What has this site done for/meant to you?

[Carol 83]

I don't travel, can't really get to clubs or even shows really. Aside from the internet, this is my main source of knowledge and of conversation regarding Bonsai.

Its 1 thing to read about something from a book or webpage but its another to discuss it. There are many opinions about every aspect of bonsai and as long as you are someone who can understand both sides (don't knock it, plenty of people on here can't put pride aside and not take things too seriously), then you are able to weigh up what you should do.

If I had an idea and every person on here said "yeah that's great, go for it" without any further comment or disagreement, it'd feel wrong...

Need to have disagreements. Its art after all, appreciating all sides of it, and understanding there are more than 1 way to skin a cat, is very important.

I couldn't begin to say thank you for what this site provides me, but my yearly birthday topic post, was close enough to what I could say .

Don't be calling bonsai Art in this thread! Haven't you seen the S*** storm it caused in other ones, lol

 

[ConorDash]

Don't be calling bonsai Art in this thread! Haven't you seen the S*** storm it caused in other ones, lol

No, I didn't.. I missed that. How can one argue its not art? Lol I don't get it. Wikipedia says its an artform... And I mean.. Wikipedia... So, gotta be true.

 

[Carol 83]

No, I didn't.. I missed that. How can one argue its not art? Lol I don't get it. Wikipedia says its an artform... And I mean.. Wikipedia... So, gotta be true.

Here we go again....

 

[ConorDash]

Here we go again....

Lol no no, Its fine, I'm not starting anything. I was gonna go on to say more but I felt its best not to lol. I need to find this other convo on people arguing it now, Im curious.

Back to thanking the community of Bonsai Nut

 

[Cattwooduk]

I'll echo what other have said about the value of the knowledge base and majority of friendly people here.

Having done a bit of reading before I got my hands on any material I still find directly asking questions and having things explained in baby steps far easier! Even posting a bunch of pictures and asking what might be good starting points has got me going in a much better direction quicker than just going off what I thought might be worth collecting. In fact if it hadn't been for posting almost entirely rubbish stuff in one of my first posts I'd eyed up initially I would've wasted this Springs collection and had nothing really to begin my journey. Hell some of it might turn out to be crap or not survive into next season but we shall see, I at least feel I've got a half decent start and a good foundation for more collection next Spring.

Thanks to those who have taken time to give any feedback as it all helps!

 

[Nybonsai12]

This site has been everything to me as it relates to bonsai. When i started here I had little to no knowledge about bonsai. I've learned a great deal from a few select people who generously share their knowledge, their trees and their opinions with me. I continue to learn from them and it's something that I can't place a value on. I can't seem to express how thankful I am for that. I've gained some friends through this site as well which is especially nice as my friends and family aren't interested in bonsai.

This site and the people I mentioned above are the reason my bonsai has progressed since I started. Maybe not as quick as I'd like it but I notice a big difference in my trees in the last two years.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

When I first came on here I had no experience at all. I was offered genuine guidance and a warm welcome. I can't imagine not having a few tropicals around me. I have seen so many amazing trees here. I have to shout out to @Vance Wood who is a real gem.
Many others here too. Thank you.

 

[Littlejoe919]

Courage!
More than anything else it's given me the knowledge to work on my tree's. I got a late start in bonsai, therefore I often pay up for the stock I buy in the hope of having something nice in the not to distant future.. Most times the price I pay, often makes me afraid to even work on my tree's with the fear of killing them dancing in my head. Questions have (mostly) been answered without judgment, and often with encouragement. Because of that (and some work shops) I've learned how to slow down. I have to thank everyone that have ever replied to my posts. Thank you for the Courage!

 

[Johnathan]

As a new guy this site has been fantastic.

When I found this site all I had was a 12 inch tiger bark ficus and a bunch of ambition. No experience ever growing anything in life. Absolutely no knowledge of anything.

I know its probably hard for some of the people who've been doing this for years and growing plants and trees for decades to remember a time when you didn't know everything, let alone anything at all but you all have done your best to accommodate my novice level.

I often use the search on this site instead of even googling my question. I feel like a sponge in the ocean.

Thank you everyone for being selfless with your knowledge and accepting that not everyone has the same expertise.

 

[grouper52]

The archives only go back ten years, but I think the site was up long before that, and I recall running across it and joining shortly after it started. It's always felt like home. It's always impressed me as a perfect mix of offerings.

First, there are great people here, a number of whom I've met in person, and a number of others whom I hope to meet one day. I don't mind the supposedly unpleasant "wars" and just plain arguments here, and have come out of a few scuffles having made a good friend or two who were - just minutes before - ready to ring my neck! I say a heartfelt thanks to all I've met here, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly (you know which one fits you ....)

Second, it's been a great place to post my trees, both on forum threads, and in my album. The format is simple to navigate, pleasing to the eye, and the posting software really brings out the efforts I put into the photography.

Third, it has been a nice place to offer some help and advice to those not so far along, and I've been particularly happy with the opportunity to post tutorials and such in the "Resources" area that have been so kindly received.

Fourth, it's been a great place to hock my book (as I'm doing right now ... ... even though I gave the rights to the Robinson family years ago when the first printing sold out, and don't make a penny off it anymore ... )

Fifth, I've also enjoyed the side features like the Tea House, and before that the much-missed, free-wheeling "Bar" - may it RIP.

 

[grouper52]

I must also say that I have always felt a deep sense of gratitude to Bonsai Nut, the person, for creating such a masterpiece with this website. I have never met him, and don't know who he is because he keeps a very low profile here, but his thoughtfulness, insight and diligence - sustained with a steady hand for a decade or more - has created something uniquely appealing among online bonsai sites. My deepest admiration, kudos and thanks to you, whoever you are.

 

[my nellie]

1) There are great people here willing to kindly help for free and give away their knowledgeable advice
2) I am reluctant to post any of my attempts but this is a great place to "walk" around and admire members' trees
3) Especially the "Resources" area is a treasury of tutorials
4) I also enjoy the "hospitality and good service" at the Tea House, mainly because I am always keen to get acquainted with other nations' mentalités and the way they see social/political subjects of common/worldwide interest. Moreover it is giving me the opportunity to "study" the different than mine reactions of people when they are encountered with opposing ideas/views

All the above said, I think it is my duty to note that I have come here after the IBC forum went kind of slow or idle, even if I signed up here long before this.
So, it is promising that FakeBook did no impact to this great place here, so far!

 

[Smoke]

I must also say that I have always felt a deep sense of gratitude to Bonsai Nut, the person, for creating such a masterpiece with this website. I have never met him, and don't know who he is because he keeps a very low profile here, but his thoughtfulness, insight and diligence - sustained with a steady hand for a decade or more - has created something uniquely appealing among online bonsai sites. My deepest admiration, kudos and thanks to you, whoever you are.

Thats Greg (head nut) on the left and Ian B. on the right and me and Si Nguyen at lunch when they came to the bunker in December.





[EDIT] Quick edit to fix spelling of Si's last name - BNut [/EDIT]

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Thats Greg (head nut) on the left and Ian B. on the right and me and Si Nguyen at lunch when they came to the bunker in December.

What this site has done for me? All of my bonsai friends I have met directly or indirectly via this site. Si and Ian I met through the site. Mike, Tuan, Steve, and Tom (other study group members) I met through this site or were friends of people I met here. I met Al here. I met Colin here. And the list keeps getting longer. Now when I go to bonsai conventions or events, I look forward to the opportunity to meet people in person who I know online. I didn't create the site for this - but it is the unintended benefit that I most value

 

[Steve Kudela]

I love this website! It took awhile to find you folks but I'm glad that I persisted. I've been a member for a good while and have found tons of information as well as a bunch of good people to work with and learn from. From my very first post several years back I was welcomed! In my area, to my knowledge, there isn't much bonsai activity , so this site is a top notch way for me to have some bonsai communication. Many thanks to you all!!!

 

[A Random User]

For myself this site has offered up much more than a place to do Bonsai.

Perhaps a place to Grow?

Or more perhaps a place to just reaffirmed what it was I already knew about who I am... and what it is I should be doing?

Not sure?

In the Nature of trying to keep the Thread positive... Lol!

I will just say that I am more resolved now from my experiences here to do what it is I need to be doing, to listen to what it is... Me, myself. .. is telling me what I should do... and to not be swayed by necessarily the voices of others.

I do not say this in a negative fashion. Quite the contrary... I think this is a very possitive thing! I think it is good for people to find their path forward in life... what ever that path forward in life may be... and to follow that path, even if others might think it is wrong.

At the end of the day... the only thing that will matter, is if you thought what you did...mattered. If you listened to who it was that you, wanted to be.

My time here, has shown me this.
And I am thankful for B-Nut.... for this.

I am really looking forward to what it is that the future might hold for me... and now more than ever have a feeling of urgency to get going on what it is I feel I need to do. I have found my feet. And this is good.

 

[StoneCloud]

@Carol 83 Thanks for starting this thread!!! I was thinking for a whole week about starting something similar (directly as a result of the last week of "those" posts)

I am new here, it's been a few months. When I first got it it was wonderful and happy. Then something changed, in the mood of the forum. I started feeling negative feelings, and seeing a lot of animosity floating around. I actually started signing on less than usual.

Not that criticism isn't good, but I just felt an underlying misery amongst the seasoned vets here toward most people's work that was being posted. Quick to tell them to "throw it out" "start over" "not worth the time." I hope this thread made some changes

But criticism and discouragement can walk pretty close to each other!

But Carol....you just lit MY fire again with this thread so thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

I received a wonderfully warm welcome from many Nuts, and from some Super awesome welcomes!!! (you know who you are and I'm not gonna post any names, b/c if I forget one then someone is gonna hate me)

I joined because I recently moved to Florida and seeked advice and direction on dealing with this PSYCHO climate. Everyone has been a huge help getting me acclimated (LOL)

Sharing bonsai on the internet and also regularly being on a forum is new to me. I am not the best at typing what I think or communicating online (mostly due to my child and wife interrupting me, I've gotten up 12 times trying to type this) but you all have been understanding. I also have issues I deal with both my family and my own brain....and this forum has been the best I could ask for !!!!! It is my place away from crazy life...and no @sorce BNut is no where near crazy to me

Thank you everyone for the knowledge you share, the direction you provide and of course the laughs!!!! I know it's been too serious around here lately but I do laugh at some point almost each time I'm on here.

And to those annoyed with the new guys/gals or the ones trying things that are not "traditional" and willing to risk their trees to try something different, don't get too annoyed lol it ain't worth it, plus those minds are the future of this art. Let's not beat 'em up too much, maybe the point of that "crappy" tree they are working on is to simply learn how to air layer or wire.....it was never meant to be a masterpiece.

CHEEERS!!!!

 

[LoriAnn]

There are so many who seem to have been here for a long time. And I must say, with my first and only post so far about white fuzz....was never made to feel like an idiot. I have been on many forums for different things. And was involved in the computer world where mainframes existed, pre Y2K, I enjoyed the many responses and I welcomed them. No matter how old you are, there is always room to learn. PS gearing up for my second post/question and don't doubt I will get great responses.

 

[LoriAnn]

Although went back to ask a second question and have no option to.

 

[milehigh_7]

There are so many who seem to have been here for a long time. And I must say, with my first and only post so far about white fuzz....was never made to feel like an idiot.

Yeah, don't worry we won't treat you like on idiot until you feel comfortable enough to reciprocate. ;-)