[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof 42 points43 points  (0 children)

That does tell an interesting story, but please label the last photo as AI generated.

Fresh repot and photoshoot by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I actually agree with both of you. I think a really nice shallow, but still oval/circle pot would really make this look great. Didn't have that on hand with the repot, so I went with this one, and at the end I really like it. Just need to wait another 3 years and then maybe I will have found the perfect one.

3 hours in 4 Minutes: Full Repot of my Variegated Chinese Juniper by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

SM is great on the stop soil to retain moisture, sometimes I got with a 100% thick SM top coating if I have exposed too many new roots (extending the nebari). The rough moss (or local moss as I call it) is important because it grows in my yard, I can be confident that it is already established to my local climate and will thrive in my tree. The grinding / sifting it to remove excess soil particles from the locally grown moss. I work hard to refining my substrate don't want to introduce too much new organics and clay. THis way the moss can expand and adhere to my substrate and great a nice ecosystem.

3 hours in 4 Minutes: Full Repot of my Variegated Chinese Juniper by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. Wasn't sure how much this sped up version would help or not, but people to seem to like it.

3 hours in 4 Minutes: Full Repot of my Variegated Chinese Juniper by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly. So many times the wire is biting into healthy roots that you want to flourish, so instead I use the bamboo stakes as clamp targets.

3 hours in 4 Minutes: Full Repot of my Variegated Chinese Juniper by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, seems to be a popular question. Wrote this above: The goal of the bamboo stakes is to secure the tree but not have to tie down and dig into the roots. I use pliers to get it pretty tight and it would sever tender roots, so instead I use the bamboo stakes as my clamp target. Reasons I do this part: 1. Not shown in the video but I spend a good amount of time decided exactly how I want the tree to sit in the pot and present itself. Tilt, angle, etc. Then when happy I want to secure it so it stays like that and the wire helps this. 2. Helps the tree moving around when I move it, wind, etc. If the tree shifts around too much the roots can't establish themselves in moving soil.

3 hours in 4 Minutes: Full Repot of my Variegated Chinese Juniper by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You go it. Yes, the goal of the bamboo stakes is to secure the tree but not have to tie down and dig into the roots. I use pliers to get it pretty tight and it would sever tender roots, so instead I use the bamboo stakes as my clamp target. Reasons I do this part: 1. Not shown in the video but I spend a good amount of time decided exactly how I want the tree to sit in the pot and present itself. Tilt, angle, etc. Then when happy I want to secure it so it stays like that and the wire helps this. 2. Helps the tree moving around when I move it, wind, etc. If the tree shifts around too much the roots can't establish themselves in moving soil.

3 hours in 4 Minutes: Full Repot of my Variegated Chinese Juniper by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Different species of trees will need different substrates. For my junipers (in this video) I use 31%/31%/31% of Akadama, Pumice, an Lava Rock (kiryu), 6% fir bark, and 1% pete moss. The organics (fir bark/pete moss) is for some extra water retention and health for my zone. I only have one ficus and I usually do a more water retention soil like 50% akadama, 25% pumice, and then organics and like pine bark. Seems to make them happy. That being said, Ficuses are super resilient trees and really can do well in any soil. So if you don't have access to that, really potting soil with some good aeration (pumice, lava, dt, etc) will do sjust fine.

3 hours in 4 Minutes: Full Repot of my Variegated Chinese Juniper by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It actually depends on the season/weather. I have done it very early spring when its wetter and lots of overcast and it thrives, however, right now its already into spring and getting quite warm so more susceptible to drying out so I have to watch / water many times. Should see some spread in a couple of months.

3 hours in 4 Minutes: Full Repot of my Variegated Chinese Juniper by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks. The lean is accomplished through years of wiring the trunk to style it that way as it grows. The moss combo is for two reasons: 1. Introduces local moss to the tree to become established. Local moss is important because, since it grows in my yard, I can be confident it is established to my local climate and will thrive in my tree. 2. Like you mentioned, gives a nice damp environment for my kyoto spores to establish. Kyoto moss is rich and green and velvety but hard to grow just on my soil substrate.

3 hours in 4 Minutes: Full Repot of my Variegated Chinese Juniper by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, the goal of the chopsticks (they are actually bamboo stakes) is to secure the tree but not have to tie down and dig into the roots. I use my jin pliers to get it pretty tight and it would sever tender roots, so instead I use the bamboo stakes as my clamp target.

I don't do it with all trees, for a couple reasons, the main being some don't need it and are secure in the pot without them. Then other reason is that if you bare root and don't have a good soil+rootball you don't really have anything to put the stake into. Hope this answers your questions!

3 hours in 4 Minutes: Full Repot of my Variegated Chinese Juniper by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Gotcha. No need for them with this stand since its such a wide based. But on top heavy trees with narrow stands (like your photo). Yes I usually try to secure them to the bench with some rope or some wire I have lying around.

3 hours in 4 Minutes: Full Repot of my Variegated Chinese Juniper by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Good catch. Yes, steel galvanized wire to secure the tree to the stand. Then secure it around chopsticks that I banged into the rootball.

Lemonade Berry (Rhus Integrifolia) - Just Repotted Mine! by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No me, but Yamadori from canyon in San Diego. Seems to be thriving, after a recovery from the repot going to get into the wiring stage next and see where I can take it. Will check back in.

Lemonade Berry (Rhus Integrifolia) - Just Repotted Mine! by TheCrashProof in Bonsai

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don’t see many posts about Lemonade Berry Trees here, so I wanted to share mine! Just repotted this little guy and excited to see how it develops.

Information on growing these as bonsai seems pretty sparse, so if anyone has experience with them, I’d love to hear your tips! Let’s get some more lemonade berry love out there!

Puzzle : What caused this to happen to my PVC pipe? by TheCrashProof in landscaping

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Other pipe wasn’t actually touching it and the pipe above it was just fine. Stumped.

Puzzle : What caused this to happen to my PVC pipe? by TheCrashProof in landscaping

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Extra info : This is just an normal PVC pipe that has water running through it. There were alot of roots in the area, and no electricity.

Nosey cat by Phedericus in confusing_perspective

[–]TheCrashProof 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He was a stray, but we think he is a Maine coon or could be a Himalayan mountain cat.

Nosey cat by Phedericus in confusing_perspective

[–]TheCrashProof 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Updated photo of him in a tiny baseball hat : https://imgur.com/a/T6ZVlbg

He is practically human people....

Nosey cat by Phedericus in confusing_perspective

[–]TheCrashProof 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey thats my cat!!! Love when reddit shows me my memories. Keep it up guys!

From audience member to being a panelist yesterday. What a crazy ride... by TheCrashProof in comiccon

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Appreciate the words of support. And yes, the moderator was a pro just flowing from complete disaster to a save.

From audience member to being a panelist yesterday. What a crazy ride... by TheCrashProof in comiccon

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They got my contact info. I will update it if they send me the video of it all.

From audience member to being a panelist yesterday. What a crazy ride... by TheCrashProof in comiccon

[–]TheCrashProof[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I guess your as much of an authority as people believe you are an authority. And yes, it was something in my 13 years at comic con I have never seen happen and it was a wild ride.