To Be A Bonsai

05/09/2026

In this video, I take you through the process of turning a little Juniper into its first Bonsai design. We will look at how I assess the tree, choose the front, decide which branches to keep, remove unwanted growth, and use wiring to start creating the structure of the tree.

One of my favourite parts of Bonsai is taking a piece of material that doesn't look like much at first and slowly revealing its potential. This little Juniper is a great example of that.

🌱 Need help with your Bonsai?
I also offer Bonsai workshops, private lessons and styling services in Johannesburg.

Thanks for watching and supporting To Be A Bonsai!

https://youtu.be/8cl9YxDO528?si=HypxCCR740SiKf0F

I take a small Juniper and transform it into a Bonsai tree 🌱In th...

23/08/2026

A really fun one to work on with Branden 🌳

In this video we take this wild olive and spend some time refining the deadwood, carving it to bring out more character and then finishing it off with lime sulphur.

I always enjoy working on trees like this because you never really know exactly where the carving is going to take you 😅

The full video is now up on YouTube if you want to see the whole process from start to finish.

Go check it out! 👊🌿

22/08/2026

In this video, Nixon Bonsai and I continue the development of a Wild Olive bonsai by refining and enhancing the deadwood features. We carefully carve the existing deadwood to improve the tree's character, movement, and natural appearance before applying lime sulphur to preserve the wood and highlight the intricate details of the carving.

Deadwood work is one of the most rewarding aspects of bonsai, adding age, drama, and storytelling to a tree. Join us as we discuss our approach, carving techniques, and why lime sulphur plays an important role in maintaining deadwood on bonsai.

https://youtu.be/kPXbh3tXO9E?si=2VZwigLQKpp1mYPE

In this video, Branden Nixon and I continue the development of a Wi...

10/08/2026

🌿 Winter maintenance on my Japanese Maple forest 🍁

With the leaves gone, it’s the perfect time to see the structure, clean up winter dieback and refine the branching for better ramification.

These small decisions now make a big difference over time. 🌱

🎥 Watch the full video on my YouTube channel- To Be A Bonsai. Link in bio!

🇿🇦 For my South African viewers, I know we are heading into spring now, so this video is a little late! 😅 But I thought I would still share it, as these winter maintenance techniques are useful to keep in mind for next season.

08/08/2026

In this video, I work on my Japanese Maple forest during dormancy, cleaning up all the winter dieback, cutting the branches back, and selecting the best pairs of branches to improve the structure of each tree.

Without the leaves, it's much easier to make thoughtful decisions that will help build better ramification and create a more refined forest over time.

These winter maintenance sessions might not look dramatic, but they play a huge role in the long-term development of a bonsai.

https://youtu.be/5BJobGAi5oY?si=mY18w4o4HcVR-tyo

🌿 Winter is the perfect time to slow down and really see the struct...

30/07/2026

One of the easiest ways to improve a juniper is by cleaning up the "V's" (or armpits) and removing unnecessary interior growth 🌿

This helps improve airflow, lets more light into the tree, and makes the branch structure much clearer. It's a small detail, but it makes a big difference over time.

This is just a quick snippet from my latest YouTube video where I take you through the next stage in developing this juniper, one year after styling it.

Head over to YouTube to watch the full video! 🎥🌿

26/07/2026

🌿 Sometimes the best thing you can do for a Bonsai is actually remove a few branches.

In this clip I'm just cleaning up the tree by taking off some unnecessary growth. It's a small step, but it helps simplify the design, improve light and airflow, and lets the branches that really matter stand out.

🎥 If you have been following this Juniper, my latest YouTube video is now live! It's the 1-year update since I first styled this tree, where I show everything that's happened over the last year and what the next steps are in its development.

The link is in my BIO. I would love to know what you think! 🌿

25/07/2026

I Styled This Juniper 1 Year Ago... Here's What Happened

A year ago, I started shaping a young Juniper into a bonsai, showing the first steps in its development. In this update, we will take a look at how the tree has progressed over the year, how it has filled out, and the work that's been done since the original styling.

I will also walk you through the next stage of development as I clean up the foliage, refine the structure, and continue moving this young Juniper closer to becoming a mature bonsai.

A year ago, I started shaping a young Juniper into a bonsai, showin...

20/07/2026

🌿 This is one of the most important stages in bonsai development- building ramification through consistent grow-and-cut cycles.

The concept is simple: allow the branch to extend, cut it back hard, and let it split into two new shoots. Repeating this process over the years creates the fine branching that transforms a young tree into a refined bonsai.

This reel is just a quick look at the process. I go into much more detail in my latest YouTube video, where I explain exactly why I make each cut and how you can use this technique to develop your own trees.

🎥 You can watch the full tutorial on my YouTube channel (To Be A Bonsai)- the link is in my bio.

I would love to hear your thoughts! How do you approach ramification on your trees?