Sticks-in-a-pot

guffmeister

Hmmm, I suppose so! But I was refering more to just the 'stick in a pot' rather than the whole range of questions like tree ID etc. Responders seem to tell some new people that their tree is poor, and has no future, while others get told the opposite. I don't necessarily feel that the factors listed above change how the question is answered, but definately how many people answer etc.

I was put off posting for a while because I got some negative responses, but it could very well have been my need to explain that I wasn't a complete noob was miscomprehended as me being a bit arrogant...but I've got so much time off now that I'll speak up a little...

Anyway, I fear I've led this post away from the original question, and have posted too much on this one thread for one sitting...

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agraham

Hi Tim,

I hope it wasn't my thread with a similiar title that set you off.It was meant tongue in cheek.It was also meant to show that developing stock is not a short term project...even with ficus.

It seems that this site is mostly frequented by do it yourselfers.I personally enjoy starting trees from "scratch" because I actually have more experience doing it that way.And, it is where my talent(if i have any) lies.That does NOT keep me from appreciating nice trees that have been developed by someone else.I'd love to see more "finished" trees posted in show and tell for discussion.I have a few that may be ready soon....show me yours and I'll show you mine .

andy

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rockm

I think people tend to be overly sensitive to their own posts and the responses to them. They read things into them that aren't there, or are slighted when someone suggests their tree might not be all they think it is, or any number of things. You never know what is going to set someone off.

Unfortunately that's human nature and it's not going to change.

kcpoole

Hi all
Possibly it's because many of us are hobbyists rather than professional artists, and as such have finite ( read Meager), amount of money to spend to purchase advanced stock or "finished" trees.

We grow from seed, or immature Nursery stock, and when these specimens are posted the comments usually reflect the trees in question.

When we go out on the weekend and do some collecting, the monday morning post and replies to it are usally along the lines of, "Don;t touch it for a year or two", and maybe a virtual or 2 to ponder in the meantime. This is good because we all learn from it ( which is why we are here is it not?), and reinforces the correct way to treat these specimens.

There is usually not much to comment about on a lot of posts, but some do generate a lively discussion with much valuable information disseminated along the way.

As Joanie mentioned that, when the prized trees are posted, the only comment most here can make is in appreciation of the work rather than constructive comments. I myself do not comment on a lot of them as I have not much to offer, but certainly view the posts and apply the influences, styles, techniques to my own trees when and where applicable.

Ken

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Mcspeed

I was thinking that it was opposite too, there has been more and more discussion about it (somewhat due to hurt feeling over advice on young tree that need developement) and it seems that larger older stock has the advantage.

A lot of the trees posted though are the proverbial sticks in a pot, but the discussions ususlly follow that the artist is young (with time and patience), underfunded( which youngsters aren't), or the grower lacks the confidence to use the buy a finished bonsai approach ( ie doesn't want to kill it, but would like to learn first), all are viable reasons to go the route.

Is it a better route, I don't think so but I do still mix it in with collecting and buying larger stuff, and so will others, some will never get to the point of going for mature tree purchases, or find a good yamadori to collect. If they who have sticks in a pot have time and patience they can years down the road have good bonsai, and will continue to hear grow it, plant it, chop it, or throw it away advice here, thats why we come here, it's all good.

I have seen people that have bought a nice tree bring it to a work shop and explain that it looked beautiful 3 years ago, but it doesn't look so good now, what should I do, so buying finished bonsai really isn't that either. Unless you like expensive firewood.

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FlyBri

Gday Tim & Co!

I post sticks in pots and unfinished nursery stock because that is primarily what I am growing. Like Andy, I am a hard-headed DIYer. I have searched the Net for a Forum devoted to the development of immature stock, but I have yet to find stockTALK.com.

For what it's worth, my last couple of (fairly extensive) threads about 'home grown' Bonsai have received so few replies collectively that I could count them on my digits, and still have one or two free with which to pick my nose. Not complaining, just saying.

Thanks.

Fly.

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anttal63

gee wiz where's tim now?

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Bentreemin

In relation to the life cycle of a well cared for old mature costly bonsai, this forum is still a sapling. So why is it difficult to accept that there will be young "sticks in pots" bonsai here created by new DIY members who are inexperienced and new to the art.

Is it true to say that we should all stop arsing around with sticks and spend, for some of us, a lifetimes worth of bonsai budget on one or two trees in order to appease gallery viewers such as yourself?

When this great forum is in relative maturity (relative to a tree's maturity) hopefully a lot of the sticks in pots, with the correct treatment will have turned enough years and training to become fine specimens.

Unfortunately when this time comes none of us will be here to appreciate the ex-sticks beauty or age or for that matter (touch wood) the forums age, but one thing is for sure: some of the sticks you see today will become the envy of the national community in future.

I agree that we would love to post pictures of our new $1000 tree. All would benefit from an influx of new postings of quality mature $1000 bonsai that have never been posted before. But where is the reality in this way of thinking?

Where this sort of money is prohibitive then people will go the DIY route and post the resulting sticks.

As with all things bonsai, I believe it is a matter of being patient.

Regards

Ben

anttal63

well spoken ben

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