Bonsai Tracking Software

Lesley

As a new enthusiast, my collection is growing and I'm finding it hard to keep track of my trees. Index cards and little pieces of paper are stuffed into a binder. There must be an easier and neater way to catalogue the info.Today, I was looking into tracking software. The only thing I found was Aceana 2001 and some reference to using Excel. Any opinions about how I get started with this. Is Aceana a useable software , reputable site?
I'm not a programmer and just started using the computer recently so I need easy advise. Thanks!

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Ladybug

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Treebeard

Hi Lesley,

I use the Aceana 2001 software, and I can recommend it. The purchase was a simple online proceedure, no hassle.

You can see all that it can do on the website Aceana 2001 . I use it to catalogue all the images (100+ so far) I have of all my trees, and also to keep track of when the last pruning, potting and feeding was.

You can set up alerts to notify you when each bonsai is due for what process when. The relevant alerts pop up when you start the program.

There is a small database of common tree species that comes with the program. Not hugely extensive, but you can copy a database entry to your own collection database and alter the relevant data, to save you from creating an entry from scratch.

As to the other software options, excel is probably easier than access to set up, if you just want to store empirical data. As soon as you want to store images in either application, there are complications. There are access templates for bonsai keeping, but believe me, I've tried them ALL, and they are all wanting in one aspect or another.

The only other 'pucka' software that I have any knowledge of is The Bonsai Reference guide, available from Bonsai of Brooklyn. I tried it, but I couldn't get it working correctly on my system for some reason. As well as keeping track of your own bonsai, the program has a HUGE inbuilt database of trees and books. (but then so does bonsaiTALK ).

Hope this helps.

Regards,

TB

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Lesley

Treebeard,
This is just what I wanted to know! Thanks for the input. I think I'm going to order the software on-line today. Also, I trimmed the trunk of the Trident Maple after reading Matt's article. (Your guidance too!) I'm pretty happy with the way it looks. No more hammerhead shark anyway. Now, I just need to get some apical branches on it. I also need to get a digital camera someday soon so everyone can see what I'm talking about.
Thanks Again!
Lesley

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Ladybug

Lesley

Treebeard,
This is just what I wanted to know! Thanks for the input. I think I'm going to order the software on-line today. Also, I trimmed the trunk of the Trident Maple after reading Matt's article. (Your guidance too!) I'm pretty happy with the way it looks. No more hammerhead shark anyway. Now, I just need to get some apical branches on it. I also need to get a digital camera someday soon so everyone can see what I'm talking about.
Thanks Again!
Lesley

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Ladybug

pdbbonsai

I have the Bonsai Reference Guide. I use it quite a bit, and print out the data using the layout they have. It is a good system. Can store many pics under one tree's file (virtuals, progress etc). Cross reference with its own data base......etc.

I had problems early on with the system, it is pretty finicky about the initial data inputs....(it wont work if you do it wrong.) I worked it out with the system designer, and it is up and running very well.

good luck


Paul

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jemmick

I also have the Bonsai Reference Guide and am quite happy w/ it .Don't know if it still running but there was an free online site that was called Bonsai Tracker.com for those who are thrifty however as they say there is no free lunch and you get what you pay for . As far as I know it could only be accessed via the internet and data could not be saved in your personal computer. For my money you could not go wrong with the Bon Ref Guide .
Regards,
Jonathan

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Jonathan