Would you buy a "finished" tree?

[Redwood Ryan]

Its definately not a long term plan. Any suggestion for inorganic medium for a young elm? And i need a suggestion for my older elm which coincidentally is my newest addition.

Probably best to start some threads to get the best advice.

 

[Djtommy]

I should have worded that part differently. I really mean to say is the intial amazement has worn off. Dont worry about me coffeegirl, have some creamer and lighten up.

initial amazement has worn off? but it would seem from your trees you just started no?
as for soil mix, you can find a lot on this forum if you do some research, i suggest though that you go to some shows to see good trees, that might change your mindset

 

[Potawatomi13]

"You can't buy a "finished" tree. You buy a tree that has had increasingly detailed work done to it. Also, You can expect to have to redo just about all that work in a few years, or completely overhaul it in that same period."

For practical purpose is this true. However for real life consider that if the tree is worthy and capable of winning the good prize in a Big show a finished tree it is. But only for this moment.

 

[sorce]

I'd always buy the BVF Hawthorne.
Any WP tree.
Crust,Smoke,Judy,Grouper, I'd buy their trees.
A lot more folks on here, I'd buy your trees too.

A TREE from a website, random EBay.
Hell No.

ESPECIALLY NOT A SITE THAT SELLS DRIPTRAYS!

Sorce

 

[rockm]

To each is own coffeegirl, my intrest is in my canvas. I see other trees as advice mostly. Its kind of like saying, i not into art shows but i love to paint.

Just starting off in this sport, you can sometimes miss the forest for the trees...

Your interest in the technical things is great, but developed trees offer up all kinds of advice on technique without saying a word. Good "finished" bonsai have trunk chops, forced perspective, tweaked out branching, etc.

All of that doesn't just happen. Research includes looking at "finished" trees. They can shout instructions without saying a word. Simply discouting them as "someone else's work" shortchanges you and your goals. I learned a while ago that reverse engineering good bonsai can accelerate the way you train your trees. Looking at them can flip the switch in your head about how to advance a design on newer stock.

For example, the multiple leaders on the top of your elm will swell the chop, producing inverse taper in a few months if all are left. Also your beech needs to be hard pruned to a few inside leaves to avoid the leggy-ness the tree is already developing.

Get out and actually look at good bonsai, physically. The Internet is fine, but it warps perspective and blurs detail on nice trees. It is not the best way to learn technique or see trees.

And mulch is deadly as bonsai soil BECAUSE it retains water...

 

[StarTurtle]

I think everyone should have at least one very nice tree in their collection for inspiration, and at least one show ready tree.

If your a beginner don't buy one, make sure 1.) You have the horticulture down first and can keep a Bonsai alive and thriving for at least 2 years. 2.) You have experience re potting and maintaining a Bonsai. 3.) Refer to #1 !!

 

[M. Frary]

and at least one show ready tree.

That counts me out.

 

[Adair M]

Here’s a tree I bought at the Nationals:



And, soon after I purchased it, I put it on display at the Atlanta Bonsai Society fall show at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

And, I was one of the judges!

I suggested we give it an “Honorable Mention” award, so that’s the green ribbon.

This is arguably the best Zelkova in the United States. I know I haven’t seen a better one. Neither has Bjorn nor Tyler Sherard.

Here is a bit of history. It was purchased at auction in Japan in 1968 by Sam Beach and imported into the United States. He kept it for about 20 years then sold it to Steve Ohman, who has had it for the 40 years until he sold it to me at the Nationals. I first met Steve at a Boon Intensive Class about 8 years ago. He told me at that time he owned “a really nice zelkova” and showed me pictures of it at that time. He claims that it was owned by Yuji Yoshimura’s father in Japan when it was sold at auction, and was already a highly prized tree:

The tree at time of importation:



Back in those days, it still had the smooth bark.

Steve tells me that by his calculations, the tree is 103 years old. Steve sold the tree, even though he still loves it because he wanted to be able to travel and not be tied down to it. And he knew I would take good care of it. I will try to continue to maintain and improve it to the best of my ability. It is a heavy responsibility!

I showed the tree at the Atlanta show because I think it SHOULD be shown. Not to win awards, but to celebrate the art of bonsai. I will show it again at the Winter Silohette show in Kanapolis, NC in December.

Here is a picture Steve gave me of the tree in full fall splendor last year. It’s just starting to turn colors now:



And would someone please let @Forsoothe! know about this tree. I believe he has me blocked, and I responded to his challenge on Walter Pall’s Zelkova thread, but I feel this size/shape/color a better match for zelkova than Walter’s red pot. That said, I am on the hunt for an even better pot.

 

[Shogun610]

Interesting thread woah… wish I could contribute.. old thread though.. but do enjoy and am enjoying creating bonsai from raw stock , collected material and “pre bonsai” trained and maybe a few years out from being finished. That being said , if / when I do have an opportunity to obtain a finished tree, it would only be one where I could contribute to its design to push it further , but I’m still 5 years from being comfortable with that task.

 

[ChristianDGreat]

No, I'm a kind of person wants to see a tree from a scrap to a masterpiece.
The journey is what's important to me.

 

[penumbra]

I am glad this thread has been resurrected and I intend to read it in its entirety tonight.
Off the cuff, Sure I would buy a finished tree. I collect prints and paintings by others. As well as pottery, carvings, sculpture and so forth. I don't read only my own writings. I don't eat only food I cook.
Variety is the spice of life.
I enjoy seeing what others have accomplished in all endeavors and I am inspired by it.

 

[Cajunrider]

For me, a bonsai is living art. If I can afford it and can take care of it and perhaps even improve it either by myself or by hiring someone to do it AND I love to see it then yes yes yes.
Until such things happen and I am able to buy a "finished tree", I am like an art student, trying to create something pleasing to me and perhaps to others. If I fail, I will add it to my ever growing pyre material pile. At the rate I am going I am going to have a Texas A&M bonfire size pile soon.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Very nice addition, @Adair M what an exceptional bonsai with a special provenance.
Pretty sure that guy has me blocked too…LoL.

 

[Hartinez]

Very nice addition, @Adair M what an exceptional bonsai with a special provenance.
Pretty sure that guy has me blocked too…LoL.

makes 3 of us. No reason why he would either???

phenomenal Zelkova Adair. I think buying a “finished tree” with know provenance is much better than one bought without.

 

[GreatLakesBrad]

Insane Zelkova. Wowser.

I would buy a finished tree if I were 55 or older. For now, I feel I have enough time to get a few trees show-ready by the time I’m 50 or so. I’ll let you know in 15 years

also feel that owning a show-ready tree would also be an entirely different approach to care (refinement) than what I’m practicing now. So maybe I will purchase one sooner to develop that skill set. @Leo in N E Illinois has discussed this at length more eloquently than I do here - different skills for different stages.

 

[penumbra]

Insane Zelkova. Wowser.

I would buy a finished tree if I were 55 or older. For now, I feel I have enough time to get a few trees show-ready by the time I’m 50 or so. I’ll let you know in 15 years

also feel that owning a show-ready tree would also be an entirely different approach to care (refinement) than what I’m practicing now. So maybe I will purchase one sooner to develop that skill set. @Leo in N E Illinois has discussed this at length more eloquently than I do here - different skills for different stages.

Funny. I was thinking that no one under 55 should be allowed to buy a finished bonsai.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Yes, I would!

But... Is a bonsai tree ever truly finished?

 

[yenling83]

Here’s a tree I bought at the Nationals:

View attachment 406065

And, soon after I purchased it, I put it on display at the Atlanta Bonsai Society fall show at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

And, I was one of the judges!

I suggested we give it an “Honorable Mention” award, so that’s the green ribbon.

This is arguably the best Zelkova in the United States. I know I haven’t seen a better one. Neither has Bjorn nor Tyler Sherard.

Here is a bit of history. It was purchased at auction in Japan in 1968 by Sam Beach and imported into the United States. He kept it for about 20 years then sold it to Steve Ohman, who has had it for the 40 years until he sold it to me at the Nationals. I first met Steve at a Boon Intensive Class about 8 years ago. He told me at that time he owned “a really nice zelkova” and showed me pictures of it at that time. He claims that it was owned by Yuji Yoshimura’s father in Japan when it was sold at auction, and was already a highly prized tree:

The tree at time of importation:

View attachment 406066

Back in those days, it still had the smooth bark.

Steve tells me that by his calculations, the tree is 103 years old. Steve sold the tree, even though he still loves it because he wanted to be able to travel and not be tied down to it. And he knew I would take good care of it. I will try to continue to maintain and improve it to the best of my ability. It is a heavy responsibility!

I showed the tree at the Atlanta show because I think it SHOULD be shown. Not to win awards, but to celebrate the art of bonsai. I will show it again at the Winter Silohette show in Kanapolis, NC in December.

Here is a picture Steve gave me of the tree in full fall splendor last year. It’s just starting to turn colors now:

View attachment 406067

And would someone please let @Forsoothe! know about this tree. I believe he has me blocked, and I responded to his challenge on Walter Pall’s Zelkova thread, but I feel this size/shape/color a better match for zelkova than Walter’s red pot. That said, I am on the hunt for an even better pot.

I'm soooo extremely jealous of you! This was my pick for best deciduous at the National Show, what an incredible tree! I'm in love with it. CONGRATS!!!!

 

[Colorado]

Well said @Adair M

I too would buy (and show) a finished tree. For me, it is all about the tree….not the person who happens to get “credit” for it.

Great point of discussion! It will remain a hypothetical and academic discussion for me until my budget increases

 

[Dav4]

Very nice addition, @Adair M what an exceptional bonsai with a special provenance.
Pretty sure that guy has me blocked too…LoL.

Welcome to the club!