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I tooo usually do not try and input to these threads, but I will try.

I agree in principal with Walter. My problem, and I think the problem with many of us, is the inability to learn what is good stock.

We spend hours and hours online reading and looking at pictures. We spend equal amounts of time reading books and magazines. We may even spend time in workshops and lectures. We increase our knowledge of:
1- what will grow in our area
2- what we need to do to maintain this or that tree
3- How to prune and trim
4- Wiring knowledge is also acquired
5- we learn what someone else can do to the tree
6- I'm sure I left some out

But.... we do little to learn the basics of how to choose the correct tree to start with.(Thank you Matt for once again an extremely helpful list) We may choose a lower price over the higher of two similar trees. What do we think, one was miss marked? No... The one at the higher price probably has more to offer. Or the higher priced trees are more advanced than others.

We also do not look at the stock and see the tree within, we like what we see and hope that the tree will come out to us later. This is not a good thing; we need to see the tree before we purchase it. I can not tell you how many times I purchased a tree with the intent of doing this or that, using side A as the front and not understanding why I was getting such a bargain. I get this tree home and after study (which I should have done before purchase) realizes that side A has a major problem and that the back or left side is really the front..... But wait, this new front has problems that are worse that the original.... this bargain tree isn't such a bargain after all.......

As I progress in Bonsai I am attempting to increase my knowledge and capability in many areas. The most important I think is in avoiding the "GARBAGE FOR DINNER" that I have sometimes (OK often) been guilty of.

This Thread is far more important than many realize.............

My 2 cents
Jay

3-Aug-2003	#22
Jay YOU CAN NOT RUSH TIME Join Date: Sep-2001 Location: Jeffersonville Vt Country: USA USDA Zone: 4 AHS Heat Zone: 3 Posts: 2,159	I tooo usually do not try and input to these threads, but I will try. I agree in principal with Walter. My problem, and I think the problem with many of us, is the inability to learn what is good stock. We spend hours and hours online reading and looking at pictures. We spend equal amounts of time reading books and magazines. We may even spend time in workshops and lectures. We increase our knowledge of: 1- what will grow in our area 2- what we need to do to maintain this or that tree 3- How to prune and trim 4- Wiring knowledge is also acquired 5- we learn what someone else can do to the tree 6- I'm sure I left some out But.... we do little to learn the basics of how to choose the correct tree to start with.(Thank you Matt for once again an extremely helpful list) We may choose a lower price over the higher of two similar trees. What do we think, one was miss marked? No... The one at the higher price probably has more to offer. Or the higher priced trees are more advanced than others. We also do not look at the stock and see the tree within, we like what we see and hope that the tree will come out to us later. This is not a good thing; we need to see the tree before we purchase it. I can not tell you how many times I purchased a tree with the intent of doing this or that, using side A as the front and not understanding why I was getting such a bargain. I get this tree home and after study (which I should have done before purchase) realizes that side A has a major problem and that the back or left side is really the front..... But wait, this new front has problems that are worse that the original.... this bargain tree isn't such a bargain after all....... As I progress in Bonsai I am attempting to increase my knowledge and capability in many areas. The most important I think is in avoiding the "GARBAGE FOR DINNER" that I have sometimes (OK often) been guilty of. This Thread is far more important than many realize............. My 2 cents Jay __________________ A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49... Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing