Time And The Tree

FredL

On another thread, several comments were made regarding the importance of starting with good (equate to expensive) material. Is this not just a matter of saving time? Can not, over time, good material be formed from almost any starting point?

I am finding that the techniques for creating good material for initial styling of branches to be absolutely fascinating. Yes it is time-consuming, but I find that to be one of its attractions rather than a drawback.

Is not part of the purpose of Bonsai to put us into a different relationship with time? How long do we expect our bonsai to last? Do we ever "complete" a tree?

The idea of creating a real bonsai from a seedling or low grade collected or nursery tree fascinates me. I am as much enthralled by a 4 or 5 year old tree that has made really significant progress as an older, still more refined tree.

Yes, results are undeniably important. Ah, but being part of a process that will potentially be played out over decades or even centuries! That is where the true magic is for me!

Best regards, Fred

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GaryS

I think good bonsai can be formed from practically any material regardless of constaints, however I don't think great bonsai can be formed from any old material.

The fewer constraints to begin with, the better.

That's why I enjoy growing seedlings and cuttings so much.

It is facinating how material changes over the year though. I have about 30 shimpaku junipers growing in the ground that have simply been root pruned every 3 or 4 years and pruned a little and they never cease to amaze me from year to year. They seem to have a mind of their own.

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GaryS

Attila

I happen to have the same mindset as Fred and Gary,
I grow everything from very young material and don't care much about initial shape. If the tree is young enough, anything goes.

I use the shimpaku junipers for landscape shrubbery in my front yard. As years go by, they become ready for their bonsai-life. Then, I replace them with younger ones and move the older ones into training cans.

I like to work with as many species as possible, from different parts of the world. So, I don't have the luxury to collect them as old specimens. I am happy just to own some of the rare species, never mind it's age (I have over 400 different species, approx 1000 trees alltogether).

As you guys said, it is fascinating to see them develop into real trees.

Attila

Attila

One more thing to add for those who would like to grow their own material but are discouraged by the time-factor.
The secret is to work with a larger number or trees of various age.
If you have only 5 seedlings and nothing else, there is not much to do during the first few years. If you also have a few older ones, they will keep you busy while the young ones are growing.
If you have a few dozen, you will get busier every year as the trees get closer to pre-bonsai stage.

Attila

FredL

Attila, 400 species! 1000 trees! Amazing. I have a few hundred trees now, but nothing approaching 400 species. As seedlings get older, I will have to winnow them down and I'm going to try to find good homes for the ones I don't keep. Not that the ones I give away won't be just as good as the ones I keep. All my trees are excellent!

Gary, I lke your comment about, "a mind of their own". Not a brain and surely no power of reason. Not even self awareness. But a "mind". Yes, I would say so.

Fred

Rene_Voortwist

Attila,

Have you met Walter Pall yet ? He also has 1000 trees. He says that this is only for maniacs ........ :-))

regards, René

Attila

Absolutely right, Rene.
You wouldn't tell if you saw me on the street, though.

Attila

diamondlyme84

Being the more beginner-ish type bonsai enthusiast, I find it easiest to work with material that I know I won't be too sad with if it ever goes to the big bonsai pot in the sky. I too like working with seedlings and younger material as you have just about all the control over the raising that you might not have had with a full grown tree.

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