Bonsai Stuff

Happy Easter! Or Happy Bonsai!!! This episode chats about a trip to Japan in 2015 for some fine tuning of techniques and getting to the pointy end. I also chat about a bonsai setback caused by a theft incident and finally focus on a Scots Pine that was posted recently that has created a few structural questions and rightly so. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.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

A.I. is growing at a rapid rate and you supposedly can even learn bonsai from it. But is bonsai just about a tree in a pot? I don't think so and I chat about why. I also focus on what I am planning and working on at this really important bonsai 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 have an artistic talent when it comes to bonsai, it might not always be obvious but it's definitely there. You should use it! I look at artistic talent and how it was demonstrated at a recent bonsai event, Bonsai Horizons. This podcast also dives into the technique of height reduction and branch shortening. This is an important skill that all bonsai practitioners will using repeatedly. Also, what is your purpose for practicing bonsai? What elements make you happy and keep coming back?  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

I believe there are two appraoches to developing a bonsai or finding the bonsai within. You can go with the grain or you can fight it. Work with what you have or start again. I discuss my approach and why. I also cover off on theoretical versus practical applications in bonsai (which I missed on the last podcast) as well as the standards you set are the stadards you live with. 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

As we tick over to Autumn in Australia the change of season can be felt almost immediately where I live and with this very important season comes bonsai tasks that are essential to the health and well being of your bonsai. I also chat about a consistent lesson that was repeated every time I studied abroad and has my perspective on bonsai changed over time? You bet it has!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 have all been guilty at one time or another of under watering, whether we admit to it or not. I discuss how to identify and treat your bonsai after the event. Ants are also a nuisance that indicates a few other issues which need to be dealt with. Finally, this podcast wraps up with a brilliant trip I had to a customer's house in Japan where I was tasked with doing work on one of there Japanese Black Pines. This was a real turning point for me and is great to look back on.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

Summer brings a fear of under watering, which is realistic, but can lead to over watering which can be just as detrimental to your bonsai. I chat about identifying the problem and a few tricks how to treat it. Fungal issues are also starting to become more frequent so we need to manage that as well. And this podcast also starts to look at another Bonsai adventure trip to Japan to Aichi-en. Such good memories and so much to learning...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

The final step of any bonsai trip I make is to summarise my learnings, this podcast details the key point from my trip to Osaka and includes movement and positioning, growing cycles, inner buds, watering, wire contact and so much more. It was the start of my bonsai muscle memory that is used to this day and you should find it very interesting. I also discuss the technique Angle Change when repotting your bonsai. We can avoid straight, either vertical or horizontal, with this method and there are a few key tips that can help make it successful. 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

I studied in Osaka at a bonsai nursery called Kouka-en under Mr Fujikawa and Bjorn Bjorholm in 2013 and I learnt a great deal there. This episode of the Bonsai Stuff Podcast chats about some of that as well as discussing a concept that has been playing a lot in my mind lately as I work through quite a few junipers on the work bench which should be interesting and relevant to all bonsai enthusiasts.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

Happy, healthy bonsai are the result of you fulfilling their core needs. There are five basics that I discuss in this podcast, fertilising and the supply of nutrients is one of them. This podcast focuses on my approach to feeding, why, when and how. I also look at Soil Air and why it is essential plus I let you in on a really simple approach to fertilising. As always, it must be easy and repeatable.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

Summer can be tough on bonsai, really tough and there's a lot to learn from any misfortunes you suffer, it's not all bad. Planning for the worst and all the actions you take with your bonsai provide you the best protection. And when something goes wrong, you need to be able to learn from the situation, take the correct steps and look to prevent a reoccurrence. I also wrap up my first study trip to Japan in this episode and it was a great experience looking back on my time and my learnings.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

My bonsai memories always make me smile and this podcast details one of my most amazing experiences I had on my first trip to Japan. Kokufu-ten is an incredible bonsai show in Japan and I was able to see behind the scenes with its setup  as well as the Green Club. This story is etched on my brain and will be a very fond memory for the rest of my days.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 2023! It's going to be a great year for bonsai for us all. To ensure it is, we need to do some goal setting. I discuss the various aspects to consider in this podcast  as well as a few of my own goals for the year. I also wrap up the Design Fundamentals series  and discuss where do you find your connection to trees? We all love them but where do we connect with them?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

In this podcast I discuss the importance of your Bonsai Support Network, how to contribute and build it and why it is so important for you and your bonsai. I also chat about some really important learnings from my Japan saga and how my love of bonsai pots started as well as more Design Fundamentals. That's a wrap on 2022 which was a great year for bonsai and I cannot wait for 2023!!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 Japanese Black Pine decandling time for me so I wanted to talk about why we can use this technique and when you shouldn't more importantly. I also chat about Colour and Space and how I use them in designing bonsai. Then I continue with my journey and evolution in the world of bonsai with my first trip to Japan. There's lots to cover and so much to learn. Just life changing!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

Movement and Balance in bonsai design are considered by me to be some of the most important design elements and I discuss them in this podcast. I also continue with my journey to Japan where it all began. I still believe it to me an amazing adventure and learning experience that I'm sure you'll enjoy listening to. 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 an interesting podcast, I start with a bit of history on myself and my bonsai journey, discuss what I call the Good with the Bad and bonsai and also start discussing the Fundamentals of Design and how I see they apply to bonsai. So this podcast is the first of a short series that will expand and grow over the next few podcasts.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

In this podcast, I discuss what I would tell my younger bonsai-self to make my journey far more enjoyable and successful. We all know you cannot put an old head on a young body but it would be nice to provide a shortcut through the bonsai mistakes I made when I was younger. From tools, to stock purchasing, fine tuning my bonsai skill set, bonsai pots, tie down your bonsai and the really big one, the thing I should have been told before being allowed to even touch a 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

For me to be successful with my bonsai, it is very important that my actions are easy, repeatable, measurable, accurate and predictable. This podcast discusses why this is so crucial. Also, does this piece of material have potential? In short, yes. This is an interesting podcast and I chat about my processes and thoughts after repotting has been completed. And it's time to start thinking about chinks in your armour as we head towards Summer. 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

Have you thought about your fertilising strategy for every one of your bonsai? This podcast discusses the thinking behind developing this strategy and why it is so important. I also want to acknowledge the owners of highly refined Japanese Maples and all the dedication and time involved in their care, especially at the start of Spring! And have you ever heard about working on your bonsai on the hottest day of the year? So, it's quite common and I give my thoughts on the timing. I hope you enjoy the podcast and it provides another link in the chain to brilliant bonsai for us 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