In a message dated 6/26/2003 9:38:09 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

The answer is that it depends the answers to many more questions.

What kind of tree is it?
How mature was it when training began?
What is the skill of the grower?
How drastic are the changes needed to make it a mature bonsai?
How do you define the point at which a bonsai is considered to be mature?

The list could go on for quite a while, but you get the idea. Sometimes a
tree will
look pretty good very soon after the initial styling. A Bristlecone Pine
grown from
seed, however, will take several lifetimes.


Well:

Yes, this could go on forever--in which case, one would have to question the
practicality of the art.

I have a few trees that I been grown for 16 years from seedlings. While the
exercise is interesting, the process is long. One can achieve outstanding
results by pursuing several other approaches, not the least of which is acquiring
collected materials, field-grown materials, and pre-bonsai material.

At that point, skill is executing design technique in combination with
effective horticultural practices can lead to magnificent results. Of course,
mother nature has a way of throwing a wrench in the gears at times. When this
happens, the road back to home for a particular tree can be a long one.

Time--it goes by quickly. Select your bonsai challenges with the goal of
achieving an acceptable level of personal success in this lifetime. );-)

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
members.aol.com/iasnob/index.html

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