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[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
My kids' school is offering a $2.00 "mini Bonsai Kit". It consists of a
2.5 inch x 0.5 inch mica(?) pot, a compressed peat pellet, 4 Jack pine seeds, a pair of Barbi doll scissors, and a tiny book on bonsai care. My 10-year-old daughter got suckered because she knows I'm doing some bonsai. I trust you spoke to the person who organized this folly without sounding too enraged. OMG pull your heads out of your soil mix! Remember back so many years when you were kids and every little gadget or kit in the back of a comic book was the greatest thing on earth! It was all junk then and it's all junk now, but it is a part of everyones childhood. How your imagination soared! Those are the good times you look back on and laugh about. I have one of those stupid little kits on the bookshelf with my bonsai books. Yeah it's dumb but it's the cutest little thing. And for the small price of $2.00, you got your daughter interested in your hobby! What a deal! Most kids look at us like we are nuts! Len ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
My daughter got involved with bonsai about 2 years ago at the age of 14. At that time I got her a holly leaf cherry and a serissa. I took her to a local bonsai store and let het pick out the type of tree that she wanted. Both trees are still alive and thri
ving. She now has several more trees and is as addicted as I am :-) Jim S.E. Michigan, Zone 5b John Jones 3/26/03 3:45:18 PM All of you (in the USA) that have kids are familiar with the fact that they are constantly pressured to sell overpriced junk to help their schools. I hate this practice in general, but yesterday, this problem hit me where I live: My kids' school is offering a $2.00 "mini Bonsai Kit". It consists of a 2.5 inch x 0.5 inch mica(?) pot, a compressed peat pellet, 4 Jack pine seeds, a pair of Barbi doll scissors, and a tiny book on bonsai care. My 10-year-old daughter got suckered because she knows I'm doing some bonsai. I'm glad she's showing an interest in bonsai, but it's unrealistic to expect this pretend-bonsai kit to produce anything. I told her that we could go through my potensai, and pick one for her. Has anyone experienced something like this before? Any advice on which plants a 10 year old would like? We live in USDA zone 7. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
My kids' school is offering a $2.00 "mini Bonsai Kit". It
consists of a 2.5 inch x 0.5 inch mica(?) pot, a compressed peat pellet, 4 Jack pine seeds, a pair of Barbi doll scissors, and a tiny book on bonsai care. My 10-year-old daughter got suckered because she knows I'm doing some bonsai. I trust you spoke to the person who organized this folly without sounding too enraged. OMG pull your heads out of your soil mix! Remember back so many years when you were kids and every little gadget or kit in the back of a comic book was the greatest thing on earth! It was all junk then and it's all junk now, but it is a part of everyones childhood. How your imagination soared! Those are the good times you look back on and laugh about. I have one of those stupid little kits on the bookshelf with my bonsai books. Yeah it's dumb but it's the cutest little thing. And for the small price of $2.00, you got your daughter interested in your hobby! What a deal! Most kids look at us like we are nuts! I agree. I have one of these kits, too. I wrote about it here a few months back. One of those $5 impulse buys at Barnes&Noble books. ;-) There's a bigger "Bonsai Kit" too -- also a "Zen Garden" kit. They're $10 -$15 I think. I don't have THOSE kinds of impulses. ;-) The tiny little book is surprisingly accurate, considering it probably contains 150 words! ;-) I have it on my bookshelf with all 135 of the "big" books. It produces the occasional chuckle -- which (these days!) makes it worth the $5.00 it cost me. So $2.00 is a BARGAIN! The round, black pot (it isn't mica) now houses a mame privet which looks OK in it. Besides, the seeds WILL (or should, with care) germinate, in or out of the little peat hockey puck. The kids may learn something there (and you might, also ;-). Who knows, you and your kids may grow a mame grove of jack pine (Pinus banksiana -- so the kids can learn a bit about nomenclature, too.) If they want to do it, let them -- then go out and buy them their own juniper, or ficus, or (for a REAL educational adventure) Serissa to work with while the pines grow. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Our life is frittered away by detail . . . . Simplify! Simplify. -- Henry David Thoreau - Walden ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
Remember back so many years when you were kids and every little gadget or
kit in the back of a comic book was the greatest thing on earth! It was all junk then and it's all junk now, but it is a part of everyones childhood. Kudos Len. I had similar thoughts running through my mind as I read this thread, but you beat me to the e-mail. Let's not let our "sophistication" ruin other people's fun -- especially if they're kids! My daughter and I have planted innumerable lemon/grapefruit/orange seeds (every time she finds one she says "hey dad, I have an idea!") I don't expect to have a citrus forest in my house at the end of the day, but we sure have a good time messin' around with the process. Joe -Ottawa ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
"arzoo623" wrote in message news:00e401c2f41b$cc338ce0$c3b30144@cx112520b... My kids' school is offering a $2.00 "mini Bonsai Kit". It consists of a 2.5 inch x 0.5 inch mica(?) pot, a compressed peat pellet, 4 Jack pine seeds, a pair of Barbi doll scissors, and a tiny book on bonsai care. My 10-year-old daughter got suckered because she knows I'm doing some bonsai. I trust you spoke to the person who organized this folly without sounding too enraged. OMG pull your heads out of your soil mix! Remember back so many years when you were kids and every little gadget or kit in the back of a comic book was the greatest thing on earth! It was all junk then and it's all junk now, but it is a part of everyones childhood. How your imagination soared! Those are the good times you look back on and laugh about. I have one of those stupid little kits on the bookshelf with my bonsai books. Yeah it's dumb but it's the cutest little thing. And for the small price of $2.00, you got your daughter interested in your hobby! What a deal! Most kids look at us like we are nuts! Good point. I tend to resent the pressure put on kids to sell stuff to support their schools (I even offered to give my kids' school $500 per year if they would stop sending those sales competitions home, but they wouldn't go for it). Anyway, I agreed to 1) help her with the 2 dollar bonsai kit, and 2) let her pick one of my potentsai as her own. I figure that way, everyone wins. |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
"Jim Lewis" wrote in message news:004901c2f45f$ad1b1960$49112cc7@pavilion... [...] The tiny little book is surprisingly accurate, considering it probably contains 150 words! ;-) I have it on my bookshelf with all 135 of the "big" books. It produces the occasional chuckle -- which (these days!) makes it worth the $5.00 it cost me. I noticed that myself, and was going to remark upon that fact until my computer crashed in the middle of composing my original poast.. So $2.00 is a BARGAIN! The round, black pot (it isn't mica) now houses a mame privet which looks OK in it. Besides, the seeds WILL (or should, with care) germinate, in or out of the little peat hockey puck. The kids may learn something there (and you might, also ;-). Who knows, you and your kids may grow a mame grove of jack pine (Pinus banksiana -- so the kids can learn a bit about nomenclature, too.) If they want to do it, let them -- then go out and buy them their own juniper, or ficus, or (for a REAL educational adventure) Serissa to work with while the pines grow. Here's the latest: We're going to follow the directions included with her $2.00 bonsia kit (though the Barbi Doll scissors are truly worthless and headed for the trash). In the mean time, my daughter and I will go through my potentsai and pick a small one she can call her own. OK. Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm properly chastised. hangs head |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
My son (15) has shown an interest as well. I couldn't be happier - a shared
interest at that age is priceless! Anyway, I would recommend Ficus or some other forgiving plant that will survive inside during the winter (you don't want that burgeoning interest to die during the winter). You want a forgiving plant, because most kids (not all) tend to be a little forgetful at times... Jeff Isom Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39 My kids' school is offering a $2.00 "mini Bonsai Kit". It consists of a 2.5 inch x 0.5 inch mica(?) pot, a compressed peat pellet, 4 Jack pine seeds, a pair of Barbi doll scissors, and a tiny book on bonsai care. My 10-year-old daughter got suckered because she knows I'm doing some bonsai. I trust you spoke to the person who organized this folly without sounding too enraged. OMG pull your heads out of your soil mix! Remember back so many years when you were kids and every little gadget or kit in the back of a comic book was the greatest thing on earth! It was all junk then and it's all junk now, but it is a part of everyones childhood. How your imagination soared! Those are the good times you look back on and laugh about. I have one of those stupid little kits on the bookshelf with my bonsai books. Yeah it's dumb but it's the cutest little thing. And for the small price of $2.00, you got your daughter interested in your hobby! What a deal! Most kids look at us like we are nuts! I agree. I have one of these kits, too. I wrote about it here a few months back. One of those $5 impulse buys at Barnes&Noble books. ;-) There's a bigger "Bonsai Kit" too -- also a "Zen Garden" kit. They're $10 -$15 I think. I don't have THOSE kinds of impulses. ;-) The tiny little book is surprisingly accurate, considering it probably contains 150 words! ;-) I have it on my bookshelf with all 135 of the "big" books. It produces the occasional chuckle -- which (these days!) makes it worth the $5.00 it cost me. So $2.00 is a BARGAIN! The round, black pot (it isn't mica) now houses a mame privet which looks OK in it. Besides, the seeds WILL (or should, with care) germinate, in or out of the little peat hockey puck. The kids may learn something there (and you might, also ;-). Who knows, you and your kids may grow a mame grove of jack pine (Pinus banksiana -- so the kids can learn a bit about nomenclature, too.) If they want to do it, let them -- then go out and buy them their own juniper, or ficus, or (for a REAL educational adventure) Serissa to work with while the pines grow. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Our life is frittered away by detail . . . . Simplify! Simplify. -- Henry David Thoreau - Walden ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
I trust you spoke to the person who organized this folly
without sounding too enraged. Not yet. That's why I was soliciting advice here. ---------------------------- John, Can you have a club you belong to put up a small exhibit in the school and offer a talk to the students? You wouldn't be off-track to tell them kindly that it is somewhat of an insult to dedicated bonsai artists and to its centuries of serious respect. I wouldn't degrade their attempt too harshly, but be positive and try to bring some education to them. I feel somewhat the same about mallsai - it is a chance to offer some knowledge, and I truly think mallsai and these useless kits do bring about many interested, curious people eventually. Lynn Lynn Boyd, Oregon, USA ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
In message
87FC4D6C5FBDD311A6F00008C7E6F4C6243260BE@excmsg01 ptlge.penske.com, "Isom, Jeff , EM, PTL" writes My son (15) has shown an interest as well. I couldn't be happier - a shared interest at that age is priceless! Anyway, I would recommend Ficus or some other forgiving plant that will survive inside during the winter (you don't want that burgeoning interest to die during the winter). You want a forgiving plant, because most kids (not all) tend to be a little forgetful at times... And adults........... :-) Years ago there was a craze for bonsai kits for Christmas : these were aimed at adults. It would have been I think over 20 years ago as I think I bought my green fingered granny one. Certainly my mum got one - but she's not as naturally green fingered as her mother in law was. Just tenacious. None of the seeds germinated. Sincerely, Chris -- Chris McMillan reply to: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mike.mcmillan/ |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
In message 008c01c2f4c0$326a9860$e1101ad8@choose, Lynn Boyd
writes I trust you spoke to the person who organized this folly without sounding too enraged. Not yet. That's why I was soliciting advice here. ---------------------------- John, Can you have a club you belong to put up a small exhibit in the school and offer a talk to the students? I don't know about education in the US very much, but in the UK education is all about 'topics' or 'modules', bonsai could make a very good subject covering a multitude of areas I would think. And I know (having done it) that upper primary/lower middle school age are very pleased to have speakers in from outside. May schools over here don't have areas of garden anyway so indoor bonsai could be a seller if handled correctly. Since one is not able to take home the 'school pet' these days (infant classes often used to take home the class guinea pig or gerbil in days gone by apparently), perhaps bonsai plant taking home would be another way of teaching care? As a mum this sounds quite a winner for those children who are naturally keen on plants. Sincerely, Chris -- Chris McMillan reply to: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mike.mcmillan/ |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
What does the word potensai mean? I've seen it used a lot now.
Potensai = potential bonsai -- poten-sai. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Our life is frittered away by detail . . . . Simplify! Simplify. -- Henry David Thoreau - Walden ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
HEY NOW...don't go picking on the Sea Monkeys ! Those were by far one of
the coolest gifts ever from my childhood. Watching those little sea people and their antics..brings back a bit of nostalgia. Tony Ashton Portland Oregon -----Original Message----- From: Internet Bonsai Club ]On Behalf Of Helena Handbasket Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 4:29 PM To: Subject: [IBC] Worse than Mallsai? Don't you guys remember Sea Monkeys? Sheesh! -- ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
I object to the programs because it's all overpriced junk that I'm expected
to badger my coworkers and neighbors into buying. The school only gets a small percentage of the money, and they use techniques that I consider unfair to pressure kids (me actually) into making sales: Any kid who doesn't sell at least $300 of this junk has to sit in study hall with the other losers while their classmates go to a party. This is outrageous. If this is a public school, you need to speak to the school board, and if that doesn't work, your state education department. If it is a private school, and the board is unresponsive, you may have no choice but to remove your children. This is definitely giving them the wrong education. We are getting off-topic. I would love to continue this off-line, but I don't know your real address. My granddaughter used to go to the Hebrew Day School, so I have firsthand experience. Iris, Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 "If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming train." Robert Lowell (1917-1977) |
[IBC] Worse than Mallsai?
"Iris Cohen" wrote in message ... [...] This is outrageous. If this is a public school, you need to speak to the school board, and if that doesn't work, your state education department. If it is a private school, and the board is unresponsive, you may have no choice but to remove your children. This is definitely giving them the wrong education. We are getting off-topic. I would love to continue this off-line, but I don't know your real address. My granddaughter used to go to the Hebrew Day School, so I have firsthand experience. I sent you an email Iris, Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 "If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming train." Robert Lowell (1917-1977) |
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