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Hey everyone, I just thought I would start a discussion about how it felt/changed the hobby for you when you finally had a true bonsai. I have several trees, but none of them are bonsai. I see photos that are awe inspiring and truly look like a large tree in miniature.

So how does it feel to have a true bonsai?

i don't know, since i get much more satisfaction in "growing" a starter/pre-bonsai into a mature bonsai..
it's not (at the moment) my intention to just buy a finished tree

i just feel my trees grow with me.. and i hope one day they will be good enough to be appreciated by other people..

See i enjoy growing them too. But i can only imagine the sense of pride when the tree you've invested years into is finally something people look at and say wow!

I am nowhere near that point but I'm sure there are at least a few users here with trees that get that reaction.

codeman_11901 wrote: Hey everyone, I just thought I would start a discussion about how it felt/changed the hobby for you when you finally had a true bonsai. I have several trees, but none of them are bonsai. I see photos that are awe inspiring and truly look like a large tree in miniature.

So how does it feel to have a true bonsai?

Do we have a definition of "true bonsai?"

I have written about my juniper several times. I thought it wasn't much until I took it to the club for the first time (more with the idea to ask whether I should actually proceed with it, not expecting it would ever become a good trea). A bonsai master was present, and his judgement was unexpected and very positive. Actually, the club members admired it too and one guy even offered money... and kept increasing his bid, after I declined, with 25 euro every half hour. If there had been enough hours left that evening, I might have been tempted

That, for the first time, gave me a real good feeling - the feeling that I was really 'doing bonsai' and no longer someone messing with silly sticks with no future.

Unfortunately, I probably should have continued with what I was doing. The tree was very healthy and thriving.
The first year after it was potted, it was still doing fine. Then the growth started to decline. Now, three years after repotting, the tree is slowly dying. It has been doing so for a few months now, and there's not much I can do at this moment. I cannot really repor it - but I have transplanted into a bigger pot, hoping the drainage would improve. Unfortunately, we are having probably one of the wettest winters ever. That doesn't help. I'm so much looking for spring... I hope it will survive until then.

To answer your question:
This worries me. It is my best tree, the others are... quite average, in need of several more years of development.
I see the tree every day. We have a dog... and if I had to choose... I'd choose for the tree (I mean... if I had to choose who had to go, not who had to die ). The tree is important for me, especially as it once was a normal juniper that belonged to my parents, now 15 years ago (they both are no longer alive).

So yeah... I'm very much attached to that tree. It is the tree that made me pick up this hobby again, and it can be the tree that makes me give up.

Thanks for the response AUK. It's pretty cool to hear the beginnings of your bonsai hobby. I hope your juniper turns it around. Theres definitely an attachment to the trees, ive had a ficus for three years and I would be devastated if I lost it. Do you have a photo of the juniper you referenced here on the site?

codeman_11901 wrote: Thanks for the response AUK. It's pretty cool to hear the beginnings of your bonsai hobby. I hope your juniper turns it around. Theres definitely an attachment to the trees, ive had a ficus for three years and I would be devastated if I lost it. Do you have a photo of the juniper you referenced here on the site?

I thought I did post a photo. Apparently not. There you go :

Nifty! The trunkline is really unique

codeman_11901 wrote: Nifty! The trunkline is really unique

Well... I was hoping for an honest reply. Guess we're not all dutch
I would have said 'You come with that story and now that picture. Do you really dare to call that a bonsai'??

This was the work of an amateur in 2001. Look how it's wired... even using a not so nice looking bamboo framework to force the branches down... what was he thinking? Well... what was I thinking I should say

I got this tree from my parent's camping. This is the first branch selection. I thought a really big jin (the branch on the left) would be interesting... but that was silly. I reduced it a lot later (can't remember... probably a year later or so). The two branches on the left - in the inner bend - were not useful and were removed as well. The lower branch was wired later as well. I did not have much foliage at the back, so I used a branch from the top, bent it down and let it grow, then used the side branches from that branch to make them look like primary branches. Then it was left to grow for many years. I only pinched new buds (and learned later that you should never do that... still not convinced though, as it worked out well to create denser foliage).

This was the result when I took it to the club, some 3 years ago now... in a garbage bag (I didn't have a pot :blush:), still not thinking this plant would have a good future.



Here's the tree shortly after potting it. Not a great photo, but it shows the jin and shari properly.



This was a few months ago, not from it's best side (though over the years, also this side has improved nicely):

You remind me very much of a mentor of mine. Not in bonsai but many things. He didnt pull punches regardless of the circumstance. He was very blunt and honest. We got along great :lol:

That being said, you trolled me on this one. I didnt find it my place to insult your tree considering I dont even have a tree that looks as good as the first photo you posted lol.

Thanks for the lesson

Oh. I almost forgot. Your tree is amazing. Im certain photos do no justice but this is the kind of tree I think of when I think "true bonsai". It fits the bill without a doubt. I will post my ficus tonight i trust i can expect an honest response from you