Thoughts on Peter Chan? (Herons Bonsai)

[Rivian]

Somehow many of his bigger maples and satsukis are suffering. Im not sure why exactly, maybe not repotting enough and/or irregular watering

For example in this video, at 1:35

The ones outside are OK, just about. To see healthy satsuki, check out greenwood bonsais channel

With the JMs I think it may be the potting medium being too organic/remaining too wet

In the posted video he said he doesnt think satsukis will grow where the temps dont go down to freezing. I remember someone describing them growing wild and like weeds on some tropical or subtropical island, zone 11 or something.
Im not sure indica needs a resting period?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

In the posted video he said he doesnt think satsukis will grow where the temps dont go down to freezing.

One of the biggest / best growers of satsuki azaleas in the US is Nuccio's Nurseries in LA. No freezing temps there, so I would use that as an example that satsukis don't need it.

 

[Adair M]

One of the biggest / best growers of satsuki azaleas in the US is Nuccio's Nurseries in LA. No freezing temps there, so I would use that as an example that satsukis don't need it.

There are cultivars of Satsuki that originated in the Northern parts of Japan, and others that originated from the Southern parts. And, of course, there are the hybrids. The Northern ones “generally” have smaller leaves, and are more cold tolerant. The Southern ones “generally” have larger leaves and can be very sensitive to cold. There is, unfortunately, too much variation to be to able to make blanket statements about Satsuki. As with most things with bonsai, “It depends”.

 

[Clicio]

...In the posted video he said he doesnt think satsukis will grow where the temps dont go down to freezing. I remember someone describing them growing wild and like weeds on some tropical or subtropical island, zone 11 or something.
Im not sure indica needs a resting period?

I am in zone 11a and Satsukis in general go very well around here.
It´s winter in the Southern Hemisphere now, and they are all flowering; after blooming mine will be pruned hard, wired and will start growing like crazy (as always) in September, which is Spring here.
As a curiosity, Azalea is the official flower of the city I live in, São Paulo.
But yes, they go sort of dormant during the hottest months, January and February.
Mostly grown in matured pine bark and small crushed tile, as Kanuma is impossible to be found in Brazil.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

There are cultivars of Satsuki that originated in the Northern parts of Japan, and others that originated from the Southern parts. And, of course, there are the hybrids. The Northern ones “generally” have smaller leaves, and are more cold tolerant. The Southern ones “generally” have larger leaves and can be very sensitive to cold. There is, unfortunately, too much variation to be to able to make blanket statements about Satsuki. As with most things with bonsai, “It depends”.

However the question was whether satsukis - ALL satsukis - require freezing temps. The answer is certainly not. Perhaps some varieties or cultivars might require it... but I am not aware of which ones those might be. Just because a tree or plant grows in an area with freezing temps does not mean they require it.

 

[Carol 83]

One of the biggest / best growers of satsuki azaleas in the US is Nuccio's Nurseries in LA. No freezing temps there, so I would use that as an example that satsukis don't need it.

Love, love Nuccios! Such great people and wonderfully healthy plants at a great price.

 

[bluecat]

View attachment 431628I think this photo sums up how much Peter has contributed to the western bonsai community. No matter how you think of mister Chan. You’ll never stand next to the queen Bc of your trees likely. But that man did.

Certainly not anymore

 

[Rivian]

Im curious about the quality of his new-ish book.

 

[BobbyLane]

Pretty amazing really how large Peter's nursery is, you can easily spend an hour or two walking around. Most dont get past the bonsai section though, theres loads of raw material out in the gardens

 

[JPH]

I like Peter's videos and keep up on them pretty regularly.

I appreciate his nurseryman's approach to growing things. He's got acres of trees, all doing well. Most of his pre-bonsai stuff is grown in compost mixed with some kind of grit and they "grow just fine" as he puts it. It gave me a lot of confidence because Akadama and Pumice are very expensive to get a hold of for me (I live in a remote community). Many of the "top dogs" like Neil or Bjornholm all have access to it readily and don't really offer alternatives as far as I've seen. Basically their approach is "the best or nothing". Peter is a bit more practical and accessible. His soil might not be "the best" but he makes it work.

Nigel is fun but I don't keep up on his videos often. He seems nice though, and I appreciate his laid back attitude.

 

[BobbyLane]

 

[Shogun610]

I will say I don’t care much for his styling videos , but his Wesley trees and his pre bonsai stock are awesome.

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

Im curious about the quality of his new-ish book.

I’m not sure how available it still is - originally was supposed to be a limited print of 1k but those vanished and then he had at least one additional print since so many had already been ordered. I recently got my copy which I had ordered very shortly after release of that video (probably a few days at most). I’d consider the book semi-hardcover. It’s not stiff, but rather more like very thick paper - there’s some give. The book itself is relatively basic IMO - this is not a deep dive of advance techniques but rather a conversation on Peter’s approach, ethos, and perspectives when it comes to bonsai for a variety of general topics. It reads a bit like a series of his videos put together and rest assured - you will read it in his voice

The first 50 or so pages tell about the history and principles of bonsai, then about 50 pages on ways to start bonsai from collecting to air layering to various commercial sources/nurseries and how to develop from these points. This is followed by some discussion on “special” styles of bonsai like groups/forests, ROR, penjing/Chinese bonsai. Finally topics like exhibition and the international bonsai scene and a closing discussion with Peter. Still need to read it in detail myself but I hope that gives you an idea.

 

[michaelj]

When I first got into bonsai I watched a lot of Nigel.
One video, I heard him say for soil he uses, sifted turface and perlite, so that’s what I did. I had a lot of trees die that year. I guess it works for him in Canada when it’s only hot for 2 months out of the year. But for me, I had to water them 2-3 times a day if it was above 90.
Anyways, the videos are relaxing to watch and he’s so quirky and original it’s hard not to like him. But now I take what he says lightly. He does have some quality trees tho. And I like his progression channels where you can see the trees thru the years.

That's one of the reasons people argue about soil so much. What works great in one climate might absolutely suck in another. If I used what Nigel uses, my trees would have piss poor roots. If he used what I use, probably the same.

 

[MichaelS]

There are cultivars of Satsuki that originated in the Northern parts of Japan, and others that originated from the Southern parts. And, of course, there are the hybrids. The Northern ones “generally” have smaller leaves, and are more cold tolerant. The Southern ones “generally” have larger leaves and can be very sensitive to cold. There is, unfortunately, too much variation to be to able to make blanket statements about Satsuki. As with most things with bonsai, “It depends”.

They are all hybrids between 2 (or 3 possibly Rh nakaharai - a Tawian plant) species. Rh. indicum (Mie satsuki) which is from higher elevations in southern Japan and has narrow leaves - more cold hardy, and Rh. eriocarpum (Maruba satsuki) which is a sea level species from Yakushima Island off southern Japan with more obovate leaves and obviously warmer growing. Therefore, a good rule of thumb is narrow leaved cultivars are slightly more cold hardy than round leaved ones but none enjoy being frosted.

 

[Runstenen]

Just love the man. I love his prestige free approach. Next time in the UK I’ll def visit Herons for a chat/pic w him

 

[rockm]

They are all hybrids between 2 (or 3 possibly Rh nakaharai - a Tawian plant) species. Rh. indicum (Mie satsuki) which is from higher elevations in southern Japan and has narrow leaves - more cold hardy, and Rh. eriocarpum (Maruba satsuki) which is a sea level species from Yakushima Island off southern Japan with more obovate leaves and obviously warmer growing. Therefore, a good rule of thumb is narrow leaved cultivars are slightly more cold hardy than round leaved ones but none enjoy being frosted.

FWIW, I have stored my Shiro Ebisu (narrow leaves) outside under mulch for a long time now. It gets hit with single digit F temps. No problems.

 

[BobbyLane]

'1000 £1 Yews, but I wont tell you which nursery it is'
Its ok Peter I know your secret!

Kevin wilson is a master carver and stylist, gives some great insight here

 

[BobbyLane]

Peter does ask some good questions, if youre just getting into bonsai or carving even, youd definitely want to be watching content like this.

 

[BobbyLane]

so if youre new to carving or creating deadwood/hollows, this is the kind of content you want to be watching. Kevin explains how to make hollows look more 'natural' in these installments and some of his other content on youtube, which can be found by searching Kevin wilson carving on youtube.