THe honor of mallszi

TheSeedling

I started bonsai almost a year ago with a mallsai. It is a ficus nerifolia. Although I have aquired other "real" bonsai since, I still love this little tree because I feel like I saved its life.
I read about bonsai heavily and it seems that most experienced bonsai artists scoff at mallsai. Isn't there any honor in saving a mallsai from certain death?

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Jay

OK... at the risk of being abused for my opinion here goes. There is honor in anything done with an honorable intent. You purchased a Mallsai... so what.... it is a tree, all be it a poor quality tree. I am a novice, I have purchased many a tree that I with honorable thought have brought along. Some I have killed. Some are being developed into trees that probably will not turn out as good as some Mallsai's I've seen. And some have come out fine.....dare i say nice!

As for your tree. I have read articles where MASTERS have re-designed what you and I would think of as beautiful, perfect looking, trees. The results were totally different. A mallsai can be re-designed or developed into something more. You are the artist, it is in your hands, you CAN do it!

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

Literati

As long as you can see some potential in the tree, buy it. I bought a mallsai because I thought that the stock was worth more than the $20 price tag. They all have major flaws, but it is worth getting them to try new techniques or even to see of you can make a good looking Bonsai out of them....

I got this elm for $20 - and I was happy considering that most starters in my area are $15 for a pencil sized tree.

EDIT: YOu can see the huge cut at the top of the trunk..... It will need some more taper grown into it over the next few years...

bonsaial1

I think this could be realistic in two years. I have added the two years below. Hope you don't mind. That a pretty tasty piece of wood also! Quite a find for 10.00$.


Best regards, Bonsaial

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

Soildoc

I think it all depends on what you buy the mallsai for. If you buy the thing as a finished tree, you're likely to be disappointed but if you buy it as starter material and realize that it may take some time and effort to bring out the good qualities, you'll be Ok

rachel_kay

I also think mallsai can be developed into more. They're great for beginners like me - if you have the misfortune to kill a tree (and I've killed a few) then you haven't destroyed a fine tree or wasted too much money. I've taken a few cuttings from my mallsai too (mostly serissa and chinese privet, sagereita).

PS I've learnt a lot from this site - I don't post often though - as a beginner it's difficult to know the answers to the queries

Shambhala

About saving trees:

A month ago I went for a walk and saw a tree at the side of the road being thrown out. I am not sure what it is, it has spindley branches and the bark looks something like a palm tree. Anyways, I suddenly was disgusted at the idea of throwing out a living tree instead of planting it or just keeping it.

So a took a clipping, and it is growing right now

Jay

Scott, I think the worst problem with mallsai is that it is represented to the general public as "This is a Bonsai". The population in general does not know any different. Someone may buy it for themselves or as a 'thoughtful' gift. Most mallsai stand little chance of living, given they are sold with no instructions and may have been poorly treated.

That you have purchased one or more, or that others have purchased mallsai with the knowledge of what they are is not a problem. The problem is the poor individuals who may want to start in this 'Art' and get turned off by the death of their first tree.

Now do not get me wrong, when around them I check them out, and I am NO EXPERT.

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing