bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - How are You Learning Bonsai?

1964 marked the year that the worlds fair was in NYC. First exposure to bonsai and products from Japan including my love affair with a Datsun Fairlady roadster.

By the end of my college years, 1971 I'd seen the real thing at Toshio Sambumoro's place in Palo Alto, CA and decided that I'd learn this discipline.

Michigan a year later...self attempts...few books available except the Brooklyn Botanic and George S. Hulls book: Bonsai for Americans...still an excellent resource. And of course the Sunset book another valuable beginning.

Clubs...help. But you need highly qualified in-depth teachers. There just weren't any here. Pesudo, yes.

Books, and the ineviable BCI and ABS conventions. In the meantime collecting and growing IN THE GROUND a bed for seedlings of P.Thunbergii and others.

Visiting every chance with a master...and listening carefully. Doing club demonstrations for the public and clases for the newer club members. Later in '93 I began to teach the basics at the MABA convention in DeMoines.

That was 10 yrs ago. Since then I've developed a fairly respectable 'self made' collection. I might add that none of which is a 'purchased as bonsai 'plant. Yes, I have two trees that were purchased but as very pre-bonsai. The entire balance is from my own attempts: For better or worse.

Last year a visit to Japan and China...to see what growers do..much the same as i thought here at home. In ground beds and plenty of trees in process. Constant wiring, pruning, shaping and other pleasant chores now being passed on to a few students that somehow think I can teach!

I'm not a master by any means..a grower yes.
As a 'self taught' bonsai grower...with a background in the fine arts along with a masters in Product Engineering helps but not necessary!

Most valuable asset? The ability to remain somewhat humble and with good ears..

best,
vance hanna

20-Mar-2005	#6
vance hanna bonsaiTALK Artisan Join Date: Dec-2004 Location: SE Michigan currently Country: USA USDA Zone: 6 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 144	bonsai is a life commitment 1964 marked the year that the worlds fair was in NYC. First exposure to bonsai and products from Japan including my love affair with a Datsun Fairlady roadster. By the end of my college years, 1971 I'd seen the real thing at Toshio Sambumoro's place in Palo Alto, CA and decided that I'd learn this discipline. Michigan a year later...self attempts...few books available except the Brooklyn Botanic and George S. Hulls book: Bonsai for Americans...still an excellent resource. And of course the Sunset book another valuable beginning. Clubs...help. But you need highly qualified in-depth teachers. There just weren't any here. Pesudo, yes. Books, and the ineviable BCI and ABS conventions. In the meantime collecting and growing IN THE GROUND a bed for seedlings of P.Thunbergii and others. Visiting every chance with a master...and listening carefully. Doing club demonstrations for the public and clases for the newer club members. Later in '93 I began to teach the basics at the MABA convention in DeMoines. That was 10 yrs ago. Since then I've developed a fairly respectable 'self made' collection. I might add that none of which is a 'purchased as bonsai 'plant. Yes, I have two trees that were purchased but as very pre-bonsai. The entire balance is from my own attempts: For better or worse. Last year a visit to Japan and China...to see what growers do..much the same as i thought here at home. In ground beds and plenty of trees in process. Constant wiring, pruning, shaping and other pleasant chores now being passed on to a few students that somehow think I can teach! I'm not a master by any means..a grower yes. As a 'self taught' bonsai grower...with a background in the fine arts along with a masters in Product Engineering helps but not necessary! Most valuable asset? The ability to remain somewhat humble and with good ears.. best, vance hanna __________________ vance hanna fine bonsai take time