can't wait to see the update of it in the future! You and Nigel are making me feel like I'm slacking with my trees. Lol I have been busy repotting. Great video!
🌟Thanks Carol! I hope this goes on to be a star. Already working on a better name for it. 😁 If people weren’t expecting videos I’d probably still be in bed. 🤣
Wow, great work my friend...will be waiting for the update of this tree...🙂👍👍
🌟Thank you Alex! 🙏
The dragon stone is so cool! Can't wait for updates on this one. Hope the roots won't grow too thiccc for the twine to bite in..
Good growth on the Patton's beak. Happy lil fella!
🌟Thank you Aija! I think it will be ok - if I get concerned I’ll dig it up early to check. 👍 Still safer than wire. 🙏
@@BlueJayBonsai true that! And the composition will look magnificent, I gather 😊
Nice work Jay 👏 They're both looking super healthy too 😊 xx
🌟Thanks Rebecca! I really appreciate that coming from you. 🐦💙🙏
Great project J, really nice rock you used and great idea using a nursery pot for a retainer. Can't wait to see updates including the cutting if you remember 😀👍
🌟Thanks J! If it lives, you’ll see an update 🤣 If not, I’ll email you. 🤣 Ah, just kidding. No wait, I’m serious. 🤪
The other J..! Glad to see you’re still around, now go make a video bud :-)
Hi Jay. Great video you really tied the tree down 😁 love carnage cam👍 Thanks for sharing
🌟Thank you Deb! Carnage cam seems to be pretty popular!
Wow, that Gmelina really took off! Nice work Jay!
🌟Thanks Dave! Yours was my inspiration… 👍
Just rewatched this on my way to work… really beautiful! Well done, Jay!
Looking forward to do something similar one day!
🌟Thank you Stefano! Go for it and send pics!
@@BlueJayBonsai we need to find a new place and move asap… I’ll start new projects once done! No worries, I have a backlog of pics!
Nice first work on this project Jay. Looking forward to future updates 👍👍
🌟Thanks Guy! I’m excited for it’s future as well. 👍
Hey Jay...I watch a LOT of bonsai videos and yours is really good. I especially appreciate the crisp detail AND the part about your frustration trying to fix the tree to the rock. There's a post below from Boston Bonsai Idiot that says it so well. BTW, Nigel's my bonsai hero, too.
Wow! Great work Jay. You’re fast becoming quite the bonsai master ;-).
The perfect combination of tree, rock, and pot. Off to an awesome start. I’m really looking forward to watching this develop into the future. Thanks, keep growing
🌟Thanks Matt! I’m excited about this one too! Glad you like it. As always I truly appreciate your support and kind words. 🙏
This is gonna be wicked cool. That stone is awesome. I sure hope those roots find their way into the holes and depressions. I liked the pot in a pot idea, or pot on a put, or through a pot...whatever, I like it no matter what it’s called.
🌟Thanks @Bald Yeti! Yes, I hope the roots really grab in there. Put the pot in the pot on the pot. 🤣
Very nice stone for the tree 👌👌
🌟Thank you! I like it a lot too! 👍
Looks like Nigel gave you a bunch of roots with some soil in it. Looking forward to how this develops!
🌟Thanks Xin! Ha, 90% roots, 10% soil. 🤣 It all worked out for the best!👍
Try some vermiculite to help root your cuttings. Easy to use and no water roots that have to get use to the soil once out of the water. Just a thought.
🌟Interesting Tom. The last Gmelina cuttings I put in perlite. And 1 in water. Only the one in water survived.. 🤷🏻
@@BlueJayBonsai Try vermiculite. Better than the perlite and will hold water and easier to water from the bottom since the vermiculite is good at picking up water. A bag is cheap and you can get it at your garden center or a Home Depot. Another added bonus is that the vermiculite is easy to remove from the roots. You cannot go wrong. Give it a try. Cheap and easy.
@@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951 OK, thanks Tom. I’ll pick some up for future experiments. 👍
R.I.P. roots. Looks great Jay! Gmelina doing its typical gmelina things! It is coming along great too! Significantly larger leaves than mine though, hopefully the reduce.
🌟Thanks @Hyperion Helios! If they don’t reduce I will have to get a cutting from yours and start over. 🤣
@@BlueJayBonsai maybe i can show you mine during the TBS meeting Monday and we can compare size.
@@hyperionhelios190 That is a comment that can be misinterpreted too easily! 🤣
@@BlueJayBonsai oh wow I didn't notice when I wrote it. I'll have to make some more cuttings soon, I think I've mentioned before I've only had success with slightly woody sections. 3mm or so branches but I don't put in water I plant right away.
That's going to look great! I like butcher's twine too, it rots away on it's own usually, but not as fast as things like jute.
🌟Thanks Marysol! And thanks for the tip on Jute! 👍
Really Amazing vdo constant ..enjoying with you new friend here 🎁 you dear brother
🌟Thank you dear sister. 🙏
Great video Jay. Sorry it took so long to watch. The past few weeks have been heck.
🌟Thank you Joseph! No need to apologize - the video isn't going anywhere. Hope things are less crazy for you now. My course started today.. so will be busy too!
When I did my root over rack ficus last year, I used wire, but I am concerned that the roots will grow around the wires and I'm not going to be able to get it out. Guess we will find out soon, as I am starting to pull the soil back slowly. Thanks for sharing Jay.
🌟I’m glad it helped! Thanks Oscar!
Good job
🌟Thank you Mark! 👍
Very nice root over rock. I like the use of the old pot to bury the rock and roots. I have been using sphagnum moss on my projects but I think your technique is better.
🌟Thanks Derrick! I think my way is lazier and cheaper. 🤣 Ha. What ever works works.. 👍
@@BlueJayBonsai Hahaha, we will see if mine will work. Experimenting with lots of stuff.
What scale of pay do you pay your Blue Jays to be on camera? Are they union? Or just work for seeds?
🌟Tom you are hanging around with me and Xin too much. 😁 I love the jokes, great stuff. 🤣 The birds work for peanuts.. 🤪
Looks great! I'm working on a root over rock plan too with a tigerbark ficus I grabbed from Tropical Expressions :) But I'm nervous to do any work on them now still lol I'm waiting until spring I think
🌟Awesome Mippy! I love the tiger barks! Is it one of the curvy ones? Or a straight-ish one?
@@BlueJayBonsai curvy but I wanted that to fit against a rock I got from my aquarium guy
Superb
🌟Thank you my friend! 🙏
What tip soil do you use?
🌟Hi @jamesholzschuh2572! In this video I am using Nigel Saunder's bonsai soil recipe. See ruclips.net/video/PKKZOBVjY00/видео.htmlsi=fr8KRj-hFjvfosoG for example how he makes it. 🐦💙
Nice
🌟Thank you my friend! 🌟
Attaching the tree..... The struggle is real!!!!
🌟Thanks Stefan! I think I need to use the apprentice for the next one. 😁 Either that or an engine hoist..
This is so cool, how is it doing now? I'm cracking myself up bc I also have the natal ficus from Nigel and was going to do root over rock too! Now I see you already did it, the roots are ideal for this composition.
Thanks Izabela! Go for it. We’ll have a family of Nigel Natal ficus’ over rock!🤣
🌟oh, yes.. it’s doing fine!
@@BlueJayBonsai thanks Jay! I may try it if I find a nice rock for it. It's so cool how cuttings become bonsai and tree's life continues
That should explode with growth this summer.
🌟I hope you are right! I hope we have a nice sunny summer here to make sure. 🤞
Wow, you cut 90% of the fine roots - I hope your natal ficus will survive this... fingers crossed! 🤞
🌟Yes, fingers crossed! 🤞🍀 It’s better to kill it sooner than later when you get attached and name it. 🤣
509 is main gift
🌟Subscriber #509 - thanks so much! 🙏
Huge failure I thought while you were trying to get the tree up right but it turned out beautifully.
🌟Thank you @ianleroux2567! Learning from failure 🐦💙
Sadly you didn't wash the Dragonstone befor you plant the tree on it :( There is do much dirt on it. It looks 100 times better when its clean...
🌟Thanks for the tip Andi! Now I know for next time..
If I was going for a natural look I'd
place the tree a little to the side of the rock. In nature a seed wouldn't germinate and grow on the upper surface of a rock outcropping. That would be too dry and cold. Unless of course the soil around the rock had later eroded. But nice vid anyway.
🌟Thank you @warrenbeans8495. Yes I learned that later - good advice.!🐦💙
I prefer to use rubber bands instead of string
🌟Thanks Tora! They must be pretty big rubber bands?
@@BlueJayBonsai depends on the size of the rock, but yea get rubber bands in various sizes. Easier than string imo