Season 8 Episode 4 - Importance of Pad Separation, Compaction and Pre-Autumn

Beautiful bonsai for me have well balanced and positioned foliage pads. While it is easy initially to create larger pads, longer term this can be to the detriment of the structure of your bonsai. There is a process I use to create and separate pads. Another thought that runs continuously through my head when working on bonsai is Compaction. How do I make this tree smaller and push it back? Not by using twisted long branches but by developing good structure. It comes back to the inner buds and the ..... bud conveyor! And Autumn is just around the corner so start to monitor your watering habits.