Hello there,
So its been a year... as you gathered from the title. I could write a lot (and I probably will), because I tend to type so much.. especially on this hobby, but I will try to keep it shorter!
On this day exactly 1 year ago, I was given a Chinese Elm Mallsai, as a present (and on this day, exactly 25 years ago, I was born, but that's not important). That catapulted me in to this forum and finding out more and more and more, and becoming addicted to knowing about this art form. Its fascinating.
This is nature, mother earth, species that have been around on this earth for longer than humans and will remain longer after humans. We do things to trees, some do nice things, some do bad things, to shape them and create something else. Some aim to create "Bonsai" as set down by rules and tradition, largely Japanese in origin, some create their perception of "Bonsai" to their own rules or rules they learnt from others, then others just do their loose definition of "Bonsai", creating a tree completely for their own enjoyment and not adhering to any rules. Then there are probably most who do a mix of it all. After all, it is art, it cannot be quantified.
As a beginner, finding your way in to that world, not knowing anything about it and being bombarded by so many other's opinions on what this is, or isn't, it's not easy. Learning patience is one of the most difficult things to do. In some cases, it is quite literally like "watching the grass grow".
I digress. I have learnt a lot... an awful lot this year, and I hope for that not to slow down. 1 thing I do want though, is to get more practical experience of the things I have learnt. I have learnt how to thread graft or approach graft, but never done it. I'm interested to try that soon. And trunk chop.
Any way, I will make one of these topics every year, on this day (as long as I am able), for multiple reasons. To thank people, to talk to my future self (I talk to my present self all the time, out loud, why not talk to future self too), to look back with memory and judge how my trees and self are improving.
1 final thing before I post a little list of trees, dates and pics. A thanks. I must say, I cannot possibly name all, so I can only apologise if someone are missing but I feel I must name those who I can, for they may not want it, but do deserve it. Some of you I may not have spoken to or some I may have spoken to too much! But I have learnt a lot from you all.
@sorce (Its a skill in itself to understand your posts sometimes. Just when I think I have cracked it, I see you write a post somewhere else and I think "Nope, that just wasn't english". Thanks for your replies to all my messages I incessantly send you)
@MACH5 (Your eye and skill for the development of your trees is amazing, a sentiment shared by many on here, as much as you won't admit it. It is what it is and its a pleasure to speak to you each time)
@LanceMac10 (You've given so much great advice and your gif posting just makes or breaks things sometimes, it is quite amazing!)
@markyscott (We haven't spoken much but I have learnt so much from your posts and substrate resource you give truly such in depth replies, it is such a wonderful learning opportunity)
@Smoke (Also haven't spoken much to you but still learnt so much. Your years of experience really show and your guidance in old topics I have randomly found, is so great, thank you for your time)
@M. Frary (To be remembered as the guy who bluntly told me how it was! Much needed and appreciated. First to tell me my little precious chinese elm was just a mallsai with less potential than a daffodil. It was needed and appreciated a lot, thank you!)
@BobbyLane (First person I ever met in real life who is crazy about this hobby as I am and becoming. Thanks for your time and trees! Was great meeting you and thank you).
As I said, there are more, people I can think of now but had to draw a line somewhere! Thank you to the Bonsai Nut community, as a whole. I can't easily or at all, get out to a club or get a teacher, so this is my best resource by far and it wouldn't exist without you all. So thank you.
And that's it, no more soppy crap, that is over with!
Here are the trees I currently have, I'm not asking for opinions or critics on them, just for record. You are all, always welcome to give your critic or opinion though, of course. I will never turn it away! No matter how harsh it may be
.
Chinese Elm (Mallsai, 13/03/16),
Acer Palmatum (10/06/16),
Ficus Retusa (07/02/17),
Chinese Elm #3,#4,#5 (26/02/17)
European Beech,
Olive,
Common Alder
Here's to the next year. Cheers.
So its been a year... as you gathered from the title. I could write a lot (and I probably will), because I tend to type so much.. especially on this hobby, but I will try to keep it shorter!
On this day exactly 1 year ago, I was given a Chinese Elm Mallsai, as a present (and on this day, exactly 25 years ago, I was born, but that's not important). That catapulted me in to this forum and finding out more and more and more, and becoming addicted to knowing about this art form. Its fascinating.
This is nature, mother earth, species that have been around on this earth for longer than humans and will remain longer after humans. We do things to trees, some do nice things, some do bad things, to shape them and create something else. Some aim to create "Bonsai" as set down by rules and tradition, largely Japanese in origin, some create their perception of "Bonsai" to their own rules or rules they learnt from others, then others just do their loose definition of "Bonsai", creating a tree completely for their own enjoyment and not adhering to any rules. Then there are probably most who do a mix of it all. After all, it is art, it cannot be quantified.
As a beginner, finding your way in to that world, not knowing anything about it and being bombarded by so many other's opinions on what this is, or isn't, it's not easy. Learning patience is one of the most difficult things to do. In some cases, it is quite literally like "watching the grass grow".
I digress. I have learnt a lot... an awful lot this year, and I hope for that not to slow down. 1 thing I do want though, is to get more practical experience of the things I have learnt. I have learnt how to thread graft or approach graft, but never done it. I'm interested to try that soon. And trunk chop.
Any way, I will make one of these topics every year, on this day (as long as I am able), for multiple reasons. To thank people, to talk to my future self (I talk to my present self all the time, out loud, why not talk to future self too), to look back with memory and judge how my trees and self are improving.
1 final thing before I post a little list of trees, dates and pics. A thanks. I must say, I cannot possibly name all, so I can only apologise if someone are missing but I feel I must name those who I can, for they may not want it, but do deserve it. Some of you I may not have spoken to or some I may have spoken to too much! But I have learnt a lot from you all.
@sorce (Its a skill in itself to understand your posts sometimes. Just when I think I have cracked it, I see you write a post somewhere else and I think "Nope, that just wasn't english". Thanks for your replies to all my messages I incessantly send you)
@MACH5 (Your eye and skill for the development of your trees is amazing, a sentiment shared by many on here, as much as you won't admit it. It is what it is and its a pleasure to speak to you each time)
@LanceMac10 (You've given so much great advice and your gif posting just makes or breaks things sometimes, it is quite amazing!)
@markyscott (We haven't spoken much but I have learnt so much from your posts and substrate resource you give truly such in depth replies, it is such a wonderful learning opportunity)
@Smoke (Also haven't spoken much to you but still learnt so much. Your years of experience really show and your guidance in old topics I have randomly found, is so great, thank you for your time)
@M. Frary (To be remembered as the guy who bluntly told me how it was! Much needed and appreciated. First to tell me my little precious chinese elm was just a mallsai with less potential than a daffodil. It was needed and appreciated a lot, thank you!)
@BobbyLane (First person I ever met in real life who is crazy about this hobby as I am and becoming. Thanks for your time and trees! Was great meeting you and thank you).
As I said, there are more, people I can think of now but had to draw a line somewhere! Thank you to the Bonsai Nut community, as a whole. I can't easily or at all, get out to a club or get a teacher, so this is my best resource by far and it wouldn't exist without you all. So thank you.
And that's it, no more soppy crap, that is over with!
Here are the trees I currently have, I'm not asking for opinions or critics on them, just for record. You are all, always welcome to give your critic or opinion though, of course. I will never turn it away! No matter how harsh it may be
.Chinese Elm (Mallsai, 13/03/16),
Acer Palmatum (10/06/16),
Ficus Retusa (07/02/17),
Chinese Elm #3,#4,#5 (26/02/17)
European Beech,
Olive,
Common Alder
Here's to the next year. Cheers.
