BobbyLane
Imperial Masterpiece
Design wise Chan isnt top 5 in UK! probably not even top 10!
I rate Will baddely and Kevin wilson even higher than Potter.
I rate Will baddely and Kevin wilson even higher than Potter.
Thoughts on Peter Chan? (Herons Bonsai)
- Thread starter Blimpsandmtn
- Start date
BobbyLane
Imperial Masterpiece
he is one of the top 5 bonsai outlets/distributors in the UK for sure. he is prolific in producing raw stock, his air layering and field growing productivity is probably second to none. this is what he is good at. everything else is just basic.
but its enough and is highly efficient to run his successful business, in a climate where its often said, 'there is no money in bonsai'!
but its enough and is highly efficient to run his successful business, in a climate where its often said, 'there is no money in bonsai'!
Joe Dupre'
Omono
Just because he doesn't do all he could do to each tree we see, doesn't mean he can't do good work. By his own admission, he leaves some trees in rough stock condtion because that's what his customers want. He can't invest several hours on a tree that the customer might not be willing to pay for. He only has so much time in a day to devote to styling. He has to manage what appears to be a pretty substantial business.
BobbyLane
Imperial Masterpiece
the trident 7mins in is so sweet, could be really good once the branch structure is sorted out properly
Dragon60
Shohin
Wow! That's nice!
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
Ahh yes....now I know the ancient secret to bonsai. Its the shirt.....definitely that shirt.
Katie0317
Chumono
I have a BFA in fine art, and I think what he may be saying is Bob Ross was a lousy painter. But incredibly lovable, someone I'd want as a neighbor or a friend..A genuinely wonderful human being. How could anyone not like and enjoy him? That it itself is far, far more important than the originality or execution of his paintings. He wasn't teaching fine art in a university...that could never have happened but he may have inspired countless hobbyists and that's valuable and important work. I think the difference in teaching bonsai and that sort of painting are miles apart. Bonsai has necessary important steps that hobbyists need to know and understand as much as the bonsai greats so I can't compare Bob Ross to any good youtube bonsai teacher. Nigel teaches in his own way but he includes solid material that's anyone new to bonsai can gain and grow from. I'm sure Nigel has trees most of us would love to own but I doubt anyone would hang a Bob Ross painting in their house if they'd never heard of him. I would have loved to have known Bob Ross as a friend.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Thx, nice video.
Interesting to see he is effectively develoing tridents the same way as @Walter Pall grow out, trim back to the outline when they are bushy. And in winter clean it up.
I do like the trident, but I was shocked to hear this has been with him for decades. It seems like all the trees he is showing have been in "growing out" phase forever. Do you know the nursery? Does he have trees that are more refined?
Such a shame that the borders have been closed. Now that I trust my ability to care for the trees, I would have loved to spend a day shopping there one day.
BobbyLane
Imperial Masterpiece
yep i know the nursery well and all the big trees look similar, maybe he has too many or is just not motivated to bring even a handful of them to that next level.
its a shame though, he has some really impressive trunks on the nursery. i dont even think they have as many tridents in Japan anymore.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
BobbyLane
Imperial Masterpiece
They will be twice as much the going prices. in the videos he takes pride in having some of them for decades, so they wont be cheap no matter how raw they are, he will price stuff on the girth of the trunks and time spent growing them that big. nope never asked! yeh he bought them, air layers them, field grows them.You think he bought them all ?
Ever asked the price for these larger tridents?
its funny because some of those trunks would be somebodies pride and joy, but the ones he has out in the fields busting through the containers hardly even get watered and have all kinds of die back lol like probably infested with all kinds of spider mite. it makes you wonder what will happen to all those trees once Peter's had enough. maybe be auctioned off somewhere
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Yeah, noticed that too. Such a shame. Pretty decent trunks. ANd the root over rock Japan import where the top dies of. Such a shame.
I guess that he has too many trees and does not realize that double effort in half his trees, might quadrible the value of what he has.
I know that Danny Use is thinking about reducing, putting things for sale against pretty good prices. But there I get the feeling that all trees are worked to become bonsai, not just fatter.
WNC Bonsai
Masterpiece
I agree that he seems overwhelmed with running a successful nursery/bonsai business and not keeping all his trees exhibition ready. From what he says in his videos I get the impression that he has stopped exhibiting his trees and only keeps those displayed at RHS Wisley in a refined state. As for what will happen when he dies, I suspect there will be a big sale and anything no one wants to dig up and develop will be bulldozed and the land developed. Land in England seems to be worth a fortune these days.
Dzhokar
Mame
I think Peter's focus is more on growing the hobby these days rather than producing show quality trees. This both benefits his business and the hobby in general.
Also, it's been stated before, but he says that he leaves the trees in un-refined conditions because that's what customers seems to prefer.
I wish we had someplace like Heron's around Dallas.
Also, it's been stated before, but he says that he leaves the trees in un-refined conditions because that's what customers seems to prefer.
I wish we had someplace like Heron's around Dallas.
BobbyLane
Imperial Masterpiece
Plenty of life left in the old boy yet judging by the way Peter tackles this elm that has rooted into the ground!
He's even got his hedgers out for the lads
He's even got his hedgers out for the lads
Deep Sea Diver
Imperial Masterpiece
My better half and I have been watching Peter for at least 3 years and find his shows very relaxing. He really wants folks to get out and try to do bonsai.
Actually…. I don’t recall ever seeing the same shirt twice?
cheers
DSD sends
Actually…. I don’t recall ever seeing the same shirt twice?
cheers
DSD sends
Joe Dupre'
Omono
I feel you should do what you like. Personally, I don't worry about show quality, precisely-styled trees. I could probably do a lot better than what I do, but that is not what I'm about. As long as a tree makes me happy looking at it, that's enough for me. Maybe Peter has "been there-done that" show quality thing and he just wants to enjoy the hobby.
Dragon60
Shohin
I absolutely agree. Not everything is about making a perfect tree. Enjoy the process and make it like you like it.
Arlithrien
Shohin
I'm interested in the history behind this specimen which he has mentioned in small parts of in his videos many times. He says he acquired it from one of the three kato brothers, Terukichi Kato, who after doing some research, I found he was the youngest brother of the famous Saburo Kato. This tree is a Taiwanese trident maple and has always been a favorite of mine.
