Quote:
Originally posted by K.A. Rutledge
Anyway, between January and February is the "proper" time to show bonsai. Any other time and the trees are out of condition. Few (if any) organizations in the U.S. care about this, however. A pity.
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Hi Andy,
If you are talking specifically about late winter/early spring shows, timing depends on where you are located geographically, and that time isn't ideal for every species of tree. Some folks are under a couple feet of snow at this time, others in the southern hemisphere are in mid-summer.
Personally I prefer autumn shows like Taikan-ten. I like seeing fall color and fruit, and one can show leafless trees at that time, too. Your wisteria isn't going to be blooming in Jan/Feb unless you own a greenhouse or live in Australia. Many Cryptomeria, Juniper and pines turn a deathly shade of russet this time of year. It isn't that cold here for sure, but my white pines go gold-tone until the weather warms and won't regain their blue-green color for a month or two. I don't even want to talk about my False Cypress: I repotted it once at an early spring workshop and a casual visitor asked me if I thought I "could save it."
Many seasons, many trees - many opportunities for shows!
Best,
Matt