Quote:
"Commercial establishments that make their money in horticultural and bonsai related activities could sponsor deserving artists to produce artistic bonsai for them to exhibit and sell.
Well, maybe I'm nuts, but I thought this might be worth some discussion."
Mike Page
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Mike, The Japanese have developed this process into a bonsai community. As the Art there is totally steeped into the culture, it is not obvious to the casual on looker.
But it does exit. Here in the USA it (I've hoped for this for a long time) might take another 20 or so years to catch. However if the cultivation of bonsai gets just a tad more mainstream...where you see more bonsai nurseries in larger cities, it just might happen a little sooner.
I've 'leased' my bonsai a few times (I insist on being present for a least half the deal) once to a major auto company, and several times to private 'country' clubs. And of course it is a yearly honor for me to be asked by the Japanese Consulate here in Detroit for a few 'shows'. But just because of this, there is some demand.
Now as far as nurseries, well I feel they would have to be bonsai oriented to actually understand the culture and the market. Don't know how long that will take, but at least here in the Detroit area we have over 3000 families transplanted from Mother Japan. But that's still not enough. Don't forget: in Japan, (Ike Iwanaga of NTK Ceramics said to me 20 yrs ago
"Bonsai for old people, we like golf!"
Have fun with your bonsai!