Is Bonsai Mirai Live Worth $300/year?

[crust]

yes, worth the money

 

[parhamr]

It wasn't that. It was the early home-spun cell phone videos of him at shows, where he seemed to come on really strong which startled old folks. I had to work to concentrate on content. He's personality is obviously very high-tempo but has learned to reel that in to be more broadly palatable.

I used to find him overwhelming in his earlier, post-apprenticeship days. Yes, he has definitely toned things down a bit.

 

[sparklemotion]

Since I've had not-great things to say about Ryan's teaching style and Mirai's general video production methods in this thread before, I think it's only fair to post this update.

This latest free video is probably the best "How to Make a Bonsai from Nursery Stock" video that I've seen, and I have watched *a lot* of those over the past year. If the paid content is more like this one than some of the other stuff on the free stream, that's a good sign for the value of the paid content.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

If the paid content is more like this one than some of the other stuff on the free stream, that's a good sign for the value of the paid content.

This is what the paid streams look / feel like. They are just Ryan working in his studio talking about a specific subject. No public audience, though people chatting and commenting in the chat channel.

 

[cmeg1]

Totally worth the money...The closest thing to Bonsai tv from someone who cares about Bonsai and the teaching of it.......let him succeed!

 

[cmeg1]

Yea,just got done with nursery stock part one and I am ditching netflix and going to do something nursery stock this Spring....lol

 

[treebeard55]

I started with Tier 1 six-eight months ago. This fall when my 17-year-old asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told her I'd like an upgrade to Tier 2. I expect to pay for Tier 2 myself when it's time to renew: being able to go back and re-watch a session, take notes, re-run a section I didn't quite get until I do get it, makes it worth the money to me.

I've been in bonsai for most of the last 30 years, and I have yet to watch a stream in which I didn't learn something I hadn't known before.

 

[treebeard55]

Every tool's worth is determined by what is produced when the tool is used properly. That said, if you are going to use the instruction and that $300 takes you from being able to make a $100 a $10 tree to be able to make a $50 tree a $500 tree then value wise, you are on top. If you are unteachable then not so much. Sometimes the value of the tool lies in the talent of its owner.

Well said, Clyde!

 

[cmeg1]

I started with Tier 1 six-eight months ago. This fall when my 17-year-old asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told her I'd like an upgrade to Tier 2. I expect to pay for Tier 2 myself when it's time to renew: being able to go back and re-watch a session, take notes, re-run a section I didn't quite get until I do get it, makes it worth the money to me.

I've been in bonsai for most of the last 30 years, and I have yet to watch a stream in which I didn't learn something I hadn't known before.

Yes,I thought the luxury of rewatching was definitely worth the extra money.....When I view from the archives I can play it directly from my apple t.v.
I do not even have cable....have been surviving on Netflix and Apple News,so this is right down my alley.
Totally worth it for me.A real learning platform.

 

[Tieball]

Would you say the content is nearly all coniferous? Perhaps 80-90%? A Deciduous tossed in here and there?

 

[cmeg1]

Would you say the content is nearly all coniferous? Perhaps 80-90%? A Deciduous tossed in here and there?

I have only watched the nursery stock episodes.
They are great because I am actually thinking of using species that have good qualities such as small leaves needles and good bark or branching etc.
I am more open now to other species of tree and not the usual ones that may come to mind.
I especially like how he shows you can airlayer the tops of weeping nursery trees and such.....it was a juniper,but this can be done to deciduous weepers and such to make clumps or whatever.
Stuff I already knew, but to see someone do it really gets me enthusiastic

 

[Lazylightningny]

I've watched all of his free videos, and found them to be filled with so much good information that I had to start taking notes. I disagree with editing the videos; when he goes off on a tangent, there is as much useful information there as in the rest of the video.

I haven't signed up yet, but I think Tier 2 is my best bang for the buck.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Would you say the content is nearly all coniferous? Perhaps 80-90%? A Deciduous tossed in here and there?

Hard to say specifically. Because of where they are located, Ryan deals with a lot of mountain trees and Mediterranean/Pacific coast trees. I just looked and they did streams on a beech forest, hedge maple, azaleas, oaks... Usually they don't just focus on a species, but they often will talk about a species in combination with another topic - like a certain design or style, or winter prep work for deciduous, etc.

 

[moke]

I haven't signed up yet, but I think Tier 2 is my best bang for the buck.

I said the same thing and went with tier 2, I ended up upgrading to tier 3 a couple of months later after seeing the tertiary videos that go into great step by step detail. I’ll be renewing to tier 3 this year, it's $80 more but worth every penny in my opinion. For those people out there that are teetering wether to subscribe or not? Do it, this is really evolving into something special for the bonsai art.
You won’t be disappointed,

 

[atlarsenal]

Ok, totally enjoying and glad I signed up with Bonsai Mirai. But I just lost a little respect for Ryan. At about 1:02 of “Deciduous Design” he breaks a branch and totally acts like it never happened and doesn’t say anything about it. He breaks another at 1:10 but couldn’t hide that one.

 

[Giga]

Started tier 2 moved to 3, best thing on tv when styling a tree, need a refresher, or cleaning the house. I don't see how you can put a price on all the knowledge dropped. Worth it

 

[milehigh_7]

Hey if anyone knows how to contact Ryan, I need to talk to him about the DE. I sent him a FB message but he's likely too busy to check it.

 

[Gary McCarthy]

Hey if anyone knows how to contact Ryan, I need to talk to him about the DE. I sent him a FB message but he's likely too busy to check it.

I've always got quick responses using the email listed on his web site. It doesn't get directly to Ryan but rather to one of the people working for him. I'm sure they would pass on your message to him.

 

[markyscott]

Ok, totally enjoying and glad I signed up with Bonsai Mirai. But I just lost a little respect for Ryan. At about 1:02 of “Deciduous Design” he breaks a branch and totally acts like it never happened and doesn’t say anything about it. He breaks another at 1:10 but couldn’t hide that one.

I didn’t catch that the first time, but you’re right - that branch definitely broke. Hard to bend hardwood branches when they’re lignified.

Scott

 

[Tieball]

Ok, totally enjoying and glad I signed up with Bonsai Mirai. But I just lost a little respect for Ryan. At about 1:02 of “Deciduous Design” he breaks a branch and totally acts like it never happened and doesn’t say anything about it. He breaks another at 1:10 but couldn’t hide that one.

Well.....it’s good to know I’m not the only one that breaks branches. No video of me though....I just get to take a quick look around to glance if anyone saw me. Usually just the chipmunks see me....I think they just laugh at me and tell stories about my activity behind the nearby rock pile.