apprenticing

just curious if anyone here has done a formal apprenticeship at any nurseries here in the states, japan, or where ever you reside. the idea of apprenticing has been on my mind for a while. ive talked to a bunch of guys in japan that are currently apprenticing, and talked to a couple nursery owners here in the states about their program. id love to hear from anyone who has had the experience of a full on apprenticeship.

I did a short term, very part time apprenticeship with Brent Walston of evergreengardenworks.com. I worked at his nursery for free 1 day a week for about 3 years. I learned tons, but unfortunately had to re-locate because of my real job. I still try to get up there for a weekend every few months.

- bob

very cool. I've been talking with a couple apprentices that are currently in japan right now about their experiences there and it is absolutely mind blowing to me. i feel like I've definitely been bitten by the bonsai bug. i think about it 24/7, its running through my blood constantly. I've been entertaining the idea of doing an apprenticeship so i contacted a nursery owner and have been talking about possibly having the opportunity to do a long term apprenticeship with him.

I've read a few articles/interviews with Ryan Neil with him describing how he got his apprenticeship and the life of an apprentice. You can also watch him talk tidbits of it on some of his youtube demos.

One link you can check also is Peter Tea. Check here http://peterteabonsai.wordpress.com/apprenticeship-program/

ive read and watchced them all, thanks though. i read peter tea and reich owen's blogs regularly and am constantly on youtube looking at bonsai n related videos