penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
I would be right at home.
Is bonsai going to grow or decline in popularity?
- Thread starter Njyamadori
- Start date
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
I disagree on the basis that different people come at it with different expectations.
Even in east Asia where bonsai is fairly common, most people who have one don't do much more than keep a tree or two like a fancy house plant or garden attraction. The vast majority have no interest in more than a pretty tree for their own enjoyment, and the market and time have found varieties that fulfill that.
In the west it's still a novelty, and so a greater proportion of people doing bonsai get much more in depth with it.
Once it's settled into the mainstream and the common passerby views it as less mysterious, there will be many many more of the onesies and twosies, along with much more diversity in organization membership.
Like my earlier posts hinted at, we just need to get there in sustainable manner, and not let the corporate world wrench it from our hands.
roberthu
Chumono
I am not sure I get your point. Are you saying more people will likely get into bonsai but only keep a few house plants? If that’s the point you are making, then I think I agree to certain extent. But I don’t think house plants are equivalent of bonsai.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
I mean people keeping bonsai much the same way as house plants. At a certain point the basics will become almost common knowledge in much the same way as house plants and basic gardening is, though likely to a much lesser extent.
The exact same way some people keep more unusual or exotic house plants today- like orchids or carnivorous plants or countertop herb gardens for example- others will have a mallsai level ficus or the like, and the only people who will even comment will be those who claim to have a black thumb.
Show enough people that something as easy to care for as p. afra can be a bonsai, and suddenly everyone will try it. It builds from their.
To a certain extent, this is probably already true. There are likely a whole lot of people who have a little ficus mallsai on the windowsill by their kitchen sink that they water and enjoy looking at and don't do much else with. We have no idea that these people exist because they've never had any interest in seeking out an online bonsai forum or attending a local club meeting. They just have one or two pretty trees in their home that they provide basic care for and get some enjoyment out of and that's all they're really looking for.
Njyamadori
Chumono
Also, I wonder what the prices of bonsai trees will be especially how difficult the bonsai market is. I see many new "pre-bonsai" sellers or hobbyists that are starting to propagate more and growing tons of new trees. Since I haven't been in the hobby for long I don't know if that's usual or not. If this is certainly happening and the bonsai popularity and interest in buying stay the same or doesn't go above-average growth will bonsai be way cheaper and cause a almost bonsai inflation?
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
This is very true already and becoming more so. When I can grow a pre bonsai with more value than a shade tree, I'm going to do it. The term pre bonsai is very loosly used though and has been used to describe everything from a seedling to a near finished bonsai.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
There's really nothing new with this. Despite the influx of new "growers" and "tons of trees," there's reality. Most of what you're seeing isn't going anywhere. Most growers who get into bonsai on a whim don't understand the market, their target customers for field grown trees, how to grow what they have, price points and how to market it. Most--I'd estimate 99 percent--typically don't stick around for more than five years. It's been that way for some time, although the needle has moved a bit with some growers becoming successful, but not wildly so.
LuZiKui
Shohin
I wanted to add to some of the earlier posts about the age range of the bonsai clubs. I'm under 40 and would love to join a club so I can learn more about the art and meet knowledgeable people but with kids and "life" it makes it very challenging to get the time away. My wife is pretty supportive of my hobbies and probably wouldn't mind if I went to a club meeting every other month but part of me knows the kids will be grown up soon. I'm sure like many of the hobbyists on here, I have to find time for bonsai in between other activities. Once the kids get older and my obligations decrease I'll jump in a little more.
I also had to laugh at one of the earlier comments, it was spot on. Most people can barely make it through a 5 minute conversation about bonsai without getting bored. They think I'm insane when I tell them what I'm doing and that the time frame for these trees is decades. I do think it is gaining in popularity but it will always be limited by the amount of work, time, patience, and research it takes to get proficient (spoken by a person who is nowhere close to proficient).
I also had to laugh at one of the earlier comments, it was spot on. Most people can barely make it through a 5 minute conversation about bonsai without getting bored. They think I'm insane when I tell them what I'm doing and that the time frame for these trees is decades. I do think it is gaining in popularity but it will always be limited by the amount of work, time, patience, and research it takes to get proficient (spoken by a person who is nowhere close to proficient).
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
I am 72 now. About 25 - 30 years ago my kids left their mother to come and live with me. I was pretty heavily into bonsai then but the only ones that survived after my kids came to live with me were the very large ones that were in training. The writing was on the wall so I got rid of most of what I had because it was terrible watching them die due to neglect. I am sure there are plenty here that don't get it, but they didn't walk a mile in my shoes. What I am saying is that I get it and I sympathize. I have walked in your shoes my friend.
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
You want to see some exponential growth in horticultural endeavors, go look at the booming hydroponics systems for in home use. I got into AeroGardens a couple months ago, and have 8 units now! It's addictive. Any person who enjoys growing things will have a bent toward bonsai, gardening, and now hydro. Covid has added to the do things at home phenomenon. I would say it's at least not dwindling, it seems like it's on the rise as we have much better info, teachers and availability of material now.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
I won't argue with either of you, because the details and nuances of each of our individual stories are important.
I am recently divorced, getting more custody of my kids, and soon to be even more. The single biggest issue I have with balancing that responsibility with bonsai is my youngest two always wanting to help! My three year old is going to drown all my plants and trees if I'm not careful.
It's been slow furnishing the house a little each paycheck. I finally got my youngest daughter a dresser, and we were discussing where to put it. "Over here between the bed and the window, then you can set things on it," I suggested. "Like plants," she continued. Now she and her little brother have ficus and jade growing in their room.
They plan the garden with me, they go collecting with me, they go through all the motions by my side. Their interest is nothing like mine, but it's another excuse to get out of the house, so they play in the woods while I'm hunting for trees. It's fun to just do things together, so they hand me tools while I'm working. And they always ask questions, so it's a science class and one on one time with dad all in one.
Now I will admit that I have nothing in refinement, and have no great expectations other then enjoying the trees, so I find no reason to panic over my kids being around them. That may be a big factor. But there's nothing about bonsai that can't be shared with the family.
Again, my situation is entirely different than yours, and this post is intended to balance your own statements. I don't want any newbs who might be reading to think they have to wait until the kids are all grown and gone to even get started. Some of us have to, some of us don't. it's up to you and your situation.
I think it's awesome that your kids are interested and want to help/participate! You and @HorseloverFat are raising the next generation of bonsai enthusiasts. Good for you. My son just wants me to grow weed under my lights.
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
I got my kids when they were young teens.
That's a whole different scenario. Right away its socker, kung fu, music lessons, parties, counselors and countless other things
That's a whole different scenario. Right away its socker, kung fu, music lessons, parties, counselors and countless other things
I'm thinking this means that you need to get your little one a dawn redwood and/or bald cypress tree that they can help you with anytime they want. Either that, or just repot everything in pure lava to make it impossible to overwater.
Yep, no way I would have had time to take proper care of trees back when our kids were that age. It was run, run, run and dealing with my parents health issues.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
I understand this, working with troubled high schoolers.
My oldest is 13, so it's coming. Soon we'll be putting the yew I got her for her birthday in a pretty pot. The hope is I'll be able to make it as integral a part of our life as the dog and a vegetable garden. It's just there.
I don't expect my trees to look like much until they're out of the house, but it's worthwhile to share whatever we can.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
That dresser story was only half of it. My 6 year old went and picked out my biggest ficus, and her little brother laid claim to ALL the jades! Until I found a cutting of variegated portulacaria and now he wants to trade.I'm thinking this means that you need to get your little one a dawn redwood and/or bald cypress tree that they can help you with anytime they want. Either that, or just repot everything in pure lava to make it impossible to overwater.
They fight over how's going to mist the plants in the living room window just because they want to be part of it.
They're all going to flip when they come over this weekend and see my gardenias blooming.
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
That's how I started, and it lead to new ventures quite fast. Weed is a step up drug for all other plants. Weed caused me to garden indoors, indoor gardening evolved to tomatoes and peppers, tropicals, orchids.. Then to carnivorous plants, then to beneficial herbs, then to trees.I think it's awesome that your kids are interested and want to help/participate! You and @HorseloverFat are raising the next generation of bonsai enthusiasts. Good for you. My son just wants me to grow weed under my lights.
Before I knew it, I ended up in biochemistry. And within a year I was growing pines from seed. Fast forward 4 years and now I don't even have garden space for my cannabis.
Weed kind of ruined the weed hobby for me. Terrible stuff! I feel like an addict, I see a plant, I buy it.
Mike Corazzi
Masterpiece
Try a test. If someone STARTS a bonsai "group" do any experienced hobbyists show up?
TWICE?.....wait, make that THREE times.
My experience has been that the "group" is flooded with fresh nursery plants ..in nursery cans..and a plethora of, "what do I do now" questions.
Even if answered, the same plant in the same condition shows up at the next .....meeting.
I at least started with a couple BOOKS.
and.....had read.
TWICE?.....wait, make that THREE times.
My experience has been that the "group" is flooded with fresh nursery plants ..in nursery cans..and a plethora of, "what do I do now" questions.
Even if answered, the same plant in the same condition shows up at the next .....meeting.
I at least started with a couple BOOKS.
and.....had read.
