What was the best bonsai/tree related advice you have been given?

[Poink88]

"There is always a better way."

-Masahiko Kimura-

Best one ever!

 

[jkd2572]

Don't buy 6 foot tall bonsai when you already have back problems.....

 

[jkd2572]

If you have 6 foot tall bonsai invest in heavy duty turn tables they live on for rotating. And buy a hydralic lift cart.

 

[jkd2572]

Big pots are very expensive.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Big pots are very expensive.

So are the little ones

 

[Vin]

"Prune for taper, prune for taper, prune for taper". Since hearing that I look at every trunk and branch differently.

 

[qwade]

2 more

Though a tree grows high, the falling leaves return to the root. Unknown


I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues. The Lorax

 

[Smoke]

"Don't purchase for today....purchase for tomorrow"

Courtesy of the bonsai bunker

 

[edprocoat]

Never spend more money on a Bonsai than you are willing to throw away.

ed

 

[tmmason10]

I have two that stick out for me:

"Health before beauty"-John Romano

Seems easy enough and is probably the best piece of advice I have received. I still haven't got to the beauty part yet!

"Not too wet...but never too dry"- Hitoshi from NEBG

This is such a classic one liner from a complete newbie asking about how to water a tree. I'm pretty sure he was half messing with me but it actually is true.

 

[Jester217300]

Never spend more money on a Bonsai than you are willing to throw away.

ed

I get what you're saying... but if we're being literal I wouldn't throw away $5 or for that matter even 25¢. I still pick up pennies when I see one on the sidewalk.

I think a better way of saying it is "Never spend more money on a Bonsai than you are willing to risk."

While I won't ever throw away money I'm certainly willing to risk $100 on a good tree.

 

[johng]

From the late Charles ? (he had a nursery in Pigeon Forge TN for years)

You can have a picnic under a good bonsai...

Took me a while to really get the gist of this one

John

 

[JudyB]

Never have more trees than you can care for and develop properly.

from me to myself (repeated on a regular basis)

Going to be shedding some things this spring...as apparently I don't take my own advice!

 

[Eric Group]

I have two that stick out for me:

"Health before beauty"-John Romano

Seems easy enough and is probably the best piece of advice I have received. I still haven't got to the beauty part yet!

"Not too wet...but never too dry"- Hitoshi from NEBG

This is such a classic one liner from a complete newbie asking about how to water a tree. I'm pretty sure he was half messing with me but it actually is true.

Not to wet but never too dry- I love that one! I think people focus too much on worrying about OVER watering their trees- Most trees LIKE a little extra water! They might not want to keep their roots submerged but to run slap out of water is FATAL, to over water a little from time to time... Well that generally is more beneficial for the health and vigor of a tree than it is detrimental.

 

[Eric Group]

Never have more trees than you can care for and develop properly.

from me to myself (repeated on a regular basis)

Going to be shedding some things this spring...as apparently I don't take my own advice!

This is a tough one to adhere to!

 

[michaelj]

Don't listen to advice via the internet...

If I take this advice, I am disregarding it.

Mind blown.

How about a nice game of chess?

---------

Actual favorite pieces of advice, about buying stock:

Don't pay for foliage. Pay for the first six inches of trunk, and the top inch of root.

 

[JudyB]

This is a tough one to adhere to!

Yes it is. I do fine with the care part, and keep them healthy and happy, but the better the material is the more time you need to devote to it.

 

[edprocoat]

I get what you're saying... but if we're being literal I wouldn't throw away $5 or for that matter even 25¢. I still pick up pennies when I see one on the sidewalk.

I think a better way of saying it is "Never spend more money on a Bonsai than you are willing to risk."

While I won't ever throw away money I'm certainly willing to risk $100 on a good tree.

That's basically what I was trying to say !

ed

 

[barrosinc]

start with as many trees as you can, the experience you get working trees is so much more than reading of a forum.

 

[M. Frary]

Keep your pants on.