bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Snobsai

Hi Matt,

My own thoughts on this are:

1. Nothing wrong in owning such trees.

2. You should always acknowledge the "History" (if known) of the tree.

3. Do not be afraid to exhibit.
(Just dont claim its ALL your own work)

I would expand on these points below.

To have such "quality" trees in a collection, one invariable needs to buy, since unless you started really young and gained "instant" knowledge of what to do with "potensai" you will NEVER have been able in your own lifetime to have developed such a tree. My one regret with Bonsai is not "finding it" sooner and I admire many of the younger posters on this forum. I think I saw a profile of someone of 15!! and there are certainly many members 18 - 21ish.

I hope that with Boyfriends/Girlfriends, Marriage, Buying a house, and Kids
they are able to keep with the interest. But perhaps herein lies another reason why it may be easier to "buy" established trees if you become addicted to the hobby later in life. I "found it" in my mid 20's but would say it was 10 years later before I had the skill to develop my own "quality" images.
Youngsters, with the wealth of knowledge available now, have a fantastic chance of developing trees over say a 40 year timescale.

With regard to exhibition, how do you distinguish between the enthusiast who has developed a quality tree over 25 years, to one who just dug up yamadori and styled it last year ! to the one who bought a speciman one last week !!!
Just be honest with HOW the tree got to the stage it is at. We all go to Art galleries to see someone elses art, why not appreciate a "Living" sculpture.

I love seeing such trees and get an immense amount of enjoyment. However, this still does not compare to the pride I get in a little juniper I started from a seedling 20 years ago and although never going to be a specimen IS ALL MY OWN WORK. I have seen it develop and have enjoyed the journey.

Getting the right balance as an enthusiast between both camps is simply THE JOY OF BONSAI !

Best to all,

Ian.

12-Mar-2005	#3
Ian_Homer Square Tree - Round Pot! *MODERATOR GROUP* Join Date: May-2004 Location: Walsall U.K. Country: United Kingdom USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: 1/2 Posts: 2,477	Fine by me ! Hi Matt, My own thoughts on this are: 1. Nothing wrong in owning such trees. 2. You should always acknowledge the "History" (if known) of the tree. 3. Do not be afraid to exhibit. (Just dont claim its ALL your own work) I would expand on these points below. To have such "quality" trees in a collection, one invariable needs to buy, since unless you started really young and gained "instant" knowledge of what to do with "potensai" you will NEVER have been able in your own lifetime to have developed such a tree. My one regret with Bonsai is not "finding it" sooner and I admire many of the younger posters on this forum. I think I saw a profile of someone of 15!! and there are certainly many members 18 - 21ish. I hope that with Boyfriends/Girlfriends, Marriage, Buying a house, and Kids they are able to keep with the interest. But perhaps herein lies another reason why it may be easier to "buy" established trees if you become addicted to the hobby later in life. I "found it" in my mid 20's but would say it was 10 years later before I had the skill to develop my own "quality" images. Youngsters, with the wealth of knowledge available now, have a fantastic chance of developing trees over say a 40 year timescale. With regard to exhibition, how do you distinguish between the enthusiast who has developed a quality tree over 25 years, to one who just dug up yamadori and styled it last year ! to the one who bought a speciman one last week !!! Just be honest with HOW the tree got to the stage it is at. We all go to Art galleries to see someone elses art, why not appreciate a "Living" sculpture. I love seeing such trees and get an immense amount of enjoyment. However, this still does not compare to the pride I get in a little juniper I started from a seedling 20 years ago and although never going to be a specimen IS ALL MY OWN WORK. I have seen it develop and have enjoyed the journey. Getting the right balance as an enthusiast between both camps is simply THE JOY OF BONSAI ! Best to all, Ian. __________________ help save The Vulcan... Return to Flight