"It may be fun, but it is a total wastre of time bonsaiwise."
I guess my only problem with this statement is that what are our kids/grandkids going to use as bonsai material
The collectable/collected material will likely be gone. Even if they are not gone, many of use cannot afford that kind of material or do not have access to this kind of land. It is easy for doctors, bankers, lawyers etc to say do not waste time on this crap, cause they can afford to buy trees for $1000 and up. But for some of us we can be perfectly happy and content growing our little seedlings knowing that one day when we die they may actually look like something resembling a bonsai and it is all due to our efforts. While at the same time hopefully working on at least one nice piece of material. But in actuallity even my "nice trees" would be crap to you, but they are nice to me and many others around here.
I guess for me it is more about the practice, the creation, the wireing meditation (when I wire there is nothing else on my mind), the continued learning, the daily watering, pest control, watching the trees change through the seasons, seeing the vast improvements made over 4 years (this is my 4th year growing) and finally learning patiece.
For me even when I do end up giving up on something (a tree that I feel does not have the potential to become anything spectacular, or a troublesome species that I am tired of fighting with) I end up passing it on to someone else who can find enjoyment from it. I have given and taken trees that were given up on. Remeber beauty is in the eye of the beer holder!
Also remeber that much of the imported stock out there was started from seed or cutting at some point! Someone has to "waste their time" on this stuff!
Now that said, I would love to have access to the type of material that you have. You are an inspiration to all of us! I only hope to some day be able to produce the kind of work that you do!!! Just trying to help see the other side of the coin.
Newt