Three bits, one for beginners, one for intermediates, and one for experts:
Beginners:
Take some classes from a competent bonsai practioner. Doesn’t have to be a pro, but choose someone whose trees you like, makes better bonsai than you, and someone you want to spend time with. Try to meet with your teacher several times a year so you learn the actions to be taken, and when to take them. The timing is as essential as the activity.
Intermediate:
Attend and participate in bonsai shows. It doesn’t matter that you “only fo this for yourself”, and you don’t care about winning a ribbon. It’s not about winning. It’s about learning to pay attention to the little details, doing the things that you “will do eventually”, but somehow never do. It’s about matching trees and pots, and yes, even stands. It’s about looking at your trees with a critical eye, finding the best features of the tree, and trying to minimize the faults. You will also meet others who share your passion, maybe find a treasure on a venfor’s table, or perhaps you might find someone who wants to buy that tree you never could figure out how to style it.
Experts:
Share your knowledge with others. Whether it’s teaching some bonsai classes, or mentoring new members in the local club, everyone benefits from your experience. It’s also a way to enhance your own understanding of bonsai. The questions newbies ask will cause you to find explanations instead of just performing actions by rote. The best way to learn something is to teach it.
Well, that’s it! I hope everyone has a great New Year!
Beginners:
Take some classes from a competent bonsai practioner. Doesn’t have to be a pro, but choose someone whose trees you like, makes better bonsai than you, and someone you want to spend time with. Try to meet with your teacher several times a year so you learn the actions to be taken, and when to take them. The timing is as essential as the activity.
Intermediate:
Attend and participate in bonsai shows. It doesn’t matter that you “only fo this for yourself”, and you don’t care about winning a ribbon. It’s not about winning. It’s about learning to pay attention to the little details, doing the things that you “will do eventually”, but somehow never do. It’s about matching trees and pots, and yes, even stands. It’s about looking at your trees with a critical eye, finding the best features of the tree, and trying to minimize the faults. You will also meet others who share your passion, maybe find a treasure on a venfor’s table, or perhaps you might find someone who wants to buy that tree you never could figure out how to style it.
Experts:
Share your knowledge with others. Whether it’s teaching some bonsai classes, or mentoring new members in the local club, everyone benefits from your experience. It’s also a way to enhance your own understanding of bonsai. The questions newbies ask will cause you to find explanations instead of just performing actions by rote. The best way to learn something is to teach it.
Well, that’s it! I hope everyone has a great New Year!