Gordon,
Like Mark (hello Mark, I'm in Allentown!), I'm a 3 year newbie. His advice
is completely sound, and no doubt, Jim's in need of a hat re-sizing. I would
simply add 2 bits of advice, one I think is pretty solid, and the other's
more of an opinion.
First, everyone growing bonsai has their own way of doing things, and one of
the reasons this list is so great is that you get to see each and every one
of their different ways. Take advantage of this incredible diversity and use
it to find what works best for you. A great quote from "Low Maintenance
Bonsai" on pot selection is "A healthy bonsai in a pot that's too big is
better than a dead one in a properly proportioned one." I think a focus for
you right now should be to learn how to customize what you may distill from
bonsai to your practices and habits. There's very few hard/fast rules.
The other, which I'm sure to catch some heat on for suggesting, is to buy
plants that are easy to grow, but keep you busier. Junipers are certainly
hardy little buggers and easy to grow. They can take a lickin' and keep on
tickin', but so can a wisteria, which I have not been able to overwater,
despite my best efforts (from 3 years ago). The bonus on the wisteria is
that it grows at incredible rates, in some cases inches a day. You can
pretty much prune it to your heart's content. Compound leaves work
differently, and it's technically a more difficult plant to start with, but
you'll feel more involved. Spruces are a great choice as well. At Home
Depot, I just got my 3rd half-gallon Dwarf Alberta Spruce for $3.33.
Typically, they're considered a problem tree because their branches need
constant re-wiring. However the flip side would be that for someone just
getting accustomed to wiring trees, this is a great opportunity to wire,
unwire and rewire away. It's considered a slow growing tree, but they put on
wood deceptively fast and need close attention. This sort of adds to the
difficulty, but again, you'll feel more involved.
I'm just a firm believer that it's much easier for those of us who lack
patience to begin with to break into the world of bonsai (and patience) with
a mix of faster growing trees (or trees that keep us busier) and those we
can learn to plan for (a summer to regrow a branch on younger ficus or years
on a younger pine). As long as patience is your ultimate goal (aside from
becoming more adept at the art), I think you'll be fine.
Best,
Justin
Welcome Gordon;
I'm probably not the best source of info, being a 3 year newbie myself, but
I have learned quite a bit from the educated lot that frequents this forum.
You're correct, Mr. Lewis is an excellent source of info.
(Hope your hat still fits Jim !)
I also suggest you visit the web site at
www.http://internetbonsaiclub.org/
and join up.
The group there are absolutely full of great ideas for newbie stock.
My single recommendation is ...... TAKE YOUR TIME !
Sit and look at your 4 new trees, and study them from all angles.
Remove the soil from their surface roots (nebari) and study their
appearance.
You absolutely can't be in a hurry.
One most important thing I've learned from this group and numerous lessons
from Jim Doyle, Walter Pall and Chase Rosade is ..... Bonsai Takes Time.
Again, welcome to the group.
I hope you find this passion as addictive as me.
Regards
Mark Hill - Harrisburg PA - Zone 6.
-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf Of
Gordon Saunders
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2005 7:40 PM
To:
Subject: [IBC] Ok .. here I go as a Newbie
Fair Greetings to all on the list .....
Gordon Saunders ... Greensboro, NC
I have just recently taken an interest in this new adventure after a trip to
the Arboretum in Asheville, NC. Was blown away with the sheer beauty of
Bonsai !!!
Long story short .. have purchased several books, picked up a few from the
local library, read many articles on the web pages, and read the majority of
e-mails on this list by persons of knowledge .... Jim Lewis, stands out as a
major knowledge source among many others ... all of which I am glad they
choose to share their experience and thoughts .....
Visited a supplier / dealer about 90 miles from home and picked up a few
"starter" tools and wire ... now ... the story begins.
Today, I purchased a few "victims" to start my "path of a thousand trees" of
learning .... your thoughts and suggestions please. Digital photos can be
sent if you desire to see what I am starting with .....
1. 3 pots ( 1 gallon) of Hollywood Juniper ... Juniper C Torulosa @ $4.97
ea.
2. 1 pot ( 1 gallon) of Parsons Juniper ... @ $3.97 (Just looked
interesting)
3. 1 pot ( 1 gallon) of Colorado Spruce ... Picea Pungens @ $5.97
All purchased from Lowes Home Improvement Center
Also, noticed there a bag of Tree and Shrub planting mix ???? By Bayer
company.
Is this suitable to use "after" I work through the initial stages of
shaping and wiring ?
Or, should I buy a commercial Bonsai soil mix OR try my hand at a homebrew
from the recipes from the books I have read over ?
Am I correct in waiting a bit ... before I try to cut back the roots system
and put into a "real" Bonsai planter ... I have found out that there is a
Bonsai Planter Potter around 20 miles from my home .....
Thank you for your time, thoughts, suggestions, tips and most of all " let's
help this guy .. BEFORE he gets into trouble" help.
Best regards,
Gordon Saunders
Greensboro, NC
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++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++
************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++
************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++