What the heck???

[JudyB]

It's been a strange year. Not that I'm alone with that...
As some of you can tell, I'm changing up my collection in a serious way. I have long loved shohin, and over a good number of years, directed my whole efforts into making and acquiring many wonderful specimens. I became very interested in showing these works and in the discipline of showing shohin trees, which is an art all of it's own. Making shohin displays means having many many more trees than you actually need... And of course all of these trees need much more attention than chuchin or larger size trees, just to keep them healthy and small. Although you need to work to keep them small, you also don't get the joy of the type of development that you can enjoy on the larger size trees. Now that there seems to not be a National Shohin show going to happen, my focus seems to be without a goal. Some of the trees I acquired and worked, were not even species I liked, but you must have these choices... With my crazy year, and now being almost retired, and now being caregiver to Mom now that Dad passed, I just don't really have the time to devote, and have sold most of my shohin collection. My goal is to go back to larger trees (although I didn't expect them to be as huge as the JWP) and only the trees I really love. To have 10-15 really good trees, that I can develop and keep into my retirement (this winter will be my last season) and move to our new place when we build in Colorado. I have been blessed with many good tree opportunities, and lots of fun along the way, looking forward to this new chapter!

 

[penumbra]

I'm right there with you on so many counts.

 

[namnhi]

I was right with the reply on the other thread. You missed Piglet are you? haha

 

[Pitoon]

There's nothing wrong with transition. You can still do Bonsai and have more free time, win win in my book!

 

[Adair M]

It's been a strange year. Not that I'm alone with that...
As some of you can tell, I'm changing up my collection in a serious way. I have long loved shohin, and over a good number of years, directed my whole efforts into making and acquiring many wonderful specimens. I became very interested in showing these works and in the discipline of showing shohin trees, which is an art all of it's own. Making shohin displays means having many many more trees than you actually need... And of course all of these trees need much more attention than chuchin or larger size trees, just to keep them healthy and small. Although you need to work to keep them small, you also don't get the joy of the type of development that you can enjoy on the larger size trees. Now that there seems to not be a National Shohin show going to happen, my focus seems to be without a goal. Some of the trees I acquired and worked, were not even species I liked, but you must have these choices... With my crazy year, and now being almost retired, and now being caregiver to Mom now that Dad passed, I just don't really have the time to devote, and have sold most of my shohin collection. My goal is to go back to larger trees (although I didn't expect them to be as huge as the JWP) and only the trees I really love. To have 10-15 really good trees, that I can develop and keep into my retirement (this winter will be my last season) and move to our new place when we build in Colorado. I have been blessed with many good tree opportunities, and lots of fun along the way, looking forward to this new chapter!

We, as bonsai artists, go thru a growing phase, just as our trees do. Eventually we reach a maturity level along with our trees where we simply enjoy doing what we like to do. Congratulations on discovering your balance of life and bonsai.

 

[JudyB]

We, as bonsai artists, go thru a growing phase, just as our trees do. Eventually we reach a maturity level along with our trees where we simply enjoy doing what we like to do. Congratulations on discovering your balance of life and bonsai.

Seems like I've gone thru many of these phases..... at least with each phase, I've graduated to better material!

 

[Bonsai Orange County]

I've loved every tree you've ever posted and am so blessed to have gotten the short, fat Hinoki from you. Look forward to seeing more of your trees. Here's a current photo of the Hinoki in its new home. Need to do a little wire work on some of the branches since its continued growing once settling in here in Denver.

 

[JudyB]

I've loved every tree you've ever posted and am so blessed to have gotten the short, fat Hinoki from you. Look forward to seeing more of your trees. Here's a current photo of the Hinoki in its new home. Need to do a little wire work on some of the branches since its continued growing once settling in here in Denver.View attachment 405553View attachment 405554View attachment 405555

Thank you for the kind words, and I'm so happy for you and this little Hinoki!

 

[coh]

The idea of a relatively small number of really nice trees is sounding more appealing as I start to plan how to cram all my stuff into winter shelters. Of course, I say this every fall...but as they go into storage I'll be tagging some for selling next spring. Just have too many.

Congrats on the upcoming retirement and the exciting prospect of moving to a such a spectacular part of the country. As I mentioned on fb, I hope to be following suit in a few years, though not sure where we'll wind up.

PS if you decide to sell these trees in a few years, I will definitely NOT be a purchaser of that white pine! My back hurts just looking at it! Looking forward to it's evolution.

 

[JudyB]

Hey @coh -Well one thing about that pine is I don’t have to move it ever in stormy weather, like I do my other trees. It would take a house lifting wind to get to that one. So once out in spring and once in for winter, done. We are actually planning an interesting enclosure for the trees at our new place when we build…should be interesting and if it works out, will be easy.

 

[penumbra]

Hey @coh -Well one thing about that pine is I don’t have to move it ever in stormy weather, like I do my other trees. It would take a house lifting wind to get to that one. So once out in spring and once in for winter, done. We are actually planning an interesting enclosure for the trees at our new place when we build…should be interesting and if it works out, will be easy.

My climate is about the same as yours and all of my pines are outside all winter. In fact my JWP has been in a wood box in one spot for 32 years. It is not a bonsai but it is a container plant about 4 feet tall. No protection ever. Smaller pots with pines are mulched but larger pines and spruce stay on the benches.

 

[JudyB]

My climate is about the same as yours and all of my pines are outside all winter. In fact my JWP has been in a wood box in one spot for 32 years. It is not a bonsai but it is a container plant about 4 feet tall. No protection ever. Smaller pots with pines are mulched but larger pines and spruce stay on the benches.

Nope not happening here. Ever. For any tree. Had a beautiful Larch that of course could handle the weather. Used to let it live out. Long story short, ice storm and lost the primary lowest branch. I could never see that tree the same way again. Who cares if they are inside if you give them dormancy they need and protection from winds and harshest temps and critters? I say protection is the best thing you can do and if you have means to do a overwintering facility like I have made, then you will never need to worry about your trees in the winter. I think if you have trees of a certain caliber, you owe it to the trees and to the future of the tree even with someone after you, to make sure the tree is safe.

 

[caffeinated]

I happened to have my laptop open on this thread, while scrolling through bonsai auctions on my phone. (21st century digital zombie) I just bid on a beautiful pot when I realized it was one of yours from the avatar. I'll go back and BIN. Happy downsizing and upgrading!

 

[Potawatomi13]

While no advocate of questionable decision where to move am happy you can be near Bristlecone/Ponderosa country and see best of all trees up close as part of daily life. Great choice of type of trees and # going forward.

 

[JudyB]

While no advocate of questionable decision where to move am happy you can be near Bristlecone/Ponderosa country and see best of all trees up close as part of daily life. Great choice of type of trees and # going forward.

Oh we backpack regularly in the western mountain areas. Why do you say my decision to move to CO is questionable?

 

[coachspinks]

Oh we backpack regularly in the western mountain areas. Why do you say my decision to move to CO is questionable?

My daughter and her husband moved to Denver 2 years ago. My wife and I have visited and although we thought we understood why people moved there, it wasn't until we visited and experienced what Colorado has to offer that we really got it. Although we are going to retire to the beach soon, visiting Colorado made us at least think about changing our plans. Enjoy!

 

[JudyB]

My daughter and her husband moved to Denver 2 years ago. My wife and I have visited and although we thought we understood why people moved there, it wasn't until we visited and experienced what Colorado has to offer that we really got it. Although we are going to retire to the beach soon, visiting Colorado made us at least think about changing our plans. Enjoy!

We will be in a rural area near to Salida, right next to the Sangres, a small town by the name of Westcliffe. No big city for me, but close enough to drive to CO. Springs or Pueblo if we want that.

 

[bonhe]

Sister, I think you find the right balance between life and bonsai at this period, but in the long run, I don't know if it will be suitable for you (I am talking about large bonsai!). My teacher is 95 yo. He has so many large bonsai to which he could not transplant them himself any more! It is too big for him! However, he can still enjoy them. I also have a lot of large bonsai to which I am really enjoying now, but when I am getting older, I may have to let them go, if my kids don't want to care for them!
So, you may return back to shohin later on
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[JudyB]

Sister, I think you find the right balance between life and bonsai at this period, but in the long run, I don't know if it will be suitable for you (I am talking about large bonsai!). My teacher is 95 yo. He has so many large bonsai to which he could not transplant them himself any more! It is too big for him! However, he can still enjoy them. I also have a lot of large bonsai to which I am really enjoying now, but when I am getting older, I may have to let them go, if my kids don't want to care for them!
So, you may return back to shohin later on
Thụ Thoại

You would be proud of me, I just bought a hydraulic lift table today... Gotta modify it with better wheels though. Most of my trees will be the chuchin or slightly larger size, I have 2 that will be big, this one and the Kurume. I suppose in time, I may have to give it up, but I'm still strong enough now! Thanks for the thoughts, my brother.

 

[bonhe]

You would be proud of me, I just bought a hydraulic lift table today... Gotta modify it with better wheels though. Most of my trees will be the chuchin or slightly larger size, I have 2 that will be big, this one and the Kurume. I suppose in time, I may have to give it up, but I'm still strong enough now! Thanks for the thoughts, my brother.

No
Yessss. I am really proud of you . Way to go . You may consider to get Hoyer lift, too! Hoyer lift and hydraulic lift will be a excellent couple who would be your BFF .
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P/s : you can get used Hoyer lift from Craigslist with very good price.