Well this should provide plenty of false hope to bonsai noobs this holiday season.
They got me last season already. I'm not falling for that again!Well this should provide plenty of false hope to bonsai noobs this holiday season.
Just wondering who decided this was world class?By Nick Lenz, no less.
From the "native trees" section of the bonsai collection at the Montréal Botanical Garden. I asked the curator about their bad reputation as bonsai, and he looked at me like I was an alien. I guess they become easier to cultivate after a few decades in a small pot?
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Just wondering who decided this was world class?
It is wonderful to be called son at my age! The observation is an honest one. But I guess it depends on ones exposure to show quality bonsai. I have visited a number of " known" displays and found the Bonsai to be disappointing, particularily in the manner in which they have been maintained given the financial support and lack of professional staff to keep the collection in top form. Frequently a big name is associated with the collection but spends little or no time actually working on the collection. So it is not a disparagement on the initial designer or developer.Thems is fightin’ words son! ?. Getting my popcorn ready.
Nope, But that does not make this world class or any other description. I am just judging my observation on nebari, trunk movement, taper, bark ; primary secondary branch formation and foliage pad development. Simple thing, not if it is better than something else i saw. Most trees are judged on a particular format adapted to their species.Have you seen a better example of this particular cultivar? I'm not sure if I have. Asking out of curiosity, not arguing.
I have the book and understand the reference! Just do not share the opinion.This tree was in his great book Bonsai from the wild. It is in the opening discussion of the art of bonsai. He grew this inthe ground for 16 years, root trimmed every 3. It is a great example of a truly skilled artist and patient grower. These spruce are regarded as garbage trees, yet Mr. Lenz was able to make a great bonai from it. Here is a photo from his book.View attachment 216522
I didn't say I did consider it world class (not really a label I like or would use anyway). There are a lot of things about it that I like, but I've also seen many trees I prefer and that would be seen as 'better' in terms of the characteristics you list. However I don't think I've seen a better tree *of this species* which is why I was curious.I am curious, what about this tree would you consider world class.
Thank you for posting these! I find spruce a challenging species to work with and fully appreciate the work that has gone in to these examples.Here are a couple of Dwarf Alberta spruce bonsai I've been working on. The largest has been in a container for over 50 years.View attachment 221489View attachment 221490View attachment 221491