Well I was surprised to find so much posted in my absence.
I did get PM's sent to those that specific asked for the cost. let me say he is about double what I'm used to paying. Do you get your money's worth out of the session. most certainly.
Day started off with an hr long discussion about how to do things. His stuff is always 180 degrees from what you've read, but his horticultural degree and training in Japan makes the info solid gold.
Just watching him repot other's trees, made me aware of numerous things I would never have done but seems so lodgical now looking back.
Here's one for you that you didn't have to pay for.....
when it comes to anchoring your trees to the pot, he uses 17 gauge galvanized electric fence wire. Available most hardware stores (true value) and comes in a 1/4 mile length spool. He says it doesn't stretch or give over time and is worth using.
I've had trouble posting photos, so i'm gonna try and do some now, but if it doesn't go at least you had a mini report and maybe something (anchoring wire) worth the read. Well as you can see, sorry, i tried.
I'd have to say what I valued the most over the whole days was his assesment of a limber pine ( american member of white pine family) that I purchased from a person who yamadori dug. Wonderful old bark but base had inverse taper. I told him I was thinking of selling at the club auction. within seconds he changed angle of potting to dramatic 65 degree from upright and went on to explain about limb placement. Incredible. so I begged hm to tell me what goes thru his mind about design and he went back to lecture mold and outlined it. Incredible information!!!!
The tree we worked on that day was what I wanted to share in a photo. was an engleman spruce, native to the northwest. a collected tree from someone's collection that looked like a round ball of tiny needles. end result was amazing since one of the members of the class who I respect for their ability, said don't buy the tree no future. Ryan had it at the end where even he had to say it was a pretty good tree.
far as the ladies go, it came to light that Ryan had recently married and was wearing a copper looking wedding band on his left hand. was all the buzz from the monday group which had several ladies. My tuesday group is all guys.
