My new Elm:)

[abqjoe]

Welcome.

Great, then you'll do fine here. As for the tree . . .

I've been thinking for a while that we should make "New to Bonsai" bingo cards. The boxes could contain common issues we're often tiptoeing around with new members, like this sampling:
Stick-in-a-pot
Glazed/Unglazed issue (e.g. Juniper in a glazed pot or Elm in unglazed pot)
"S" curve trunk
Reverse taper and/or Lack of taper
Handlebar branches and/or Mirror-symmetry
Thin lower branch(es) and/or thick upper branch(es)
Floating root(s)
Tacky statues/rocks (with or without inspirational words)/figurines/accents
Concern for the number of "years old" a tree is
Etc.

Add to those a few common new member quirks like:
Believing a tree has a personality/soul/mind
References to "breaking the rules" of bonsai
zen/quasi-spiritual drivel
Suggestions for how the forum should change
and so on . . .

You haven't hit all of those, but I'm pretty sure we can get to BINGO!

Hey guys; what am I missing? I'm sure I forgot a few classics.

So I'm curious, was there like a commuity vote in which you and Sorce were officially deemed the community god's? All knowing, makers of the rules, commanders of the Bonsai universe etc lol. You two should start your own church BTW, you said " Believing a tree has a personality/soul/mind" My response: These tree's are living things are they not? While you and Sorce are extremely preoccupied with trying to be rude and snide to me with the " Oh not another dumb newbee" attitude I'm just thinking great, not a couple more resident buttheads who think their god's on a forum. As common as you think my newbee-ness is I assure you, your attitudes are even more common lol! A little bit of manners goes a long ways and respectfullness and kindness are two totally timeless characteristics that should never be taken for granted. Just some food for thought, hope you have a good and meaningful day! BTW, good luck with your game of "Bingo"

 

[ColinFraser]

my skin is thicker than most.

Great, then you'll do fine here

So I'm curious, was there like a commuity vote in which you and Sorce were officially deemed the community god's? All knowing, makers of the rules, commanders of the Bonsai universe etc lol. You two should start your own church . . . While you and Sorce are extremely preoccupied with trying to be rude and snide to me . . .

Never mind. You have failed the thick skin test with flying colors. Well done.
I'll just add that while I was definitely being sarcastic and having a little fun at your expense, @sorce is one of the nicest (if goofiest) guys here. He's pretty much the welcome wagon, so if you can't get on with him . . .
The "gods" of this community (to use your strange choice of language), don't bother much to comment on threads/trees like this. If you hang around a while, and have a genuine desire to learn, you may meet some of them.

 

[ColinFraser]

Also, this:

 

[rockm]

So I'm curious, was there like a commuity vote in which you and Sorce were officially deemed the community god's? All knowing, makers of the rules, commanders of the Bonsai universe etc lol. You two should start your own church BTW, you said " Believing a tree has a personality/soul/mind" My response: These tree's are living things are they not? While you and Sorce are extremely preoccupied with trying to be rude and snide to me with the " Oh not another dumb newbee" attitude I'm just thinking great, not a couple more resident buttheads who think their god's on a forum. As common as you think my newbee-ness is I assure you, your attitudes are even more common lol! A little bit of manners goes a long ways and respectfullness and kindness are two totally timeless characteristics that should never be taken for granted. Just some food for thought, hope you have a good and meaningful day! BTW, good luck with your game of "Bingo"

As an unwashed commoner, I think that thinking that bonsai is all about "trees with souls" is nice. Not very accurate or true to bonsai, but a nice quaint Westification of bonsai and eastern thought.

Bonsai hasn't been about "tree souls" for a very long time if it ever was. Bonsai is an expression of human art. It is mostly about HUMAN feelings and sensibilities. We shape trees to evoke feelings in humans, not trees. Bonsai are not "natural" expressions of nature. They are manmade or human manipulated artificial versions of nature as humans see it. Trees have no more personality than a rock or a waterfall. They just are.

 

[aml1014]

As an unwashed commoner, I think that thinking that bonsai is all about "trees with souls" is nice. Not very accurate or true to bonsai, but a nice quaint Westification of bonsai and eastern thought.

Bonsai hasn't been about "tree souls" for a very long time if it ever was. Bonsai is an expression of human art. It is mostly about HUMAN feelings and sensibilities. We shape trees to evoke feelings in humans, not trees. Bonsai are not "natural" expressions of nature. They are manmade or human manipulated artificial versions of nature as humans see it. Trees have no more personality than a rock or a waterfall. They just are.

I agree with everything you said. Trees have no feelings, but they are still "people" in my eyes. I talk to my trees everyday all the time, because they are my friends, and I consider them my children as well (considering I don't want kids).

Aaron

 

[Cypress187]

Oh not another dumb newbee

Most 'newbees' post an S shaped plant in a pot, I think most members are not really into these mass produced S shaped plants and they will tell u straight up. The best advise was given but got lost in translation, it's number 7 on sorce his list, air-layer this baby and get 2 or more tree's with potential to be the best bonsai in the world (well, perhaps it will take 20 years for such a thing to happen, ghehe). I don't mind either way, I also have an S-shaped ficus still in 1 piece on my balcony.

 

[vaibatron]

So I'm curious, was there like a commuity vote in which you and Sorce were officially deemed the community god's? All knowing, makers of the rules, commanders of the Bonsai universe etc lol. You two should start your own church BTW, you said " Believing a tree has a personality/soul/mind" My response: These tree's are living things are they not? While you and Sorce are extremely preoccupied with trying to be rude and snide to me with the " Oh not another dumb newbee" attitude I'm just thinking great, not a couple more resident buttheads who think their god's on a forum. As common as you think my newbee-ness is I assure you, your attitudes are even more common lol! A little bit of manners goes a long ways and respectfullness and kindness are two totally timeless characteristics that should never be taken for granted. Just some food for thought, hope you have a good and meaningful day! BTW, good luck with your game of "Bingo"

It's just a right of passage. Colin, is also one of the more amiable fellows on this forum. You need not take offense.

It would beneficial to take a hard look back in threads past. If not to learn, then to understand the culture of this place.

We don't need another soil war

 

[sorce]

First....as long as you like it...that's what matters...

Sincere.

With a spread like that

Compliment.

. I shouldn't say any of this cuz it's rude.

Missed?

Air layer air layer air layer.
There are trees in there somewhere!

That Constructive Criticism.

But again...
If you like it...that's what matters..

Re-sincere.

It does look kind of pimp by that statue.
But I can't say it or it voids my contribution to American Bonsai!

Sincere and Truth!

Arrived from where?

Now, I hope it was Canada.
Then, it could have helped!

One things for sure...
If I was a god....I would definitely give humans the understanding that trees do have souls!

Another thing that's for sure...
You can't communicate in this form without the ability to read!

I thought you were joking with that first response!
Well, I guess I hoped so!

Sorce

 

[vaibatron]

For levity

 

[AaronThomas]

We don't need another soil war

But they are sooooo much fun!!!!!

 

[AaronThomas]

Most 'newbees' post an S shaped plant in a pot

And I love my "S" shaped elm too.

 

[LanceMac10]

Feel free to use when ever you don't "agree"........and don't aim to......

 

[VAFisher]

Sally Field was hot back in the day.

 

[M. Frary]

While you and Sorce are extremely preoccupied with trying to be rude and snide to me with the " Oh not another dumb newbee" attitude I'm just thinking great, not a couple more resident buttheads who think their god's on a forum.

If you think these guys are trying to be rude and snide,stick around pal. These 2 guys are anything but. They are a couple of the more helpful nice guys on this forum.
So that thick skin of yours will come in handy around here.

Lay it on its side and try making a raft out of it. That will hide that reverse taper.

 

[jcrossett]

@ColinFraser I agree @sorce is a great guy. He's helped me a few times.

This is a great group of people but you can't fix stupid and or lazy.

 

[ColinFraser]

. . . you can't fix stupid and or lazy

While that may be true, I wouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion that those are the only options with uninformed new folks. Declaring someone "stupid" gets us off the hook for educating them, but that's lazy on our part as a community.

Ignorance is far more common than stupidity - thank goodness, since that happens to be a changeable state of affairs.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying my particular brand of snark is the most constructive thing around here either

I think trees should be like ideas - open for criticism on their own faults/merits, without necessarily criticizing the person who holds them. (And just because I hold that ideal, doesn't mean I always live up to it).

 

[jcrossett]

While that may be true, I wouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion that those are the only options with uninformed new folks. Declaring someone "stupid" gets us off the hook for educating them, but that's lazy on our part as a community.

Ignorance is far more common than stupidity - thank goodness, since that happens to be a changeable state of affairs.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying my particular brand of snark is the most constructive thing around here either

I think trees should be like ideas - open for criticism on their own faults/merits, without necessarily criticizing the person who holds them. (And just because I hold that ideal, doesn't mean I always live up to it).

It was a joke there was a guy here that was opening a business selling seedings calling bonsai enthusiasts lazy. Though you were apart of that thread I know sorce was he's everywhere. Lol so WE WERE THE STUPID LAZY ONE. Lol but we all know that's not the case.

But yes ignorance is a big part. I agree 100%. I remember when I first joined I would just ask questions as threads and not doing any research but with doing the research I found alot of contradictory so I just read more. Its basicly what worked for YOU. Everyone's different and everyone's in different situations. I remember being 10 growing a tree on my window sill and joining here seen it actually works for some. Just proving if there's a will there's a way.

Sorry way off topic see ya

 

[ColinFraser]

It was a joke there was a guy here that was opening a business selling seedings calling bonsai enthusiasts lazy. Though you were apart of that thread. Lol so WE WERE THE STUPID LAZY ONE. Lol but we all know that's not the case.

But yes ignorance is a big part. I agree 100%. I remember when I first joined I would just ask questions as threads and not doing any research but with doing the research I found alot of contradictory so I just read more. Its basicly what worked for YOU. Everyone's different and everyone's in different situations. I remember being 10 growing a tree on my window sill and joining here seen it actually works for some. Just proving if there's a will there's a way.

Sorry way off topic see ya

Ah, yes. I do recall that thread. So many inside jokes - I do my best to keep track, but a few escape me . You can also imagine the O.P., with no knowledge of that, might make the same mistake I did.

 

[PierreR]

To the OP,this group of people who are the soul of this site, are very astute, full of piss and vinegar, and more than willing to help. They will ALWAYS have time for you, but may not answer with your feelings in mind. It isn't a personal attack. Collectively there are hundreds of years of experience here. Everything from newbies like me to folks that grow, maintain, and show trees at the national, and international level.

That said, their personalities are just as diverse. If offended, ignore what you think is offensive, and listen to what is being said. If you just take whats said as "bashing" or "insulting", you will miss the direction that is being offered... free of charge... because you asked, and they do wish to help. Can they be short, flippant, crass, or even insulting? Hell yes! Does that mean they are personally insulting you or slamming your tree? I think not. But they aren't likely to be politically correct either. Does that detract from the advise that is the root of their comment? Nope! Take it for what it is, a group of guys, or friends if you let them be that, offering their advice the way they would talk with you if you were face to face, sitting on a stump having a beer, and talking trees. I have met several here whom I consider friend, and some who can rub you the wrong way. Its life!

 

[Smoke]

Just to get back on track,

where the Hell are my damn pictures. I asked for pictures like two pages ago. I also asked why this tree is shaped like this? Still no answer.