Hi Everyone,
Recently I was traveling through the Carolinas on business and decided to pay a visit to Marc Torpa of the Growing Grounds. I wanted to provide feedback to the bonsai community about my experience with Marc.
Despite some of the negative experiences that have been published I have to admit my in person experience with Marc were like night and day. Upon my arrival to the growing grounds(By appointment only) My wife and I were warmly greeted by Marc himself. Marc and his crew was in the middle of processing trees for sale but promptly stopped to give me a show of his nursery.
The man is a complete gentleman and is passionate and indulges in bonsai like all of us. For a person who has been doing Bonsai as long as he has he still approaches the art with tenacity and conviction. He was a down to earth guy and I felt a commonality like I was amongts a person I knew for 20 years.
In terms of his nursery HOLY COW...Trees everywhere...Well grown. Even though he had like what seems like thousands of trees the guy had a story on each. Just like us, Just like if anyone asked you about a tree on your bench most of us could tell a story. I was completely disoriented and in shock by the number of trees that this 1 man operation is producing.
I needed an inhaler, my pupils were dilated and I just can't quite describe the feelings I experienced that day. Please understand my love of Bonsai and understand being in a position like this and you may be able to imagine what I went through. Its enough to send someone to the hospital. All and all please consider Marc if you want a good bonsai and a good experience.
I am not speaking for everyone and every experience. My goal in writing this synopsis is only to give a perspective of my personal experience. This trip was important for me because it paved the path for me to deal with Marc for a long time in the future. At my age(Mid 30's, god willing that will be a long time.
I hope this is helpful to everyone and provides an insight...Here are a few pictures...
James(CHUCHIN)
Recently I was traveling through the Carolinas on business and decided to pay a visit to Marc Torpa of the Growing Grounds. I wanted to provide feedback to the bonsai community about my experience with Marc.
Despite some of the negative experiences that have been published I have to admit my in person experience with Marc were like night and day. Upon my arrival to the growing grounds(By appointment only) My wife and I were warmly greeted by Marc himself. Marc and his crew was in the middle of processing trees for sale but promptly stopped to give me a show of his nursery.
The man is a complete gentleman and is passionate and indulges in bonsai like all of us. For a person who has been doing Bonsai as long as he has he still approaches the art with tenacity and conviction. He was a down to earth guy and I felt a commonality like I was amongts a person I knew for 20 years.
In terms of his nursery HOLY COW...Trees everywhere...Well grown. Even though he had like what seems like thousands of trees the guy had a story on each. Just like us, Just like if anyone asked you about a tree on your bench most of us could tell a story. I was completely disoriented and in shock by the number of trees that this 1 man operation is producing.
I needed an inhaler, my pupils were dilated and I just can't quite describe the feelings I experienced that day. Please understand my love of Bonsai and understand being in a position like this and you may be able to imagine what I went through. Its enough to send someone to the hospital. All and all please consider Marc if you want a good bonsai and a good experience.
I am not speaking for everyone and every experience. My goal in writing this synopsis is only to give a perspective of my personal experience. This trip was important for me because it paved the path for me to deal with Marc for a long time in the future. At my age(Mid 30's, god willing that will be a long time.
I hope this is helpful to everyone and provides an insight...Here are a few pictures...
James(CHUCHIN)
