Thoughts on Peter Chan? (Herons Bonsai)

Blimpsandmtn

Yamadori
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I used to frequent Peter when i got started
people say hes nearly a bonsai god
but others say he's an old newbie!
Thoughts?
-Blimp
 
That's kinda crazy you asked that. My google feed has recently been suggesting his videos quite frequently and I was like: who is that? And I was actually wondering about asking the same exact question! By the same token, what about Nigel Saunders??!!
 
That's kinda crazy you asked that. My google feed has recently been suggesting his videos quite frequently and I was like: who is that? And I was actually wondering about asking the same exact question! By the same token, what about Nigel Saunders??!!
Personally I think Nigel is pretty alright, he keeps in touch with local bonsai groups and is far more, at least from what i've seen, active in said groups, but who knows!
however i've heard peter has been fading from his local bonsai groups, may be another Big Box Store!?
-Blimp
 
My first book was Bonsai Masterclass.He is a Bonsai Master.
I guess it is up to one another to make their own decisions,I think his Bonsai masterpieces ,dedication and long spanned career should,in my opinion ,speak for itself.
Gotta’ love him
 
I think Nigel tries to help others and has a lot of help videos posted in that direction. He has the trees to prove that he knows what he is doing IMO. I'm sure he's not perfect according to others, but I'm glad his videos are out there.

I love watching Peter Chan rip a pre-bonsai out of a grow pot. He is brutal at times, and to quick with not much of an explanation about what and why he is doing things IMO
 
Personally I think Nigel is pretty alright, he keeps in touch with local bonsai groups and is far more, at least from what i've seen, active in said groups, but who knows!
however i've heard peter has been fading from his local bonsai groups, may be another Big Box Store!?
-Blimp
At least Nigel is out there trying. But his channel might best be named "The pre-bonsai zone".
 
I like his videos, but I take his advice with a grain of salt. He does things that I wouldn't do, like put sick trees in 100% sphagnum. But I guess they work for him, so I dont judge.
 
Peter Chan clearly acknowledges there’s a difference between the fine and precise way of working that is taught in Japan when compared to his approach. He is clear that much of what he does is rough and intermediate, pre-bonsai work to advance material along. He knows there’s a higher level approach but wants to show people bonsai is a fun, accessible hobby and creative expression.

Peter seems to be spoiled by fine material in that he knows trees of less than 30 years age are relatively common and of lower value. When he has one of his oldest trees or something rare in front of him then he is much more methodical and deliberate.

I also wonder in some capacity if his approach has changed with age. When he is moving material that’s a little heavy or if it’s not in the easiest location to lift Peter is a bit coarse in his actions.

I like to think we can all not give a fuck when we are aged and accomplished 😎
 
I'll start by saying that I live 30 minutes from Herons and have been there several times. I've bought one tree from him. His strengths are in creating large quantities of pre-bonsai that he can sell on. He has far too many trees to care for to be able to refine them all so he's mainly using clip and grow techniques. Many of the trees are full of weeds but that doesn't seem to do them much harm. It's up to the customer to turn the tree into something more refined. I watch most of his YouTube videos mainly for the horticultural knowledge that he imparts from decades of experience. I'm less impressed with the work he does on fine styling of trees. I'll go to other channels for that.
 
I love his freestyle approach.
For noobs, it can be pretty supportive to see a guy like him work. He knows what he's doing but it looks(!) like he's just playing around. That's what a hobby should look like. That's what work should look like. That's what life is all about right?

I see a little Bob Ross in him.
 
I love the guy. I have some hearing loss (thanks Mesa Boogie) so I always use closed captions when I can. Peter's unique accent makes for some really hilarious captions. Like, insta-meme quality.

Here's a good one from today:

peter.jpg
 
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I can relate myself to this guy. I have a lot of trees so I can't spend half a day to repot a tree or pulling the needle with a tweezer. At some point I may spend more time on those things but that is not where am at now. I like his philosophy when it come to bonsai... get it done.
 
Peter Chan, is one of the main exponents of bonsai in the United Kingdom, has written many highly recommended books and I have read several of them, he practices a naturalistic bonsai inspired by the Chinese art of penjing and also freely in Japanese bonsai. Personally I find his style very naturalistic and logical similar to artists like Walter pall, He has great knowledge and experience and I watch his videos regularly
 
Peter Chan, is one of the main exponents of bonsai in the United Kingdom, has written many highly recommended books and I have read several of them, he practices a naturalistic bonsai inspired by the Chinese art of penjing and also freely in Japanese bonsai. Personally I find his style very naturalistic and logical similar to artists like Walter pall, He has great knowledge and experience and I watch his videos regularly
I totally agree. I too watch his videos regularly, I think hes great🙂
 
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