How many REAL bonsai discussions/questions have you posted on lately?

[Poink88]

I see people complaining about the bickering and arguments but they themselves do not post on the "legit" bonsai questions, plea for help, and other real bonsai discussions.

Participating on everything is okay...just don't (mostly) participate on the bickering and complain about it. Be part of the solution or shut up! There are lots of people asking for help/input...maybe we should participate on those too?

A tutorial was posted about repotting and got no response while a bickering thread gets 200+? Wow.

 

[Beng]

Probably because a tutorial doest really ask any heated questions its more just meant to help others. A lively debate on the other hand will always get the blood pumping right? .

 

[Vance Wood]

I see people complaining about the bickering and arguments but they themselves do not post on the "legit" bonsai questions, plea for help, and other real bonsai discussions.

Participating on everything is okay...just don't (mostly) participate on the bickering and complain about it. Be part of the solution or shut up! There are lots of people asking for help/input...maybe we should participate on those too?

A tutorial was posted about repotting and got no response while a bickering thread gets 200+? Wow.

The unfortunate trait of human nature, every body stops to look at an auto accident---a train wreck is even better, a plane crash makes international news.

I think a lot of times with the more serious and germane threads the more likely many will hesitate to post out of fear someone will drive a nail in their head because of a knowledge gap.

 

[aidan13]

The unfortunate trait of human nature, every body stops to look at an auto accident---a train wreck is even better, a plane crash makes international news.

And an argument on a website dedicated to growing tiny little trees makes galactic headlines!

 

[Anthony]

Dario,

something like 99.99% of humans are fault finders, or fault pointers.

Problem solvers are probably out doing something useful.

That said, happy to lend any experience I can anytime, but I am from the tropics talking to folk in the sub-tropics and temperate zones.
Good Morning.
Anthony.

 

[fourteener]

For me it's winter. 8 inches of snow this weekend, 2.5 feet on the ground and bonsai season is two months away. Philosophy of bonsai is the real time discussion right now. No trees to take pictures of, no before/after displays.

I have no problem with the winter philosophical banter.

I do wish people would allow more room for multiple ways to solve the same problem without getting so heated and personal. We all want growth in this hobby and should learn to listen to one another better. Some have an ego that bristles too often. I just block them and move on.

Maybe we should have a philosophy thread that some can love and some can avoid. Maybe as we all move into the growing season it'll be more about the trees. Maybe we should all take good pics of our stuff this summer so we can post them all winter and get ideas from each other for the future!!

 

[Poink88]

Fourteener,

I agree 100% and I have no problem with the banter as well...I join them myself (no need for me to say that actually since every one knows). But I encourage the same group to share their expertise on the real reason why people come here...discuss BONSAI.

It really is frustrating for some..esp newbies, when they ask a life and death question (for them) and get no response or sub-par response from a newbie like me.

 

[mcpesq817]

I think the Vegas over-under for this thread is going to be 50 replies.

 

[jk_lewis]

We all want growth in this hobby

Actually, we don't -- or shouldn't. We're restricting growth on our trees.

 

[catfish chapstick]

I dont usually post advice because I sort of do things my own way and I know I'll be met with criticism and disagreement and also I would hate to give bad advice when others can give much better. I do sometimes voice my opinion when its not for the sake of advice. No harm there. And bickering doesn't bother me. Complaining about bickering doesn't bother me either. People have something to say and say it. Like this. Why? No reason at all...

 

[coh]

A tutorial was posted about repotting and got no response while a bickering thread gets 200+? Wow.

Did the tutorial mention the benefits of watering with superthrive after repotting? Or the importance of akadama in the soil mix? Maybe that's the problem!

 

[Vance Wood]

Did the tutorial mention the benefits of watering with superthrive after repotting? Or the importance of akadama in the soil mix? Maybe that's the problem!

Those two subjects are looked upon by some as almost personal.

 

[Poink88]

Did the tutorial mention the benefits of watering with superthrive after repotting? Or the importance of akadama in the soil mix? Maybe that's the problem!

Very astute, we now know how to spice up all threads!!! LOL

 

[coh]

I went back through the repotting thread and found that he did mention vitamin B, but apparently that doesn't set off the alarms the way superthrive does.

 

[mcpesq817]

This might be a bit controversial, but "posting on everything" may not be best. Whether I respond to a post depends on what the original post is asking about and how confident I am in my experience for offering advice. It's one thing to respond to a post asking opinions on styling, it's quite another when someone is looking for advice on a very particular situation or relating to a particular species that I may or may not have experience working with.

For example, a recent post went up asking what to do with the JBP that his dog decided to root prune. When he asked whether to tent, I was somewhat surprised to see that you jumped in and said to tent when you have admittedly been doing bonsai for about a year. No offense intended, but a year in bonsai does not expose you to enough experience to offer advice on what to do in an emergency situation like that. Pines are different beasts, and I don't recall you working with them. I even hesitated, and I've been working with JBPs for four years now.

 

[Poink88]

This might be a bit controversial, but whether I respond to a post depends on what the original post is asking about and how confident I am in my experience for offering advice. It's one thing to respond to a post asking opinions on styling, it's quite another when someone is looking for advice on a very particular situation or relating to a particular species that I may or may not have experience working with.

For example, a recent post went up asking what to do with the JBP that his dog decided to root prune. When he asked whether to tent, I was surprised to see that you jumped in and said to tent when you have admittedly been doing bonsai for about a year. No offense intended, but a year in bonsai does not expose you to enough experience to offer advice on what to do in an emergency situation like that. Pines are different beasts, and I don't recall you working with them. I even hesitated, and I've been working with JBPs for four years now.

True but I see why tenting would help and that is why I said I would because I really would. FYI, I've been told on one of my plants not to tent (by a well seasoned and respected member) and I think I almost lost it...until I tent/bagged it.

That is the beauty of forums...you can talk and people can jump and expose your BS. Unlike articles that no one can say anything or correct.

For the record I have 5 JBPs but admittedly, have very little experience with it.

Please post and tell the poor fellow what you think!

People never talk or share because they never believed they are ready. Can't force them but in a forum, I believe that is the wrong mentality. Post be eaten by sharks but learn in the process. That's my way...and I know you don't like it. Sorry.

 

[coh]

Back to the original topic - as a relative newcomer to bonsai (less than 3 years), I tend to be very selective about what kinds of advice I give...especially when it comes to culture. I usually only comment if I have direct experience that seems relevant, or if I've seen or been told something by someone who should know...and in the latter case, I'll state that it's second hand info.

Chris

 

[Poink88]

Back to the original topic - as a relative newcomer to bonsai (less than 3 years), I tend to be very selective about what kinds of advice I give...especially when it comes to culture. I usually only comment if I have direct experience that seems relevant, or if I've seen or been told something by someone who should know...and in the latter case, I'll state that it's second hand info.

Chris

Chris,

So when do you think will you be ready?

 

[mcpesq817]

That is the beauty of forums...you can talk and people can jump and expose your BS. Unlike articles that no one can say anything or correct.

For the record I have 5 JBPs but admittedly, have very little experience with it.

I see, so rather let a thread lie with few responses, you would rather that it garner lots of responses with potentially a lot of crap information that the OP needs to sort through? Interesting logic

 

[coh]

Chris,

So when do you think will you be ready?

I don't understand your question...I've stated my approach in my previous post. I comment where appropriate, where I feel I have something useful to add based on my experience.

Using the black pine thread as an example...what am I supposed to add? I've never had that happen to one of my trees, and only have 1 black pine bonsai...have had it for less than a year. What could I possibly add to that thread that would be of use to anyone?

Also...please note that my comments were not meant as a slight against you (or anyone for that matter). Everyone has their own approach...I'm just explaining why I don't comment on a lot of threads.

Chris