Bonsai Stuff

Welcome to 2024! This is going to be an amazing year for bonsai and it's great to start the year with a review. In the podcast I chat about a collection review as well as a bit of self reflection. Personal skill and technical improvements will make a massive difference to your bonsai. And look at your collection, the good, the bad and the ugly. I discuss why the ugly are so important. There is also a new Bonsai app on the market from Bonsai Empire and I do a review (unpaid and independent) of it. Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

Well that's 2023 done! What a great year and so much has been covered in the podcast and I go over a few of the important ones as well as throw in another surfing-bonsai connection. Thank you for all of your support and encouragement throughout the year and bring on 2024!!Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

Well Merry Christmas!!! To help you celebrate Christmas this year I have put together a Decision Making Checklist for working on your bonsai. There are 6 questions I ask myself every time I work on my trees and in this podcast I run through and explain them all. Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

So you've decandled your Japanese Black Pine, what do I do now? Or more importantly what don't you do. We remove the fertiliser at the time of decandling but when and when does it get reapplied. And while I'm talking about fertilising, some Australian natives have specific requirements and not getting it right can be quite disastrous. A really common species and often seen as one for the beginners is the Ficus. And I love them! They should be for everyone. They are magnificent bonsai that thrive with your love and care.Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

There is a sad but all too common tale that crops up time and time again. Watering System Failure...I chat about a recent occurrence as well as a success story and a few pieces of advice to help avoid some tears. Decandling season is upon us (well for me anyway) and I have a few technique reminders that should help anyone that is planning on decandling. Remember the 1% does matter. And is it ok to hold off making a change to your bonsai? Sometimes yes it is. I talk about a recent occurrence on one of my bonsai and why I am more than happy not to take action.Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

Let me tell you why I love Australian Natives as bonsai in conjunction with non native species! They are perfect in so many ways and need to be celebrated. And in Australia we are creating history with our bonsai. We are the foundation for something pretty special and should be very proud too. We all have our own bonsai journey or path we follow and there needs to be a turning point that I call Bonsai Maturity. It's when your perspective changes and it's crucial to your continued enjoyment and growth (as well as the health and wellbeing of your bonsai).Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

With Japanese Black Pine decandling season just around the corner, now is the time to decide IF you are decandling or not. And if you are not, what should you do? Also following on from a recent Intensive weekend, I run through a deadwood creation checklist I use for junipers and I also chat about what my process is if an air layer hasn't produced the results I wanted.  So much Bonsai Stuff to talk about...Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

Every year I pride myself on fine tuning my watering system and I've done it again this year. Although this mod has nothing to do with the watering. A common issue at this time of the year is the yellowing of foliage, in this podcast I may put your mind at ease. And as we edge closer to Summer it's defoliation time for your deciduous that you choose to undertake this task on. There's a few things to be aware of and we'll chat about them too.Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

Bonsai Care Guides are like a cheat sheet! But use them with extreme caution, there are always other considerations that you need to make and I run through them in this podcast. I also chat about the design concept of framing  and how it is so strong to draw in the viewer's attention to our trees. And what I believe to be the single most important skill we can develop as tree custodians...patience. To allow your bonsai (and you) to reach your full potential with your design you must have patience. There's also a reminder about Summer preparations while you still have time.The Narcissism DecoderThis is a podcast that takes a comprehensive look at various facets of...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

We all love to source new stock for our bonsai collections! I chat about a few key elements that need to be first and foremost when you are acquiring new stock that will make your choice a little easier. Also, how do you know what to prune when you have a cluster of growth? Where do you start? I run through a process of elimination I use that makes the task much easier. And there's also a bit of a review of the recent Intensives program and where it really worked.Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

It's often difficult to know when is the right time to do that work on your bonsai, is it strong enough? Will I kill it by doing this work now? This is a really common worry and I discuss strategies and what to look for. I also delve into a few histories on some bonsai I've worked with very recently. And I love that this podcast encourages everyone to be passionate about their bonsai!! Our Bonsai Network is so important and I talk about why we need it and how you can be a valuable contributor.Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

When planning for this podcast and working on bonsai, a common thought kept running through my head. Balance. It's how we reach perfection with our trees. This podcast is pretty much dedicated to that thought and process. I also chat about my new Intensive program and what the idea behind them is and also what to expect. Going to be very exciting!Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

Leaf or foliage density management is a vital task in Spring for the health and well-being of your bonsai, it's not defoliation though. I also chat about my (boring) daily routine with my bonsai. While it's nothing exciting it is essential. And I give an example of my documenting your bonsai development is so important. I created a systematic approach for maintaining and developing my Radiata or Monterey Pines through documenting and photographing various tasks over a very long period of time. FormativeWhere the leaders of today are interviewed by leaders of tomorrow! Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

Are there hard and fast rules for bonsai? Why not? Whether it's styling, timing, the soil we use or how we water, why cannot we just set some standards and stick to them? Easy, because we all have a completely unique environment. And I've got an idea for future bonsai shows, a sort of continuity and link to the past. As we progress in Spring, if you've changed your soil mix then you need to listen to this podcast. Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

What's wrong with my bonsai? It's the most common question I get asked and in this podcast I discuss my plan I recommend and also that it's probably best not to just to the worst case scenario initially. I also talk about being in the moment and enjoying where you are. Tree lovers of the world unite and take over!! And I finish up talking about bonsai security, both from wind and unwanted invaders. Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

Spring is a busy time for bonsai and due to the nature of the beast, you can damage your bonsai very easily so it's best not to be distracted. Here's a few tips and tricks I use to avoid any issues. And we've officially had El Niño declared, so what does that mean for us? What should we do? And more importantly what shouldn't we do...You need to consider the future now and take appropriate steps. And we've circled back around to fertilising, again!Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

Fertilising and Bonsai needs to be measured and monitored. Understanding what stage your bonsai is at, as well as developing a 'plan' will help guide you when it comes to fertilising. I discuss my approach and reasonings for bonsai in development as well as refinement. I also have a read of The Hidden Life of Trees written by Peter Wohlleben. It's a great book and if you love trees you'll love this too. And I discuss Forest Bathing and what it can do for us all. Lastly I finish with a reminder about tool maintenance.Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

With all bonsai there are stages of development and I believe that internodes and how (what) we can use them with our bonsai to achieve the highest level is really important. I chat about what internodes are, why they're important and how we can manage them in Spring. I also talk about genetics and what considerations we should make when choosing our future bonsai. And as always, I plan of the worst and hope for the best.Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

Spring has sprung! And with it comes plenty of work and decision making. I discuss my approach to Spring Candle breaking on pines and where it's used as well as why. I understand it can be very difficult to know where to start with pruning your bonsai, especially now with all that new growth so I let you in on a simple method to help make pruning decisions. I chat again about perspective and why it is important when pruning as well as a trip I made during the week to a wholesale nursery. AND THANK YOU TO THE SUBSCRIBERS ❤️ !!!Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web

At the end of a long repotting season it's time to reflect on what I have learnt and to say goodbye to Winter. Which means a big hello to Spring!!! With Spring comes a fresh burst of growth and you need to be ready for how to manage this growth. Do you cut or do you not? And I tell a story about my watering system and how the weakest link can be your undoing.Support the showBecome a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️https://www.buzzsprout.com/263290/supportWhere to find Bonsai Matsu:InstagramFacebookYouTube Web