How to have a chance to win the challenge and tremendously improve your bonsai skills

[Paulpash]

Marie,

since you ask, here the tree that I work the longest with. A Hibiscus that I started as a cutting in 1978 (!). First attempts and now. At that time nobody told me what to do. I had no clue where to go and how. I tried , tried and tried again. I learned to like bonsai work, to wire and I figured out how to improve my trees. I have done this probably ten thousand times by now. This is why I know how that happens.

BTW, I have started with absolutely lousy material. Now don't say 'well, see, one can make a good tree eventually of everything'. Say 'what would this look like if he had started with really good material right away?'.

View attachment 74673 View attachment 74674 View attachment 74675 It was an important part of the learning process, however. I want to shorten this for my students. It does not take 37 years nowadays to get this, it only takes five years if you follow my advice.





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Thank you Walter. This piqued my interest so I have been looking at your galleries for the last 90 minutes - the hibiscus is in the background of one and your wife (?) sitting in a chair. I then read your nursery maple gallery post bought for 25DM that you've worked on for 35 years. You've worked on 1000's of trees and I imagine that it's a curious mix to look back on the maple and hibiscus - it reminds you of where you came from and the mistakes made. I guess this is the only reason they are still with you?

 

[cascade]

But Walter, now everyone will know how to win the challenge..!

Best,
Dorothy

 

[Paulpash]

But Walter, now everyone will know how to win the challenge..!

Best,
Dorothy

The challenge isn't the competition, it's yourself

 

[monza]

Thanks for the ideas Walter, sounds like a good plan ... going shopping!