I think some of you are missing my point. I've been reading Harry's post for over 2 years on this and many sites. I like Harry. I have no problem with the way he collects trees. ...BUT, when Harry, or anybody posts a stick in a pot just to make fun of newbee's then I get a little crazy. For every 1 of you who post here regularly, there is 50 who just read the posts, and learn. That demeaning attitude, while it might be funny to a few, pisses off a bunch of well meaning, newbee's out to learn something. And I happen to think thats wrong. It's a little thing called....CIVILITY....As my mother said" if you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing". Or, "treat people as you want them to treat you". This is not about how Harry, buys, cares for, or anything to do with his trees. This is about a guy, who collects fine bonsai, and then starts a tread, and tells newbee's that they have to spend X amount of money to do this art. And if you don't have the cash, stay out of the hobby. How the hell does he know what it takes to start in this hobbie? He doesn't. That is arrogance defined.
Most of us started with "home Depot" stock, sticks in pots. I did 14 years ago. I've got 40 + trees in different stages of growth. I enjoy trimming, caring , styling and pretty much just messing with my trees. I'm not out to make "master class trees" or win some "award". I enjoy the look of the "little trees". I come here, and to numerous other sites to see what like minded people are discussing about bonsai. Harry's not the only person to treat newbee's, with crappy trees like lower class citizens. I've seen it numerous times on every web site. I think it sucks.
Maybe I'm wrong about this, but I can't see where being civil to a person, even if their stcks are horrible, is wrong. Maybe it's the " tear a person down to lift yourself up" mentality. It was never about Harry collecting trees. I don't care how Harry gets trees, or who takes care of them. It was about being civil to another human being. I just said, in my origional post, what a few people may have been thinking. I know it may have angered Harry, and I'll bet his post angered some newbee's.
Now, if this was a political forum, then Harry and I would be shoulder to shoulder fighting off the tree hugging liberals until our last breath.
Mike