bonsaial1

It’s all about attitude

Bonsai needs to be broken down into smaller groups. There are certainly different camps of competence, style, taste, and talent. There are those that wish to do bonsai for the fun of it. To relax in the backyard and bask in the glow of their own accomplishments, and then there are those that go in the backyard and wish to throw the entire collection in the conflagration in hopes of starting over with better plants.

Which attitude have you adopted?

I possess this one:

*I strive to do the most artistic bonsai possible. I feel that this is accomplished thru buying the best stock I can afford. I read tirelessly thru as many articles or books possible about artistic presentations of bonsai and what I can gain from them.

*I will only take photographs of my trees that will help showcase the tree for the viewer. My photo’s will include a stand and backdrop, and the image will be clear and well lit for the best presentation possible. To display an image that does not meet these criteria is not adopting my correct attitude.

*My pots and stands will be kept in the best condition possible. They will be clean of mineral deposits and shown with a coat of mineral oil or mink oil. Stands will be dusted and waxed when needed. There is no excuse to allow these artistic accoutrements to deteriorate into disrepair.

*I will strive to help others to see the need to seek out sound artistic principles when creating bonsai. Not only will this improve their own bonsai, but also that attitude may be passed on to others in their own circle of bonsai enthusiasts.

I have found that the longer bonsaiTALK exists, the larger the rift between those that seek out the more artistic elements of bonsai, and those that do bonsai for backyard enjoyment. The broken tooth in the cog seems to be those that do bonsai for backyard enjoyment do not wish to hear that the plant they value so highly are something less than artistic and should be challenged with better stock. While the backyarder may not have means, access or talent to move up, neither should they argue in defense of substandard trees either. While I employ a golden rule mentality about ethics and bonsai, it would be out of character for me to try to defend a twig in a pot. In fact, it may very hard for me to defend a sapling in a pot. I have a very clear-cut guideline on what defines a bonsai and a plant in a pot.
Those that come to a bonsai community forum for help need to realize that they are going to receive evaluations from a broad range of bonsai intellectuals. It may range from recognized bonsai masters to those that have fabulous amateur collections, and those just starting out in bonsai like themselves.

All information may be valuable to someone in the course of a thread on a discussion forum. There are those of differing talent levels, Some will be talented and some just starting out will find it necessary to defend their piece of the forum ranking. I have no problem with this, with the exception of dismissing fabulous information due to ignorance. If someone does not understand the information given it is the responsibility of the asker to ask more questions, seek second opinions, or seek local advice with the intention of understanding the aforementioned advice. It does no good to try to argue your way out of the debate on the side of ignorance or that in light of asking for help, you suddenly out of thin air now possess the wisdom of the ages and can refute everything said.

The attitude that comes across in the words that are typed are the ones on which you will be judged. There is only one way to go in bonsai, forward. To take a lackluster view and then try to defend that view is suicide. Those on the quest for bonsai betterment will swallow you up. I would think that the train has left the station so to speak. I am near the front shoveling coal keeping the engine moving. If you are on the passenger platform waiting for the next train, I suggest you start running and try to catch the one that just whizzed by. You will be better for it!

Bonsai-al

__________________
I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

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