barrosinc
Masterpiece
Do you guys get that feeling too?
I look at them and say why do i still have this!
I look at them and say why do i still have this!
I hate half my trees!
- Thread starter barrosinc
- Start date
Almost every tree can be improved. Sometimes drastically so. You need to take each one and look at it in isolation and determine how you could proceed to make it better. Sometimes you might need to remove all the branches, sometimes you need to turn it on it's side and look for possibilities you never looked at before. Sometimes you might have to remove 85% of the tree but there is almost always a way to re-set it on the right path. It is very common to have the thoughts you talk about.
miker
Chumono
Join the club.
Well, most of my trees are just sticks in pots, not merely bonsai that I have come to realize are ugly/lackluster/lacking potential, etc.
Heck, I only have one high quality pre-bonsai that is on track, with a clearly thought out plan, to be a good to great bonsai 10-20 years in the future.
Well, most of my trees are just sticks in pots, not merely bonsai that I have come to realize are ugly/lackluster/lacking potential, etc.
Heck, I only have one high quality pre-bonsai that is on track, with a clearly thought out plan, to be a good to great bonsai 10-20 years in the future.
Eric Group
Masterpiece
I love em all- even the ugly ones!
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
Or you might have to let it grow wild for a while and something will present itself. Let them develop.
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
Nah, I don't hate any of my trees. After all, they're just trees - it ain't their fault! I am kind of ticked off at myself for buying some of them, though, and for not being able to get rid of some others.
Ironbeaver
Chumono
If you're having tree problems I feel bad for ya son, I got 99 problems but a beech ain't one.
Bonsaihead
Mame
Got some for sale?
Anthony
Imperial Masterpiece
Our problem is cuttings, no one here can stand to kill anything.
So presently we are off loading cuttings by the tray fulls, and then
worrying that someone will kill them.
As Michael said, there is always a Design solution.
And that is what the ground growing is for.
Good Day
Anthony
So presently we are off loading cuttings by the tray fulls, and then
worrying that someone will kill them.
As Michael said, there is always a Design solution.
And that is what the ground growing is for.
Good Day
Anthony
Starfox
Masterpiece
I like all my trees, including the landscape trees, trees in pots, cuttings and seedlings.
Except the Oleander, can't stand those weeds and can't seem to kill the bastards either.
Except the Oleander, can't stand those weeds and can't seem to kill the bastards either.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
I think as we develop our eye...we see material we chose early on...possibly not as grand as we once had. I have a couple in my landscape that once I planned for bonsai...That was also with me being selective in number early on. I don't have near as many to dislike.
My pyracantha with new growth and wiring looks much better...a time I pondered it being sold off. It was a purchase that I bought because I couldn't find material or even order it in from my local nurseries. That I jumped when I seen one that wasn't poker straight. It's got a quirky base...not for everyone for sure. But the species is a fun tree to work with.
Not every tree should be bonsai...as we learn...we develop a more discerning eye. I know many who...have thinned the herd so to speak as they matured on their path with bonsai. One must ask them self where they see their material going...if you still hate it...see no potential. Then...thinning the herd opens the bench to better stock.
I go back and fourth with the goji Berry I have. It needs time to develop. It's a hate/love with that pre-bonsai. Some days I see its potential others I see it for where it is currently and the characteristics of the species. Doesn't backbud as well as I had hoped. Going to attempt to thicken its trunk as advised by sinking it into potting soil come spring. Because I feel it has good bones to get to another level. If I have the patience for it.
I have two procumben junipers that I didn't buy...which were a friend's late brother in laws trees. I have a cascade juniper out of one...so common...that it drives me nuts. The other was a stick in a pot that I wired...all his mature trees were stolen when ones learned of his passing.
My pyracantha with new growth and wiring looks much better...a time I pondered it being sold off. It was a purchase that I bought because I couldn't find material or even order it in from my local nurseries. That I jumped when I seen one that wasn't poker straight. It's got a quirky base...not for everyone for sure. But the species is a fun tree to work with.
Not every tree should be bonsai...as we learn...we develop a more discerning eye. I know many who...have thinned the herd so to speak as they matured on their path with bonsai. One must ask them self where they see their material going...if you still hate it...see no potential. Then...thinning the herd opens the bench to better stock.
I go back and fourth with the goji Berry I have. It needs time to develop. It's a hate/love with that pre-bonsai. Some days I see its potential others I see it for where it is currently and the characteristics of the species. Doesn't backbud as well as I had hoped. Going to attempt to thicken its trunk as advised by sinking it into potting soil come spring. Because I feel it has good bones to get to another level. If I have the patience for it.
I have two procumben junipers that I didn't buy...which were a friend's late brother in laws trees. I have a cascade juniper out of one...so common...that it drives me nuts. The other was a stick in a pot that I wired...all his mature trees were stolen when ones learned of his passing.
discusmike
Omono
Thats horribe,cant believe the audacity to steal trees from someone who passed
Joe Dupre'
Masterpiece
Same here.........well, maybe disappointment and not hate. My solution.....the worst ones go into the ground in the yard for a few years and the really bad ones get planted back approx. where I found them ( I do mostly native trees). The ones in the yard get severely cut back and are allowed to grow. If they still don't do anything for me........back to the woods or I'll give them away. I've also been known to pull an unwanted tree out of the pot and throw it on the burn pile. Actually very therapeutic.
I've only been back into bonsai seriously for three years. I've learned to be more picky in buying and collecting material. What I considered killer material as a novice, get passes by until something really catches my eye.
I've only been back into bonsai seriously for three years. I've learned to be more picky in buying and collecting material. What I considered killer material as a novice, get passes by until something really catches my eye.
jeremy_norbury
Omono
Don't hate any of them. Ok, well maybe a couple.
What I've learnt to do is to get rid of them when I don't like them. Best attitude change I ever made.
What I've learnt to do is to get rid of them when I don't like them. Best attitude change I ever made.
jeanluc83
Omono
I hate half of your trees too 
I am kidding. I just couldn't resist that setup.
If you don't like your trees do something about it. The first thing you need to figire out is why don't you like them.
If it's bad material bet rid of it and get better material.
If it is material that has potential but is above your ability find someone who can guide you or put it to the back of your bench until you have the skills.
If it is material you like keep working on it to make it better.
I would say that I'm not necessarily happy with most of my collection but I wouldn't say that I hate it.
Perhaps focus on the fact that you like half your collection.
I am kidding. I just couldn't resist that setup.If you don't like your trees do something about it. The first thing you need to figire out is why don't you like them.
If it's bad material bet rid of it and get better material.
If it is material that has potential but is above your ability find someone who can guide you or put it to the back of your bench until you have the skills.
If it is material you like keep working on it to make it better.
I would say that I'm not necessarily happy with most of my collection but I wouldn't say that I hate it.
Perhaps focus on the fact that you like half your collection.
Stan Kengai
Omono
This is a natural part of maturing in the hobby. I think it comes with certain revelations in learning. I have gone through this at least thrice. The first time was a couple of years into the hobby, as others have said, when you finally figure out what to look for in materiall.
The second time was when I figured out that wiring is bonsai, as @Adair M says. I wired some cuttings, and after see the results a few years later, I was kicking myself that I hadn't been doing this all along. I tossed a lot of straight boring material.
The third time for me was when I figured out I needed to improve my techniques. I had some decent material and a good vision of what to do with it, but my horticultural skills and knowledge of bonsai techniques were lacking. And I was not able to improve the material where I thought it could go.
The second time was when I figured out that wiring is bonsai, as @Adair M says. I wired some cuttings, and after see the results a few years later, I was kicking myself that I hadn't been doing this all along. I tossed a lot of straight boring material.
The third time for me was when I figured out I needed to improve my techniques. I had some decent material and a good vision of what to do with it, but my horticultural skills and knowledge of bonsai techniques were lacking. And I was not able to improve the material where I thought it could go.
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
Yep. Happens all the time, especially after a really good show. I’m always looking to cull the bottom few trees.
https://bonsainut.com/threads/top-and-bottom-trees-stack-ranking.20277/
https://bonsainut.com/threads/top-and-bottom-trees-stack-ranking.20277/
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
Bwahahaha!
Oh man!, that's good stuff there
Edit: and yeah, I feel ya, bout the the trees...
Hate is a strong word though
.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
All of you now coming to the realization that some of your trees are not what you thought they were when you bought them, welcome to the next step in the bonsai learning curve.
I keep telling myself that I have to cut back my collection for my own sake and for the trees I keep to get better because I'll have more time for them. BUT, I am so attached to most of them, I haven't been able to bring myself to get rid of them.
I keep telling myself that I have to cut back my collection for my own sake and for the trees I keep to get better because I'll have more time for them. BUT, I am so attached to most of them, I haven't been able to bring myself to get rid of them.
