I know it has been absolutely ages since I have posted on this site – BIG apologies. I could list any number of excuses but the truth is I have been too caught up actually managing the big increase of bonsai and potensai now developing in my backyard nursery. It truly is a full time occupation just keeping on top of the pruning, potting and wiring! Not only that but I have also increased the number of display benches and nursery beds – many thanks to my son who helped build / dig them for me
I will also mention that 2019 and 2020 were difficult years for both myself and my children. My wife and Father both struggled with illness throughout these years and recently died at home with us all present (Deo Gratias). Despite the shock it remains a blessing that we were able to care for them and indeed be present for their deaths. Both are sorely missed. My wife however insisted that the business must keep on going – so now it is time for this to happen 🙂
This year I will be looking to sell some of my bonsai on Ebay and through private visits to my nursery – by appointment. Market sales are very unlikely due to the impact of lockdown regulations but I hope that will change in the near future. It is definitely worth highlighting 
that I post a lot of updates on my Facebook pages so I would urge you to have a quick look if you enjoy my ‘style’ of writing. I will be spending time on reviewing this website over the next few months so please remain patient.
You will see from my Facebook pages that I have been covering a range of bonsai topics with a reasonable degree of explantion and accompanying pictures. I do intend to include a lot of this information on this website as time allows.
I have been enrolled with Bonsai Mirai for over 2 years and the level of both practical and technical knowledge I have gained has certainly changed my approach. With this in mind many important updates will be made in relation to specific care routines for trees. I will be updating the portfolio projects with current images of the various trees in development. There are definitely some impressive changes to see.
In Nov of 2018 I discovered a wholesale nursery, Aveland Trees, that provides home grown saplings for larger scale projects. Much of the stock is sourced from seeds recovered in the surrounding countryside. The owner is really helpful and allows me to recover a large number of unwanted oak ‘rejects’. Just the sort of thing that bonsai enthusiasts would love! In the last couple of years I have collected over 60 oaks, hornbeam, cherry and beech.
These are cleaned and root pruned and placed into washing up bowls for a couple of years. So far I have had great success in keeping them alive and feel very confident that some of these will become future bonsai.
This year will also see the early results of my 2015 Japanese Maple seedlings that I found at a local carboot sale for a few pounds. They have been left to grow with just minor branch selection taking place but are now ready for entry into the potensai category.
March is going to be very busy with all of this repotting of maples!!
Finally, I just want to thank all of you who have taken the time to comment on some of my blogs. I do read them and it does encourage me to keep on going. It is just a pain how many inappropriate bot comments are sent in for me to screen out. I am also going to try and find a plugin that allows me to notify people of new posts and stuff.
If there is anything you would like to ask me about then feel free to do so.
I pray that this year keeps you all well and happy.
God Bless, Xavier
