Starting with bonsai made easy (An overview to start growing bonsai)

I like that you emphasized just having fun and doing what you want. It seems like so many people expect everyone in bonsai to be trying to show off their trees and win awards or something. My trees are just for me. I’ll never do a show, which really frees me from having to worry about what makes a tree “worthy” or whatever.

I am only 3 minutes in and as a beginner I am already finding this video to be immensely helpful. You are answering so many questions I've had right from the start

Great no BS video. I will now add you to the top of my list. Keep growing man

This is amazing as always. What I would love to see also from you is a video on recommendation for what kind and diamater wire to get as a total beginner (also how much of each) and how to choose wire diameter when wiring a tree.

Lovely video. I always adored bonsai, but I was told that it was so hard by my dad that I then kept my adoration to myself and thought that I would never be able to grow one. After watching this I feel some hope and confidence about starting something from scratch. Thank you so much! Thank you for your optimistic attitude as well. :)

This was one of THEE most helpful overview videos I've come across. Extremely clear. Extremely helpful! Thank you Jelle!

Having fun is the first and last thing that is needed I think. Of course you need a tree of some sort and some basic tools. Experience comes with time, on styling as well as on horticultural level. So the next best thing to having fun is testing and seeing(learning). Great content that gives everyone the opportunity to get going!

Jelle you are the bonsai Guru! What would we do without your insight, on the ups and downs of growing bonsai, and the happiness and beauty it provides us when it all comes together. You tell it like it truly is, and for that I appreciate ❤️👍

Good video. I have an idea for a video; how about a guide like this covering lots of kinds of trees, explaining when is the best time of year to take cuttings and set and remove air layers. i have about 10 or 15 trees that are all for bonsai but all are pre bonsai because i never know the best time to play about with them (i mean WORK on them!)

Thanks for all your great videos Jelle! After the initial total beginner phase I find three types of videos very useful: 1. Problem videos 2. Species specific videos 3. Season specific videos I learn a lot from hearing you tackle a specific problem. It can be a pest, a design challenge, or perhaps a tough call balancing health of a tree with getting results fast. It’s also very interesting to dive deeper into specific species. I have a pretty good idea now about the general practice of repotting, winter protection, pruning, etc. But learning more about specific species is what many of us need. There are a lot of ”how to repot” videos, but much rarer to find what to think about when repotting a specific species. And finally, I find it increasibly useful when I you make a timely post of a video of the sort ”summer pruning” just as summer approaches. Very helpful!

Thank you, Jelle. People charge lots of money for information that is as well put together as your videos!

You hit on the nail with Bonsai to have fun. I lot of local native trees, some tropicals and some Japanese trees like maples and pines. Here in SA these are the common bonsai trees, Celtis africana, Senegalia burkei, Olea europaea L. subsp. africana, Portulacaria afra, Adansonia digitata, Schotia brachypetala and few others that I still don't. Most our native acacia trees are used as Bonsai Material, grow easy from seed and cuttings. I'm experimenting with Sausage Tree (Kigelia Africana) have big tree in my yard and plant the seeds and they germinate easy, do well with root pruning and 3 thats starting to get nice fat trunks and they are not older than 3 years. As always love your vids. Keep it Up!

Lovely video as always Jelle xx I particularly resonate with one of your last statements. My trees will never be show-worthy, but I'm enjoying myself and that is absolutely THE most important thing 😊 xx

Hell yeah, as a persons who watched all your videos ( twice ) thought you can’t get more content packed in one video. You prove me wrong, awesome and informative content. Very accurate with tools. I’m running just hybrid cutter, anything else except wire are “normal” tools.

Wishes: I wish I had seen a video like this 4 years ago! (And I also wish I could fully understand it 4 years ago too!) Great video, Jelle… thanks!

Great job organizing basic information...as always, I stay in trouble for being too far in extreme south in the opposite emisphere...but still doing well. Greeting from patagonia

Thanks Jelle! Most important: I have fun! Greetings from Germany, Thomas

Great video Jelle. I'm only a few years into bonsai and none of my trees look like the trees worked on by many of the people online and so I find it difficult to translate what they do with their trees to my own little ones. With your videos I can use what you demonstrate and I remember your tips. You and Peter Chan are wonderful teachers that help novices like me a great deal by making this hobby accessible 😊. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

This is such a grate video for beginners. I've had a bonsai for just over a year and defo neglected it in that time. Now summer has come and I'm sorting out the garden and house plants, I've gone down a bit of a beginners rabbit hole in the last 2 weeks for bonsai after find, in the greenhouse, some walnut saplings I'd potted up last year from the lovely squirrels stash in one of our flower beds, with the intention of doing bonsai with them. All the advices seems spot on and telling people to do their own research is always grate advice as everyone's environment and needs will be different and you can't cover all bases yourself.... I also love you saying don't worry about what others say. I've started following another bonsai channel (bonsai heirloom) and he has similar thoughts; the hobby is ment to be fun and relaxing. If it's working for you and you're enjoying it just go with it. At the end of the day if the trees look good who cares right.

This is one of the best "bonsai for dummies" videos out there. I live in Norway, and after watching many of your videos and others, I decided to start with bonsai myself. You say that you have some of your bonsai out in the winter. Here I live it can drop down to minus 25 degrees during some parts of the winter. What would you do to your trees if it got so cold? I believe I have to put them in a place where there is a bit warmer? Otherwise, love your videos.