Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Leaf or foliage density management is a vital task in Spring for the health and well-being of your bonsai, it's not defoliation though. I also chat about my (boring) daily routine with my bonsai. While it's nothing exciting it is essential. And I give an example of my documenting your bonsai development is so important. I created a systematic approach for maintaining and developing my Radiata or Monterey Pines through documenting and photographing various tasks ov...
Oct 15, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 36
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Are there hard and fast rules for bonsai? Why not? Whether it's styling, timing, the soil we use or how we water, why cannot we just set some standards and stick to them? Easy, because we all have a completely unique environment. And I've got an idea for future bonsai shows, a sort of continuity and link to the past. As we progress in Spring, if you've changed your soil mix then you need to listen to this podcast. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus o...
Oct 08, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 35
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu What's wrong with my bonsai? It's the most common question I get asked and in this podcast I discuss my plan I recommend and also that it's probably best not to just to the worst case scenario initially. I also talk about being in the moment and enjoying where you are. Tree lovers of the world unite and take over!! And I finish up talking about bonsai security, both from wind and unwanted invaders. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, soc...
Oct 01, 2023•38 min•Season 5Ep. 34
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Spring is a busy time for bonsai and due to the nature of the beast, you can damage your bonsai very easily so it's best not to be distracted. Here's a few tips and tricks I use to avoid any issues. And we've officially had El Niño declared, so what does that mean for us? What should we do? And more importantly what shouldn't we do...You need to consider the future now and take appropriate steps. And we've circled back around to fertilising, again! Freedmen's affa...
Sep 24, 2023•45 min•Season 5Ep. 33
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Fertilising and Bonsai needs to be measured and monitored. Understanding what stage your bonsai is at, as well as developing a 'plan' will help guide you when it comes to fertilising. I discuss my approach and reasonings for bonsai in development as well as refinement. I also have a read of The Hidden Life of Trees written by Peter Wohlleben. It's a great book and if you love trees you'll love this too. And I discuss Forest Bathing and what it can do for us all. L...
Sep 17, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 32
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu With all bonsai there are stages of development and I believe that internodes and how (what) we can use them with our bonsai to achieve the highest level is really important. I chat about what internodes are, why they're important and how we can manage them in Spring. I also talk about genetics and what considerations we should make when choosing our future bonsai. And as always, I plan of the worst and hope for the best. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will...
Sep 10, 2023•42 min•Season 5Ep. 31
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Spring has sprung! And with it comes plenty of work and decision making. I discuss my approach to Spring Candle breaking on pines and where it's used as well as why. I understand it can be very difficult to know where to start with pruning your bonsai, especially now with all that new growth so I let you in on a simple method to help make pruning decisions. I chat again about perspective and why it is important when pruning as well as a trip I made during the week...
Sep 03, 2023•42 min•Season 5Ep. 30
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu At the end of a long repotting season it's time to reflect on what I have learnt and to say goodbye to Winter. Which means a big hello to Spring!!! With Spring comes a fresh burst of growth and you need to be ready for how to manage this growth. Do you cut or do you not? And I tell a story about my watering system and how the weakest link can be your undoing. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, social and cultural concerns for descendant...
Aug 27, 2023•45 min•Season 5Ep. 29
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Three golden rules I live and die by with my bonsai. Consistency, Reliability and Predicability. Also I dig into how I look after my trees once they have been repotted and why. One of the task when repotting is to consider an angle change and this brings with it a range of other tasks for down the track. We have a look at what they are and when you need to undertake them. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, social and cultural concerns f...
Aug 20, 2023•48 min•Season 5Ep. 28
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu To me Bonsai is a form of art and as such it's very personal, but does it need to change? I discuss the traditional and modern approaches as well as limiting factors that need to be considered. And I ask where is the art? As well, with Spring just around the corner there are some important considerations you should prepare for. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, social and cultural concerns for descendants of... Listen on: Apple Podcast...
Aug 13, 2023•44 min•Season 5Ep. 27
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Forest Bonsai are amazing! And one of the most difficult to design. In this podcast I chat about a range of considerations you should take into account when initially designing a forest bonsai setting. Also how do you take a range of trees that are the same age and make some look older than others? It's all in this podcast. Also as we head towards Spring and warmer weather, repotting is coming to an end soon(ish) and we need to be careful. Your bonsai will start w...
Aug 06, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 26
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu This is the return episode after a short mid year break for repotting and there's tales to be told. Good techniques matters - especially with your repotting, it must stand the test of time. And I've got a story on Dave Grohl and how I think he relates to our bonsai. I also ask the question of how serious is bonsai and how serious does it need to be. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, social and cultural concerns for descendants of... Li...
Jul 30, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 25
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Start your repotting engine! With that in mind, I chat about my first and most important focus when I start repotting any bonsai. I also discuss the mindset you need as a bonsai enthusiast for design versus maintenance and how you need to ensure you're on the right path before starting any work on your bonsai. And wiring, good old wiring, it's the bonsai practitioners magic wand. When done correctly, it works beautifully and allows your and your bonsai to achieve ...
Jul 02, 2023•38 min•Season 5Ep. 24
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu One of the most common questions I receive is what watering system do I use. In this podcast that's what I chat about as well as my plan for redundancy with the lines I run. I also talk about how I can travel and still have high quality bonsai (a great watering system and cameras!). It's also time for me to wrap up working on my pines and start getting ready to repot so it's a reminder of the need for good technique especially when you repot. Freedmen's affairs ra...
Jun 25, 2023•37 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Well it's now one year since turning a full time Bonsai Professional and I want to reflect on what has happened and what's planned. It has been a great year!! I also reflect on a Japanese Black Pine I recently worked on and discuss height reduction and pad height reduction, thinning and length reduction. As well as chatting about current work around the yard. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, social and cultural concerns for descendant...
Jun 18, 2023•44 min•Season 5Ep. 22
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu When I studied abroad the time when I absorbed the most information was during the final adjustments that were made to a bonsai I had worked on by a Bonsai Professional. What started as major learnings evolved over time to very fine detail and it was a great experience. I also chat about watching a Japanese Bonsai Professional work on a unique, very large Japanese White Pine. And as repotting season is nearly upon us in Melbourne, Australia, I discuss the horticul...
Jun 11, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 21
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu This episode of the Bonsai Stuff podcast chats about making a bonsai connection and also delves into a comment made at a recent convention from a Japanese Master. I also talk about what our focus needs to be when working on our bonsai at this time of the year. There is also a very handy technique to help with maintaining your tweezers when working with needle variety bonsai. And finally a reflection of kindness and encouragement and how we can all play our part. F...
Jun 04, 2023•38 min•Season 5Ep. 20
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu After returning from a big convention in Perth WA I want to go through my process of finding the bonsai for the purpose of one of my demonstration. Planning is key and I'll explain my process. Bonsai love is alive and well around the world and particularly in Australia. The feeling of support and local networks is really pushing bonsai to another level. Finally I discuss 'digging for gold' and it's not related to yamadori! We all do it, or should do it. Freedmen's...
May 28, 2023•46 min•Season 5Ep. 19
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Bonsai Workshops are brilliant! Especially if you prepare for them. I discuss how you can get the best out of your bonsai, out of you and the workshop host as well as setting your expectations. There is also a tale about an old Japanese Black Pine that was brought back to life and then given a great future by waiting. It's a lesson for all of us about strength and health being the number one priority. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, ...
May 21, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 18
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu In this episode of the podcast I discuss my strategy to avoid leaf burn on my maples, starting with a strong bonsai engine. Also as we heard towards Winter it's time to start preparing. When it comes to branch structure and design, there's a simple approach I use and I discuss the different phases to help keep the deign of your bonsai heading in the right direction. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, social and cultural concerns for des...
May 14, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Having a future plan is vital for your bonsai development but it's also really important to be satisfied with it right now. I have also recently returned from a trip to South Australia with the SA Bonsai Society and it was fantastic! I have a chat about my experiences there and people that I've met as well as a plan for a potential Olive dig. It's also a busy time as we start to wrap up Autumn so let's runt through some of the essentials for us all. Freedmen's aff...
May 07, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 16
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu Be careful! Simple advice for anyone looking to purchase online, especially bonsai. I chat about a simple technique to try and avoid being scammed, as well as current Autumn work around the yard and on other bonsai. There is also a reflection on one of my final trips to Japan and a particular moment from that trip which will be interesting to hear. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, social and cultural concerns for descendants of... Lis...
Apr 23, 2023•35 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu This episode of the Bonsai Stuff podcast discusses a really simple technique for developing pads on a juniper as well as those pesky spider mites we all have to live with and manage. I also reminisce on repotting in Japan and what it taught me with the need for speed and accuracy. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, social and cultural concerns for descendants of... Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Become a podcast supp...
Apr 16, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu 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. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, social and cultural concerns fo...
Apr 09, 2023•44 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu 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. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, social and cultural concerns for descendants of... Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Become a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love ...
Apr 02, 2023•41 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu 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...
Mar 26, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu 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. Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, social and cultural conce...
Mar 19, 2023•38 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu 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! Freedmen's affairs radio This program will focus on political, social and cultural concerns f...
Mar 12, 2023•39 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu 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 lo...
Mar 05, 2023•46 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu 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... Freedmen's affairs radio This...
Feb 26, 2023•45 min•Season 5Ep. 7
