I don’t think Shohin meant anything negative or demeaning by the advice given to you. There seem to be certain guidelines or standards of practice regarding propagation and growth of seeds so that their viability and survivability are increased. Giving each seed/seedling a fair and fighting chance yields the grower potentially a larger quantity of future trees.
In terms of styling and shaping trees as they grow, there are also certain guidelines and standards for balance, harmony, etc. that serve as a general foundation for an overall good/pleasing/accurate composition of what represents trees and scenery found in nature (in miniature form). These standards, though, tend to be less rigid (as I’m discovering and learning) and can be deviated from or broken to achieve a certain artistic goal or aesthetic.
There tends to be more wiggle room and freedom for artists regarding design/styling/composition, but one thing I’ve learned thus far (in my one year of practicing bonsai) is people tend to be very protective and defensive over their work and their methods. Given their freedom of choice and to express themselves as they choose, it is only natural they might feel defensive (and they have that right) or even be overly sensitive.
But I’m not sure the same principles apply to propagating and growing seeds. I have never grown seeds or worked with seedlings, rootings, cuttings etc. but I have followed many skilled professionals on this forum who document their entire processes of propagation and growth of trees from seeds, and there seem to be guidelines that are generally agreed upon to ensure success and health of seeds to become healthy trees. So, there may not be “just one way” or “one method,” but there may also be many less-than-advantageous or even improper ways and methods of propagation and growing seedlings.
I don’t think it’s fair to take cheap shots at Shohin and lower ones self to arguing over or assuming gender based on a perceived attack. Anyone can puff themselves up and claim to be a “real man” or “know better than someone else,” but there’s almost always someone out there with more success in life and knowledge, wisdom, discernment etc. than them. I think that’s crossing an unnecessary line and unfit for any public or social media forum.
There are plenty of skilled and knowledgeable professionals and hobbyists here with a lot of bonsai wisdom to share and teach others. Sometimes they can even help us to learn from their past mistakes and errors. Applying that in our own lives and bonsai is part of how we learn and grow, collectively as a community.
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