Can't sell it blues

Joanie

I tried, I really did. Promised myself for months that I would sell off a bunch of the little stock, and only keep the trees that had a lot of potential. Too many things in pots... no time to work with them all.

The concept was good, the theory was sound... sell off the lesser stuff and use the money toward one nicer tree. Absolutely. No doubt, the very best way to go. At the club show and sale, where a lot of people come through. Price them to move, and come home to a yard with less trees, thereby having more time to work on each of them.

So, the day before the show comes... and I put off picking out the 'rejects'. Messed with my show trees, polished my shohin stand, fussed with the accent plants. Time just flew by. No trees got culled, no decisions got made.

Show morning... gonna get up early and go through the yard. The soft light of morning will show me what needs to be sold. But three baby possums in the yard at 5:30 was a distraction, then it was time to get dressed and go. Volunteering, as always, so I had to be there early to set up. Stayed all day, came home very late. Tired, but inspired.

Still no trees chosen to sell. Maybe Sunday morning.

Sunday morning comes, and I'm exhausted. Yesterday, running around doing volunteer work, the day so hot that even the 'Zonies* were complaining. In the still cool morning, under the threat of a very hot day again, I decide to leave even earlier for the show so that I get a parking spot in the shade. I glance over the trees while watering, and try to pick out at least a few.

How can I sell that one? Someone gave it to me, and he'll be there. He would be hurt if he saw it on the sale table. And that one, a gift as well. And the one that I won at the raffle, with the pretty flowers. And hubby won that one, he was so proud.

Those elms are going to be a grove some day, they are being worked on early and they all match. Can't sell them. The cork oaks... they are just beginning to cork. Another grove potential. If I put the twisted pomegranate cuttings into the ground, some day they will be awesome like Jim Barrett's. The list goes on.

I leave without any trees tagged for sale.

The concept is still valid. Rock solid idea. Cull the trees, almost a rite of passage from beginner to ... well.... more than beginner. Being held back by a yard full of tree-like objects whose flaws mean that they will never be really good bonsai. Weighted down, slowed down, dragged down by lesser and younger stock. Yep. Absolutely the way to go. Sell the trees, move foward into better trees, enlightened and unencumbered.

There's always the fall sale.

Well, we will see.

Joanie

*denizens of the great but hot state of Arizona, who escape their shimmering desert for brief days by coming to (generally) mild San Diego. Well, not this weekend. We were as hot as Arizona but more expensive.

__________________

Advertisement

anttal63

ive got our club sales this weekend and again i'm not prepared either. maybe next year?

we're just not ready yet joanie.

__________________
Antonio . . .
------------------------------------

Bonsai Barry

Darn, I was planning on buying a bunch of your trees! Remember, your loss is someone else's gain.

__________________
Bonsai Barry

"Our talent lies in our choices."

Graydon

Thanks for the story Joanie, I got a nice smile from reading it. I feel your pain.

__________________

Victrinia_Ensor

Exceedingly amusing my dear.... Better luck next time!


Yours most kindly,

Victrinia

__________________
Ms. Vic

Le belle cose prendono tempo...

www.elandangardens.com

Rock Chester

Great story Joanie, I agree Graydon.

I saw this episode play out in person this weekend. You have to know folks about Joanie, she is a tireless worker and helps any and all in need.

There are a few in our club that we cant do with out and She is one. The only Good thing is her many trees are teaching her so much, each one has some bit of experience to give.

I think all bonsai people in order to teach have to have this broad kind of experience with many many trees of all kinds. Joanie is a natural teacher and has been on a very fast learning curve.

One big Gold Star Joanie, I'm happy to know you .

__________________
All flash website,easyto update,hosting,domain bundle

Of interest to bonsai lovers

GrumbleGuts

I feel so inadequate, when i moved away form brisbane two and a half years ago i GAVE AWAY ALL MY TREES!!!.

I bow to your lack of resolve, your willingness to allow your addiction to get the better of you.

I am humbly in your shadow.

__________________
When I battle with water bombs I freeze them first.

CScott

Joanie, your heart won over your head! In bonsai and all endeavors this a very good thing, and it seems you have a very generous heart.

When you finally decide to cull the herd, and you will , you will undoubtedly be more relieved than sad. After 30 years in bonsai I have FINALLY reached the point of letting go. I put a mugo pine saikei on the raffle table at last weekend's local bonsai show. Two times it was put out with the show trees. Both times I had to tell someone, "no, I am raffling it off". It felt good to let it go, and even better that the club made much needed funds from it.

There were two trees in the show this year that I had basically given away a while back, and that was another wonderful way to feel a sense of accomplishment without personally having the tree.

So keep your trees around awhile longer!

Carmen

GrumbleGuts

Nice post carmen.

__________________
When I battle with water bombs I freeze them first.