Episodes

  • Season 8 Episode 22 - Macro and Micro, Confidence versus Overconfidence
    Jun 14 2026

    Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

    In order to make or develop beautiful bonsai, you must be able to work at both a macro or big picture level as well as at the micro level which deals with the branch that you're looking at right now. It is easy to become distracted by the future and miss the opportunity to work in the now for your tree. I also think bonsai confidence and bonsai overconfidence need to be managed. A lack of confidence means nothing happens, overconfidence means something bad may happen! How do we fix that? Have a listen and I'l see if I can help.

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    33 mins
  • Eason 8 Episode 21 - The Concept of One of Everything
    Jun 7 2026

    Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

    The concept (or mistake) of one of all species of bonsai in your collection can really make life difficult for you. Sometimes we need to curb our enthusiasm and make sound decisions. Easier said than done right?? I know it's a very difficult thing to walk out of a bonsai nursery without any new acquisitions but hear me out. Not everything has potential and are you certain it will thrive in your yard? We've all been there and I want to offer some practical first hand advice from someone who knows only too well the fact that filling your yard with bonsai may become a nightmare...

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    29 mins
  • Season 8 Episode 20 - How to Handle Structural Issues, Setting a 'Mode' when working
    May 31 2026

    Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

    Winter is a great time to see your deciduous bonsai in their naked glory. It is also a time where their structural issues are more apparent than ever. So what should you do? Remove it? Hide it? Live with it? Yes, yes and yes. I will talk through the various options you have and some considerations for you to answer this question. I like to work on my bonsai in a 'mode'. That is, if I'm doing maintenance work then that is all I'm doing. If I'm wiring, then I'm wiring. This singular focus can really help you achieve a great result.

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    38 mins
  • Season 8 Episode 19 - Why we have time for our Pines, Late Autumn Alarms
    May 24 2026

    Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

    Late Autumn around your bonsai collection will show you signs of potential issues that may be significant in Winter. So if you know what to look for you can make changes or take appropriate action to avoid these issue. This time of the year is a necessary time for pine work, on all variety of pines. But there's no need to put yourself under the pump, we have time and I'll explain why.

    Support the show

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    38 mins
  • Season 8 Episode 18 - Considerations When Wiring and Styling your Bonsai
    May 17 2026

    Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

    When I am working on any of my bonsai but especially my pines at this time of the year I ask myself a few simple questions for every branch that I work on. The integrity of the design I either have built or the design I am working towards rely on me making the correct decisions about removal or reduction. And that applies for all species and every time they are in front of you. The flow and movement of the bonsai is very important and so too is the design and flow of each branch.

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    30 mins
  • Season 8 Episode 17 - Practical Advice for Styling your Pines
    May 10 2026

    Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

    Styling your pines (or any of your bonsai) requires a dedicated focus. So before working through your bonsai and wondering where it's going to end up I have a few areas for you to focus on. Building pad height and volume, avoiding flattened structure, length reduction as well as talking about the ski jump effect and an approach to wiring while avoiding the trunk. There's always so much to chat about at this time of the year and while this episode specifically relates to pine bonsai it can also be applied to all of your trees.

    Support the show

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    41 mins
  • Season 8 Episode 16 - What to Do wth Your Bonsa Now, Don't Over Complicate Issues
    May 3 2026

    Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

    We are rounding the corner toward Winter and the last stretch of Autumn is a really important time. Understanding your bonsai and their needs right now will have a massive impact on their future development. There are jobs to be done around the yard too, debris removal, weeding, fertilising and we are starting the most important time of the year for our pines. Now bonsai is all about the detail but overcomplicating issues really should be avoided. When something doesn't look correct or there are problems with your trees, I have a really simple approach to identifying the issue. Do not jump to a worst case scenario, it may be much easier than that.

    Support the show

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    39 mins
  • Season 8 Episode 15 - The Idea of Perfection, Technique Improvement
    Apr 26 2026

    Contact Scott from Bonsai Matsu

    The idea of the perfect bonsai for each of us is a target we set for our trees, but is perfection the ideal target? Will it just lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction with our bonsai? No. Not if we breakdown the path to perfection into bite size achievable pieces then perfection is the best target. Also practising poor techniques over and over will not lead to improvement. Slowing down, building your skills and techniques is the only way for improvement. Then practice that, correct techniques. It will be almost impossible to have perfect bonsai without having a perfect set of skills.

    Support the show

    Become a podcast supporter and show the Bonsai Love (it's really appreciated) ❤️
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    Where to find Bonsai Matsu:
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    38 mins