My question to you Anton is: if the "last place" you reference for
horticultural information is in a bonsai magazine or book, then where is
your "first place" to find references?
Marcus
BC,Canada
-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf
Of Anton Nijhuis
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 9:35 AM
To:
Subject: [IBC] Drainage and other unfortunate mysteries (was :
Bonsai Today article on drainage)

We are not foolish to evaluate, I think you are making assumptions and
trying to rationalize on their defense.

I know a professional Japanese bonsai grower, with a B.SC in Agriculture
from a University in Japan plus an apprenticeship with a renowned bonsai
master. His words to me regarding horticultural methods used by 'bonsai
masters' is that their information is really just based on simple trial
& error without a scientific horticultural education. They may do the
right things but sometimes for the wrong reasons. Some of the so called
logical reasoning may sound correct but is not based on fact and
therefore we have the right to evaluate.

There are no such classifications such as 'Western growing techniques'
or 'Japanese growing techniques' nonsense. Horticulturists,
Agriculturists etc. trained at a recognized Japanese school are no
different than their peers trained in the US, Europe or any where else
in the world at recognized schools. Scientific horticultural training is
universal; all plants require the same basic things. The only difference
in growing practices is how we adapt them to our needs.

Without any disrespect for any of the authors the last place I will
reference for horticultural information is in a bonsai magazine or book.


Anton

We're foolish to evaluate specific practices or techniques of Japanese
growers based on Western growing techniques, Western growing practices
and
Western bonsai tradition. Japan has a much longer history in bonsai AND
they have what we don't - a history of passing proven practices down in
strict, dogmatic fashion from skilled teacher to student. Most
importantly,
this has happened in a proper learning environment - where the teacher
is a
teacher, not a merchant for the student's purse.

Instead of asking Western growers who follow some - or very few -
Japanese
growing techniques about the necessity or reason for certain specific
Japanese techniques, ask a Japanese grower about why they do this or
that.
The answer will nearly always be because of several other things they're
doing too as a matter of course.

************************************************** **********************
********
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** **********************
********
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/
--
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail
+++++

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++