Rick Moquin
Omono
I personally value the information contained on a forum where the interaction between its members is for the purpose of acquiring knowledge vice bickering.
Of late I have noticed the decline in quality of many forums on the internet. It is deplorable to see how quickly a forum can slide down the slippery slopes of irrelevant information and complacency. It was indeed refreshing to come to BN and see many knowledgeable enthusiasts once again re-united sharing information and knowledge with the vast majority at large.
I have been lurking in the background for quite some time. I refrained from any participation until I could take the pulse of the forum in order to hopefully contribute in a positive way. In the area I am from, bonsai clubs/societies are non existent. Although on several occasions in the last couple of years I have tried to generate interest, the interest i short lived. Although I can generate enthusiasm during seminars put on by "The Home Depot" it seems that bonsai in the Province is more of a curious oddity than what the art truely is.
Therefore without the exchange of information available on the internet, one would be left contemplating long hours with their heads in books and reference and, left to their own device in their development, books and reference material are great but they are only the tip of the iceberg. Where does one go to clarify an obscure point mentioned in said references? The one on one coaching that takes place at club meetings or workshops is extremely valuable to an aspiring bonsai enthusiast. Bonsai has only really kicked off in the last ten years or so with the advent of the internet. Yes, one can argue that bonsai was well and kicking before that. It has been around for thousands of years, no one will argue that point. What I am trying to convey is that the exponential growth of bonsai in the last decade is in large part due to the internet and the free flow of information available to all walks of life.
Over the last year I have seen the declined of many learned enthusiasts participation on the forums. These folks that we thumb are noses at, are the greatest source of live information avalaible. For those that think these seasoned enthusiasts are not extremely valuable, I suggest they re-visit their position on the subject. Why is it that "these" enthusiasts are reluctant to participate in a free exchange of information amongst community members? Is it they are tired of the bickering, the lack of seriousness of some enthusiast, or their is nothing to gain from such participation. These enthusiasts are perhaps tired of having to constantly lead a horse to water, only to have the horse refuse repeatidly to drink. Instead of acknowledging, thanking them for their information, assistance and wisdom, we too often snob them and call them "elitist".
The following tree was acquired in May '05, I thought it had great potential. It is a Chamaecyparis Obtusa "Nana" and had full intention on developing it as an formal upright. Hinokis do not back bud on old wood, a tidbit of information provided by my frequent participation on the forums. This particular tree has a fault that I am in the process of rectifying. The trunk has a nice basal flare at the soil line, unfortunately, below that flare is a straight section of trunk for approx. an inch or so before the nebari begins. Last spring a tourniquet was applied at the root end of the straight section, grooves were carved in the trunk above the tourniquet to the bottom of the basal flare, rooting hormone was applied. It was planted in a 3 gal container with my normal potting medium, whilst the top section to the basal flare was potted in straight turface (to mimick Japanese sand).
The second photo is the tree last fall. Low and behold one can find many tiny feeder roots just below the surface. A careful inspection will ensue this spring as to whether or not the parent rootball can be severed or not, I may wait until next spring to do so, allowing another complete growing season to maximize root development. Once severed the tree will be place in a shallow grow box to recuparate and continue to develop. During this time frame, time is not wasted. Selective pruning is still very much carried out in order to distribute the energy throughout the tree. The trees overall height requires reduction, but there is plenty of time to do that in the future. The more foliage available will assist in the development of a greater root system. The earliest this tree will see a bonsai pot is the spring of '08 or '09.
I am in no hurry, this tree has potential and this is what it may look like at the time of placing in a bonsai pot. Bonsai is about the journey and not the possession of "bonsai trees". These accomplishements could not have been carried out without the careful and unselfish nurturing I have personally received from the various forums. For those who have assisted me on my journey, I thank thee. For the folks that can't, are reluctant or just plainly refuse to see the light, may I wish you success in whatever endeavour you are participate in.
Of late I have noticed the decline in quality of many forums on the internet. It is deplorable to see how quickly a forum can slide down the slippery slopes of irrelevant information and complacency. It was indeed refreshing to come to BN and see many knowledgeable enthusiasts once again re-united sharing information and knowledge with the vast majority at large.
I have been lurking in the background for quite some time. I refrained from any participation until I could take the pulse of the forum in order to hopefully contribute in a positive way. In the area I am from, bonsai clubs/societies are non existent. Although on several occasions in the last couple of years I have tried to generate interest, the interest i short lived. Although I can generate enthusiasm during seminars put on by "The Home Depot" it seems that bonsai in the Province is more of a curious oddity than what the art truely is.
Therefore without the exchange of information available on the internet, one would be left contemplating long hours with their heads in books and reference and, left to their own device in their development, books and reference material are great but they are only the tip of the iceberg. Where does one go to clarify an obscure point mentioned in said references? The one on one coaching that takes place at club meetings or workshops is extremely valuable to an aspiring bonsai enthusiast. Bonsai has only really kicked off in the last ten years or so with the advent of the internet. Yes, one can argue that bonsai was well and kicking before that. It has been around for thousands of years, no one will argue that point. What I am trying to convey is that the exponential growth of bonsai in the last decade is in large part due to the internet and the free flow of information available to all walks of life.
Over the last year I have seen the declined of many learned enthusiasts participation on the forums. These folks that we thumb are noses at, are the greatest source of live information avalaible. For those that think these seasoned enthusiasts are not extremely valuable, I suggest they re-visit their position on the subject. Why is it that "these" enthusiasts are reluctant to participate in a free exchange of information amongst community members? Is it they are tired of the bickering, the lack of seriousness of some enthusiast, or their is nothing to gain from such participation. These enthusiasts are perhaps tired of having to constantly lead a horse to water, only to have the horse refuse repeatidly to drink. Instead of acknowledging, thanking them for their information, assistance and wisdom, we too often snob them and call them "elitist".
The following tree was acquired in May '05, I thought it had great potential. It is a Chamaecyparis Obtusa "Nana" and had full intention on developing it as an formal upright. Hinokis do not back bud on old wood, a tidbit of information provided by my frequent participation on the forums. This particular tree has a fault that I am in the process of rectifying. The trunk has a nice basal flare at the soil line, unfortunately, below that flare is a straight section of trunk for approx. an inch or so before the nebari begins. Last spring a tourniquet was applied at the root end of the straight section, grooves were carved in the trunk above the tourniquet to the bottom of the basal flare, rooting hormone was applied. It was planted in a 3 gal container with my normal potting medium, whilst the top section to the basal flare was potted in straight turface (to mimick Japanese sand).
The second photo is the tree last fall. Low and behold one can find many tiny feeder roots just below the surface. A careful inspection will ensue this spring as to whether or not the parent rootball can be severed or not, I may wait until next spring to do so, allowing another complete growing season to maximize root development. Once severed the tree will be place in a shallow grow box to recuparate and continue to develop. During this time frame, time is not wasted. Selective pruning is still very much carried out in order to distribute the energy throughout the tree. The trees overall height requires reduction, but there is plenty of time to do that in the future. The more foliage available will assist in the development of a greater root system. The earliest this tree will see a bonsai pot is the spring of '08 or '09.
I am in no hurry, this tree has potential and this is what it may look like at the time of placing in a bonsai pot. Bonsai is about the journey and not the possession of "bonsai trees". These accomplishements could not have been carried out without the careful and unselfish nurturing I have personally received from the various forums. For those who have assisted me on my journey, I thank thee. For the folks that can't, are reluctant or just plainly refuse to see the light, may I wish you success in whatever endeavour you are participate in.
Attachments
Last edited: