Trick to effectively work with raffia: Wind it up around your hand, so you get kind of a ring. Then soak it in warm/hot water for 15-30 minutes. Takes it out and wrench out the water. The raffia is now smooth and widened so it won't extend anymore when you water the tree or in the rain.
Honestly I greatly appreciate your dedication to be anti-wiring. I think it has its place. I like using it. There are some looks that would just not be possible without wiring. But you're able to produce some really lovely trees without the use of it, so clearly it's not impossible!
I have wire but stopped using it since I tend to overthink the branch positioning to the point of it looking unnatural, but some people are great with it
@@orensish I think Spruces especially can be a struggle looking natural with wire. I don't see many spruces in nature whose branches point down they tend to point up, so wiring them downward to create an "instant bonsai" looks very odd to me. In saying that, I agree wire does have its place. I've seen many lovely maples done with wire, for example. (I'm not talking about what was done in this video, I'm talking about those trees you see everywhere)
Hi Nigel. I enjoyed hearing you explain your attitude toward not using wire. Everyone is free to express themselves in bonsai in whatever way they enjoy most, and it's fun watching your clip and grow techniques
Yes, I think a combination of the two techniques probably gives the best trees in the shortest timeframe. Early structural wiring is extremely useful, then in the later stages clip and grow seems to deliver a more delicate structure.
Nigel, I left a critical comment about the Scots Pine yesterday. I do stand by it, but the tree looks better on a second viewing. Depends how lucky you are with the back-budding... And a great haircut mate!
When I started in bonsai and I purchased some wire, suddenly every branch and trunk looked wireable (when you only have a hammer, every problem looks like a nail). Thanks to your videos in part, I'm now much more conservative with wiring, avoiding the problem it makes and taking advantage of its possibilities! Specially for deciduous trees, using mostly clip and grow is much more natural looking and enjoyable, and for conifers and such, a combination of both wiring and clip and grow gives me the best result!
I think the branch you have tied down looks quite incongruous compared to all the other branches which have sharp changes of direction. Could you tie the branch closer to the trunk (rather than all the way out at the needles) to create a sharper bend? The trunk line is very appealing with the work you have done.
Yes, I thought exactly that. It's now drooping down, whereas I think it would look more in keeping with the rest of the tree if attached much closer to the trunk.
Clip and grow is definitely the way to go! I will try things just to experience them. I will be looking further into raffia to place branches. At least on that one tree. Your tree looks great in it's new style! Very elegant!
Very informative double video Nigel, thank you, When you started to remove so many branches off the pine I cringed but you were right it looks more open and style looks right, what they say less is more sometimes, bringing that branch down with raffia made a difference so you are right to not use wire on this tree. We have covid sweeping through the U.K. now, I have not had it yet and at 80 I don’t want it, hope you guys in Canada can avoid getting it again. Stay safe.
My very first year of bonsai I bought a small roll of wire. After I got wire marks on some of them and watching your videos I completely backed off of the wire. There was only a boxwood I would wire because it was root over rock and I was looking for a specific look. 7 years later I still have the same roll. And just this fall I wired up a few trees. Finally giving it another chance. But after the few years I've been learning. I've wired trees in what I thought was the best time of the year. In their dormancy period. It was mostly my Junipers I wired. My blue star Juniper accidentally got huge damage in a small greenhouse I bought and dried up. Almost died. That was a few years ago. And I repot it mid summer last year. It's sturdy in the pot again. (I don't wire my mesh or wire my trees into my pots) it needed a serious restyling. So now it has natural dead wood and looks much more like it was an intentional style. LoL just because of the character the dying back gave the tree its possibly my favorite tree now. We will see AY. 😉 lol thanks again Nigel!!
The fern accent plant is wonderful. I have observed that ferns miniaturize themselves when they grow in adverse conditions. I once collected a rock fern because I loved how it grew in a crack. I planted it near a boulder and now it is huge. It needed the crack to stay small.
Like the new design of the Scots Pine as a Literati. Cute little elm. My bald cypress is dormant for the winter (even down here in FL). Nice to see you work on your fern accent plant.
WOW! You tied something down! I think this is my first time seeing it. I’ve always been curious about your position on wiring. Thank you for sharing. Much respect and admiration
Nice one. I've missed a lot of your recent videos and glad I caught these. I recall this tree from the past but it never stood out to me until now. I really like the changes. I think I had a scots pine as a kid in New York. I had glorious visions of creating a bonsai but I killed it before even getting it into a bonsai pot :-( I didnt get back into bonsai again until decades later when I was inspired to root a lemon tree cutting.
You have to keep in mind that raffia will deteriorate after a while, I used raffia on a juniper to protect it against cracks and damaging the bark with heavy wire. But in only a few months the raffia started composting or falling apart. Perhaps if you use more strands and twist them, they will hold up longer. You can also use sisal rope what is much stronger while it still is natural.
Manipulating the tree with something that is not a pruner Nigel! That one branch being pulled down, makes a big difference in the overall look of the tree, looks great.
i will admit that you love videos, but i sometimes dont watch for months sometimes a year, and then binge your videos. but as a hairdresser, now i have to tune in to every video to see wtf is going on with your hair :)
Big haircut coming up!
Trick to effectively work with raffia: Wind it up around your hand, so you get kind of a ring. Then soak it in warm/hot water for 15-30 minutes. Takes it out and wrench out the water. The raffia is now smooth and widened so it won't extend anymore when you water the tree or in the rain.
Your sides are looking good Nigel!! Good job keeping the locs. Can't wait to see how they mature.
🍍!
he probably said "big cut coming up" before they were cut!
Hi Nigel, nice hairprunning.👍🏼👌🏼
Hi Nigel ...I like how the apex on your head is finebranching
Look at 1:15. It's amazing how a bonsai man comes to resemble his tree :-)
Honestly I greatly appreciate your dedication to be anti-wiring.
I think it has its place. I like using it. There are some looks that would just not be possible without wiring. But you're able to produce some really lovely trees without the use of it, so clearly it's not impossible!
I have wire but stopped using it since I tend to overthink the branch positioning to the point of it looking unnatural, but some people are great with it
@@orensish I think Spruces especially can be a struggle looking natural with wire. I don't see many spruces in nature whose branches point down they tend to point up, so wiring them downward to create an "instant bonsai" looks very odd to me.
In saying that, I agree wire does have its place. I've seen many lovely maples done with wire, for example. (I'm not talking about what was done in this video, I'm talking about those trees you see everywhere)
Love the hair 👍
Restyled your apex,,,, clip & grow !
Another good little video and as mentioned already below, it is encouraging that you demonstrate wire is not a necessity in this hobby. Cheers, Xav
Hi Nigel. I enjoyed hearing you explain your attitude toward not using wire. Everyone is free to express themselves in bonsai in whatever way they enjoy most, and it's fun watching your clip and grow techniques
As Nigel said moderate use maybe the most preferred but as you stated it is personal taste too - so free choice is advised, cheers!😉
Yes, I think a combination of the two techniques probably gives the best trees in the shortest timeframe. Early structural wiring is extremely useful, then in the later stages clip and grow seems to deliver a more delicate structure.
Your hair is going through some new wild styling and I love it. Great videos and thanks for the information over the last couple of years
Nature is Balance…Passion is Time.
Nigel, your bonsais are your inspiration for your haircut...🙂
@tina_rochelle lol I’ve been thinking the same for years
Bad haircut bro you’re not Jamaican man
Nigel, the bonsai punk
Nigel, I left a critical comment about the Scots Pine yesterday. I do stand by it, but the tree looks better on a second viewing. Depends how lucky you are with the back-budding... And a great haircut mate!
looking good, nice taper and movement but i feel the top needs more directional pruning... the tree looks good too. lol
🍍!
Oh forget Pine restyle, I celebrate yours! The return of the Pineapple 🍍!! God bless you Nigel 🙏✝️ ✌️🇷🇺☮️🇺🇦✌️
Big hair cut as well or sort of Nigel... great tip raffia 👍 have a green day stay warm
🍍!
Oh my, this change looks so good! And you using "wiring" 😊 much wow!
💚💚💚
A cup of tea and a nice relaxing evening video with Bonsai Master Nigel Saunders.
When I started in bonsai and I purchased some wire, suddenly every branch and trunk looked wireable (when you only have a hammer, every problem looks like a nail). Thanks to your videos in part, I'm now much more conservative with wiring, avoiding the problem it makes and taking advantage of its possibilities! Specially for deciduous trees, using mostly clip and grow is much more natural looking and enjoyable, and for conifers and such, a combination of both wiring and clip and grow gives me the best result!
Thank you for your videos Nigel. You have motivated me to start my bonsai learning journey and my channel. This tree is beautiful ❤️
Whatever floats your boat, Nigel.
Like and thank you.
Very good job with Scots Pine tree!
Nice video. I enjoy watching your approach, and how they look after. Thanks for sharing.
I think the branch you have tied down looks quite incongruous compared to all the other branches which have sharp changes of direction. Could you tie the branch closer to the trunk (rather than all the way out at the needles) to create a sharper bend?
The trunk line is very appealing with the work you have done.
Yes, I thought exactly that. It's now drooping down, whereas I think it would look more in keeping with the rest of the tree if attached much closer to the trunk.
Agree- the smooth arc formed on the branch from the tensioned raffia is incongruous with every other angular branch on the tree. Pouce endolori!
Clip and grow is definitely the way to go! I will try things just to experience them. I will be looking further into raffia to place branches. At least on that one tree. Your tree looks great in it's new style! Very elegant!
Cool Pot. Nice updates and the work on them.
Very informative double video Nigel, thank you, When you started to remove so many branches off the pine I cringed but you were right it looks more open and style looks right, what they say less is more sometimes, bringing that branch down with raffia made a difference so you are right to not use wire on this tree. We have covid sweeping through the U.K. now, I have not had it yet and at 80 I don’t want it, hope you guys in Canada can avoid getting it again. Stay safe.
Just ordered raffia yesterday and glad you gave some in depth information on it
My very first year of bonsai I bought a small roll of wire. After I got wire marks on some of them and watching your videos I completely backed off of the wire. There was only a boxwood I would wire because it was root over rock and I was looking for a specific look. 7 years later I still have the same roll. And just this fall I wired up a few trees. Finally giving it another chance. But after the few years I've been learning. I've wired trees in what I thought was the best time of the year. In their dormancy period. It was mostly my Junipers I wired. My blue star Juniper accidentally got huge damage in a small greenhouse I bought and dried up. Almost died. That was a few years ago. And I repot it mid summer last year. It's sturdy in the pot again. (I don't wire my mesh or wire my trees into my pots) it needed a serious restyling. So now it has natural dead wood and looks much more like it was an intentional style. LoL just because of the character the dying back gave the tree its possibly my favorite tree now. We will see AY. 😉 lol thanks again Nigel!!
Interesting technique! I’ll have to try it
i love it 😃
The fern accent plant is wonderful. I have observed that ferns miniaturize themselves when they grow in adverse conditions. I once collected a rock fern because I loved how it grew in a crack. I planted it near a boulder and now it is huge. It needed the crack to stay small.
Like the new design of the Scots Pine as a Literati. Cute little elm. My bald cypress is dormant for the winter (even down here in FL). Nice to see you work on your fern accent plant.
WOW! You tied something down! I think this is my first time seeing it. I’ve always been curious about your position on wiring. Thank you for sharing. Much respect and admiration
Selamat pagi bonsainya sangat bangus👍👍
Cool looking tree. I like the new design. Thanks, keep growing
you need to soak the raffia first! it will work better.
Nice one. I've missed a lot of your recent videos and glad I caught these. I recall this tree from the past but it never stood out to me until now. I really like the changes. I think I had a scots pine as a kid in New York. I had glorious visions of creating a bonsai but I killed it before even getting it into a bonsai pot :-( I didnt get back into bonsai again until decades later when I was inspired to root a lemon tree cutting.
👍👌
You can also makeshift some small weights to hold down the branch instead of wiring ✌️
Nice video
Nice!
Dang, missed the premier.
You have to keep in mind that raffia will deteriorate after a while, I used raffia on a juniper to protect it against cracks and damaging the bark with heavy wire. But in only a few months the raffia started composting or falling apart. Perhaps if you use more strands and twist them, they will hold up longer. You can also use sisal rope what is much stronger while it still is natural.
I tend to use hemp twine personally
Hey Mon! When will you show your bonsai brain food herb??
Manipulating the tree with something that is not a pruner Nigel! That one branch being pulled down, makes a big difference in the overall look of the tree, looks great.
i will admit that you love videos, but i sometimes dont watch for months sometimes a year, and then binge your videos. but as a hairdresser, now i have to tune in to every video to see wtf is going on with your hair :)
The lengths to which some people go to get out of the school run! 🍍
Have you tried a tree fern. Now they have one growing only 3 feet high. Just a thought.
to be honest if you leave anything tying your tree for too long it would leave a mark, wiring is fine as long as you keep an eye on it
Funny I was going to say flat top. I would tie down for sure. It would give more elegance
Hello.
How often do you water those hardy trees during the winter?
clip and grow the hair got an update !!
🍍!
not Foist