I think as a generalization, the statements concerning the pervasiveness of this supposedly ill-founded advice in playing with stock first are overbroad. It would be equally, if not more remiss to suggest that a newcomer invest $100 or more in a developed specimen, furthering an equally pervasive idea that bonsai will thrive in the average office or living room environment. (Is it really the new owners' fault? Most people encounter bonsai indoors at shows and many "bonsai" are sold indoors at stores and malls.)
Too many newcomers get turned off by failures. At most every show I attend, I hear exclamations of "I had a bonsai, but it died." from an attendee. I don't think I have ever overheard anything like that in an art gallery or antiques house! When I worked full-time in the corporate environment I would get about one dead or dying tree a month brought to my cubicle. I still have a collection of those plastic (!) figurines.
Unfortunately, the basic skills required to maintain a plant are not the ones best obtained through the efforts of trial and error on expensive material. For the same reason, we probably wouldn't offer our toddler a crystal Waterford sipper the first time she reaches for a cup.
It's easy to say that bonsai ownership should be more accessible to the average person, but it's not like buying a painting or sculpture where you can dust it off a bit if you have a mind to or put it on a stand in the living room. It's a bit more like owning a finely crafted wood motorboat or a horse that needs maintenance and exercise to remain at its peak. You can hire that done, too, but you can't neglect it.
Now, the owner probably also will need to water his new tree, and proper watering may well be the most difficult skill of all to learn. Improper growing environment and improper watering are to my experience the two leading causes of failure.
Most all of the forum registrants have already obtained a bonsai of some kind before they first post here. I can't speak for the casual reader, but from most of the new posts I have seen, they usually want to know how to maintain and improve what they have. It isn't wrong to suggest to those who do express interest in acquiring additional material that they can learn a great deal by working with container stock. While it isn't the *ONLY* way, it's certainly a viable option.
Regards,
Matt
Quote:
Originally posted by K.A. Rutledge
Hi Matt,
re:
"On this forum I have occasionally read replies to the beginner that s/he begin with stock of some kind, but I have found it much more common to read that the interested party might want to buy a book or attend a club meeting. Our FAQ attempts to be as evenhanded as possible in discussing the various ways of acquiring bonsai."
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Sure, no slight meant to how this list is handled, nor is my post meant to imply that "all" the advice offered in online forums is as I cited. Rather, I'm referring to the pervading opinion on what material to start with in bonsai.
Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
http://www.bonsai365.com/ :: living bonsai every day
zone 8, Texas
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