To The Beginners Out There

PatArizona

G'day all...

I figure that it is time again to post this...

You will ask many questions and receive many answers...read the responses. There is sooo much to learn, and some structure to the learning would really be better than the shot-gun approach.

Maybe the following will help...

One thing that you should learn at the earliest possible is patience. The more you learn about bonsai, the more you will realize the importance of being patient. You cannot be taught patience by someone else...but you must learn to be patient.

There are five things (plus NEXT, below) that a beginner should do, right at the start:

• Read...read...read...then read some more.
• Join a local club.
• Take a beginners' class.
• Learn the importance of being patient.
• Look at additional learning resources.

Read... Read... Read...Go to your local library and read every book on bonsai that you can put your hands on. In the US, the book most often recommended for beginners is BONSAI, published by Sunset...an excellent first book for beginners. Be sure to get the 2003 edition. Among my favorite authors are: Herb Gustafson, Deborah Koreshoff, Colin Lewis, David DeGroot, and John Naka...and, there are more. The more you read, the better prepared you will be to ask questions here, or at your local club...in Step 2.

Join a Local Club…Here is where you can get the best advice available, since the local club members are the ones who are raising bonsai in YOUR geographical area. The local club can help you avoid the pitfalls that you may encounter when you get advice from, maybe, half way around the world. Many things in bonsai are pretty much universal, but you need to know what it takes to keep a bonsai healthy in your location...be it Tucson, San Francisco, Sidney, London, or Toronto. There are many more benefits to being a member of a local club. You can find local clubs worldwide at www.bonsai-bci.com/. Most clubs meet once a month…plus additional activities.

Take a Beginners Class…This is where you formally begin learning the basics, like selecting a nursery plant, which plant to start with, identifying the front, branch trimming, wiring, and on and on. You will begin to learn what works best for your area, what tools you need, and how to use them, etc. A good beginners class will get you off to a good start.

Learn the Importance of Being Patient…One thing that you should learn at the earliest possible is patience. The more you learn about bonsai, the more you will realize the importance of being paitient. You cannot be taught patience by someone else...but you must learn to be patient.

Additional Learning Resources…Look at the American Bonsai Society web site at www.absbonsai.org. Check out the ABS Correspondence Course and watch for the ABS Learning Seminars 2007 (look at the set of beginner's courses).

Next…The bonsaiTALK Forum has a lot to offer. Check it out thouroghly.

Having said all this, welcome the wonderful obsession, I mean world, of bonsai!

Enjoy.

Pat

__________________
BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.

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Ecaterina

Hello Pat!
I am just the kind of Bonsai enthusiast that you are referring to. An ignorant beginner, an admirer of the Art of bonsai, searching for information on the Internet... and among the fresh recruits of BonsaiTalk.
I do have lots of questions to ask but for the moment I wonder, have I been too daring to have uprooted a small populus alba-silver poplar (4-5 years old I presume) growing from seed in my farmyard and put it in a training pot as my first attempt to make "something like a bonsai tree"?
Anyway, I believe that I have replied to you in order to make my first contact with members rather than looking for advice (I will surely do this later on). So, wish me good luck with bonsai art, Pat... And you know, thank God a plus for me is that I'm gifted with some, just a little bit of patience...
I want to thank you all for your hearty and valuable tips (essay I would rather name it)!
Greeting to everyone!

__________________
[Ecaterina, Athens]

meushi

This post should be a sticky

Mike

Ashbarns9999

Awww Ecaterina that is extremely special.

Ash

__________________
Better to procrastinate than lose sight of the objective by rash deeds.

http://www.bonsaivault.com

TreeBay

It is/was a sticky in the Beginner Forum, but people need reminding every now and then.

Regards,

Matt

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meushi

Indeed it is... I must be turning blind or something

Mike

PatArizona

Ecaterina...how very gracious...

As to "...too daring to have uprooted a small populus alba-silver poplar..."...

Too daring? I would say not...since it wa lifted from your own farmyard.

In your Mediteranean climate, you should be OK. However, having never worked with a poplar, I can't really speak to it's specific needs. I'm sure that someone who is familiar with poplars will chime in.

And...welcome to and good luck with the world of bonsai...may your new journey be long, evenful and enjoyable.

Pat

__________________
BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.

Ecaterina

Good morning Ash!
Should I presume that you mean I will face difficulties disproportional for a beginner with the kind of tree I've chosen? You see, it was a second thin dead trunk that drew my attention to that plant, as well as a "scar" (some twig broken off perhaps) on the main trunk which turns to the left. However, I'll be grateful for any advice.
Thank you.

__________________
[Ecaterina, Athens]

Ashbarns9999

On the contrary I was enthused by your reply to Pat. I got the impression of someone who is ready to embrace the wonderful world of miniature trees.
Poplar has a dominant upward growth habit which may not lend itself to bonsai. My advice is to seek trees in your area which will lend themselves as more suitable bonsai specimens such as juniper or olive. However don't let me dampen your enthusiasm, use the poplar as a learning tool to gain more knowledge of how too keep trees alive in a pot situation. As an aside it would be interesting to gather more poplars and create a group/forest scene. Perhaps an avenue which meanders to take the viewer through a pleasant journey. I wish you well on this fabulous pursuit and remember we are always here for you at all times.


Regards Ash

__________________
Better to procrastinate than lose sight of the objective by rash deeds.

http://www.bonsaivault.com