Bonsai Stuff

Autumn is a busy time, with work commencing on Japanese Black Pines and a clean up on deciduous species as well as maintenance work around the yard. It's very easy to get too busy and lose sight of what you enjoy about bonsai. This podcast reminds you to find beauty in the detail and it's the small things that make the biggest difference. Support the show

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 have I failed. What needs to change?What is the Australian Bonsai Style? Does it exist? And why should we use natives for bonsai, will this mean not keeping exotics? It's an interesting point that should be considered by all bonsai lovers. It's great to be back and 2022 is going to be a brilliant bonsai year. Enjoy the podcast.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 discuss beauty in bonsai and where we find it. Having a plan to develop the best bonsai in the world is a good start for any bonsai!Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 good techniques while always keeping your bonsai's health as your primary focus. There's always lots to do with bonsai in Spring and one of the most important is watering. I chat about a technique I called particle loading which sould be interesting. Enjoy and happy bonsai!Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 stage in their development. In this podcast I go through some of the lessons I've learnt over time and some that I'm still learning. I also chat about 'Forced Resdesigns' and how you can manage that and yourself through the process. I hope you enjoy and Happy Bonsai!!Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 perspective on wiring and how it's used as a badge of honour. Enjoy and Happy Bonsai!Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 times of the year. So we dig into that a little to give you a new perspective and maybe help provide an insight as to why. It's a freindly, interesting podcast that I'm sure you will enjoy!Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 repetitive but it's not. It simply means the approach to the design process is consistent. I don't think there is a right or wrong, just a different perspective. BUT, when it comes to design and horticultural principles, horticulture always wins. Enjoy the podcast!Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 -https://www.instagram.com/p/CLC39Yzjrf2/?igshid=1hlhrmfmca037https://www.facebook.com/bonsaimatsu/videos/823975471514459Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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? I've got 6 options for you to work through.Record taking for your collection made easy too. What I do and why it works and how it helps with my styling choices. And I work through my plans right now and where my focus is.Finally, my New Year's resolution! Bring on 2021.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 unfortunately. I don't think there has been another tree that has been more beneficial to my development than this bonsai. Taking it to the brink and bringing it back over and over and over has reinforced the need for determined patience and perfect application of good techniques. Any way, this is me, exposed and vulnerable and just like everyone else that love bonsai. Enjoy!Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 has come a very long way in the last 20 years but is all progress necessary? When should we stop the search? Can we be better? The thought of 'Is Progress Negative?' is discussed too. Enjoy the podcast and thanks again!Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 bonsai stocks are created equal and what to look out for. The On the Bench species for this podcast is the humble Hawthorn and how they offer perfection in imperfection to bonsai enthusiasts. Enjoy as always and check out my YouTube channel too!Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 for the future should be the goal with your bonsai. I also chat about proportion and it's importance with everything bonsai.'On the Bench' this episode is the humble Chinese Elm, a worthy staple of many collections and a valuable partner on your bonsai journey. It's a tree that will show how your skills have developed over time.Enjoy, stay positive and take care!ScottSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 and then progress through my collection. Balancing your bonsai through needle distribution and how we can manage the resources of a bonsai is an interesting discussion too. With so much happening around the world at the moment, it's nice to stop and smell the fertiliser... Enjoy the podcast and please reach out via Instagram or Facebook. There's no What's on the Bench in this episode, I just got carried away with wiring so next episode I'll make it up to you.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 is the Cedar. They are a really common bonsai and I discuss how I maintain and develop the species. They make a brilliant bonsai and should be part of everyone's collection. I also talk about what my plans are for the coming month in my garden and what the start of Autumn means to my bonsai. How good is bonsai???Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)

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 have emerged. I run through a disaster that happened recently to one of my large bonsai that was blown off it's podium! From misfortune comes opportunity, I suppose...Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bonsaimatsu)