Bonsai Takes Time!

Andrew Robson

Shohin
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There is no such thing as instant bonsai. We often do to much to our trees at one time, and they suffer because of it. I know so many people who kill trees simply because they are overworked, or are worked at the wrong time. This video says it perfectly! A good message for us all to hear, myself included.

 
The trees at the Artisans Cup are not what I was talking about in my original post, and I think you know that.
 
There is no such thing as instant bonsai. We often do to much to our trees at one time, and they suffer because of it. I know so many people who kill trees simply because they are overworked, or are worked at the wrong time.


How is this not what was displayed at the Cup? Read my highlighted text in one sentence. Explain to me how the trees displayed differ from this line?
 
Time is different with a Swiss Watch!

Sorce
 
Or if you're a big nerd....a satellite controlled most accurate time keeper ever......

But the satellite blows up, and it's back.to a timex!

Sorce
 
How is this not what was displayed at the Cup? Read my highlighted text in one sentence. Explain to me how the trees displayed differ from this line?

The trees at the Cup were not created instantly, and I really doubt you think they were. Yes, there were trees there that needed a lot more refinement, but they were amazing trees, and in 10 or 20 years, they'll still be really amazing trees, just better refined.

Were some of the trees at the Cup created quickly? Yes, relatively speaking they were. Those trees that were created quickly were created by experts who knew exactly what they were doing. They were using the best techniques, practices, soils, and were under the best care.
 
I don't think the trees were premature.

I think the show was.

Sorce
 
The trees at the Cup were not created instantly, and I really doubt you think they were. Yes, there were trees there that needed a lot more refinement, but they were amazing trees, and in 10 or 20 years, they'll still be really amazing trees, just better refined.

Were some of the trees at the Cup created quickly? Yes, relatively speaking they were. Those trees that were created quickly were created by experts who knew exactly what they were doing. They were using the best techniques, practices, soils, and were under the best care.

And that's not to say the same experts are taking just any piece of material to that level in that time frame right?
The same people I'm sure have trees collected the same years as the showed ones that won't be show ready for many years to come as well I bet.
People are saying only 5 years training for some, so of all the trees collected in your country 5-6 years ago, how many have everything needed to be shown at an event like that, within that time frame I mean, under the very best care and styling? Not many, if you're choosing among the very best available every year then ok, 5 years, for a few of them, why not?
Doesn't mean 5 years should be a goal or expectation for every tree, yamadori or not.
 
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The trees at the Cup were not created instantly, and I really doubt you think they were. Yes, there were trees there that needed a lot more refinement, but they were amazing trees, and in 10 or 20 years, they'll still be really amazing trees, just better refined.

Were some of the trees at the Cup created quickly? Yes, relatively speaking they were. Those trees that were created quickly were created by experts who knew exactly what they were doing. They were using the best techniques, practices, soils, and were under the best care.
Now your parsing words. Which is it young or old?
Interesting, too bad no one told the people at the Artisans Cup about this revelation...
This was my quote. I did not single out any trees I just made a statement that so far in America this was supposed to be the most anticipated, most hyped and most disappointing assemblage of bonsai shown so far. I agree in 20 or 30 years some of these tree will be amazing. You were making a statement about instant bonsai and its shortcomings. I related it to that exhibit. Even if "one" were young my point was valid. Two even more so, First and second place, a disgrace to those that have put in the time. That's my opinion.
 
Now your parsing words. Which is it young or old?

This was my quote. I did not single out any trees I just made a statement that so far in America this was supposed to be the most anticipated, most hyped and most disappointing assemblage of bonsai shown so far. I agree in 20 or 30 years some of these tree will be amazing. You were making a statement about instant bonsai and its shortcomings. I related it to that exhibit. Even if "one" were young my point was valid. Two even more so, First and second place, a disgrace to those that have put in the time. That's my opinion.

Did you attend the cup?
 
First of all Andrew, I don't think you know who I am in the big picture of California Bonsai. I pretty much know everyone on the left coast and have seen all but about twenty trees that were in the exhibit. The trees I had not seen were of Michael's and Ryan's. A good many were from California, and many of them can be seen on my blog. I was slated to attend as I have family in both Springfield and Portland but work issues kept me from going. Considering the money I would have spent and the pictures I have seen and the bonsai emails about how the event was handled allows me to have let this one go and feel Ok about it. I go yearly to Boons exhibit and have many of the events posted on my blog along with the Redwood Empire bonsai events each August. There is no doubt in my mind I know what a good and old tree with patina looks like. I'm sorry I didn't see it there.

I used to feel that Bill's display of USA trees was such a disappointment for the bonsai community because of the size of the USA and people not wanting their tree across the Continent for weeks. The cup was a chance to finally see those west coast trees that no one has seen, but alas it was not to be. I had no idea this was to be a two man show.

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You look at that second tree with the trunk all folded. That is Kishu shimpaku grafted on to the California juniper. That tree has been worked on for over thirty years, mostly by Kathy Shaner. That is a tree with patina, and the history of workmanship!
 
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