New American bonsai

[fore]

Great to hear from Jason and Walter, two voices with tons of experience of collected trees and aftercare.

It is upsetting to me to hear some people who go out every weekend and have "100s" of trees in their backyards. Just a bit saddening to hear a few taking so much, albeit we have almost an unlimited source, of collected material.

 

[Attila Soos]

Great to hear from Jason and Walter, two voices with tons of experience of collected trees and aftercare.

It is upsetting to me to hear some people who go out every weekend and have "100s" of trees in their backyards. Just a bit saddening to hear a few taking so much, albeit we have almost an unlimited source, of collected material.

Not a problem, AS LONG AS those trees are kept alive. But they are almost exclusively California junipers, so you guys don't need to worry about it.

But honestly, if I were a serious bonsaist with a stash of cash, willing to build up a great collection, I would move to Central Calfornia right now (central coast), while real estate is cheap.

 

[mcpesq817]

Not a problem, AS LONG AS those trees are kept alive. But they are almost exclusively California junipers, so you guys don't need to worry about it.

But honestly, if I were a serious bonsaist with a stash of cash, willing to build up a great collection, I would move to Central Calfornia right now (central coast), while real estate is cheap.

Well it can be a problem when California junipers are sold to people in climates where the trees don't do well and die - like on the east coast. That does not seem to me that those sellers have the trees' health and well-being in mind.

 

[JasonG]

Hi Jason! Welcome back! This is just like old times no?

Just like old times! I see not much has changed!

Great to hear from Jason and Walter, two voices with tons of experience of collected trees and aftercare.

Thanks Fore! I am just trying to set the record straight along with Walter, that the trees pictured were incorrectly labeled as sick or dead. When someone starts posting things like that they start messing with ones livelyhood, business and reputation. That can't end well for those involved.

Hey Jason,

Forget about koi, or biking. No need to die young, and you have no chance against the Japanese, when it comes to koi.

But it's time to get back in the bonsai business. We need more of those "killer trees" (your terminology, from long time ago).

We are going to write more posts like that to upset you, so that you can come by from time to time.

You are one funny dude Attila! Keep it up!

The koi is a nice fun fun hobby that allows me to relax and enjoy. My 4 year old daughter is all about it too, she loves to go to koi farms with me and pick out some nice koi. You should see the "Killer" Showa she got me for my bday! Very nice fish.

I will be back at bonsai soon enough.....I want to startback collecting in a few years and build back up so that in 4 or 5 years I have many trees ready for work. That is the goal and I am sure you will still be here holding up the forum!

 

[coh]

I am just trying to set the record straight along with Walter, that the trees pictured were incorrectly labeled as sick or dead. When someone starts posting things like that they start messing with ones livelyhood, business and reputation. That can't end well for those involved.

Thank you for speaking up. I can't believe people can get away with the kinds of accusations that were made in this thread.

Chris

 

[Vance Wood]

Thank you for speaking up. I can't believe people can get away with the kinds of accusations that were made in this thread.

Chris

To be accurate I don't think anyone got away with anything. It seems to me these statements were challenged all the way down the line.

As to messing with someone's livelihood? That seems to be the American way today, if you're successful you can expect to have someone come along and declare that you got to where you are over the bodies of the fallen in your wake. You did't earn what you have, or you need to give away great portions of your success because it's unfair that you have accomplished so much, or have too much. This ringing any bell out there? I've been telling anyone who has an ear to hear, that these kinds of things would eventually make their way into the bonsai community, and it seems that they have----in my opinion.

 

[coh]

To be accurate I don't think anyone got away with anything. It seems to me these statements were challenged all the way down the line.

True...and I'm glad to see that. I guess I really meant to say I was surprised that someone would post those kinds of allegations on a public forum with such little evidence.

I mean, some simple math...say Randy collects 200 trees a year and 90% survive. That's 20 dead trees a year...multiply by 10 years, that's 200. That would make a pretty big pile (or piles) but wouldn't really prove anything unusual was going on. So context is important.

 

[Vance Wood]

True...and I'm glad to see that. I guess I really meant to say I was surprised that someone would post those kinds of allegations on a public forum with such little evidence.

I mean, some simple math...say Randy collects 200 trees a year and 90% survive. That's 20 dead trees a year...multiply by 10 years, that's 200. That would make a pretty big pile (or piles) but wouldn't really prove anything unusual was going on. So context is important.

You're right, context is important, but it is surprising how little context is considered anymore in anything. We just rush to make a judgement on anything that gets our blood up.

 

[Bill S]

Well it can be a problem when California junipers are sold to people in climates where the trees don't do well and die - like on the east coast. That does not seem to me that those sellers have the trees' health and well-being in mind.

I hit thanks by mistake, because in this case you are mistaken, many do successfully raise them in the N.E..

This thread has taken the ol damned if you do or don't, if it is legal, and someone wants to put the effort and time in what is the problem. If someone want to spend thier hard earned money on a tree, who is to say you shouldn't sell it to them. Can't say I am or aren't a tree hugger, there are plenty of places to legitimately collect, so get them if you can
To say someone has hundreds of them and it's not fair is silly jellousy, it's thier time and effort, you want some, go and get some.

This is starting to sound like a dem vs. republican debate , it's not fair for them to have so many and make so much money, persue happiness, go collect some trees and make bonsai, rather than complaining about someone having success. Rant over.

 

[nathanbs]

I hit thanks by mistake, because in this case you are mistaken, many do successfully raise them in the N.E..

This thread has taken the ol damned if you do or don't, if it is legal, and someone wants to put the effort and time in what is the problem. If someone want to spend thier hard earned money on a tree, who is to say you shouldn't sell it to them. Can't say I am or aren't a tree hugger, there are plenty of places to legitimately collect, so get them if you can
To say someone has hundreds of them and it's not fair is silly jellousy, it's thier time and effort, you want some, go and get some.

This is starting to sound like a dem vs. republican debate , it's not fair for them to have so many and make so much money, persue happiness, go collect some trees and make bonsai, rather than complaining about someone having success. Rant over.

To be clear I am the one that mentioned those who have collected hundreds of them but I never said it was unfair. My point was two-fold, Randy Knight isn't the only one out there collecting trees, and two the group of individuals here in So. Cal. that are collecting are just kind of hoarding them, not really working on them, not really selling them, and I was concerned that they may just change their mind and let them all die. At least with Randy they have a better chance of survival initially and they are more likely to work their way into good hands.

 

[dick benbow]

for those that don't know, a showa is a color variety of Koi that was first developed in the era
of that emperor in japan. It was originally discribed as a black fish with red and white highlights
until about a decade ago when kindai (modern) coloration was developed incorporating more white.

I think nothing shows a bonsai off better than set along side a pond full of colorful Koi. AND both being set in a beautifully manicured japanese garden.

Gee, I have a daughter....Hmmm maybe i could suggest a living work of art for christmas....?

 

[Vance Wood]

for those that don't know, a showa is a color variety of Koi that was first developed in the era
of that emperor in japan. It was originally discribed as a black fish with red and white highlights
until about a decade ago when kindai (modern) coloration was developed incorporating more white.

I think nothing shows a bonsai off better than set along side a pond full of colorful Koi. AND both being set in a beautifully manicured japanese garden.

Gee, I have a daughter....Hmmm maybe i could suggest a living work of art for christmas....?

Did you put this in the wrong thread?

 

[mcpesq817]

I hit thanks by mistake, because in this case you are mistaken, many do successfully raise them in the N.E..

This thread has taken the ol damned if you do or don't, if it is legal, and someone wants to put the effort and time in what is the problem. If someone want to spend thier hard earned money on a tree, who is to say you shouldn't sell it to them. Can't say I am or aren't a tree hugger, there are plenty of places to legitimately collect, so get them if you can
To say someone has hundreds of them and it's not fair is silly jellousy, it's thier time and effort, you want some, go and get some.

This is starting to sound like a dem vs. republican debate , it's not fair for them to have so many and make so much money, persue happiness, go collect some trees and make bonsai, rather than complaining about someone having success. Rant over.

They don't grow well in the DC area. The Arboretum has had a hard time maintaining them out here. That might have had a bit to do with the soil they were in, but I think in general this is not a good climate for them.

And yes, I've seen local folks with new California junipers - haven't really seen any with California junipers that have been maintained out here for any length of time.

 

[BonsaiHunters]

From the looks of it, Ryan is doing well and worth tuning into. Anyone who can grow a tree and make art out of it is awesome in my book! Everyone has something new to bring to the art of bonsai. Some figure it out sooner than others. Bonsai has an infinite amount of lessons to teach us no matter what the circumstance may be, world class or not, who is the authority on what bonsai is supposed to be? Must we expect everyone to stay stuck in tradition? I say grow what suits you, thats what I do. This is my take on bonsai and sharing it...>https://www.youtube.com/user/bonsaihunters

 

[Neli]

They guy from the tropics has constantly questioned temperate zone bonsai over on IBC, from the soil used, to the plants that are collected.

From the tenor of his veiled criticisms (soil-less mixes are just hydroponics, to the preposterous assertion that Ryan Neil's accomplishments are only the result of plunking trees into pots), it's quite easy to see he has zero grasp of how bonsai is done outside the tropics.

Veiling that basic ignorance in the "I ask provocative questions" mask is still ignorance mixed, quite possibly, with a heavy side of cramped envy .

His comment on spending two full days styling and wiring a rough juniper to me was: you have just prettied it up...I am not too sure if he was joking, so I just let it pass, but I was hurt, for this tree was my pride and joy and i was told by my Master that it is perfection, and he simply could not believe that I did that alone.

 

[Cosmos]

So.... 5+ years later, this thread sure is a trip!

 

[WesB]

I like his YouTube chanel a lot. The videos where he talks a bit about most of the trees in this thread are fire! The online training courses program he does is tempting.