Hi everyone,
I swear I am not getting paid for this and nobody prompted me to do so, but I just can't bear not to mention my latest (re)discovery of an old website.
It's
http://www.bonsaitodayonline.com/.
I used to get it for free with the subscription Bonsai Today, and when it stopped being free I decided not to pay for it. I thought that I have plenty of other info sources.
A few weeks ago I changed my mind an decided to subscribe. I have to say that I am overwhelmed with the quality articles available since I last had access.
Just an example: Nick Lenz on Blue Carpet Juniper. It's brilliant, it's a revelation.
A little story related to this. Nick gives a piece of advice on growing in the ground: before planting in the gound, you have to grow the little tree in container a few seasons. This is to lay the foundation for a well balanced root system. Only AFTER THIS IS ACHIEVED, you should go ahead and plant the tree in the ground. If you skip this step, instead of a small unbalanced root system you will have a big unbalanced root system after a few seasons in the ground.
I instinctively learned this a couple of years ago. Since then I developed my own system of alternating between pot culture and ground culture. Nick confirmed what I've learned on my own. But IT TOOK 15 YEARS to reinvent the wheel. If someone told me this ahead of time, I would be years ahead in the game.
I heard from a business strategist that when you give advice you should NEVER give away 100%. Always withhold a little piece that gives you a slight edge. I guess it's the same with bonsai. During my years of growing these little trees, I've learned quite a few little tricks and techniques that are enormously important and yet are either never mentioned or just passingly hinted at in the books.
Anyway, back to my original line of thought: I am glad that I paid the subscription to Andy. I recommend to anyone who can spare a lunch's worth of money for a year. The things you learn may save you much more than what you pay for.
Regards,
Attila