Definition of bonsai

In our club, there are quite a few newcomers (and others who should know better) who are not clear on what constitutes a bonsai. They bring in for the show table rooted cuttings in pots, houseplants, sometimes not in anything you could call a bonsai pot. There are those who actually style a tree and then leave it at that, without the ongoing pruning & wiring necessary to keep it in shape. Sometimes these things wind up in our show. If I try to uphold some standards, I'm considered snotty. Can anyone recommend a short article I can put in the newsletter?
Iris

Hi Iris, unfortunately you are in a minority in the club, most folk are simply happy that they have a 'tree' that is alive in a container. I ditched the club scene over 15 years ago out of sheer frustration. 'Trying' to 'Explain' bonsai even to some die hard members... they simply won't get it. The only way forward is a study group... get out fast get out now before its too late... Queue Fiona... stage right.

I remember when I was a newcomer I did some of the things you said. But someone in the club had enough compassion to take the time to help me learn things bonsai. And because of him, it gave me confidence in that this is something I can do. Because of that compassion I'm grateful. Now when a newcomer needs help I'm there to give them a hand. Bonsai has a large learning carve and it takes time. We can give them guidelines and teach them what to look for but still it takes time to learn. All I'm saying is that no matter what we do or say they will make a mistake. We just have to have the patients and compassion to help them come along. I know this first hand, been there and done that.

A Hui Hou,
-Tim

tony wrote:The only way forward is a study group... get out fast get out now before its too late.

I did run a study group several years ago. Our club is not really big enough. Leaving is not an option, that would really be snotty. Anyway, they need me too much. My solution is to go to Rochester periodically, where I am reminded of how little I know about bonsai. And as Tim says, keep at it without being intolerant. Still, an article would be helpful, so they know it isn't just me.
Iris

Here. From the BCI website:







Bonsai
(pronounced bone-sigh) is an ancient oriental horticultural art
form. The word Bonsai literally means, in both Chinese
and in the Japanese language, tree-in- a-pot. Originally developed
in the Orient almost 2000 years ago, today the sublime art of
bonsai is practiced throughout the world. Shape-harmony-proportion-scale
are all weighed carefully as art, and the human hand combines
this in a common cause with nature.

A tree planted in a small pot is not a bonsai until it has been
pruned, shaped, and trained into the desired shape. Bonsai are
kept small by careful control of the plant's growing conditions.
Only branches important to the bonsai's overall design are allowed
to remain and unwanted growth is pruned away. Roots are confined
to a pot and are periodically clipped. Bonsai may have a stylized
or an exaggerated form ... but, as found in nature. The appearance
of old age of a plant is much prized and bonsai may live to be
hundreds of years old. The living bonsai will change from season
to season and from year to year requiring pruning and training
throughout it's lifetime ... and as time goes on it will become
more and more beautiful.

More at: http://www.bonsai-bci.com/whatis.html

And a decent essay at http://www.bonsaisite.com/

Brent Walston's essay at http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/bonsaip.htm

Good on you Iris!! That's the idea!! Try to give as much information as you can with heart. It will come back to you ten folds.

A Hui Hou,
-Tim

<<The sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick.>>
A sheer case of too much shearing.
Thanks for the links. I think I've seen most of them. Maybe some cut & paste.

<<A tree planted in a small pot is not a bonsai until it has been
pruned, shaped, and trained into the desired shape.>>
In 72 point type with bells on.
Iris

tony wrote: Queue Fiona... stage right.

Taking that as a cue to take my place in a queue of people who got fed up with the club "mentality". This is in several ways hugely disrespectful to the many good and even great bonsai club members out there who are on the right track. There are, however, a number more whose attitudes are entrenched and, shall we say, in-queue-rable. As in most club-driven hobbies there will be good bits and bad bits - a bit like the queue-rate's egg perhaps?

But this is not a thread berating club mentalities real or perceived. Iris is asking about some good articles to try and change the minds of her detractors.

I always seem to go back to Harry Harrington's Bonsai4Me and there are several good articles therein, including one by Rock Moquin.

Find it here

The opening words of David de Groot's "Basic Bonsai Design" are also useful but I don't know if it is online.

Good luck, Iris.

Exit Fiona... pursued by a bear.

or should that be bare.

[quote="fionaExit Fiona... pursued by a bear.

or should that be bare.[/quote]

I just love you!

Iris, good luck girl. I feel your pain.

R