Don Walker schrieb:
Respectfully, I'd like to disagree.

I've heard many people say the journey is the prize, they seek the peace
and joy of working with nature. You are all presuming that Berti's
primary motivation is to show Bonsai at the monthly club meeting or to
complete the "project".

While I take no issue with those who find value in these pursuits, their
reasons are not mine. I fully expect those trees I don't kill to
outlive my association with them. I hope someone else will choose to
care for them when we part company.

If at 85 I choose to plant a few acorns I won't be worrying about seeing
them become great Bonsai but will instead be thinking about the great
oaks I've seen and will smile when I see them poking their heads up from
the dirt.

-Don
1+ years experience in bonsai.


Indeed, just to clarify this, I do not require a bonsai right away. If I
did, I could have bought one as-is. My primary goal is to grow a bonsai.
I do not care much for displaying it until it is presentable, if at all.

Although this is - as may have become apparent - my first project in
that direction, I do have enough experience with plants in general and
bonsai specifically to not underestimate the time it takes to grow an
adult tree of miniature proportions.

Anyone can buy a bonsai, some species will almost care for themselves.
But, I ask you, is that the true spirit of bonsai? Owning the tree? For
me it is not. If asked, I want to be able to reply "This one I grew
myself" not "You can get them at a discount 10 Bucks right across the
street from where I work. I water them myself."

Berti