New Hobbyist in Northwest Italy

I understand, friend.

My Attorney actually only practices for friends and family anymore..

He said, as a defense lawyer, his proficiency at his job was allowing for many.. "occurrences" that he did not morally agree with.. I'm sure you know what I am saying.

It IS about nurturing.. BUUUT balance..

My first year, I believe I "nurtured" about 2/3 of the trees I owned into a coffin. 😂😂

One of the hardest things for beginners, is NOT trying to "trick nature" or RUSH .. the ebb and flow of nature..

There are CERTAIN times that your tree will respond to CERTAIN procedures. This is figured by the season before, stored growth, varying cell placement/grouping on your plant..and the distribution of hormones and their various (forced and natural) migrations....

Basically... Make sure your work is timed correctly for your climate.. aaaaand don't "work" non-healthy trees... they need "reserves" for rebounds after major work.

(ESPECIALLY "root stuff".. this if basically open-heart surgery for your tree.. and root disruption should be treated with care and respect.

🤓
 
cohenkin said:
Boaters are difficult to collect. They are breakable and really fragile. It is hard to find old ones. My primary hat collecting interest is in 30s through 50s fedoras. During most of those years, Borsalino from Alexandria in Italy, was preeminent in fedora making along with Stetson from the USA. Borsalino fell off after WWII and Stetson became #1.
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Hat collection!?!??!?

è tosto!!!!!!!!!

Did I say that right?

🤪
 
Haha! I see, now, It matters MORE how I'd use it in a sentence.. I was going for "That's Badass." but I said, fragmented-so-that-it-made-no-sense.F570713B-91D4-4373-8920-8D79C76EB43E.png
As apposed to how It actually came out... 🤦🏽‍♂️8C85527B-7841-414F-87F5-C1FCD5DD727D.jpeg

Paper Wins!!

Sorry, again.. I'll stick to the tongues I am more familiar with.

🤪
 
HorseloverFat said:
Haha! I see, now, It matters MORE how I'd use it in a sentence.. I was going for "That's Badass." but I said, fragmented-so-that-it-made-no-sense.View attachment 418997
As apposed to how It actually came out... 🤦🏽‍♂️View attachment 418998

Paper Wins!!

Sorry, again.. I'll stick to the tongues I am more familiar with.

🤪
Click to expand...
No worries. NOW I get it! Happily, my badass days are behind me, though I like my hats. I don’t think having a badass persona will help me in bonsai. 😜
 
My visit to Crespi is now finished. I am left both inspired and a bit concerned about how I am going to learn what I need to know about growing bonsai. I’m also excited about the prospect, though.

I discussed the suggestions made here and the very nice people at Crespi thought that my best bets were a Chinese or Japanese elm. I preferred the Japanese because I liked the eccentric shapes they were able to create and that they had available for purchase. I did not pull the trigger, though, wanting to hear your input. Thanks in advance for your help.
 
cohenkin said:
No worries. NOW I get it! Happily, my badass days are behind me, though I like my hats. I don’t think having a badass persona will help me in bonsai. 😜
Click to expand...
The "Badass" in bonsai..

The practitioner does not control this... it SEEPS out.. and is experienced by those exposed..

Like passing gas in an elevator/lift.

🤪🤪
 
cohenkin said:
My visit to Crespi is now finished. I am left both inspired and a bit concerned about how I am going to learn what I need to know about growing bonsai. I’m also excited about the prospect, though.

I discussed the suggestions made here and the very nice people at Crespi thought that my best bets were a Chinese or Japanese elm. I preferred the Japanese because I liked the eccentric shapes they were able to create and that they had available for purchase. I did not pull the trigger, though, wanting to hear your input. Thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...
For that Japanese Elm....

Are they speaking Zelkova Serrata

Or Ulmus Davidiana?

cohenkin said:
! Happily, my badass days are behind me,
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Haha! Oh yeah!

You are most likely unfamiliar with my "story"... buuuut let's just say..

This is my approach/these are my feelings as well.

😂🤪🤣
 
cohenkin said:
Hello. I am a complete beginner in this hoppy. Ihave been interested in growing bonsai for many years, but I now have the time to seriously devote myself to this endeavor. I was wondering if there are any clubs in this area. I live an hour southwest of Torino (Turn) and have plenty of time to attend meetings. Alternatively, does anyone know of any clubs anywhere that meet virtually?

Right now, I have started with my first tree, a Ficus retusa. For now, I am trying to stick with indoor specimens, though that will change as the weather improves. Does anyone have a suggestion for my second bonsai? The room it will be grown in is warm (about 75 F or 24 C). It has a large westwardly facing window which affords good direct sunlight all afternoon. I also have a 1000 lumen grow light running 12 hours a day. Because of the heat, the roon has low humidity so I have to water frequently. I'll try to answer any questions you may have. Thanks for your help! Sam
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You have come to the best place I have found for help and online reading for learning. Welcome
 
@AlainK , @leatherback , @Starfox , @Arnold

These are some active members NEAR(some more than others) your generalized European area.. they MIGHT be able to offer specific insight into your climate.

There are good others, too.. They are just slipping my mind.

🤓

(I summoned them here)
 
HorseloverFat said:
@AlainK , @leatherback , @Starfox , @Arnold

These are some active members NEAR(some more than others) your generalized European area.. they MIGHT be able to offer specific insight into your climate.

There are good others, too.. They are just slipping my mind.

🤓

(I summoned them here)
Click to expand...
Once again, thank you for your help!
What do you think of the suggestion from Crespi for my next tree being a Chinese or Japanese elm?
 
cohenkin said:
Once again, thank you for your help!
What do you think of the suggestion from Crespi for my next tree being a Chinese or Japanese elm?
Click to expand...
Ulmus Parvifolia is an all-around solid species... very typically seen for bonsai. The leaves reduce nicely and Internodes are shorter.. and maristem Mother cells are EVERYWHERE.. (They back-bud well) Fairly cold hardy, as well.

A lot of places will suggest wintering them indoors.. I do not, personally recommend this.. Around ME.. Zone 5a (So negative-20DegF 🥶) They need to be "shedded" or coldframed over winter.. but that's it. So unless your colder than me, (Which I'm guessing you are not) Ulmus Parvifolia can be an all-year "outside dweller".

As far as the Japanese Elm..

Do you know if they mean Zelkova Serrata

..or Ulmus Davidiana?
 
HorseloverFat said:
Ulmus Parvifolia is an all-around solid species... very typically seen for bonsai. The leaves reduce nicely and Internodes are shorter.. and maristem Mother cells are EVERYWHERE.. (They back-bud well) Fairly cold hardy, as well.

A lot of places will suggest wintering them indoors.. I do not, personally recommend this.. Around ME.. Zone 5a (So negative-20DegF 🥶) They need to be "shedded" or coldframed over winter.. but that's it. So unless your colder than me, (Which I'm guessing you are not) Ulmus Parvifolia can be an all-year "outside dweller".

As far as the Japanese Elm..

Do you know if they mean Zelkova Serrata

..or Ulmus Davidiana?
Click to expand...
Zelkova serrata. They have a few examples for sale with trunks leaning at a beautiful angle and the tops had a “windswept” look which I will learn how to do myself eventually and get the satisfaction of having done it myself, but it will give me something to enjoy while I patiently wait and learn.
 
cohenkin said:
Zelkova serrata. They have a few examples for sale with trunks leaning at a beautiful angle and the tops had a “windswept” look which I will learn how to do myself eventually and get the satisfaction of having done it myself, but it will give me something to enjoy while I patiently wait and learn.
Click to expand...
Oooh Zelkovas are a fundamental Bonsai Species, in my opinion...

Search the threads here.. LOTS of info..

I JUST got a Zelkova this winter...

I love Ulmus species.. and I'm curious about how Zelkova Serrata will differ/contrast.

2 Questions..

Are the Parvifolias that they offer any specific cultivar or subspecies?

And..

How do you feel about conifers?

I lean more towards Deciduous and semi-Deciduous. but do have a handful (10-15) coniferous species.

How do you feel about Broadleaf Evergreens?

I'm liking Camelias more and more.. not just for flowers.. but their foliage , bark and growing patterns.

Dwarf Yaupon Holly - Is a broadloeaf evergreen that I have been enjoying lately also.

EDIT:Whoops! That's three questions.
 
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