I Quit

[rockm]

I was just interested to see what people thought and if they could relate to it. It might also help other people, because sometimes we don't realise the burdens we create in our lives.

One man's burden is another's sanity...I've been doing bonsai for a very long time now. Dealt with 25 years of winters/springs/summers, dealt with dead trees, smashed pots, disappointment, disillusion, etc. However, dealing with shit is part of the bargain in bonsai (and most things in life, which bonsai has helped teach me.) Perseverance is one of the cornerstones of bonsai and one of the reasons people are initially drawn to it. A tree that has (or looks to have) been scarred by storms, tribulations, and destruction is visually compelling. Chicks dig scars, so do bonsai people.

All that said, bonsai can indeed be a huge pain in the ass, particularly if there are other things that demand more time and effort. A step back can be refreshing though.

 

[rockm]

I always stifle giggles and eye rolling when I meet people who assume bonsai is 100 % relaxing and all in "zen". It's pretty much the exact opposite. This time of year, I've been glued to local weather forecasts and my weather station for the last 2 months and I'm not done, I had to unexpectedly drop $$$ to replace a wind busted pot on a very nice old JWP, not to mention I'm running out of time to get in all the spring work my trees need. Then, I've got to dial in my remote watering system, knowing that I'll lose trees if I don't get it down or if the system fails. Yeah, relaxing my ass!!


But I love it and it makes me sad to think there will be a time in my future when I won't be able to carry on with the collection I have
Good luck with your bonsai retirement. You'll know if it was the right move in 6 months or so... if you don't have new trees on your bench.

That "zen" is mostly in dealing with things like the weather, busted pots, and misfortune that bonsai demands. It is what it is. You can't really change weather and misfortune, all you can do is manage what comes after. That is mostly all you can control to any extent. You can lessen the impact by being prepared, but you can't prevent bad things. That attitude helped me tremendously when I had to deal with close family members' deaths. There is Zen in bonsai, but not the lotus position, mantra BS...

 

[MaciekA]

Amen @Dav4 and @rockm .

Bonsai is a continuity ultramarathon. It selects for a particular kind of person who can satisfy one specific requirement: For each day into the future with no gaps, satisfy your obligation to the trees.

These days when I meet an elder or long-time grower I look at that person with new eyes because I've seen what it takes not to just meet the requirements to simply keep trees alive, but also to achieve impressive aesthetic results. It tells me something about their character that usually wouldn't be clear from normal conversation or appearances.

Outside of bonsai I am an endurance runner and I over time see some odd parallels between bonsai people and ultrarunners ... Well, except that bonsai people are even more hardcore than ultrarunners. A runner can actually take a week-long break in July if they want to!

 

[Sansokuu]

This post is why I don’t do bonsai. If all it takes is one inattentive day to wipe out years of work, no thanks. Now orchids, I can do. Water once a week, great blooms.

 

[Dogestoevsky]

This thread allowed me some good introspection. Thanks!

I started with bonsai when we had our first baby. I didn’t realize how sentimental I was about my plants

I love being able to share the trees and garden with my daughter.

 

[MaciekA]

This post is why I don’t do bonsai. If all it takes is one inattentive day to wipe out years of work, no thanks. Now orchids, I can do. Water once a week, great blooms.

My interest in cottonwoods is ultimately going to bite me in this way. My pines can almost get away with an orchid schedule, on the other hand.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Congrats, friend

Finding peace is hard to do.

My peace COMES from my plants, but I understand that the burden of their care is a great stressor...

I guess my question is... "Ok, so what are we doing here.. are you trying to convince others to "walk out", too?"

You keep responding...

Seems like that scene in the movie "Half-Baked.

 

[nuttiest]

I've sold all my trees and I feel better already. I no longer have to worry about watering, fertilising, the weather, the general welfare of the trees and the stress of being away from home for a period of time. I never realised what a burden bonsai had become. Now I'm free and it's great!

I want to quit too! I just have a lot of stuff to do first... .
How did you start letting go of the ones you wanted to see 'next year'?
Are you planting a pumpkin garden?

 

[Sansokuu]

I guess my question is... "Ok, so what are we doing here.. are you trying to convince others to "walk out", too?"

You keep responding...

I think OP is allowed to express relief, with also the possible underlying intention of grieving. Maybe this is turning this thread to a dark place, but people feel similarly when losing a much loved one who at the end of their days was, to not mince words, becoming a burden.

 

[HorseloverFat]

I think OP is allowed to express relief, with also the possible underlying intention of grieving. Maybe this is turning this thread to a dark place, but people feel similarly when losing a much loved one who at the end of their days was, to not mince words, becoming a burden.

I understand .. I have lived a very similar situation.

OP definitely has the right to grieve in their own way.


But goodbyes are meaningless to a boat in the harbor.

Funerals don't commence until the deceased is laid to rest.

Imagine if "The prophet" never actually left.

...

Everything else seems like histrionics and theatrics to me...

Once again, I definitely AM glad OP found peace and balance in their lives..

THAT is far more important than anything we could debate, here.

 

[Kanorin]

Best of luck to the OP! Even though not practicing bonsai, I hope your appreciation for trees remains!

 

[dbonsaiw]

Bonsai is definitely a labor of love. I don't find bonsai relaxing per se. Rather, I find it rewarding and a great outlet for all the nervous energy that my trees then appreciate so much. Every choice is a trade off. Getting married means we no longer get to enjoy the benefits (and burdens) of being single. If the benefits of being married outweigh the burdens, it's not really much of a trade off. If not, a change of pace may be needed. Bonsai isn't that different. I wish the OP luck. There's no reason to continue doing something your heart just isn't into anymore. On the plus side, you didn't break the trees' hearts and gave them new homes.

 

[namnhi]

Everyone needs a hobby. Maybe bonsai is not the right one for the OP but I wouldn't want to not having any hobbies when I grow old. I just don't feel right when I just stay in bed or watching TV all day. Most people would like to spend more time traveling which is in conflict with having trees to take care but how many of you would say glad to be home after a week away in some strange places. Right now I have someone that I can ask to come over to water my trees but I think having a reliable sprinkler system is a must for bonsai hobbyists.
Hope the OP find something else he enjoys doing.

 

[Katie0317]

This post is why I don’t do bonsai. If all it takes is one inattentive day to wipe out years of work, no thanks. Now orchids, I can do. Water once a week, great blooms.

Orchids are very easy and you get a lot of instant gratification. If you live in the tropics or semi-tropics that is. If you're up north you still have to take them in during winter etc...and that's a pain.

 

[BobbyLane]

When you have a decent collection you will definitely find many moments when you just sit back, relax and enjoy the trees on your display. leaves blowing in the breeze while birds sing in the surrounding trees, sipping on a cool beverage with your feet up. I have many relaxing moments on my balcony even with my raw trees.

 

[equaloil4710]

Congrats, but…. I feel like you need just one. Right? A bald cypress or dawn redwood? Something you can submerge in water while you’re away from home. I sometimes day dream about having only one tree

Can you really just do this? I've always wanted a forest planting with these trees.

 

[Scorpius]

I only have hobbies long-term that challenge me. Hence why I have a reef tank and bonsai. Two bottomless pits for my bank account. Lol.

 

[Apex37]

I only have hobbies long-term that challenge me. Hence why I have a reef tank and bonsai. Two bottomless pits for my bank account. Lol.

Oh I’m sorry for you. I couldn’t do reef tanks. I tried for about 3 years and had to give up. I grew up always wanting a nice one, but little did I know the work involved with it. I had endless struggles with very little “answers” to the problems. Anyone who does bonsai and reef tanks might be a masochist. I joke. But seriously, props to you cause it’s not easy.

 

[Apex37]

OP I hope you find peace outside bonsai.

I have very little experience with the hobby, as I’ve only been doing this a little over 2 years, but I will say from my experience it’s far from relaxing. In fact, the reason I chose this hobby was to challenge myself. I’m not a patient person and tend to have issues with controlling myself and found relief and struggle through bonsai. It’s more of a way for me to “better” myself and the things I know I struggle with. Ultimately though, I do find it isn’t as stressful once you put certain expectations behind you and just appreciate the trees for being trees. I get excited just going out and looking at new growth. Those small victories allow me to enjoy what otherwise would be an unenjoyable hobby.

 

[jimib]

I had a similar thing years ago when I was collecting and breeding, exotic snakes. I started out with a few and elaborate set ups. After a few years, in a few more snakes, I decide to start breeding them. The next thing you know, my basements, full of shelves with heat tape, incubators, heat lights, heat mats, and anything else. It became a chore, and eventually I got out away from it. I started out with trees, and eventually had a yard full of trees to worry about, ended up getting rid of a bunch of them and now I have about a dozen trees of good stock. Much easier for me to manage without taking up every moment of my free time.