FredL

Ron, I don't know the answers to your questions, but I'm not sure how much difference they make. From the article I saw on the development of JBP seedlings, it was clear that if the proper techniques are applied, there aren't very many trees developed from seed that can't be developed into more than adequate bonsai. Since any tree, no matter how flawed, can be taken back to a stump, it seems to me that this must hold for most other trees as well.

It is clear that Walter and many others who are masters of the art of bonsai are very good at selecting trees that offer the shortest possible route to the creation of first rate bonsai. There is not a doubt in my mind, however, that if you folks chose to work with less mature or flawed trees, it would only be a matter of time before you produced trees just as good from less mature or lower quality stock. If bonsai culture is to be viewed as a purely economic activity with market economics determing not just best but all practice, your position makes perfect sense. But it is based on economics, not what is feasible, or even desirable from a different perspective.

Folks like you and Walter have a horse in this race. You and Walter sell material as well as develop trees for sale from it. The notion that the "right" way to do bonsai depends upon superior (ie expensive) material is supportive of the role you folks play in the Bonsai Community. It reminds me of the relationship of professional priests and ministers to most of organized religion, believing as they do that religion can't possibly succeed without them being economically supported by their community of believers. I wish you and Walter nothing but the best and hope fervently that all the fiolks like you succeed even beyond your wildest expectations. However, I don't think that your vision of bonsai is the only "right" one nor even the best possible one for everybody.

With best regards, Fred