Hi everyone
Just reading a recent thread where someone is moving state and a response to
it was someone suggesting the person sell their bonsai away and "start
again" apart from their favourite/s.
Now between my fiance and I we have about 18 bonsai.
Of them about 6 are what I class as true bonsai, another 9 may get that
title after this winter has passed as all of the other are in training pots.
I have had some of them for 5yrs (but were older than that when I acquired
them) and for that past say 4.5yrs have been quite negelcted in training
pots, yet have turned out great.
Others that have been acquired more recently have received much more care
and will continue to do so.
But I could not imagine letting go of any of them. A big thing is the whole
time factor for bonsai and starting over again seems pretty daunting.
I would like to think I still have some of these 50yrs down the track.
We may seem to have many, but we are waiting to finish an area of our garden
so they can be on permanent display in one section.
I am always on the look out at work for natural specimens but will stop
collecting soon.
I refuse to buy any already "made".
So just wondering, many people here frequently sell them, to start over?

P.S. Happy 4th of July to you
Andrew Forster Mid North COast NSW Australia

Thanks for everyones response.
It made for some interesting reading and certainly different views on the
subject.
I guess what it comes down to for me is while I haven't suffered any
fatalities yet with bonsai, it may happen, so I am accounting for that in a
way.
Also, looking at what I have styled/created over 5yrs and it looks good, and
will only get better with age.
I'd have trouble in actually purchasing a completed bonsai, as I didn't
create it. I know, getting one from the wild is similar, but at least nature
did it, not someone else, and I could keep the style going.
My hobby for the past 12yrs (since I was 16) was doing up old Aussie cars
(V8'S). While I did get satisfaction from it, I kept them for a year or so
after finishing them, then sold them. Unlike bonsai, I couldn't keep every
car I created. Although relatively new at it, bonsai is much more
satisfying, cheaper, and relaxing than cars, and at least 10, 20, 30 yrs
down the track I will still have them, be enjoying them, working on them
stress free and for a lot less cost than a car. Modifying cars has totally
grinded to a halt with me.
Getting back on track, at the very least I may trade bonsai, but never sell
them, and possibly if my daughter (who is only 14months old) finds it
interesting, pass them on to her.
Maybe too, hording is in my genes. As my Father says "keep that, it'll come
in handy one day". He's a mechanic, so you can imagine what his shed is
like.
Funny too, I went back to work today, after holidays, and a job that needed
doing was removing/demolishing a garden. There were plenty of Banksia
"Honeypots" that had not grown much at all since being planted, yet trunks
had thickened, root system small, due to poor conditions. And yep, 3 of the
best looking have made it to my backyard, into training pots :-)
Thanks again for the replies