Boondock

I just read Abereal's thread <<here>> --correcting inverse taper. The subject of the thread changed course midway, and took up the subject of the chat room here at bonsaiTALK.



I am the person, Vance Wood referred to chatting with (here in the bT chat), regarding following his advice concerning the promotion of backbudding on Mugo Pines.



"In July remove what should now be shoots with open needles on them, all the way back to the point where the new growth started in the spring. Make sure the tree is well fertilized prior to this procedure. In several weeks you will start to see new buds forming, and with luck maybe some on the now bare branches nearer to the trunk" --Vance Wood (this article, post 91).



My Mugo's are doing quite well, (for a bonsai newbie), and to be honest, I really only have the forum to thank for it. This is the real topic of this thread.



I live about 90 miles from Seattle Washington, which is where the nearest bonsai club meets. I have been told (many times, and by many people) that to make real progress in bonsai, joining and attending a club is the best way to make it happen.



My bonsai education is primarily books and various internet forums. (bonsaiTALK in particular), and the chat room here.



I feel extremely fortunate to have chatted about bonsai, shared pics, and knowledge, with people ALL OVER THE WORLD. This is an exciting prospect. I get to interact live with people in Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, etc. FOR FREE! all at the same time.



Many people who spend time in the chat room, are EXTREMELY knowledgeable. I know that if I ever have a problem, or have an idea, or a question, I can go to chat, and ask and share photo's. I have publicly thanked people for the time they spend in chat (on this thread, post thirteen). And to specific people who have influenced me.



For me, the 180 mile round trip drive (thru Seattle traffic no less), once a month, to attend a "real" bonsai meeting, just does not seem appealing (especially when you consider that my truck gets a measly 10mpg) which works out to about $40 (or more) in gas money to attend one meeting. Plus club dues and workshop fee's.



So, I consider bonsaiTALK my club, the archive of threads and articles is it's library, and the chatroom, it's daily or weekly, meeting area. I know that there are many people who also find it difficult to join a bonsai club. Due to club availibility, distance, or cost. My guess is that they utilize, perhaps several internet forums, in the same way. (like I do)



The chat room is a wonderful part of this forum. Yes it is sometimes off topic, and yes, it can be a place just to socialize, but very often, it can be a excellent tool to absorb knowledge of highly experienced people.

I would love to see it operating in a different way. Just like posting in the forum, I enjoy seeing a "mini-workshop" or a progression of pictures of a tree over time. Several people have prepared an impromptu "class", and shown pictures and talked about trees or procedures (like airlayering or branch bending) in this manner. It would be great to have somebody prepare a class, complete with photos, and give an on-line workshop on a specific date and time.

For example; MemberX will be demostrating procedureX at this date and time. In fact, a seperate subforum could be added, and the content of the on-line chat room classes, could be saved and posted.

None of the other internet bonsai forums have a chat room (except bonsaisite, and it is rarely used), So I guess my question are these....




How can the chat room be better used to teach and inform?



How can we make the chat room more appealing to people, who really know and understand bonsai, and persuade them to become involved?

Would a prescribed date and time for an "semi-official" meeting work?

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Washington Native Plant Society
USDA national plant database
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