Bonsai Stuff

I seriously love bonsai in New Zealand! And what an amazing place too, just so beautiful. Having just returned from a short trip I look back on my experiences, the native stock I came across and the people I met. One of my key objectives is to get and keep people involved with bonsai and to do this it needs to be simple, clear and inclusive. And you will not believe the story about my watering system failure....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

How did your bonsai fair over Summer? Now is the time to review. I chat about what to look for and how to strengthen your system to make continual improvements as well as let you know where my system failed. And when working on bonsai, we all have the experience of indecision regarding a tricky section on the tree. I let you know how I manage this and move forward. Also, you know that feeling you get when the plan comes together? That ah-hah moment? I love it and it's what makes me work so hard.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

Our Australian Natives make brilliant bonsai, I've said it before and I will say it again. They need to be a part of your collection without a doubt. I talk about the pruning process I use on them and what to look for to avoid swelling at branch junctions. Figs or ficus are also being worked at the moment. And as I head off to New Zealand for demonstrations and workshops I detail the process I go through in preparing to work on a tree for a demonstration. It is also the same process I use when working new stock in my collection. 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

This is the tree lovers podcast and I like this time of the year to prune my junipers. In this podcast I discuss a technique I use for pad development. It is also a good time to check the wiring on your trees and make sure it isn't causing too much damage, remove it if needed. And if you are going to wire your bonsai please be careful. Mid Summer is a time where you will identify those trees that are struggling and this is normally a signal that they need to be repotted when the time is right. I run through some key indicators I use.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

This episode of the podcast is about my love for Australian Bonsai and Australia and why I honestly believe we have the capability to be the best in the world. And we are well on our way. We have the most incredible native species we can use that are unique and that develop so quickly. Link that with an annual bonsai show called the Bonsai Open that has some serious prize money on offer and it's in our backyard.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

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.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

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. 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

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