Any fan of bonsai heirloom on here?

[leatherback]

Approaches / philosophies are unique, obviously, but I appreciate his "do what works for you" and "this is meant to be enjoyable" approach to this hobby. He seems genuinely nice. Of course he's selling things, as are many "content creators" in bonsai and beyond.

Just because it is different and a person has an attitude to just "do what you like" does not mean it is good advice to learn with.
To be honest, on my channel I also advice people to enjoy it, and do bonsai the way they like. I do however also try and explain why some approaches are just not good for the long-term viability of trees. And the latter is what most experienced bonsai growers have a problem with. A little like the Juniper "bonsai" sellers that recommend putting them on the coffee table and watering with a mister.

some of the advice on this very thread is truly terrible! Imagine believing that books are worthless and that only in-person teaching can truly pass knowledge on

Not sure where you read this. Fact is, Bonsai is a 3D hobby and often it is a lot easier to convey a message and really follow what goes on if there is a person able to show directly on the tree. Which is why there is still a market for in-person workshops. (All information you can get from my channel if you wanted to, yet people book me to come to their place and work with them on their collection).

I find the attitudes of some of the more prolific / established posters here to be super discouraging to newcomers

Sorry to hear. Guess I am tired of everybody complaining about newcomers being treated poorly, whereas those new here tend to start off by expressing an opinion about long-term residents of a site. Odd. Netiquette seems to have disappeared.

This came to mind.

 

[Ruddigger]

How enjoyable will this hobby be when you start losing trees by following the advice of a charlatan?

Edit: Well said Jelle.

 

[Dorstenia]

Milton has told me that the reason he developed his technique is that he is lazy (not kidding).

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Milton has told me that the reason he developed his technique is that he is lazy (not kidding).

His technique makes sense. You never have to do any work on your trees if they never grow! Perfect for the lazy among us.

 

[vp999]

Damn it ...Its gonna be painful and expensive to cover up Milton's name tattoo on my lower back.

 

[pandacular]

Books aren’t worthless, but they are a snapshot in time. By the time a book is published, some part of it will likely be out of date. I have access to perhaps one of the best bonsai libraries in the country, and any book I’ve read older than a publication date of about 1985 is full of information that would never be recommended today.

In person teaching isn’t the only way—see our own Dan Robinson—but it is the surest way. If you don’t have access to in person education, a good recent book is a good starting point, but you will waste a great deal of time learning the hard way. Living in a place like Seattle, you should probably completely skip the books and come to the club.

 

[Rodrigo]

Imagine believing that books are worthless and that only in-person teaching can truly pass knowledge on -- is that you, Socrates?

Clearly not what I said. Common bonsai practice and knowledge has changed dramatically since the 80s. It's not that he's using books, there are great books out there and in fact, I own several. It's WHICH books he's referencing that's the issue

Books aren’t worthless, but they are a snapshot in time. By the time a book is published, some part of it will likely be out of date. I have access to perhaps one of the best bonsai libraries in the country, and any book I’ve read older than a publication date of about 1985 is full of information that would never be recommended today.

In person teaching isn’t the only way—see our own Dan Robinson—but it is the surest way. If you don’t have access to in person education, a good recent book is a good starting point, but you will waste a great deal of time learning the hard way. Living in a place like Seattle, you should probably completely skip the books and come to the club.

Exactly, thank you!

He just uploaded one today where he says to constantly pinch junipers every day to keep them "looking nice all the time". You can tell that juniper was once very nice but so many branches have died over time and what's left of it shows his techniques aren't quite working.
I'm all for people trying new ways of doing bonsai, just don't go spreading misinformation that could cost beginners their trees and possibly their interest in the hobby from the get go. 100% of his comments are beginners thanking him for the advise

 

[pandacular]

This is why when beginners or people visiting the museum I volunteer at ask for book recommendations I steer them towards either (a) Jonas’ book, which is new, beginner oriented, and advises readers to find a club or (b) books that focus on design and art of bonsai, such as Dave de Groot’s classic and Zhao Qingquan’s books.

Anyway, I don’t want to bring this post off topic, so I’ll lead it at that. Personally, I only seek out bonsai videos from people who I have seen excellent trees from, not watch videos looking for excellent trees.

 

[n8]

New murder just dropped. Holy shit, that was difficult to watch ol' Milton mangle this amazing material.

 

[RJG2]

New murder just dropped. Holy shit, that was difficult to watch ol' Milton mangle this amazing material.

God, I want to see it, but I didn't want to give him views!

 

[leatherback]

God, I want to see it, but I didn't want to give him views!

Did you know you can compensate each view at his channel, with 10 on mine?

 

[Ruddigger]

At least he’s mangling a Sierra and not a California this time. Sierra’s are much stronger, but it’s still a disaster..

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Call the police.

 

[Gabler]

Just because it is different and a person has an attitude to just "do what you like" does not mean it is good advice to learn with.
To be honest, on my channel I also advice people to enjoy it, and do bonsai the way they like. I do however also try and explain why some approaches are just not good for the long-term viability of trees. And the latter is what most experienced bonsai growers have a problem with. A little like the Juniper "bonsai" sellers that recommend putting them on the coffee table and watering with a mister.


Not sure where you read this. Fact is, Bonsai is a 3D hobby and often it is a lot easier to convey a message and really follow what goes on if there is a person able to show directly on the tree. Which is why there is still a market for in-person workshops. (All information you can get from my channel if you wanted to, yet people book me to come to their place and work with them on their collection).


Sorry to hear. Guess I am tired of everybody complaining about newcomers being treated poorly, whereas those new here tend to start off by expressing an opinion about long-term residents of a site. Odd. Netiquette seems to have disappeared.

This came to mind.

For what it's worth, I felt very welcome here when I joined, even though I said some asinine things. I probably still say asinine things from time to time without realizing it, but I haven't gotten any grief from longtime members. I have, however, gotten grief from more than one new member I tried to help.

 

[namnhi]

New murder just dropped. Holy shit, that was difficult to watch ol' Milton mangle this amazing material.

Funny I am watching it as I pull up this post.

 

[leatherback]

For what it's worth, I felt very welcome here when I joined, even though I said some asinine things. I probably still say asinine things from time to time without realizing it, but I haven't gotten any grief from longtime members. I have, however, gotten grief from more than one new member I tried to help.

well... as one of the oldtimers.. You want me to give you some grief ?

 

[Gabler]

well... as one of the oldtimers.. You want me to give you some grief ?

Maybe not grief, but helpful criticism is always welcome.

 

[KikurageOtomo]

Truly enlightening to see how much development some practitioners make in just a few years in contrast to "Masters" like Milton who think they know it all and stopped learning almost as soon as they started. I sincerely hope his bonsai bring him joy, but I also hope his viewers are inevitably clued in to proper educational channels as soon as possible. Even outside of his bonsai acumen (or lack thereof), his understanding of tree physiology is quite questionable too. Based on the video it seems he thinks the heartwood of a tree is dead material?

 

[Gabler]

Based on the video it seems he thinks the heartwood of a tree is dead material?

Is it not? I know the sapwood is still functioning, but I thought the heartwood was completely dead.

 

[KikurageOtomo]

Is it not? I know the sapwood is still functioning, but I thought the heartwood was completely dead.

Upon further review it sounds like its more complicated than being dead or alive. Its no longer developing tissue, but it is resistant to rot and still functions as a support structure, not weakening as long as external layers remain.

Maybe that compounds my point about learning opportunities.