bonsai journal

[gergwebber]

I have a bunch of notes in a bunch of assorted notebooks on my trees, but i plan to start a new one. It seems every fall and winter, i spend most of my time staring at stuff and devising plans and ideas, but in the rush of spring, it all goes out the window and i lose lots of time doing things I did not plan for.

I am going to hand draw sketches of all the trees quickly as they are, then add a Naka style sketch plan. I can tape in pics as flaps, and maybe block off a little box for timeline notes and smart ass remarks and such.

anyway, would like to know what ideas you guys have tried:should I go alphabetical? and how many pages you leave open, or is it all about 3 ring binders? I can see how they would help, but I am set on this cool leather bound drawing pad for the time being..

 

[garywood]

Greg, I don't mean to hijack, you have a good thought going there. But, is anyone using software for this same application?
Wood

 

[BigDave]

I am set on this cool leather bound drawing pad for the time being..

or start a blog and let the world see what you are doing

 

[berobinson82]

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bonsai-album-track-your-bonsai/id465021382?mt=8

i bought

 

[gergwebber]

Greg, I don't mean to hijack, you have a good thought going there. But, is anyone using software for this same application?
Wood

I know right? a great template that lets you upload pics and notes on one page while also allowing the progression of information to be seen easily. and auto-links to the bonsaiwiki.

 

[gergwebber]

or start a blog and let the world see what you are doing

my expertise is not really needed yet... and the point is to hand draw the stuff initially. sketches and studies and the like. i prefer pens and pencils to qwertys anyway.

 

[DesertPanda]

I started using the bonsai app mentioned above...if you have the hardware to us it, I highly suggest it...very nice, very comprehensive....

 

[jk_lewis]

I get more and more curious why people need an "app" for something this simple. I've been using my word processor with a pre-loaded template for bonsai recordkeeping for 25 years now (and would have done it for much longer if I'd had a computer before then). Any database or spreadsheet could as easily be used.

And hand draw? Maybe it's my lack of talent, but I've been using a camera even longer. The camera shows the tree as it IS (and was). A good graphics program can quickly show how it might become. MUCH faster and more accurate than hand drawing.

Each of my trees (at least as many as I've recorded as of any specific date) has a separate group of pages in an alphabetically tabbed (by Genus) 3-ring binder. I have a record of the tree's progress from its beginning. I even have records of trees that don't exist any more in the back of the binder.

This is an example of the first page of my data sheets for my Osage orange bonsai. There are 7 additional pages (and it is overdue for an update). I have (or should have) a page for each of my 150-plus trees. Many have handwritten scribbles on them. Wintertime (now!!) is a good time to update the pages that have fallen behind.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I use excel, and add a tab for each year. Trees down the left, then a column each for:

When purchased & price paid
last repot date & notes on roots and soil condition
soil used
work to do this year
work to do next year
ideal pot

Then, I keep a folder of photos taken throughout the year, and edit them down around now, so I can look back easily through the years.

 

[BUBBAFRGA]

Share a Copy

Ones who have created Templates be willing to share them. I would love to get what you do in excel and/or word. Would you be willing to email me a copy? bubbafrga@msn.com

 

[berobinson82]

I get more and more curious why people need an "app" for something this simple. I've been using my word processor with a pre-loaded template for bonsai recordkeeping for 25 years now (and would have done it for much longer if I'd had a computer before then). Any database or spreadsheet could as easily be used.

And hand draw? Maybe it's my lack of talent, but I've been using a camera even longer. The camera shows the tree as it IS (and was). A good graphics program can quickly show how it might become. MUCH faster and more accurate than hand drawing.

Each of my trees (at least as many as I've recorded as of any specific date) has a separate group of pages in an alphabetically tabbed (by Genus) 3-ring binder. I have a record of the tree's progress from its beginning. I even have records of trees that don't exist any more in the back of the binder.

This is an example of the first page of my data sheets for my Osage orange bonsai. There are 7 additional pages (and it is overdue for an update). I have (or should have) a page for each of my 150-plus trees. Many have handwritten scribbles on them. Wintertime (now!!) is a good time to update the pages that have fallen behind.

I'll tell you why. Because it's a better tool. My grandpa used a push mower. I use a self-propelled one because it works better. Just like you're using the internet right now rather than smoke signals or snail mail... Things progress. You don't have to embrace that, but let's not knock a great product for a niche market without trying it. All respect due and all... why hate on progression?

 

[DesertPanda]

From my own personal view, I enjoy the fact that the app is as mobile as it can be. I have used excel sheets in the past as well as normal word processing journals and hand written notes in small notebooks. The app mentioned has a listing of the most popular trees, the ability to add more, as well as some very nice tracking capabilities. Personally, I think that a person should use what they are comfortable with be it bamboo brush and ink all the way through the apps that are available for smart phones and tablets. Add to that the fact that most of these devices have an attached camera and all of a sudden I have the full combo meal of tree tracking.

 

[BUBBAFRGA]

If only I had an Apple Product

Agree the app looks great..... I currently do not own an Ipad or Iphone and if I did I would buy this app today. But since I don't I look for the next best thing. I have three ring binders but would like like the "progress" as much as I can. Maybe next year I will be convinced to go all in with Apple, because with their products you have to go all in.

 

[Poink88]

Maybe next year I will be convinced to go all in with Apple, because with their products you have to go all in.

Agreed. We have iPod & iPad but when purchasing my phone...I decided to go against iPhone 5 and went with Samsung Galaxy S3.

I really hate being controlled and limited by them as much as they do. Everything is "proprietary" with Apple. Great products though.

 

[berobinson82]

Agreed. We have iPod & iPad but when purchasing my phone...I decided to go against iPhone 5 and went with Samsung Galaxy S3.

I really hate being controlled and limited by them as much as they do. Everything is "proprietary" with Apple. Great products though.

You see this guy? ^^^ This guy knows good tech. I have the same spread. ipads/ipods but you have to go SGS3.

Alright, unhijakced.

 

[FrankP999]

I use OneNote

I use OneNote to track my bonsai, keep articles and other notes, pictures, etc. OneNote has an iPad app, and the data is kept in the cloud so I can access it from anywhere. I also use one of the bonsai apps.

OneNote is great!

Frank

 

[jk_lewis]

Because it's a better tool.

Is it? My template is infinitely adaptable. All the apps I've looked at (and admittedly not too many) limit you to set fields and the amount of data and other info you can plug into each field. Some of my sheets are up to 20 pages and 40-50 pictures of each tree by now.

Personally, I think that a person should use what they are comfortable with be it bamboo brush and ink all the way through the apps that are available for smart phones and tablets.

Of course. Don't be silly. All I said was that I was curious about why people don't take the initiative to do their own thing. You know your way and I know mine, but I really hope you don't mind if I don't adopt yours. Besides my 76-year-old eyes can't stand those tiny screens.

 

[gergwebber]

And hand draw? Maybe it's my lack of talent, but I've been using a camera even longer. The camera shows the tree as it IS (and was). A good graphics program can quickly show how it might become. MUCH faster and more accurate than hand drawing.

Thanks for the pic! I see how digital formats offer a lot. And I have lots of pics, there is no way you can recreate the quality of a good photo by hand, which is why I often draw from pics. but I want to practice drawing anyway, and I would like to have.... something more tangible? dense?... when I am done.

I disagree with the idea that Photoshop is always faster or better at creating a progression though. It may be more "accurate" in a photo-realist sense, but realism in graphic representation is secondary to readability, and the strength of the visual communication.

 

[berobinson82]

Is it? My template is infinitely adaptable. All the apps I've looked at (and admittedly not too many) limit you to set fields and the amount of data and other info you can plug into each field. Some of my sheets are up to 20 pages and 40-50 pictures of each tree by now.



Of course. Don't be silly. All I said was that I was curious about why people don't take the initiative to do their own thing. You know your way and I know mine, but I really hope you don't mind if I don't adopt yours. Besides my 76-year-old eyes can't stand those tiny screens.

I guess 'better' is subjective so it would be near impossible to fairly fight these two methods to the death to find a clear victor.

I can't help with the eyes, but if you dug into that app, you'd see it's also very adaptable and intuitive. I live in the tech world. I work and play in it. I'm always fighting the older generation that find it difficult to change. And I'm fine with it because, well... technology is going to happen regardless.

Again, I'm not knocking your style, nor your preference. Also, I tend to appreciate the cut of your jib when you post. I'm simply saying that we have apps available that make it very simple and intuitive to track your trees. You can take pics, take notes on what was done to the tree, add dates to the work, and what else you need. I've tried the app. I have not tried your system, so who am I to judge? I'd like to. Why don't you post up the template?? It looks more like you've just used a word program... which is just not as easy as using the app.

 

[Ron Dennis]

I started using the bonsai app mentioned above...if you have the hardware to us it, I highly suggest it...very nice, very comprehensive....

+1

I like the app and I am hoping it will be expanded to list tools.