DogwoodApprentice
Yamadori
Indeed, first and foremost. Any active collectors up that way you know? Tyler gave me the green light to seek out any already collected material for sale
Chronicles of Dogwood Studios Apprentice
- Thread starter DogwoodApprentice
- Start date
DogwoodApprentice
Yamadori
Dogwood Chronicles #8
With many 65° days this February, and most everything in the garden and forest around us pushing, fertilization has begun. Liquid and bio gold en masse. God, I want a dosatron.
With many 65° days this February, and most everything in the garden and forest around us pushing, fertilization has begun. Liquid and bio gold en masse. God, I want a dosatron.
DogwoodApprentice
Yamadori
Dogwood Chronicles #9
I love to romanticize the journey. The singular focus on something like the pursuit of artistic craft, its a high ideal for sure. There's this book, Mastery by Robert Greene. He talks about a mentality one can adopt of romanticizing the suffering and sacrifice for the greater payoff. I lean into this my first spring as an apprentice. As I'm prepping to move from the housing I just moved into 3.5 months ago to a much closer apartment, I get strep. No sweat, I often am subject to it, and the VA sends me the atomic level I need as a chronic sufferer. I take no days off. Antibiotics make you sensitive to the sun. Resultingly, my hands look like lobster claws. This is the price I must pay for me to live my dream, I don't care.
Also, something has fucked up my knees to my mid shin. I'm afflicted with a myriad of skin maladies, you guys. Woe, the lowly garden apprentice.
Tyler is gone this week. From our conversations throughout my first 90 days, he has made it clear that I am free to go to my level of comfort working on any tree, usually given a list of must-accomplish first. When that list is finished, there's always more work to do. It is incredibly exciting to make the big cuts alone, to push trees to be better this year than they were the last, and in turn pushing myself.
Our largest intensive classes are happening next month, can't wait.
I love to romanticize the journey. The singular focus on something like the pursuit of artistic craft, its a high ideal for sure. There's this book, Mastery by Robert Greene. He talks about a mentality one can adopt of romanticizing the suffering and sacrifice for the greater payoff. I lean into this my first spring as an apprentice. As I'm prepping to move from the housing I just moved into 3.5 months ago to a much closer apartment, I get strep. No sweat, I often am subject to it, and the VA sends me the atomic level I need as a chronic sufferer. I take no days off. Antibiotics make you sensitive to the sun. Resultingly, my hands look like lobster claws. This is the price I must pay for me to live my dream, I don't care.
Also, something has fucked up my knees to my mid shin. I'm afflicted with a myriad of skin maladies, you guys. Woe, the lowly garden apprentice.
Tyler is gone this week. From our conversations throughout my first 90 days, he has made it clear that I am free to go to my level of comfort working on any tree, usually given a list of must-accomplish first. When that list is finished, there's always more work to do. It is incredibly exciting to make the big cuts alone, to push trees to be better this year than they were the last, and in turn pushing myself.
Our largest intensive classes are happening next month, can't wait.
DogwoodApprentice
Yamadori
Dogwood Chronicles #10
A couple items to gauge interest
I've been speaking with Tyler about doing something for Veteran's Day. Perhaps an open house. I come from spending just under a decade on active duty, our garden manager a Marine vet, are both always warmed us to see our fellow veterans in the intensive classes. I know at my home club Triangle Bonsai Society there's a large veteran preference as well. Would be rad to have a gathering.
Announcing Dogwood Studios...Stays? Sleeps? Name is a Work In Progress
If Chronicles #9 didn't clue you in, I embrace the nut part of this thing we do. I know there are other young people out there that want to be as tuned into this thing as we are at Dogwood Studios. When I did an intensive with Todd in Denver, I slept on a camp futon at my buddy's house an hour away to save money on accommodation. Getting a hotel doubles how much an intensive weekend learning costs. This isn't an issue for some and a total nonstarter for others. Tyler is from, and loves to be, from Hickory, NC. Not many people have buddies couches they can crash on within a daily drive of Hickory, NC. I'll be your buddy. Beginning in April, I will be 10 minutes from the garden. Travel to/from garden included. $75/weekend Can offer pick up / drop off at Charlotte-Douglas Int'l for additional $75. This is really to encourage more young guys to advance their skillset with one of the best in the country than anything. Hit my pm if this sounds compelling
A couple items to gauge interest
I've been speaking with Tyler about doing something for Veteran's Day. Perhaps an open house. I come from spending just under a decade on active duty, our garden manager a Marine vet, are both always warmed us to see our fellow veterans in the intensive classes. I know at my home club Triangle Bonsai Society there's a large veteran preference as well. Would be rad to have a gathering.
Announcing Dogwood Studios...Stays? Sleeps? Name is a Work In Progress
If Chronicles #9 didn't clue you in, I embrace the nut part of this thing we do. I know there are other young people out there that want to be as tuned into this thing as we are at Dogwood Studios. When I did an intensive with Todd in Denver, I slept on a camp futon at my buddy's house an hour away to save money on accommodation. Getting a hotel doubles how much an intensive weekend learning costs. This isn't an issue for some and a total nonstarter for others. Tyler is from, and loves to be, from Hickory, NC. Not many people have buddies couches they can crash on within a daily drive of Hickory, NC. I'll be your buddy. Beginning in April, I will be 10 minutes from the garden. Travel to/from garden included. $75/weekend Can offer pick up / drop off at Charlotte-Douglas Int'l for additional $75. This is really to encourage more young guys to advance their skillset with one of the best in the country than anything. Hit my pm if this sounds compelling
DogwoodApprentice
Yamadori
Dogwood Chronicles #11
https://www.instagram.com/p/DI4rWjRRT-E/
Success in New England. Two really cool fir, and some interesting pines. Spent time with Mark Comstock. The man makes the best JBP stock this side of the mississippi for my money. It's always good to see him. Tyler told me it was mediocre material but was proud of me for going. Tough love, a featured trademark of apprenticeship. The firs are now pushing their lime green extensions and I love them regardless.
Solo man in the garden for the next week. Big Boss with his clients in Atlanta, Garden Manager away on a bachelor party weekend to Hilton Head.
Much audiobooking has been consumed in the 42 hours / 2400 mile over 5 day trip. Not to mention the recent months of frequent solitude. Of the handful finished on the trip, the 1936 classic How to Win Friends and Influence People. I found it incredibly insightful and still totally applicable in modern life, 10/10, no notes.
A lot happening in the world, a lot happening in the garden (Including a 1400lb shipment from the Backcountry Boys). I can only have an effect on one.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DI4rWjRRT-E/
Success in New England. Two really cool fir, and some interesting pines. Spent time with Mark Comstock. The man makes the best JBP stock this side of the mississippi for my money. It's always good to see him. Tyler told me it was mediocre material but was proud of me for going. Tough love, a featured trademark of apprenticeship. The firs are now pushing their lime green extensions and I love them regardless.
Solo man in the garden for the next week. Big Boss with his clients in Atlanta, Garden Manager away on a bachelor party weekend to Hilton Head.
Much audiobooking has been consumed in the 42 hours / 2400 mile over 5 day trip. Not to mention the recent months of frequent solitude. Of the handful finished on the trip, the 1936 classic How to Win Friends and Influence People. I found it incredibly insightful and still totally applicable in modern life, 10/10, no notes.
A lot happening in the world, a lot happening in the garden (Including a 1400lb shipment from the Backcountry Boys). I can only have an effect on one.
DogwoodApprentice
Yamadori
Dogwood Chronicles #12
Once in high school, I earned the ire of my teacher when I asked her if, "real doctors ever teased her about not being a real doctor?" Dr. O was a chiropractor. She confusedly replied, "but I am a real doctor." What else could I respond with but, "...right."
Apprenticeship as a title is a funny thing. There's no rules on any of this anywhere, and so anyone can take on extra hands and call them whatever they'd like. "Helpers" "Volunteers" "Apprentice" When Tyler accepted me as his first, he made it clear that he was going to maintain the same expectations and standards that were placed on him. That of all the things that were to be different about my American apprenticeship, the rigor, commitment, and discipline of his Japanese apprenticeship would be the same.There have been weeks at a time where I will arrive at the garden before sunrise and leave after its set. I'm responsible for hundreds of trees, many dozen worth several thousand dollars, for weeks at a time by myself. Generally, I don't know what day it is. When you work everyday, the weekends don't matter anymore. I don't take off for holidays, including my birthday. I wake up and drink my coffee looking at a kokufu book, I go to work, I finish work and begin work on my own trees, I go home and watch japanese language programs. More or less, everyday. I took an 85% paycut when I quit my job to pursue bonsai, needless to say, I take a bit of pride in suffering.
Recently, I was told by someone online that while he goes into a professional's garden on his weekends, when he's not working his full time job, his apprenticeship is no different than mine. While I appreciate his temerity, what else could I respond with but, "...right."
Attached is our boy Red the Hawk posted up in a big Ponderosa Tyler collected out in the Black Hills a few years ago
Stay hydrated out there everyone!
Once in high school, I earned the ire of my teacher when I asked her if, "real doctors ever teased her about not being a real doctor?" Dr. O was a chiropractor. She confusedly replied, "but I am a real doctor." What else could I respond with but, "...right."
Apprenticeship as a title is a funny thing. There's no rules on any of this anywhere, and so anyone can take on extra hands and call them whatever they'd like. "Helpers" "Volunteers" "Apprentice" When Tyler accepted me as his first, he made it clear that he was going to maintain the same expectations and standards that were placed on him. That of all the things that were to be different about my American apprenticeship, the rigor, commitment, and discipline of his Japanese apprenticeship would be the same.There have been weeks at a time where I will arrive at the garden before sunrise and leave after its set. I'm responsible for hundreds of trees, many dozen worth several thousand dollars, for weeks at a time by myself. Generally, I don't know what day it is. When you work everyday, the weekends don't matter anymore. I don't take off for holidays, including my birthday. I wake up and drink my coffee looking at a kokufu book, I go to work, I finish work and begin work on my own trees, I go home and watch japanese language programs. More or less, everyday. I took an 85% paycut when I quit my job to pursue bonsai, needless to say, I take a bit of pride in suffering.
Recently, I was told by someone online that while he goes into a professional's garden on his weekends, when he's not working his full time job, his apprenticeship is no different than mine. While I appreciate his temerity, what else could I respond with but, "...right."
Attached is our boy Red the Hawk posted up in a big Ponderosa Tyler collected out in the Black Hills a few years ago
Stay hydrated out there everyone!
Attachments
Deep Sea Diver
Imperial Masterpiece
Right! 
Keep up the great work learning your new trade Jacob.
Best
John sends
Keep up the great work learning your new trade Jacob.
Best
John sends
DogwoodApprentice
Yamadori
Dogwood Chronicles #13
Recently, Michael Hagedorn posted on his blog about grafting JBP onto Ponderosa. While I enjoy nearly everything Michael produces, this one was particularly noteworthy. First, he's completely forthcoming about success rates, "To start with, the scions don’t take well. I rarely get better than 50% take, usually it’s closer to 30%. Whereas it is possible to get 100% take with JBP on JBP. Talking with others confirms that the meager take on this match is a common one." Pondos have only slightly better outcome rates than major league batting averages. Consistent above 40% and you're in the Hall of Fame. Yet, the weight of evidence for this to be a worthwhile endeavor is made immediately known in his photos. Ancient ponderosa bark, tiny tightly ramified emerald JBP shoots. Michael ends the blog by saying he wished he'd grafted all his ponderosas at the beginning of his 20 years. Not one to ignore my betters, I've started in my 3rd year.
Dogwood Studios exists at about 1000' altitude in Zone 8A. This is the foothills of Southern Appalachia. It gets very hot and very humid in the summer. Winters are increasingly mild. It is not weather where Ponderosa thrives. On its native foliage, you will watch them get weaker every year. When grafted though, they react just as the Black Pine react in Takamatsu, soaking up the Southern sun in stride. So, for us, not only is grafting an aesthetic choice, but its the clear choice for horticultural health of the material as well. Ultimately, wanting to graft native trunks with the best possible foliage for the best possible bonsai was one of the most significant factors in pursuing an apprenticeship with Tyler.
Unfortunately, pine grafting season was right when I first arrived at the garden. There were way higher priority benchmarks to go after, with Tyler on the road for most of January and February. Scion inventory was lacking as well, but I gave it my best shot., The results were far worse than Michael's 30% with a measly 1 out of 6 grafts taking. Something curious did happen with the one that did take, however. I had intentionally left a bifurcation-two candles on one scion. Now I have a grafted tight internode, cool! I'd love to test this further-Maybe do a few of our Pondos next year as 50% single candle and 50% double and see what the ratio of success may be. The real question is, do I still only get to count one successful graft?
As the glutton for punishment that I so clearly am, I additionally sought to graft JWP onto Ponderosa. This didn't strike me as any more radical than the widely held practice of JWP scions onto JBP stock, but I could find no evidence online of it ever successfully being applied. "Why not me," I thought. The poor Pondo I claimed as my victim went 0/11 on that attempt. I'm not ready to throw in the towel on the concept, but my technique surely needs to improve. I'm certainly curious to hear of anyone else whose had better than 50% & 0% success on these two styles of grafting. All it takes is one person to figure out the trick and the whole community grows.
"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Issac Newton
Recently, Michael Hagedorn posted on his blog about grafting JBP onto Ponderosa. While I enjoy nearly everything Michael produces, this one was particularly noteworthy. First, he's completely forthcoming about success rates, "To start with, the scions don’t take well. I rarely get better than 50% take, usually it’s closer to 30%. Whereas it is possible to get 100% take with JBP on JBP. Talking with others confirms that the meager take on this match is a common one." Pondos have only slightly better outcome rates than major league batting averages. Consistent above 40% and you're in the Hall of Fame. Yet, the weight of evidence for this to be a worthwhile endeavor is made immediately known in his photos. Ancient ponderosa bark, tiny tightly ramified emerald JBP shoots. Michael ends the blog by saying he wished he'd grafted all his ponderosas at the beginning of his 20 years. Not one to ignore my betters, I've started in my 3rd year.
Dogwood Studios exists at about 1000' altitude in Zone 8A. This is the foothills of Southern Appalachia. It gets very hot and very humid in the summer. Winters are increasingly mild. It is not weather where Ponderosa thrives. On its native foliage, you will watch them get weaker every year. When grafted though, they react just as the Black Pine react in Takamatsu, soaking up the Southern sun in stride. So, for us, not only is grafting an aesthetic choice, but its the clear choice for horticultural health of the material as well. Ultimately, wanting to graft native trunks with the best possible foliage for the best possible bonsai was one of the most significant factors in pursuing an apprenticeship with Tyler.
Unfortunately, pine grafting season was right when I first arrived at the garden. There were way higher priority benchmarks to go after, with Tyler on the road for most of January and February. Scion inventory was lacking as well, but I gave it my best shot., The results were far worse than Michael's 30% with a measly 1 out of 6 grafts taking. Something curious did happen with the one that did take, however. I had intentionally left a bifurcation-two candles on one scion. Now I have a grafted tight internode, cool! I'd love to test this further-Maybe do a few of our Pondos next year as 50% single candle and 50% double and see what the ratio of success may be. The real question is, do I still only get to count one successful graft?
As the glutton for punishment that I so clearly am, I additionally sought to graft JWP onto Ponderosa. This didn't strike me as any more radical than the widely held practice of JWP scions onto JBP stock, but I could find no evidence online of it ever successfully being applied. "Why not me," I thought. The poor Pondo I claimed as my victim went 0/11 on that attempt. I'm not ready to throw in the towel on the concept, but my technique surely needs to improve. I'm certainly curious to hear of anyone else whose had better than 50% & 0% success on these two styles of grafting. All it takes is one person to figure out the trick and the whole community grows.
"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Issac Newton
Attachments
DogwoodApprentice
Yamadori
Dogwood Chronicles #14
If you haven't seen Nao Tokutake's GSBF interview yet, but would like to further learn about high-level container crafting, I implore you: please watch. The discussion is not for the casual and would certainly help to have a background in Zen* and how it permeated into the craft ethic of Japan. His output as a craftsman on top of fatherhood and an engineering PhD makes me feel incredibly lazy. In the best way. Knowing he is out there grinding out the nation's best containers gives me all the more motivation to craft trees worthy of the pairing. When I first joined BN, he helped me with Taiwanese pot ID. When I sold him a tree on fb auctions that was used as a trampoline in shipping, he was understanding and forgiving when he could have been the opposite. This is simply a fanboy post to say: @NaoTK is the man.
At Nationals, you'll find the Dogwood Studios tables right next to Nao and Mary. If their line at PBE was any indication, there will be plenty of time to chat with your friendly neighborhood apprentice. See y'all in a month!
*Zen is perhaps the most abused word to have ever been transliterated from Japanese. It is difficult to truly explain, on multiple levels, and ultimately, must be experienced to be understood. If you do end up watching, and find the discussion of the teacups bewildering, remember: Zen is the direct experience of what we might call ultimate reality, or the absolute, yet it is not separate from the ordinary, the relative.
If you haven't seen Nao Tokutake's GSBF interview yet, but would like to further learn about high-level container crafting, I implore you: please watch. The discussion is not for the casual and would certainly help to have a background in Zen* and how it permeated into the craft ethic of Japan. His output as a craftsman on top of fatherhood and an engineering PhD makes me feel incredibly lazy. In the best way. Knowing he is out there grinding out the nation's best containers gives me all the more motivation to craft trees worthy of the pairing. When I first joined BN, he helped me with Taiwanese pot ID. When I sold him a tree on fb auctions that was used as a trampoline in shipping, he was understanding and forgiving when he could have been the opposite. This is simply a fanboy post to say: @NaoTK is the man.
At Nationals, you'll find the Dogwood Studios tables right next to Nao and Mary. If their line at PBE was any indication, there will be plenty of time to chat with your friendly neighborhood apprentice. See y'all in a month!
*Zen is perhaps the most abused word to have ever been transliterated from Japanese. It is difficult to truly explain, on multiple levels, and ultimately, must be experienced to be understood. If you do end up watching, and find the discussion of the teacups bewildering, remember: Zen is the direct experience of what we might call ultimate reality, or the absolute, yet it is not separate from the ordinary, the relative.
Shogun610
Masterpiece
I don’t think that person meant to say your apprenticeship was the no different while I acknowledge You’re giving up full time job and income , some people can’t afford to do that , so the amount of time spent is different this person is not taking concessions or easy way out it just is the model that the person can work with. And the professional is Japanese trained so therefore the training. And principles may be staggered and not every day it doesn’t discount the level of the professional or skills learned that are applied not only st the studio but also at home in own garden. So yes a live in apprenticeship is more involved it doesn’t take away the quality or dilute the respect or dilute the dedication or “ pain Olympics” or suffering. If you isolate yourself and say “….right” with a “I’m better than you attitude” then you’re working and learning in a a vacuum.
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
Kind of late to the party, but I just noticed this post. I found JBP graft on ponderosa very difficult at first. Had improved results when I improved the health of the ponderosa first, selected JBP scions from second growth rather then spring candles and grafted towards the end of December rather than later in the winter. First two changes are obvious the third respected the local climate and Ponderosa sap cycle!
Just a couple of suggestions.
DogwoodApprentice
Yamadori
I totally hear you. However, I was quite verbatim told a part time apprenticeship is no different than a full time. Looking at it from simple skill acquisition time to reach the lauded “10,000 hours” someone doing it 60 hours a week vs 20 hours a week is going to reach that marker 3x faster. The 20,000 marker of mastery 6.5 years vs 20. To call this no difference is a lark.
I don’t believe I’m better than anyone but I, along with many professionals would agree that not all apprenticeships are equal, and therefore some are in fact better than others. I don’t find myself in a vacuum because I’m constantly in conversation with other full time apprentices and professionals in Japan and the US. Constantly holding myself to the work ethic and standards of my betters.
I’m not really interested in debating it further, so please allow me to end in the same way I ended the conversation with the part timer: I think my boss and I just have a very narrow definition of what apprenticeship is, but I don’t mean to shame someone approaching it through a different path. We all love bonsai!
DogwoodApprentice
Yamadori
I had heard similar about earlier in the winter grafting through the grapevine from John Eads. I can’t wait to try. Thank you for your insight, RE, I’m so pumped for next season!!
Shogun610
Masterpiece
“Part timer” won’t talk to other non full
Time apprentices .. sorry bro but you live in US so in fact that is different than Japan. Bonsai is the only art where this type of shaming is allowed or commonplace. We don’t care about the hours what matter is what you’re able to perform and your quality. Judging by hours during a week’s a flimsy argument.
There are people in US bonsai that are very successful (without paying their way) through apprenticeships / etc who did not live in Japan or live 24/7 at a studio.
I agree with other when I say that yes while apprenticeships are different and not all the same , but coming from a place of arrogance and smug is just douchey.
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DogwoodApprentice
Yamadori
5 years ago I was training at the finest Brazilian jiu jitsu academy in the world. If I had told Marcelo Garcia that me coming in 3-5 times a week was the same as him training 3x a day he would’ve sent me into orbit. So no, I don’t think bonsai is the only place you’d find the sentiment I’m trying to express. Like I said, I’m not really interested in debating further, particularly when the name calling starts. Have a great day Shogun, I’m off to the garden.
Shogun610
Masterpiece
I’m plenty interested in debating when you’re ready.
Well let our trees speak I don’t think perspective or opinion should inhibit others for what they’re working towards and learning just cause they don’t meet someone’s own standards which is not make it factual
shohin_branches
Omono
Time executing a skill doesn't immediately translate to increased skill though. All people are different and learn at different rates. Was I a worse student because I didn't attend summer school classes or did I use the time I had available to learn the task efficiently?
Parkinson's law states that "work expands to fill the time available for it's completion." So if I have three hours to defoliate a tree will I learn more or less than if I have six hours to defoliate that same tree? Will I take time to get it down for the first hour and then rapidly build up my efficiency so I can finish the task in the allotted time? Or will I take the time to go slow and never learn how to improve my speed at the task because there is no urgency?
Parkinson's law states that "work expands to fill the time available for it's completion." So if I have three hours to defoliate a tree will I learn more or less than if I have six hours to defoliate that same tree? Will I take time to get it down for the first hour and then rapidly build up my efficiency so I can finish the task in the allotted time? Or will I take the time to go slow and never learn how to improve my speed at the task because there is no urgency?
littletreefarmer
Yamadori
Sometimes I like to remember that the best current bonsai practitioners aren't online arguing about the insurmountable specifics of other practitioner's opinions. That's probably contributing to their ability to increase skill in this craft.
Then sometimes I get involved myself. Train wrecks can be fun to watch, though, maybe even artistically beautiful.
Then sometimes I get involved myself. Train wrecks can be fun to watch, though, maybe even artistically beautiful.
shimbrypaku
Shohin
It’s sad we just can’t keep the decorum to a civil tone, now let the trolls hit back.
Thanks
Thanks
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DogwoodApprentice
Yamadori
You guys had fun today!
The Dogwood Chronicles are my first hand experience going through a rigid traditional apprenticeship. I'm giving my day to day feelings talking about some of the most intimate stuff happening in my life on one of the most visible platforms in the community. Bonsai enthusiasts can read about what's going on at the garden of an incredibly talented artist and his damn Yankee apprentice. I am entirely uninterested in using this space as an arena to have a war of words with anyone, particularly accusations and half truths that I have neither the time nor the inclination to defend against. If you feel personally slighted by something in a Chronicle, I've stated where I'll be next month. Come chat and let's walk away friends.
There's a reason I've been on this website for years and still have less than 100 messages. Arguing online always makes me feel like I've had a run-in with Colin Robinson.
The Dogwood Chronicles are my first hand experience going through a rigid traditional apprenticeship. I'm giving my day to day feelings talking about some of the most intimate stuff happening in my life on one of the most visible platforms in the community. Bonsai enthusiasts can read about what's going on at the garden of an incredibly talented artist and his damn Yankee apprentice. I am entirely uninterested in using this space as an arena to have a war of words with anyone, particularly accusations and half truths that I have neither the time nor the inclination to defend against. If you feel personally slighted by something in a Chronicle, I've stated where I'll be next month. Come chat and let's walk away friends.
There's a reason I've been on this website for years and still have less than 100 messages. Arguing online always makes me feel like I've had a run-in with Colin Robinson.
