How do I get my dad into bonsai ?

[Njyamadori]

So I’m a teenager and I feel like I need a bonsai buddy since there isn’t a club near me. I think my dad would be good but I don’t know how to make him actually like it and learn. He has taken me to a little bonsai demo. I feel like the only thing that would hold him down that people don’t think it’s manly even tho it could be. So do you guys have any tips ?

 

[Bonsai4life]

So I’m a teenager and I feel like I need a bonsai buddy since there isn’t a club near me. I think my dad would be good but I don’t know how to make him actually like it and learn. He has taken me to a little bonsai demo. I feel like the only thing that would hold him down that people don’t think it’s manly even tho it could be. So do you guys have any tips ?

Maybe gift him a bonsai tree. It is a great hobby to help clear his mind and spend time with you. That might spark his interest.

 

[vp999]

I wish my 13 years old son thinks like you ???? What I would give to have my son be interested in bonsai and working on trees together instead of playing video games and watching YouTube all day lol... Does your dad like plants and gardening in general and does he have any hobbies? Maybe tell him you want to create a cool bonsai tree together and watch it progress. Trust me, every mom and dad thinks that their children are growing up way too fast, so every chance to spend time with them will be cherished. Sometimes I wished I can put my son in a nice Tokoname pot and keep him small forever

 

[Bonsaidoorguy]

So I’m a teenager and I feel like I need a bonsai buddy since there isn’t a club near me. I think my dad would be good but I don’t know how to make him actually like it and learn. He has taken me to a little bonsai demo. I feel like the only thing that would hold him down that people don’t think it’s manly even tho it could be. So do you guys have any tips ?

Talk with your dad about it. I bet that he would love to spend "quality time" with his child. My son has one tree that has taken good care of for a couple of years now. The other week he came over to visit and while I was showing him my trees he said that he liked a little dwarf Alberta spruce I was working on, so I gave it to him and we are going to repot it out of it's nursery pot this spring. I can't wait, I cherish time with my children and I bet your dad does also. Have fun.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Does your dad like plants and gardening in general?

Here is the key question. If not a plant or nature lover it is not an easy battle to win. However cannot hurt to ask him. Maybe go to Japan together to see masters gardens?

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

If it's not manly to bend a freaking tree to your will over the course of decades.. I don't know what is.

I mean, compared to fishing, where people make jewelry with needles and threads to catch a shiny fish and take pictures to show their friends or for instagram.. Bonsai is way cooler.
I still like fishing though! I have no issues with my feminine side.

A tree as a gift is a good start. Grab him a cold beer from the fridge, throw some snacks on the table, lay down some wire and a scissor, and put up two chairs. There is no dad in the world that wouldn't like coming home to that.

 

[sorce]

Show him that chainsaw carving video!

Tell him playing with deadwood keeps wood from going dead!

Sorce

 

[sorce]

Better yet, skip the video and just start wielding the chainsaw in the yard.....

Sorce

 

[sorce]

Better still....

Do it in the house!

Sorce

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Tell him if he doesn’t start working with you, you’ll continue to talk to strangers online about it.

 

[Rivian]

I would say neither hide it from your dad nor continuously directly confront him with it. I have extensive experience with this. Its a niche hobby, so odds are against you. Dont force it on people (for example by gifting them a starter tree, you may gift them an ongoing responsibility they care not for). Respect peoples right to choose their own hobby

 

[A. Gorilla]

Whip it out and be like: "Whadda ya think of THIS old man???"

I'm talking about concave cutters.

 

[bwaynef]

Show him this thread. If he makes it past the first post and his mind isn't made up, nothing else will really work.

 

[Njyamadori]

We are currently growing 7 Chinese wisteria and someone nice had sent me like a 100 different maple seeds such as trident and field. Today he said we can build a bonsai bench and for Christmas I got some bonsai stuff . So hopefully this spring I can get him to work on some trees but I don’t really have that much trees to work on

 

[vp999]

We are currently growing 7 Chinese wisteria and someone nice had sent me like a 100 different maple seeds such as trident and field. Today he said we can build a bonsai bench and for Christmas I got some bonsai stuff . So hopefully this spring I can get him to work on some trees but I don’t really have that much trees to work on

Tell him a nice Japanese garden can increase the value of the property much higher

 

[Tieball]

Ask his opinion periodically. Follow his thoughts and discuss in support. Never say he has a dumb idea. Follow his advice whether you think it’s great or not. You can always add improvements....building with him on what he thinks. One bad decision might just make an exciting tree.

On the side...get involved in something he likes to do. Maybe he’ll get the grand idea of working with you on his own. In doing this you might find out what he would like to do...maybe it’s simply watering.

Play his kind of music while you’re working on trees. He might come out to listen. He might then ask questions. He might enjoy just hanging out an watching. Then, talk him through what you’re doing.

I think that a lot of times an adult won’t do something with a teenager because: the teens might laugh at the engagement; the teens ridicule the adult's lack of knowledge; the adult doesn’t want to seem unknowing; the adult is concerned about making a big blunder and ruining something. Think about times you and friends engaged an adult and how you made the adult feel.

And, some dads just don’t engage. I don’t know exactly why. They just don’t. Fear?

 

[Michael P]

The best way to get your ded to be your bonsai buddy is to ask! Say something like, "Dad, I love you and I would really like to do this hobby with you." Any parent would love to hear this from a teenager. Good luck and tell us what happens.

 

[just.wing.it]

I know my Dad would laugh at me and make some remark about how he has a blackthumb and killed a pet rock once.....typical Dad shit.
Good luck dude.

 

[Carol 83]

My husband has zero interest in fishing boats, but has spent numerous hours with our son working on his boat for the last few months. It's not about having an interest in boats as much as wanting to spend time with his son. I bet your dad would be happy to participate in the hobby just to hang out with you.