Lectured by a 9 year old

The good thing about living in a condo community is the openness. We have fences but low and people can see past easily and talk if they want. It is horrible security wise though.

Anyway, yesterday afternoon, a family visited while I am working on a tree. The boy (a Mexican, whom I assume 9 yo but could be much younger) started asking me how to grow trees in pots. He asked mainly how to make a big tree fit in small pots. Later he told me that when they are too big, I should better leave them by the river. LOL He is cute and funny. His grandma was beaming with pride and laughter. Sister was busy playing and did not join the talk much. I hope they come and visit again.

We all love to lecture you, Dario. Now all you gotta do is listen. <g>

JimLewis wrote:We all love to lecture you, Dario. Now all you gotta do is listen. <g>

haha, i thought the young lad was going to say " you should chop those thick branches back some more Mr......, select 2 well placed buds and wire the new soft growth" ..........now that would be really funny.................

Listen.....?? Jim !! he cant do that yet........that is lesson 42 on the winding yellow brick road of bone-sai......following lesson 41 which is how to lecture

cheers Marcus

Haha.

For my own part, I learned long ago as a teacher/lecturer that you shouldn't ever presume to teach/lecture until after you've learned how to listen.

Poink88 wrote: told me that when they are too big, I should better leave them by the river.

Wise words.

In fact I have a few trees that will have this "styling technique" done to them next spring. The key is to never ever dig them up again.

-Jay

fiona wrote:Haha.

For my own part, I learned long ago as a teacher/lecturer that you shouldn't ever presume to teach/lecture until after you've learned how to listen.

i think you may have missed my irony Fiona.............sometimes those that lecture on a forum haven't learnt to listen yet.....(or read properly - but that would be lesson 43 )

marcus

I think the Haha showed that the irony had been detected. I was merely pointing out that I personally had learnt the lesson. A thousand stories I could tell to further illustrate the point - none of which shows me in a particularly flattering light.

I am trying to make this light but want to clarify something.

Problem with some people is when someone didn't follow their advise, they think he is not listening. Maybe the advise was bad to begin with??? Or good but not for the area the other person is in?

A lot of conflicting advise comes through internet and you have to sift through them and decide which works best for you.

In my case, I was told never to touch my collected trees for a year...maybe 2 or 3. I dare all those who are "enlightened" to tell me that now. To chop all branches low and remove unneeded branches. How many times did I explain that I leave extra branches for the eventuality of die back? Did the person even heard me???? I don't think so. Who's not listening now? (are you reading this Marcus? )

I listen, but not blindly and I think & choose what to implement. I admit, I make mistakes and chose wrong before...was not and will not be the last time but not because I did not listen...just listened to the wrong "expert".

drgonzo wrote:

Poink88 wrote: told me that when they are too big, I should better leave them by the river.

Wise words.

In fact I have a few trees that will have this "styling technique" done to them next spring. The key is to never ever dig them up again.

-Jay

Wise words indeed. Problem is, we have different threshold on what is too big LOL. I vowed never to get anything bigger than what I already got though. They are just too "punishing".

I am not sure I can do that styling technique once a tree is collected by me.

Hello to All,
Dario,

too big for me, is when I have trouble carrying a pot. Generally 18" [46 cm]in volume, requires a pot that is just heavy enough, with dampened soil.

I tend to leave trees alone when the extended branch used to repair the damage, would thicken the trunk past 3" to 4"
[ 7.5 to 10 cm ].

I get my comments from folk walking past or driving past me as I bend to collect from drains or rubbish heaps, though I did get a tamarind a few months ago from next to a lamp post on the main shopping street.
Comments however tend to be more like this - cum on bruddha, tings eh so bad
Later.
Khaimraj

Khaimraj,

My "ideal" finished size is now 20" or less (small to medium sized). The bigger trees in my yard are slowly being (or will be) chopped shorter when possible. It is nice to have this personal limit (or guideline) set when you are collecting. Of course there are opportunities you just cannot walk away from though every guideline you set is broken by it.

Huh?

I have been accused once or twice of talking just to hear myself talk.

Nah!

I don't even listen to me, how can I expect anyone else?

(Just kidding, sometimes, just sometimes, wisdom can come from those without the education and experience. Frequently, those guilty of not listening are not the students ... but the teachers!)

Jay

Jay Gaydosh wrote:... sometimes, just sometimes, wisdom can come from those without the education and experience. Frequently, those guilty of not listening are not the students ... but the teachers!

Jay Gaydosh wrote:
(Just kidding, sometimes, just sometimes, wisdom can come from those without the education and experience. Frequently, those guilty of not listening are not the students ... but the teachers!)

If ever I heard wise words.. These might be it. [remembering how my supervisor was shocked when one of my papers, which he outright denied, got published in a top journal]

Don't get me wrong, I have been a beginner for almost 15 years. As a beginner, I'm still fascinated by "ugly" trees, by how the broken branch caused by being blown over in a storm can result is some of the best "adjustments" to my trees, and by the absolute amazement at the survival rate of trees grown in my own back yard.

If I'm lucky enough, I will be blessed with the eyes and mind of a beginner, until me and my trees pass on to the next world.

While I have no conclusive evidence, I have seen an instance or two, where the classification of an individual (in any discipline) as an "expert" can cause the closure of the brain receptors, hindering further advancement in their art. Conversely, there are those "advanced level" students who allow their art to advnance way beyond the norm while still maintaining the look of amazement in their eyes.

(I need a vacation!)

Semper Fi!

Jay