20 Year Progression

carp · Jan 10, 2016

This is a Ficus philipinensis now in my personal collection, created by my grandfather and teacher, Jim Van Landingham. Jim V. studied and worked with Jim Smith in his Durastone Nursery for over 13 years. Now, I am the curator of the Jim Smith collection, and I also house all of Jim Van Landingham's trees. I don't say I own them, but they are under my ownership and they will remain with me. It's a odd feeling.

I do not have exact dates for the photos.

carp · Jan 10, 2016

Last year, on moving day. For size reference.

carp · Jan 10, 2016

Present day.

Nomiyama · Jan 10, 2016

Powerful tree Seth, love the presence. Thanks for sharing, all to often we forget to take pictures along the way to document the progress.

sorce · Jan 10, 2016

Nomiyama said:
Powerful tree Seth, love the presence. Thanks for sharing, all to often we forget to take pictures along the way to document the progress.

Amen....it will be fantastic after another 20, the tree too, but the photo progressions.....

Today's technology makes it easily possible to take the exact same picture, of good quality, over the years....seeing these in 20 years will be amazing...we should totally take advantage of it now!

Seth Seth Bo Beth.....

Thanks for sharing!

Sorce

Eric Group · Jan 11, 2016

I don't generally do tropicals, and they are not my favorites... But this tree is amazing! Thanks for sharing!

carp · Jan 11, 2016

I think it is very important to respect the history of a bonsai that has been for decades. It's surreal to see the beginnings of a multi-decade project and the present day outcome. The photo of Jim V. sitting in front of the young planting, thinking, is unreal to me. I imagine myself looking through his eyes 20yrs ago, seeing the tree as it is today. Amazing to me.

JoeR · Jan 11, 2016

Awesome progression, really cool to see the start of a great tree like this.

That selfie though Seth!

amcoffeegirl · Jan 11, 2016

Very cool.
Amazing history.
I am 100% envious

GrimLore · Jan 11, 2016

carp said:
Present day.

If we are ever down that way again would love to see it in person! Very nice!

Grimmy

carp · Jan 12, 2016

GrimLore said:
If we are ever down that way again would love to see it in person! Very nice!

Grimmy

that means you'll have to come to my house. last bonsai guy that did that ended up in the hospital with his stomach cut open.

Vin · Jan 12, 2016

Your Grandfather visits our club every year and conducts a workshop. We always look forward to his visits. He's a great guy and I like his teaching method very much. You are very fortunate to have the "Two Jims" trees in your care. I hope all is well with your Grandfather.

sorce · Jan 12, 2016

carp said:
that means you'll have to come to my house. last bonsai guy that did that ended up in the hospital with his stomach cut open.

Continue...

Vin said:
Grandfather

A grey? Or an insectoid?

Sorce

Redwood Ryan · Jan 12, 2016

Hey Seth,

What's the soil composition of these beauties? Not just this tree, but the other trees in the collection as well? Looks organic with quite a bit of fertilizer. It's clearly working well in your Florida climate.

Stickroot · Jan 12, 2016

carp said:
I think it is very important to respect the history of a bonsai that has been for decades. It's surreal to see the beginnings of a multi-decade project and the present day outcome. The photo of Jim V. sitting in front of the young planting, thinking, is unreal to me. I imagine myself looking through his eyes 20yrs ago, seeing the tree as it is today. Amazing to me.

carp said:
that means you'll have to come to my house. last bonsai guy that did that ended up in the hospital with his stomach cut open.

I aswell carry out my Grandfathers dreams. It is nice to see someone preserving their family's work.
So if someone was interested in visiting you and your grandfather's work....do they have to get their belly cut open?
I would love to see, and I have complete respect.

GrimLore · Jan 13, 2016

carp said:
that means you'll have to come to my house. last bonsai guy that did that ended up in the hospital with his stomach cut open.

Honest you have no idea who you are speaking to... Thanks for the gracious invite though, bottom feeder...

Vin said:
Your Grandfather visits our club every year and conducts a workshop. We always look forward to his visits. He's a great guy and I like his teaching method very much. You are very fortunate to have the "Two Jims" trees in your care. I hope all is well with your Grandfather.

Obvious he gave the plants to the idiot to keep him out of sight and mind, he sounds like a good man.

Grimmy

carp · Jan 13, 2016

GrimLore said:
Honest you have no idea who you are speaking to... Thanks for the gracious invite though, bottom feeder...

Obvious he gave the plants to the idiot to keep him out of sight and mind, he sounds like a good man.

Grimmy

How about you go get yourself a Snickers, you're not yourself when you're hungry.

http://adamaskwhy.com/2015/05/03/bonsai-will-be-the-death-of-me/

He seriously had his stomach cut wide open. I could have posted this in BB Code so that everyone could view it, but click at your own risk.

https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn....=210c3b069350babfa71bb095e80c1654&oe=569984D2

sorce · Jan 13, 2016

There is so, more to that.....

Like that guy helped him move a big slab and if cracked and dudes intestines were spilled....Yada ya...
______
Never posted that.....

Figured....told you I understand Carp!

Sorce

amcoffeegirl · Jan 13, 2016

It must be very nice to work with adam.
You should take pics of all your trees so us northern growers can see what ficus are supposed to look like.
Thanks for sharing your pics. Coulda done without the stomach pic.
Hope to see more in the future.
What do the trees that you guys worked on that day look like today?

Mellow Mullet · Jan 13, 2016

Cool, Seth. I did not know that Jim was your grandfather. He helped me with my large ficus neriflora forest years ago at a club workshop. Somewhere I have a picture of him working on it. Small world...

20 Year Progression

Chumono

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Mame

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Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you

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Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you

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