Recent retiree new to bonsai

[GrimLore]

I have spent the beginning of wither planning and marking some Spring Air Layer projects, Slab projects, and some extensive Penjing projects - The Wife thinks I am a being a bit off the wall because she likes Small Bonsai. It is fine though and she is encouraging me. Fact is - If you have time and space this is a great hobby. No need to spend a ton of cash to make yourself happy either - keyword being "yourself" BTW - I am a 6'2" Former Airborne Ranger and I do not see Bonsai or even walking the smallest dog on her pink lead "feminine" or improper. Life is what it is - Live Laugh and Enjoy without petty concerns

 

[iamdunn4]

retired

Jim I also just retired this week after being off for three months on Workers Comp. I'm also pretty new to Bonsai but have had a couple of trees Juniper and maple that I have been torturing for a few years. However I did not know what I was doing and so was not very successful. I am working very hard to learn this art now. Joined my local club and plan on attending as many meetings as possible. They had a potting demonstration this week with 2 different trees as one time. I really enjoyed that a lot and learned a few new things as well. I think a good thing to do is look up or ask some one about when there are Bonsai shows and auctions in your area. I think seeing as many great Bonsai as possible will gives you an idea of what they should look like or what to strive for. I also checked out a couple of magazines/books called Bonsai Today and loved them so much I found they had back issues on sale for 75% off. I purchase 15 for $50 shipping and all. They would have normally cost me about $175. I am trying to find cheaper ways to do things like digging plants from my own yard and plan on keeping an eye out for landscapers this spring. I hope to be able to get some material that is being removed. Good luck to you

 

[GrimLore]

Jim I also just retired this week after being off for three months on Workers Comp. I'm also pretty new to Bonsai but have had a couple of trees Juniper and maple that I have been torturing for a few years. However I did not know what I was doing and so was not very successful. I am working very hard to learn this art now. Joined my local club and plan on attending as many meetings as possible. They had a potting demonstration this week with 2 different trees as one time. I really enjoyed that a lot and learned a few new things as well. I think a good thing to do is look up or ask some one about when there are Bonsai shows and auctions in your area. I think seeing as many great Bonsai as possible will gives you an idea of what they should look like or what to strive for. I also checked out a couple of magazines/books called Bonsai Today and loved them so much I found they had back issues on sale for 75% off. I purchase 15 for $50 shipping and all. They would have normally cost me about $175. I am trying to find cheaper ways to do things like digging plants from my own yard and plan on keeping an eye out for landscapers this spring. I hope to be able to get some material that is being removed. Good luck to you

PM me - I love this stuff and I will not spend a ton of cash on it - to me natural and fun should not include spending hundreds if not thousands - I am an old timer and would never see they rewards either way...