Are you experienced?

[Don Blackmond]

You forget that the tallest mountain in the US is fifty miles from my house. I have all that too, I just don't have to live in it.

Al, living 50 miles from it is like posting about bonsai and not doing bonsai......, if you're not living in it, you're not living it.

In all seriousness, I agree with Al. Its better to be ankle deep in application than neck deep in knowledge. You can read all you want but nothing beats experience. The best way to learn is through trial and error. Forums like this are places where people of all levels of experience can discuss and learn, but it works best if the discussions are based on actual work experience. So, ask for advice and then go put it into practice. Examine your results and form your own conclusions. Bring your results back here to share.

A lot of people won't post pictures or threads about their trees because they are insecure. They are learning and don't feel like they have anything to offer. Well, you need to get past that point and put yourself out there for criticism if you want to get specific advice. Sometimes it hurts. There's always someone who is mean or not diplomatic whose going to take a swing at you. But, that's ok. Take it all in and learn and grow. You will get better and your trees will get better, and all of that will happen faster. The best thing to do is get a good teacher or get involved in a good club and get that hands on experience firsthand. If that's not possible, then work on your own and post your work on a forum like this one. You will get a lot of good input that will help you.

 

[Don Blackmond]

Bunjeh, I know you posted that photo to show Al that you are actually doing bonsai and not just posting on forums. Kudos. I have a suggestion for you though. Find someone who can show you how to wire properly, get a big spool of wire and practice your wiring. I mean no offense but your wiring is not good. Proper wiring serves a purpose, and is aesthetically pleasing. I believe you would get much more enjoyment out of wiring, and the results, if you improved your technique. If you cannot find a live person to work with you, then get a video or book. There are a number of them to choose from. You will appreciate what you can do.

 

[Bunjeh]

Bunjeh you need to protect those cuts, get something like cut paste or prune sealer. It keeps them from drying out, cracking and peeling bark from the cut area, and also keeps disease out.

ed

Ed: Should I keep the cut where it is for now and wait and see where it back buds? Or move it to a lower branch? This photo is about life size,..little larger.

 

[Bunjeh]

Bunjeh, I know you posted that photo to show Al that you are actually doing bonsai and not just posting on forums. Kudos. I have a suggestion for you though. Find someone who can show you how to wire properly, get a big spool of wire and practice your wiring. I mean no offense but your wiring is not good. Proper wiring serves a purpose, and is aesthetically pleasing. I believe you would get much more enjoyment out of wiring, and the results, if you improved your technique. If you cannot find a live person to work with you, then get a video or book. There are a number of them to choose from. You will appreciate what you can do.

Actually, I posted the pic just to give smoke something to criticize. I wired this back in November just after I found it on the roadside. Since then I have received some better instruction. I work on a major Army base and have found several items like this over the past few months that I have gleaned from training areas where they were hit by armored vehicles. See this thread :
http://bonsainut.com/index.php?threads/yamadori-or-rescue.17270/

Now, if there is anyone out there who thinks that I'm a bogus blogger, rest ye well. I was diagnosed with Adult-Onset ADD a couple of years back and it has been a struggle to maintain my ability to focus on details. Last year I became intrigued by Bonsai and began to dabble in it. With my new interest I discovered that by its very nature, Bonsai "is" about details. I have made a great recovery thanks to this simple practice and and I have embraced the art as therapy. So yes,..like a born again Christian, I am a bit zealous. Of course, I am a Bhuddist so that metaphor just does not work.

So,..I posted my pic. SMOKE,..let me see that thong your Imperial Masterpieceship!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Bunjeh I agree with Don. You need to work on your wiring. I am not slamming you, but not only is your wiring technique wrong, but you aren't styling your branches well. Those little beginner branches you want to not only place well, but give them character. Trust me - join a bonsai club or go to a bonsai workshop that focuses on wiring. You will learn more in one day than you will learn in 5 years screwing around by yourself. Take it from someone who has made every mistake in bonsai - at least twice Clubs and workshops will quickly accelerate you past the frustrating stages of bonsai when you have setbacks - so you can focus your passion on the nuances!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

No one liked my pics? So sad. My ego did not get stroked

 

[Bunjeh]

Bunjeh I agree with Don. You need to work on your wiring. I am not slamming you, but not only is your wiring technique wrong, but you aren't styling your branches well. Those little beginner branches you want to not only place well, but give them character. Trust me - join a bonsai club or go to a bonsai workshop that focuses on wiring. You will learn more in one day than you will learn in 5 years screwing around by yourself. Take it from someone who has made every mistake in bonsai - at least twice Clubs and workshops will quickly accelerate you past the frustrating stages of bonsai when you have setbacks - so you can focus your passion on the nuances!

Nut: First of all,..I just liked your pics ;0)

As stated, this was at the start of the path so I have received some "mentorship" since then on wiring. So, should I completely rewire or just remove all and let it grow this first year? Also, I have joined a club and will attend my first meeting on the 23rd. Thanks!

 

[0soyoung]

Also, I have joined a club and will attend my first meeting on the 23rd.

So, is the moral of this story that you are wasting you time trying to learn here?

 

[Don Blackmond]

I was diagnosed with Adult-Onset ADD a couple of years back and it has been a struggle to maintain my ability to focus on details. Last year I became intrigued by Bonsai and began to dabble in it. With my new interest I discovered that by its very nature, Bonsai "is" about details. I have made a great recovery thanks to this simple practice and and I have embraced the art as therapy.

That's great. Seriously, get a bunch of wire and wire everything you have. Its great practice and it sounds like it would be therapeutic too.

 

[qwade]

Humility is for the weak and timid.

You may know Bonsai but you have a little more work to do on living.

 

[0soyoung]

BTW: Here you go.View attachment 67535 View attachment 67535

You might find Brian Van Fleet's recent blog post worth a read.

 

[Eric Group]

BTW: Here you go.View attachment 67535 View attachment 67535

Tighten the turns in your wire... You want to shoot for closer to 45 degree angles, you are more like 75 right now maybe? Gives you more control over your bends...

I'd prolly recommend a chop lower on the tree too. If it is taper you are looking for, you chop low and re- grow the top. Takes longer? Yes. It does... But if you chop high like that, then you are stuck with the movement you have in the trunk and won't develop much more taper in the trunk unless you have some lower branches to grow out.

 

[Smoke]

Actually I too was writing a blog post all afternoon. If anyone can't make a nice little tree after reading this there is no hope for you...

 

[Adair M]

Guys, Smoke has given me a hard time in the past, and he challenges you to defend your statements. However, if you can demonstrate that you do have some basis for what you say, he'll respect that.

I had the good fortune to meet him and his lovely wife at the last BIB show, and he could not have been more gentlemanly.

Then again, I think he had just taken his meds! (Just kidding!)

 

[Smoke]

Guys, Smoke has given me a hard time in the past, and he challenges you to defend your statements. However, if you can demonstrate that you do have some basis for what you say, he'll respect that.

I had the good fortune to meet him and his lovely wife at the last BIB show, and he could not have been more gentlemanly.

Then again, I think he had just taken his meds! (Just kidding!)

Leading these people to water is easy, getting them to drink is like really a chore. I could fix that guys trees in like two minutes and then five years. But they would rather argue. I don't get it.....maybe he could put it on ebay and I could get him like $50.00 for it.

 

[Eric Group]

Smoke, I get your point. I have no idea who you are. For all I know you may be an oracle. But none of us are out here looking for self validation through social media or "atta boys". We are looking for guidance. As you mentioned there are dozens of articles,..maybe hundreds on how to build taper. I have read them and many contradict one another. Type "best bonsai soil" into google and see what it gets you. In the interest of soliciting actual advice, I posted the thread. The beauty in a forum like this is that you can put yourself "out there" for validation or ridicule,..but either way you learn and you potentially learn from the best and then you take that advice an put it into practice.

Now, when you say "I know it makes people feel al[l]proud when they get to type into a reply to someone over their head" what exactly do you mean? Are you suggesting that some how those of us who are experiencing rather than experienced are beneath you?

Not trying to blow "smoke" up your ass,..but you should look up the definition of humility. It's a great interpersonal tool. You should try it.

I think what Smoke was saying is that you will get the same number of differing opinions by posting a question here as you would get by doing a google search normally... The only way to truly figure this stuff out is to do it! You can get some tips on what to try out, but until you do something- and do it multiple times- you won't have a good grasp on it... ESPECIALLY when it comes to trees/ plants!

I was once told by a "master gardener" that you don't truly know a plant until you have killed it 3 times.. or was it 7 times?... Regardless the point it you have to experience it, try different things figure out what you did wrong, try to fix it- FAIL- try again- FAIL- try again... Until you can't get it wrong and you do it as a reflex... That is how you get good at anything and bonsai is no different. Now, you should aspire to do stuff the right way every time... So go back to the tree in the pic and take the wire off, try again... See if it looks better. Or cut the tree lower and see if you get a bud to break in a desire able spot... Keep trying! Get pissed at someone like Smoke who is being blunt? Don't let it ruin your day or push you away, learn what you can from it and keep getting better man. You are beating your head against a wall right now.... That is just the way Smoke is- most of us have gotten real used to him and come to expect it and enjoy it even! Think of it as "tough love" if it makes you feel better! LOL

Regardless of how you take Smoke's comments, there are plenty of helpful folks around here and we all started somewhere!

 

[Smoke]

He's right, read my blog especially Throwback Thursday where I show all the pieces of crap I have had thru the years.

I have no idea where Bujeh is coming from I wasn't even talking about him when I talked about a guy wanting to chop his tree? But since he went all postal I just went with it. I needed the entertainment.

 

[Smoke]

No one liked my pics? So sad. My ego did not get stroked

Post your chair again.

 

[milehigh_7]

Smoke, I get your point. I have no idea who you are. For all I know you may be an oracle. But none of us are out here looking for self validation through social media or "atta boys". We are looking for guidance. As you mentioned there are dozens of articles,..maybe hundreds on how to build taper. I have read them and many contradict one another. Type "best bonsai soil" into google and see what it gets you. In the interest of soliciting actual advice, I posted the thread. The beauty in a forum like this is that you can put yourself "out there" for validation or ridicule,..but either way you learn and you potentially learn from the best and then you take that advice an put it into practice.

Now, when you say "I know it makes people feel al[l]proud when they get to type into a reply to someone over their head" what exactly do you mean? Are you suggesting that some how those of us who are experiencing rather than experienced are beneath you?

Not trying to blow "smoke" up your ass,..but you should look up the definition of humility. It's a great interpersonal tool. You should try it.

Been there done that with Al... He's like your grouchy uncle. He'll help ya but wants you to help yourself a bit as well. I have been more than a little angry at what I perceived was overly harsh but it's just his way and I have learned gobs over the years. I think Al more than anyone has taught me to "just cut it" or "take those wire pliers and really twist it up". Living miles away from bonsai people I kind of needed the nudge.

 

[Smoke]

I have decided that I am beating my head against a wall in the way a forum should work. I have concluded that people here have no skin in the game. From now on if someone wishes my help it will be done at the rate of $400.00 per day. I guarentee you will learn things or your money back.

When you get all the info for free its easy to beat up on the oracle.