In a message dated 6/20/2003 5:31:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:

What is your average size bonsai (in inches), and why did you personally
pick that size?

There was a time when all my trees were 12 to 18 inches, but recently
have been getting larger. Some as large as 36 inches. I still must limit
size to what I can personally handle and as I get older the size may have to come
down again. The size is determined by a number of things. Larger is more
displayable but more expensive to pot up. Smaller is easier to handle, pots are
less expensive, but I am not sure they are as easy to make look good.

The other question that I have is when does a tree started from nursery
stock generally move to the status of Bonsai?

Depends upon the tree and the stock but I almost never put a tree in a
Bonsai pot for a year or two. It takes me that long to find the front and
the right pot.

Billy on the Florida Space Coast

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I'm really new to bonsai, and in my reading I have seen the
different
size bonsai are broken down into general categories. I
understand
that size is a matter of personal taste and artistic license.
What I
was wondering (from anyone out there), what is your average
size
bonsai (in inches), and why did you personally pick that size.

Of nearly 60 trees, 4/5 of my bonsai are shohin size (up to about
10-12 inches). Half of those are mame (6-7 inches and below). I
have 5 trees that take both hands to carry. I have 6 that could
all fit in one hand -- together . . . or maybe 4 could at the
same time. ;-).

I chose the smaller size at least partly because of the challenge
involved in making them look like old hoary trees, and partly
because I like the smaller trees. It does mean, however, that no
matter how good I might get at it over time, I'll never will a
big bonsai prize. Those only go to trees of 2 feet or more.


The
other question that I have is when does a tree started from
nursery
stock generally move to the status of Bonsai?

When it's ready. There's no other way to say it. Some trees may
NEVER get there. A very few may be bonsai after their first
workup.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - "People,
when Columbus discovered this country, it was plum full of nuts
and berries. And I'm right here to tell you the berries are just
about all gone." -- Uncle Dave Macon, old-time musician

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++++Sponsored, in part, by Mike Page ++++
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++