Bonsai Stuff

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Summer has come and gone and Autumn has just started. This is the first podcast for 2022 and I discuss priorities in bonsai. Priority is health, not the design process. When we get busy, focus on the bonsai! Also as Summer comes to conclusion I conduct a review of my practices and whether I have done the right thing. Where have I passed but more importantly where ha...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu In this episode I let you in a what I think are the two most important learning points are that I've had in developing great bonsai. Also a yearly wrap up review on my thoughts on bonsai in 2021. This year has taught me to think about what matters to me, and bonsai is more important than ever.  Laugh Love Law Real conversations. Real people. Real impact. A podc...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Coming towards the end of Spring here in Melbourne, Australia and how best to harness the initial burst of new growth prompted me to focus on the goals I had set for every single one of my bonsai and to not just automatically start tearing into them and pruning wildly. In this podcast I discuss my focus and how I use this to set a bonsai plan for development. I also...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Spring is definitely in the air and our bonsai are loving it! In this podcast I discuss the fear or hesitation of exactly what to do and what the impact of procrastination is on your bonsai. Remember, doing something is far better than doing nothing! I also discuss fertilising approaches to bonsai at different stages and most importantly the correct application of g...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu I've been thinking a lot lately about bonsai development as I come to the end of my main repotting season. Primarily about how the development of bonsai happens best when they are the strongest and that their strength comes from their roots. So my focus for the last two months has been on ensuring I do the very best I can to ensure my bonsai reach the next stag...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu In this podcast I chat about refinement work as opposed to the initial development work on a new bonsai. Is Refinement work boring? Sure it's essential but is it satisfying? Also, how do you prevent yourself from changing the development path for your bonsai so they can eventually reach their full potential. So much to discuss... There's an interesting per...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu This episode is a bonsai chat between three Australian Bonsai professionals. Sam Thompson who's based in Canberra, Jarryd Bailey (from the last podcast) near Hobart, Tasmania and me in Melbourne, Victoria. We all have different climates and environments we care for our bonsai in so we manage them differently and the timing for key work must happen at different...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu In this podcast I interview Jarryd Bailey from Montane Bonsai  based in Tasmania, Australia. We discuss Jarryd's bonsai path as well as the development of his nursery. Yamadori and the use of Australian Native species as bonsai are hot topics. This is a really enjoyable podcast with one of the truly knowledgable and nice blokes of Australian Bonsai. Support the...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu The beauty of any artwork is from the perspective of the viewer. In this podcast I discuss the  perspective of not just you but other bonsai artists and enthusiasts and how we can use this to not only improve our bonsai but view them differently too, in a positive way. Sometime familiarity with design techniques can lead to simply brushing off an artists work as rep...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Welcome to 2021 and welcome back to the third season of the Bonsai Stuff Podcast. In this podcast I discuss my processes and thoughts while performing the yearly maintenance on a Shimpaku Juniper. This is a very common species for bonsai and I break down exactly what I do and why.   This is like a 'Show and Tell' podcast and you can see the Shimpaku here -...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu So 2020, what more do we say? It's been a year of learning for me and I break it down for you. I also discuss the issue we all come across eventually, the 1 to 2 Conundrum. Every year the basic guide is 1 branch turns into 2 branches. So the amount of work effectively doubles year on year on year...and do you have the time needed to maintain that many branches?...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu This episode is raw and exposing. Sometimes the best lessons in life are the ones that are learnt the hardest. So as a snapshot for this podcast, I'd been to Japan in 2012 and returned home to practice the skills I'd been taught. Racing in head strong and focusing on the process and not the impact, I paid the price, well the Japanese Black Pine did unfortu...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu What's on the bench this episode is the Scots Pine and how brilliant they are as bonsai. I also chat about the turbulent times in bonsai, jumping from one season to the next and the commitment and maintenance needed. As repotting comes to an end, I always like to reflect on the season that was and look at what was done right and what needs improvement. Bonsai h...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu When the fundamentals are incorrect, you're not giving yourself a chance. In this podcast I run through the fundamentals of repotting, resource allocation, watering, feeding, positioning which comes well before styling and design. I walk you through Repotting Aftercare to ensure you maximise your bonsai's strength and there is also some chat that not all b...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu I walk you through the repotting of a Trident Maple live and explain each of the steps involved. Pot preparation, soil mix, tree removal, working the rootball, cleaning the trunk, securing your bonsai, repotting frequency and so much more. Repotting correctly is crucial to successfully developing your bonsai. Repotting live makes a riveting podcast... Support the sh...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu In this podcast, as we head into the depths of Winter in Melbourne, Australia, pine season is about to finish and just over the horizon, repotting season starts. No rest for the wicked they say... We discuss soil mix, air flow and positioning, what happens when you experience a set back and that your focus shouldn't necessarily all be about right now. Planning...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu This is a really practical podcast where I talk about wiring your bonsai which is quite interesting considering it's a non visual medium! As we stroll through Autumn I discuss deciduous colouring and the importance of feeding your trees well.  It's finally time to start working on your pines also. I run through my process of which trees to start with first...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu This episode is packed with information! I discuss how I shape pads and work the pad profile. Also when you look at a cluster of buds and new growth, how do you decide what you keep? This is a really common issue and I'll discuss the Process of Elimination I use when pruning these areas. It's really easy and will be a great help. On the bench this episode...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu In this episode I introduce a segment called 'What's on the Bench?' which is for a large Needle Juniper that's been in development for 5 years. I find Summer a perfect time to undertake juniper maintenance and there's a few important areas that cannot be missed. I also discuss managing Japanese Black Pines after decandling as the new buds ha...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu In this jam packed podcast I discuss decandling Japanese Black Pines, Defoliation when to and when not to, Summer watering and protection for your bonsai as well as the need to do a health assessment before doing anything. I also talk about how I develop young stock and what my thought process is. Having things go wrong is bonsai happens, just try not to get dishear...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Well Spring is here and I have put together a six step approach to a successful season. I also talk about the "Thin Red Line" of bonsai and what your focus should be. Bonsai life is a good life for all of us and we are all part of a strong, kind community and that is very reassuring and comforting. Oh and now you're part of the Australian Bonsai Crew...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu This podcast focuses on some of my Dos and Don'ts of bonsai. I also focus on how I approach the working and fertilising of my bonsai in Spring always keeping in mind whether it is development or refinement that is my target. This is definitely not about the so called 'rules' of bonsai but more an approach you should consider. And never forget why you...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Developing bonsai is like building a house, one brick at a time. I discuss different ways to avoid your development and the development of your bonsai from stagnating. As we head into spring in Melbourne, Australia and the repotting season draws to a close, it is important to stop and smell the roses (or cherry blossoms) too. It's a great time for a fresh start...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu With repotting season in full swing I discuss root health, pots, pot size as well as the soil mix I use. Bonsai is not a static art form and we should embrace that fact. It is also a very personal art that needs to only make one person happy, you! Enjoy the podcast. Support the show Become a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤...

Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu In this podcast I explore my process of managing issues that arise with my bonsai and more specifically trying to find the cause of the issue as well as it's treatment. I also discuss the "First Wire" concept for developing bonsai and the buzz it gives me. And finally finishing with the true secret to successfully developing bonsai. bonsaimatsu.com Su...