bnsaijim

There are several reasons I know of to show your trees- My best are:

1. The obvious ablility to "show off", be critiqued, judged, etc. This provides a boost in your enthusiasm or drive to improve. Even less advanced trees look so much better when prepped for a show. HBS has a special "Trees in Training" section for those who lack the confidence to put theirs out with the big dogs.

And probably more important...

2. Preparing your trees for show forces you to bring the best you have to a new level. Many folks simply do not take the time to really get into the detailed preparation that this would require... this include getting your tree into it's tip-top healthiest state.

3. Having the attitude that you may show this tree some day makes you grow as an artist by forcing you to be a little more comtemplative- you think better bonsai. You are less likey to sketch with crayon on toilet paper and more likely to paint on fine linen canvas if you know it will end up in the Louvre.

You CAN fine wire (why should I prove it?), You SHOULD weed and scrub your pots (gee that wild flower looks SO cute though...) GOTTA cut that branch off someday... but many people DON'T!!?!!?!!

So while they're trees are good, great, etc... they don't ever realize their full potential.

It's very easy not to go down this road. You have to take a hard look and play favorites with your "children". Not an easy task. I tend to be very hard on my trees/myself (Fall show- none of my trees went).

Don't just say "...not good enough" Why isn't it? Should it even be on the bench? ...or mabe it's compost time... I often find myself in a redesign session after this activity!

Take the best of the lot. Not sure what to do? Get some help! Pay strict attention to detail and finish it all the way through like Kimura or Naka himself were going to look at it. One of the things that causes folks to "ooh" and "aah" (perhaps subconsciously) is the cleanliness and detail.

You can always arrive early, leave it in the car and "check out the competition"...then decide whether to bring it in. Do this exercise as a present for some guests. They may not recognize or appreciate the labor but they'll sense the result. Or heck just get a picture taken of your best tree...

Sincerely,

Jim Stone
TX