Any younger guys or gals here?

[justBonsai]

I've been getting extensively in bonsai this past year and I have some promising projects in the work. I'm currently only 19 still working on my undergraduate degree. When I go to shows, meetings, and bonsai nurseries I often find myself to be the youngest person there with no one around my age with a similar degree of interest. It doesn't help that I still can pass for a high school student too. Are there other members hanging around here in my age group? To better define younger lets just say financially not quite independent student . In any case no offense to anyone and hope to meet some members both "young" and "old."

- Julian

 

[sorce]

A couple of youngins are in and out, I reckon you're the only one gets carded.

Except maybe Redwood Ryan, but he's a crusty vet anyway!

Sorce

 

[aml1014]

I'm 21 and started when I was 18 so I know how you feel.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I started at 22...at 43 I'm glad I started young. I was (and still may be) one of the youngest members in my clubs; it took some time to gain credibility, but being willing to help wherever needed goes a long way. Stick with it, and accept that, at times, it won't be possible to maintain a large collection with career, spouse, young kids, activities, etc., but studying a little on the side and keeping a few trees will serve you well later on. If you're serious, focusing on a few good trees is better than maintaining a bunch of Home Depot trees.

 

[LanceMac10]

I'm an old fart, but very immature.....19? Start planting some Chojubai right now....by the time your forty, you'll be sitting on a gold mine!!!

Good luck young buck....

 

[jeanluc83]

I started at 13 but gave it up for a few years during colege. I got back in a couple of years ago I'm now 32 and still on the young end of most groups. It seems to be a generational thing. Most people my age and younger have little interest in such persuits. But most of the perfesionals out there that aprenticed in Japan or are aprentising are quite young. In fact a good number of well known artists started in their teens and twenties.

My advice plant some seeds and learn about growing out stock.

 

[Stickroot]

I'm 37 and started very young, mom had a RD Bonsai book that got me ADDICTED early!
Water a lot, prune a lot, kill a lot and one day you will have a lot.
Good to have you, never quit!
If you get board with it or life changes, bury them in the ground and come back later, I wish I would have.

 

[whfarro]

Ha. I am 54 and the folks in my club said at our last meeting that they need to get more "young people like me" to discover Bonsai and become members.

Brian points out some good things to keep in mind along your journey.

Take advantage of those that have walked the path before you and most of all enjoy where it takes you.

Welcome!

 

[JoeR]

I see I am likely the youngest here.

What a dissapointment!

 

[markyscott]

I would have been younger, but my children have made me old.

Scott

 

[JoeR]

I'm an old fart, but very immature.....19? Start planting some Chojubai right now....by the time your forty, you'll be sitting on a gold mine!!!

Good luck young buck....

I have never understood the fascination with chojubai.

 

[Txhorticulture]

I think the title of the thread is funny... like "where do all the high school girls hang out around here?"

 

[Redwood Ryan]

A couple of youngins are in and out, I reckon you're the only one gets carded.

Except maybe Redwood Ryan, but he's a crusty vet anyway!

Sorce

I'll have you know I'm the ripe old age of 22 now! Started this hobby about 6 years ago.

 

[Dav4]

I see I am likely the youngest here.

What a dissapointment!

Why disappointed? You're rubbing shoulders with true greatness here!

 

[Dav4]

I have never understood the fascination with chojubai.

You'll understand when you're older...

 

[JoeR]

Why disappointed? You're rubbing shoulders with true greatness here!

You bring up a good point. I am glad that I am around very experienced individuals.

On the other end of the stick however, I am not comfortable enough to go to a club because of my age. To me, its like hanging out around my father's and grandfather's friends. There is a very large age gap.

Then again I am not very fond of the majority of people my age; too immature for me. Maybe I will like it, who knows.

 

[coh]

I'm 52 and still waiting for the "chojubai enlightenment phase" to kick in. Even so, I do have a young one in my collection of "future bonsai", if for no other reason than than to sell it for an enormous profit in a few years. (kidding, kidding)

As for clubs...I think at 52 I'm one of the younger members of the local club. Every so often we have a teenager or someone even younger show up, but they don't seem to last. I'm sure it is a little awkward for them, but people do go out of their way to help and encourage the young people who show up. So, Joe, it might be worth a try if you've never attended any meetings.

 

[Bunjeh]

Bonsai is ageless.

 

[Stickroot]

Bonsai is ageless.

I agree, even seedlings can be Bonsai.

 

[aml1014]

I'm definitely the youngest in my club and I don't mind at all I'm far more mature than people 5 years older then I am so I don't mind the age gap, besides their some funny individuals and some of them have been doing it for 50+ years right here in my own climate so they know how to do things.