Stages.....in wich are you now?

[nuttiest]

In the stage of trying to figure out how much outside influence I want to make an object into what others might think looks nice... But then its not artwork of mine, it is a collaborative effort.
Think I need to go back to the drawing board. My brain is getting fried this way. It might just be the longer way.

 

[chicago1980]

I'm in the want to build a greenhouse and probably need to sell half my collection or more.

 

[chicago1980]

It's challenging because I want to style more bonsai, but don't want 100 trees.

How to get better at bonsai without having 100s of bonsai.

Is that possible?

 

[Shogun610]

It's challenging because I want to style more bonsai, but don't want 100 trees.

How to get better at bonsai without having 100s of bonsai.

Is that possible?

Having a focus is key …… like I have my focus on north east coast natives… but I still want to develop a nice one of each Japanese black pine, red pine , white pine Japanese maple , Shimpaku etc.. got one of each that is nice in development except a Japanese Black pine I don’t want … the essentials. Then focus is the native conifers and deciduous

 

[Carol 83]

It's challenging because I want to style more bonsai, but don't want 100 trees.

How to get better at bonsai without having 100s of bonsai.

Is that possible?

Buy better quality, less quantity.

 

[leatherback]

It's challenging because I want to style more bonsai, but don't want 100 trees.

How to get better at bonsai without having 100s of bonsai.

Is that possible?

Initially to get our styling handle .. buy trees, style them. Let them recover, sell them. buy more.
Work with/at a bonsai nursery (For free? To get more experience?)
Take classes
Help club members

 

[Cadillactaste]

It's challenging because I want to style more bonsai, but don't want 100 trees.

How to get better at bonsai without having 100s of bonsai.

Is that possible?

I can't imagine keeping up properly with that large of a headcount. So...I would have to say...easily done.

The saying quality over quanity. I have hit a place where...if I bring in material...I send out lesser material to friends. Thing is...the lesser in my eyes...is becoming fewer and harder to accomplish. Sent my last three out this week. I look around now...and there is absolutely nothing I wish to part with. So...I need to really just behave and work to take what I have further...and...just relax and enjoy the hobby. All the *projects...mentally I've wanted to have accomplished. I've just about obtained. Last one will be this summer. When I plant a tree upside-down to develop further. I've wanted to do that. Since...I seen Bill Valavanis's maple he once had. Finally decided. I've got the time...and I've now the material sitting in the babysitting area at Jason Schley's bonsai nursery. As a tropical Turks Cap...I won't have it mailed until I'm comfortable with night Temps.

Head count goes...I'm around 40. I don't wish to go above that. Last year. I was blessed to add several amazing pieces...so...I'm basically there now.

 

[leatherback]

.I'm around 40.

Nice. I am still ~100 over that number.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Nice. I am still ~100 over that number.

That makes my eye tick.

I'm a control freak... I can't even imagine.

Though...I believe your climate allows for trees to be out all the time...yes? Where as a northerner...and in zone 4...with zone 7 trees. Moving them to a greenhouse for wintering [so limited space]...or our horrendous spring storms with significant wind and hail. Two stepping...is a huge factor. But seriously...even if not. I doubt I would go above my head count. As I love landscape yard work. Which means...it was my hobby before bonsai. I've got to find a happy middle ground.

140 ... yeah... I can't even grasp how one manages that number. More power to you. I could need a straight jacket. I couldn't enjoy them. I would be overwhelmed. They would come take me away.

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Buy better quality, less quantity.

I’m 41 years of age, and work part-time while earning a bachelor’s degree online. I have the time to invest in the horticulture of bonsai (I am 3 weeks into my first tree, a juniper). My wife says we should get a second tree, which I agree with… however, I don’t want to end up with 30-40 trees so quickly.

I currently have 1 juniper and I slip-potted for development and I am now applying what I’ve learned as far as proper watering, oxygen, fertilizer, etc. What do you recommend for me to avoid hoarding and being swamped with underdeveloped and unfinished trees?

 

[BonsaiRae]

I was gifted a Chinese Elm as a Christmas present four years ago after expressing my appreciation for Bonsai. It unfortunately did not survive the indoor environment. But the bonsai bug hit deep in my soul.
I have since tried the "yamadori" method and appreciate the jump start of material.
I also am trying the "seed propagation" and have a one out of 35 survival rate..so learning patience.
I am now entering the buy some "nursery material" and see what styling feels like.
I appreciate the natural look of the tree and look forward to my own growth as I travel this amazing road in life.

 

[It's Kev]

i'm in a new location with a rooftop,
summer gonna be brutal so i'm just buying trees like mad to see which will will make it,
different species with good heat tolerance, and a few wildcards
of course i'll take care of them as well as i can,
but nature happens
sooooo, i'm at this stage?

 

[badatusernames]

In the stage of trying to figure out how much outside influence I want to make an object into what others might think looks nice... But then its not artwork of mine, it is a collaborative effort.
Think I need to go back to the drawing board. My brain is getting fried this way. It might just be the longer way.

When you think about it, all art is collaborative. The greats didn’t create what they did in a vacuum or without input - in fact, they likely had quite a bit of it and when they became fluid with it they were able to expand to what we know them as today. You have to “speak the language” in order to make new words that make sense, know the rules in order to break them and define your own style from there. I’m certainly nowhere close.

It's challenging because I want to style more bonsai, but don't want 100 trees.

How to get better at bonsai without having 100s of bonsai.

Is that possible?

I’m volunteering at a nursery. Space and budget has a limit and this seems like the best way for me.

 

[The Warm Canuck]

I’m 41 years of age, and work part-time while earning a bachelor’s degree online. I have the time to invest in the horticulture of bonsai (I am 3 weeks into my first tree, a juniper). My wife says we should get a second tree, which I agree with… however, I don’t want to end up with 30-40 trees so quickly.

I currently have 1 juniper and I slip-potted for development and I am now applying what I’ve learned as far as proper watering, oxygen, fertilizer, etc. What do you recommend for me to avoid hoarding and being swamped with underdeveloped and unfinished trees?

Oh just you wait.. you'll want more!

 

[PaulH]

1. Read some books on bonsai.
2. Bought a "Bonsai kit"
3. Failed
4. Was introduced to "real" bonsai.
5. Joined a club, learned little by little
6. Started going to conventions and taking workshops
7. Joined a second club led by sensei Mas Imazumi.
8. Finally had some trees worthy of our club shows.
9 Started collecting yamadori,
10. Suddenly I have 400+ trees
11. Joined study groups with Peter Adams, Ryan Neil, and Peter Tea.
12. Started culling. Down to +- 150 pretty good trees.
13. Can't lift half of my trees anymore.
14. Next stage... Reduce my collection to less than 100 high quality, mostly chuhin and smaller bonsai.

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

-this nursery looks good - hey an azalea! (Sticks in pots)
-WAIT, wrong type of azalea?!?
-finds actual good nursery - finds bonsai and nonbonsai trees of actual decent quality and size (no sticks and pricey landscape tree clearance)
-finds actual good bonsai nursery (cannot afford but can learn)
-yardadori is the way

 

[Carol 83]

What do you recommend for me to avoid hoarding and being swamped with underdeveloped and unfinished trees?

Don't buy trees just because they're cheap, unless you see something that really speaks to you. I'm not saying to start out buying $$$ trees, just try and be selective.

 

[pwb]

I’m just an old lump of coal.

 

[Joe Dupre']

I'm still in the "Don't give a flip about the rules" stage. Have been since the beginning. I go buy how the tree looks and feels to ME. If someone else gets pleasure out of that, so much the better.

 

[shohin_branches]

I'm in the stage where I have a lot of knowledge and a little yard so I am starting a bonsai cult.... I mean... a study group.

At this stage I spend more time appreciating the people who helped me develop from a weird 13 year old overeager bonsai enthusiast into a sarcastic but patient 37 year old bonsai "old timer"

I am finally able to spend a little more money on some nice stock, but appreciate the skills I developed from years of working on yard scraps.

Volunteering to work on a permanent collection is a lot of fun and a great way to apply skills I've learned over the years to trees I'll never be able to afford.

I'm also in the stage where I have to keep reminding my bonsai friends that I'm not retired. I'm typically up until midnight during repotting season. There just ain't enough hours in my day!