The lighter side of bonsai

Hi All,

Bonsai is a fantastic hobby, and there are many of us who derive great joy from participating at various levels. Some of us are excellent artists and horticulturists, some of us not so much. Some of us take great care and pride in learning about the finer detail of the Japanese hobby/way of bonsai, and others of us are interested only in growing little trees and are not too concerned about rules and jins, yins and yangs. Most of us take the hobby pretty seriously, so this post is an attempt to hear some stories about the lighter side of bonsai. I'd like to hear about odd experiments, amusing tales of techniques that are complete myth, strange pots, tree styles and growing conditions. Tell us about the time that . . .

Why do I want to hear all these stories? Well, I've had my arm twisted to do a talk on The Lighter Side of Bonsai at our local club. I'm considering calling it Bonsai - The Far Side, in honour of my favourite cartoonist, Gary Larson, who along with bonsai has given me many many hours of blissful fun.

I'd love you to post some stories and examples of bonsai that break the mould. Tell us about odd experiments that were amazingly successful and about those that flopped completely, and let's enjoy the lighter side of the hobby!

Finally, I'd like to make use of material posted here in my talk, so up front, I ask for your permission to do so at our club meeting (a non-profit club/event).

Cheers,

Andrew

This was sent to me ages ago, but I do not know its Origin, do not publish it but I guess its OK to use it in your presentation once.

That cartoon looks my balcony. My neighbours in the apartment below me really dont like it when I water that carelessly.

fiona wrote:

Andrew Legg wrote: Finally, I'd like to make use of material posted here in my talk, so up front, I ask for your permission to do so at our club meeting (a non-profit club/event).

I think the best way of doing that, Andrew, is to work out which particular items you are considering, then PM the owners/thread originators and ask them directly. That does them the courtesy of asking them in person.

I think andrews is not referring to other threads, but to material posted in this thread

leatherback wrote:

fiona wrote:

Andrew Legg wrote: Finally, I'd like to make use of material posted here in my talk, so up front, I ask for your permission to do so at our club meeting (a non-profit club/event).

I think the best way of doing that, Andrew, is to work out which particular items you are considering, then PM the owners/thread originators and ask them directly. That does them the courtesy of asking them in person.

I think andrews is not referring to other threads, but to material posted in this thread

Yip, just the gems people share in this particular thread. Apologies if I was not clear enough up top.

Cheers,

Andrew

That makes sense now. Apologies for the confusion - I have removed my post accordingly.

fiona wrote:That makes sense now. Apologies for the confusion - I have removed my post accordingly.

No worries Fiona. You were bang on the money had I meant using material from other threads on the forum. Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more!

Andrew

Hi Andrew!


These photos came from old threads...Hope it helps!
feel free to use any or all of these pictures...you can blur my face if you don't find it attractive. hehehe
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This experiment I think is unique for bonsai,,,I was using this type of recycling for flowering shrubs and vines but not in bonsai. The stand by the way is an upside down stool/chair of my son...decorated with water buffalo.




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This one I think I am more attractive...



This one I think the composition is more attractive...its up to you to select hehehe


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This one is one of the experimental works that I like. Using background though is not unique to this particular composition, I find it interesting and challenging to do. and I was rewarded with appreciations (and award) with this display...and that is the bonus part.






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This an example of a more temporary composition for displaying tree on certain occasion. So do not invest much on accessories, unless you are planning to use it repeatedly...I made the slab using a light weight material and the shape is made specially for this composition. The sand is an ordinary white beach sand that is almost the same in color as a desert sand.







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This broken pot I think is successful experiment on using materials that are sometimes/mostly useless for its original purpose, but finding a suitable tree is very challenging...you need to have a good stocks to pull this one off. otherwise the tree and pot would become both useless






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This is one of the experiments I made on materials for water effect... this one is a complete failure as the the materials that create the gloss and water reflections eventually change colors, due to continous exposure to sun and water...









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I have some many failed experiments as well but due to frustration I rarely took photos of them...I will still look at my old files, maybe I will find more of my failed experiments.


regards,
jun

Hi JUN more attractive AND... a better composition



now everyone is Happy

tony wrote:Hi JUN more attractive AND... a better composition



now everyone is Happy

This made my day
Thanks Jun & Tony (& Andrew of course)

Jun, I absolutely love that windswept tree with the kite caught in it. The close up of your rocky beach is amazing.

tony wrote:Hi JUN more attractive AND... a better composition



now everyone is Happy

Nice virt!


AHahaha!

Nice job with that approach graft! Must have been a chore to line up those cambium layers...

Hi Jun,

Thanks for the material! Love that tree in the broken pot!

Cheers,

Andrew

Let's keep it coming people!

I echo the feeling about the tree in the broken pot.....what a great idea.