Knowledge is key

Josh · White Belt Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Missouri

I just wanted to take a moment to make a couple of statements. First, I appreciate keithmart and emorrin's input on my Chinese elm topic. I also enjoy reading Dick and Stymie's postings and they are a wealth of knowledge as well. This is an extremely beneficial site for those new to the bonsai world.

I do have a quick question as well. I received my elm and followed the instructions of my bonsai leaders. I have also read several books and watched a couple of videos on pruning, wiring and so forth. I find myself staring at my tree and wandering O.K. now what do you do? I am looking for an instructor, class or artist that can show me more specifically with my own tree how to proceed. I know what your thinking, "What a rookie". Are there places to take my prize tree to learn these techniques? Thanks again...

imholte · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:05 am Post subject: Re: Knowledge is key

emorrin · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:14 am Post subject: Re: Knowledge is key

Josh,

I feel the same about wanting to learn from an actual live instructor. Unfortunately, time and money gets in the way of me going to an actual class. I have been pondering joining a bonsai club somewhere near my house. That may be your best bet. Some of the better clubs have seminars and instruction demonstrations during meetings. There are a couple somewhat near my house but I have not had the time or money to join due to buying bonsais, pre-bonsais, and supplies (i.e. potting medium, fertilizers, etc.) You need to have your priorities right? Maybe there is a club near where you live.

I agree you can only learn so much from books. Chatting with people via forums, like this one, is great in that you can ask people questions that may not be in any books. Videos demonstrations are the next best thing but it isn't "live". I so far have learned to keep my different species alive and do basic trimming. I also am doing more wiring, but when i comes to more advance techniques, I get a little apprehensive to try anything in fear of doing something wrong. I think everyone is a rookie in some aspects, I think very few people may call themselves bonsai masters, that is except if you were John Naka. To me, this hobby is half horticulture half art. Art to me is based on personal opinions/tastes. Some people like the rugged look of their bonsais while others look for a more natural look (i.e. not the "S" curve bonsais). I say, just as long as you don't risk killing your plant, go for styling what is in your head. Just be careful because once you cut, you usually cannot go back. Think and make a plan of attack before you do the actual cutting. I know allot of people do sketches of what they are looking for but my sketches look like stick figures, no pun intended. Taking pictures and creating a virtual picture of what you envision is also a good idea. I am looking for a good free program out there that does this. I know they are out there. One last thing, I don't think there is one person who has not killed a bonsai or two. You need to figure this into the equation as well. No one is perfect and everyone is bound to make a mistake or two with this hobby. You live and learn.

I think that with experience, I will gain confidence. In the meantime, I am one of those "rookies" too.

Dick · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:56 am Post subject: Re: Knowledge is key

Josh, you make me blush! Embarassed

But I do have over 35 years experience with bonsai and so does Stymie. We all make errors and learn from them. I like to say that I have a compost pile full od my mistakes.

Take a look at the head of this forum. There is a stickie devoted to elm care and cultivation. I think you'll find it useful.

keithmart · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:20 am Post subject: Re: Knowledge is key

Hi

If you can join a bonsai club, you will get pactical experience. All clubs will assist anyone with their bonsai problems.

After all that is what clubs are about.

I think you would find the effort worth while.

You should be able to go to a few meetings as a non member, to see if you like it. That should not cost you much.

The only other consideration is time to do it!

good luck

Surrey John · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:44 am Post subject: Re: Knowledge is key

Josh I agree very much with what others have already said, especially about joining (if you can) a Bonsai Society, where you can speak face to face with people who have spent their lives cultivating Bonsai and really know what they are talking about. But I would also like to add a couple of extra thoughts:

a) DON'T DO IT, whatever it is, until the tree really needs it. It's very tempting to "fiddle" with a tree, but trees think on a different scale to us. Think of a daisy flower - up, open and gone in 2-3 weeks. What must it think of us? We must look very slow and almost unchanging. By the same token an oak tree must feel very slow to us, but it just lives on a different timescale. So, generally speaking, you have time to do most things. There's one obvious exception to this, which is if the tree becomes sick, or infected, or under attack, in which case you must act fast.

b) My other thought is - take lots of time just getting to know your trees. To me one of the best pleasures of all, and when I learn a lot, is sitting down with a tree on a stand in front of me, turning it round and round slowly, and just drinking in the shape, and texture, and pattern of the tree, until I think I know every branch, every nook and cranny of that tree. Then, when something does need doing, I feel ready to do it.

Hopeall that doesn't sound too daft. Kind regards. Smile

SJ

emorrin · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:32 am Post subject: Re: Knowledge is key

You know I missed one of the key elements in my previous post. I second what the other Ed says (i.e. imholte), "Patience", that is key. Have a well thought out plan and get to know your tree before you do anything. Actually I think SJ men