My opinon on why bonsai is in trouble and how to fix it.

[Inspired]

If we look at Bonsai around the world the Japanese influence is being eroded more and more.

I don't think it's right to say the Japanese influence has been eroded.. just look at how far reach a country the art has spread to. Tell me what country 99% of people would think of when you say bonsai? Where do apprentices go to further study the art and why that country? The only erosion I can see is the quality of trees some people claim as bonsai (or try to pass off as bonsai) or those trying to reinvent the wheel yet borrow techniques and methodologies that is "uniquely bonsai" and not give credit or merit the way they should be

Yes there is an erosion and I call it "bonsai knockoffs"

I mean who wants to travel around the world and look at the same things? Isn't that why we travel, to see different things.

Traveling is traveling. Seeing bonsai is seeing bonsai. No two trees are the same as no two places are the same. Each to their own merit and appreciation.

[Rory]

That 1% is all I need to see. Good luck to you in whatever style you call it if it ain't bonsai

Inspired, you seem to have a lot of angst against SouthernSkys ideas, as I think you may have missed entirely what SouthernSky is trying to say. I certainly understand and agree with a lot of what SouthernSky is trying to say, and agree completely that we need to embrace our native trees and develop them in our own way, rather than hanging onto a vestige of Japanese traditionally styled Australian natives that just doesn't work with our natives. Likewise, we have such fantastic Australian potters and talent right here in Australia, and we already have our own Australian way of growing our natives, that believe it or not, you can pot bonsai in non Japanese pots and they look just as good, usually better in Australian hand made pots.

Whether you want to grow them in the traditional Japanese style or the beautiful Chinese elegance which I really love too, or the ruggedness of our Australian outback styles, you have the benefit of having experts in all these manners. I can't for the life of me see why you would want to berate his attempts at trying to encourage and promote our own take on bonsai. I am very much looking forward to seeing what you come up with SouthernSky. I say, grow a few of each. You don't have to just stick to one blueprint formula for every tree, as for example, I have Casuarina that I grow in the Japanese tradition, the Chinese tradition, but mostly to mimic their uniquely Australian environment. What SouthernSky is trying to say, essentially is ... we need to broaden our minds and adapt other possibilities which a lot of us are already doing, even in clubs, regardless of what elders say. A lot of elders in fact, do promote an Australian take on our natives, which is fantastic to see. After all, advice is only advice, you don't have to enforce it, but what we do gain from our elders is experience, and being able to learn from their mistakes.

What I can say is that the bonsai community is one of the most adept at responding to change, and change is always good, as it opens your mind to new ways of thinking and styling.

So, to seeing what you come up with SouthernSky.

[SouthernSky]

Attitudes like that expressed by 'Inspired' unfortunately permeate the bonsai community, and people like 'Inspired' are the reason I left the community years ago. The person who replaced me giving the Bonsai talks at the Easter Show got the job by insisting that her club and her friends' clubs would boycott unless I was replaced. A certain elder lady formerly from Kenthurst would occasionally attend my demonstrations or lectures, make a point to walk out halfway through, then loudly 'correct' me afterwards in front of the organisers of the event. One of her 'corrections' was that flowering Jacaranda bonsai are impossible. They weren't the only ones to behave worse than the teenager they were bullying, but these two in particular really should have known better.

Back then it was just a little hobby business making pocket money and wasn't worth the fight. Now that I'm going commercial I'm determined that if I have to be part of the community then I will do my best to shape it into something better. My job is to bring more people in the door, yours is simply not to scare them away. I hope there is a place in this bonsai community to question and challenge the nature of what we're doing, and to embrace different ideas and incorporate them into our own repertoire.

[Inspired]

I question flaws that I see as showing disregard or contempt and not your aspirations.

That's not an attitude.

[Bougy Fan]

OK so despite some behind the scenes work to try and keep this thread open there seems to be no option but to lock it. Nothing displeases me more but it seems some members do not play well with others.