bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Is a bonsai ever "Finished"

Even the best bonsai are prepared to reach their peak for a particular display (exhibition). Depending on the type and age of the tree, there are different considerations involved. The size and depth of the pot selected for display, the type of pruning and defoliation involved could be very different. Following the display the tree is likely to need a period of rejuvenation, and perhaps even a restyling of some kind. In order to maintain taper in branches, eventually the secondary ramificaiton, and perhaps the entire apex will need to be replaced periodically.

So the tree experiences peaks over time. In that sense one could say it does become finished when a particular design concept or goal is realized. That doesn't mean it couldn't continue to be improved in some way, eventually, with care, good design and horticultural practice, and a little luck, but there is a fork in the road there where some fundamental changes will need to take place that may set it back, in the short term, for a long term gain.

Things can go wrong though, too. I had a nice Dawn redwood, a small bonsai with excellent taper. After a show in about 1998, it had gone about as far as I could expect it to go without addressing some fundamental defects - so, I put it in the ground to heal a large pruning wound, and it took off with unexpected, aggressive growth in the very first year. Within a few months it was six feet tall. Now it's about twenty feet tall and probably several times wider, but the aggressive taper it once had is entirely lost. So it's a garden tree again (in a neighbor's landscape).

Regards,

Matt

24-Jun-2006	#5
TreeBay Tips:5¢ Advice:Free *MODERATOR GROUP* Join Date: Aug-2001 Location: Silicon Valley Country: USA USDA Zone: 9 AHS Heat Zone: 4 Posts: 9,745	Even the best bonsai are prepared to reach their peak for a particular display (exhibition). Depending on the type and age of the tree, there are different considerations involved. The size and depth of the pot selected for display, the type of pruning and defoliation involved could be very different. Following the display the tree is likely to need a period of rejuvenation, and perhaps even a restyling of some kind. In order to maintain taper in branches, eventually the secondary ramificaiton, and perhaps the entire apex will need to be replaced periodically. So the tree experiences peaks over time. In that sense one could say it does become finished when a particular design concept or goal is realized. That doesn't mean it couldn't continue to be improved in some way, eventually, with care, good design and horticultural practice, and a little luck, but there is a fork in the road there where some fundamental changes will need to take place that may set it back, in the short term, for a long term gain. Things can go wrong though, too. I had a nice Dawn redwood, a small bonsai with excellent taper. After a show in about 1998, it had gone about as far as I could expect it to go without addressing some fundamental defects - so, I put it in the ground to heal a large pruning wound, and it took off with unexpected, aggressive growth in the very first year. Within a few months it was six feet tall. Now it's about twenty feet tall and probably several times wider, but the aggressive taper it once had is entirely lost. So it's a garden tree again (in a neighbor's landscape). Regards, Matt __________________ Want to be a seller on bonsaiAUCTIONS? Get authorized today! bonsaiTALK: Over 100,005.36 Megabytes Served this Month!