The size of bonsai

[petegreg]

Actually in many cases the larger the tree the less time it takes. For example I find it much easier to wire a larger tree, and in some species it is easier to keep them maintained. It really depends on the tree and the species (as well as point in development), but size is not directly related to work required. Try to maintain a shohin broom-style elm for example... hoo boy! Compared to a large California juniper that just gets pruned once per year and needs only light finished wiring on occasion.

Definitely, wiring shohin or smaller trees is a watchmaker work.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

No you don't leave the wire in and it's normally taken off before it bites too much. That effect is caused by twisting the wood clockwise as you bend. Shimpaku fibres run clockwise looking from the top so that's the way you twist it. If you just bend you don't get the same effect. I do many of these every year.

Very cool. Should I twist counter clockwise from my location?

There seems to be a funny concept where some people can't seem to go past the size of a tree before they really consider it. This is particularly so with the Vietnamese community here - a couple of which are close friends. No matter how much I explain that size and quality are completely separate, they insist that small trees (less than about 15 or 20 inches) just don't give them the right ''feeling''. So much so that they will by-pass a high quality small tree and pay any price to acquire the big stuff regardless of quality.
What's going on? Is it immaturity? Is it cultural? In my mind they are missing something!

I think it is cultural and immaturity. Lots of bonsai enthusiasts around here, but they like bigger lower quality stuff. Gives me some peace of mind that they won't steal some of my nicer small material.

 

[Tentakelaertje]

Very cool. Should I twist counter clockwise from my location?

Nononono don't forget he's from Down Under! Stuff spins the other way over there!

 

[MichaelS]

Very cool. Should I twist counter clockwise from my location?
Beats me!

 

[MichaelS]

Quote Pachycaul

either chain hoists and chainsaws or dental drills and magnifiers, will make the tree neither "better" nor "worse."

Very true. I don't know if anyone is saying larger or smaller trees are any different in quality or value due to size only. A good tree is a good tree.......however, what some may recognize as good, and their reasoning, is questionable.

 

[Rambles]

I tend to be easily impressed by the smallest of bonsai or big trees in the smallest of pots from a technical standpoint. The deligence and care requirements when you have such a narrow margin of error get me every time. That said, I'm a sucker for a tree with a story, regardless of size.

 

[drew33998]

Sometimes I feel that the 4 foot tall trees with 36" diameter deadwood trunks are just trees not bonsai. Sure the bigger the tree is the easier it is to look like an actual larger tree because the scale is closer.

 

[Pachycaul]

....Sure the bigger the tree is the easier it is to look like an actual larger tree because the scale is closer.

And, in fact, it looks like a larger tree because it IS a larger tree!

 

[Maloghurst]

There is a reason the Japanese created size classification in bonsai. Because you simply can’t do as much with a smaller scale. So all things being equal the bigger tree will Always be a better more convincing tree.
I’m not saying any large tree will beat any small tree because that would be crazy.

I paint portraits. Some masters have painted lifelike portraits as small as 2 inches. They look amazing. But when compared to a full-size portrait from the same master it cannot compete.