Dougherty

Hello Matt,

I have been noticing this relatively recent decline in growth and I propose one possible theory. It seems that more and more companies and individuals are fraudulently conducting business as bonsai vendors, and once an internet customer is burned it is very hard to regain their trust. When the tree that is pictured is sent to the consumer as a pitiful dead twig, word starts to get around. So many times on ebay, you just don't know what you're getting or how it might be shipped or really from where. A picture of a tree that is only so many inches tall may appear very large in a close up photo. Also, the more important part of the purchase, the hidden roots, may be in terrible condition and I know of several people who have received trees that appeared to have been repotted days or minutes before the tree was shipped. Trees that are doomed from the start really seems to constitute fraud in my mind. These few "bad eggs" have a huge negative impact on the whole of bonsai. It seems the only recourse is to focus on educating the public as to what is or is not actual 'bonsai' (glue on the rocks should be the first clue, lack of branches, juniper-twig-in-cheap-pot-scenario) and then encouraging them to seek out reputable dealers and sources of material. Forums like this one are a great start to that end, as are local clubs. The process will be uphill but I believe as more people find the joy of 'real' bonsai and the friendly encouragement of other enthusiasts the numbers will start to reflect that. I hope.
Thanks for the detailed research.

Michelle