What Do I Do Next??

Bart Thomas(deceased)

OKay, Now I have this hypothetical tree, which was either given preliminary styling in a workshop under Master X, or won in a raffle of a demo tree by Master Y.

It survived the winter, and since then, since it seemed (and turned out to be) rootbound, I have started root reduction and down potting.

Now what do I do with it How do I define the branches, create foliage pads, develop the nebari, etc.

I'm asking this for those who do not have a Sensei to run to as I do.

Thanks in advance.

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bonsaial1

Some info would be in order.

What kind of tree?
How old is it?
What shape is the trunk in?
What is its health like?
Whats it planted in? ie; bonsai pot or growing container
Where's the picture?

Thanks, Al

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Bart Thomas(deceased)

AL:

This was a rhetorical question. I was hoping to elicit answers that would help novices proceed to the next steps in developing trees.

I am lucky enough to work with a world-class sensei. There are others out in the "Bonsai Wasteland" who need guidance..... Heck! I need it too.

Thus, I was hoping to see something along the lines of the thread on Pot selection . And other threads on developing specific species.

We can point folks to earlier threads, add new ideas, and note the books that we have found helpful.

My bibles are the two Naka books and DeGroot's (for pot sekection). There's a wealth of info in Koreshoff, but I am told there is some mis-info in there as well.

RonMartin(deceased)

Bart
Since every specie of tree will have different growth rates, ability to back bud, etc. there is really no good answer to the question. Not one that would be of any use to a new person to bonsai anyway. Probably not to many of the old hands either.
It is almost like asking how long a string is. Wished I could tell you without a ruler.
That pot thread you were talking about boils down basically to graphic design. What shape compliments another, what color goes with another. Fairly easy questions to answer.
The question you are asking has a lot of different answers. All the books ever written on bonsai have only scratched the surface of that question.
I do applaud you for trying though. Your heart was in the right place.

Adam_MA

Bart,
This is a great idea. Maybe if we are able to gather some good links of threads that reference information that someone new to bonsai or just a specific tree could go to one post (maybe Matt could add it to the FAQ) and see a list of bonsaitalk links that take them to threads that reference the information they are looking for.

Maybe this already exists here?


Adam

Bart Thomas(deceased)

Matt:

My thinking is there are folks out there who will not pick up a book on a bet.

How do we, for example, guide them in the definition of branches, creating foliage pads, etc?

RonMartin(deceased)

Hate to say it Bart but, if they won't pick up a book on a bet they won't read this anyway. Sad but true

clrosner

Good try Bart:
You can only lead a horse to water.... you know the rest.
If a person want to learn, he or she will find a way to search out the answers.....
The learning curve is steep, but worth the climb if you are really serious about this addiction.

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