Chris,
Thanks for a thread that does not contain that "A" word
I would love to give you positive rep points, but the system will not let me - "spread them out more", so I'll see who else can have some !
Anyway,
Many years ago I undertook 1 day courses with well respected Bonsai professionals, most of which were in the winter, when Bonsai wise there is not much happening. Who was I to question, re-potting bare rooted specimen trees in the middle of winter and then undertaking extensive pruning or styling work. If they were offering the courses, they obviously had done it before and of course achieved a success rate above 99%
How many of those trees do I still have in my collection today ? - absolutely none. !!!!
One has to understand, that these professionals needed to make money just like anyone else, and 20 years ago, it was very much a case of lets offer the courses, since even if the tree dies, the student learnt the correct techniques.
Oouch ! on the pocket when you pay for good stock and a nice pot to go with the Teachers time.
Needless to say, I stopped such activity 10 years ago or more.
Also, how many demonstration trees from the various shows do you see again after a couple of years. I can think of only a handful from over 20 years.
Fast forward now to today..............
With the wealth of knowledge available in Books and on the Internet, both Teachers and Students (even rookies) have a greater awareness of what is expected.
Nurseries offer courses aimed at considering the Care and Development of a single tree over the course of several visits to the "master". Trees are subjected to the right processes at the right time and a "controlled approach" is very much the norm. It is by using this new approach, that Bonsai as a hobby and Specialist Bonsai nurseries are going through somewhat of an expansion here within the U.K.
Students, are wise to attain some basics first, and generally have no fear that any professional course or dayclub will be nothing other than informative and value for money.
As Walter has mentioned, just dont expect too much in any one single day and be wise to what and where you spend your money.
Visits, by touring Professionals are more than welcome at Club meetings, but because of the above points, just do not cram too much in to make it a financially viable proposition. Far better to have a talk, presentation and perhaps critiques with minor alterations, than to risk upsetting the "Master" and the "Student" alike.
Bonsai should be a slow steady improvement in our Trees and not a sudden quick fix all done in a day. We then are able to learn more and perhaps more importantly - retain more knowledge.
Have a pleasant journey up the mountain. One day, with enough drive and enthusiam, we can reach the summit and look back on where we have been.
Best Regards,
Ian