Willow Bonsai Tree (from cuttings) part 3

Here is the third installment of an annual video I post on a bunch of corkscrew willow bonsai trees I have. Some are just considered "pre-bonsai" I guess. And here are some fun facts about Corkscrew willow from Chat GPT: Corkscrew Willow Bonsai (Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’) Origin (where they’re actually from) Native to northern China and parts of East Asia. The “corkscrew” form is a cultivar of Salix matsudana, selected specifically for its twisted growth. Not naturally curly in the wild—humans basically said “that mutation looks cool” and ran with it. Fun facts (this tree doesn’t do boring) Naturally twisted everything – branches, twigs, even leaves spiral slightly. Looks like nature had a few drinks. Grows insanely fast – one of the fastest-growing bonsai candidates. Great if you like progress… bad if you blink. Water-loving monster – willows are basically the “labradors” of trees—always thirsty. Easy to propagate – stick a cutting in water or soil and it’ll root like it owes you money. Winter star – loses leaves, but the twisted structure looks even better bare. Short lifespan (for a tree) – compared to other bonsai species, they’re not exactly “hundreds of years” material. More like decades if treated well. Care tips (this is where people mess up) ☀️ Light Full sun is best. Can tolerate partial shade, but growth gets leggy and weak. 💧 Water (non-negotiable) Keep soil consistently moist—not damp… wet-ish. Let it dry out once and it’ll throw a tantrum (leaf drop, dieback). If most bonsai are “don’t overwater,” this one is “good luck trying.” 🌱 Soil Use a well-draining mix but don’t go too gritty/dry. Think: balance between drainage and moisture retention. ✂️ Pruning You’ll prune a lot. New shoots grow fast and straight—cut them back to maintain that twisted look. Best done during active growing season. 🔧 Wiring. Branches are flexible when young, brittle when older. Wire early or you’ll snap branches and say words you shouldn’t. ❄️ Winter care Deciduous—drops leaves in winter. Needs dormancy, so don’t keep it indoors year-round. Protect roots from deep freezes (Idaho winters aren’t playing around). 🌿 Fertilizer Feed regularly during growing season. It burns through nutrients fast due to rapid growth. Reality check (pros vs cons) Pros Unique twisted look without heavy training Fast results (great for impatient bonsai growers) Easy to propagate = free trees Cons High water demands Constant pruning required Shorter lifespan than traditional bonsai species Can look messy fast if neglected Bottom line Corkscrew willow bonsai is perfect if you want something visually wild and fast-moving. It’s not a “set it and forget it” tree—it’s more like owning a high-maintenance sports car that also drinks water nonstop.