Things we don't much do in bonsai. Why?

[dansai]

I might be missing something, but I assumed Gavin has drawn attention to a few things he sees around him and has pondered why they aren’t seen in bonsai. Ok, some would be difficult, some ugly and most wouldn’t fit in a “traditional” style. Doesn’t mean there not valid things to consider. Come to think of it, what is “traditional” styling anyway? Pretty sure styles in bonsai have changed a lot over its history, and will change plenty more.

[TimS]

No matter what we do it will never be strictly natural.

It could be described as being 'natural style' or 'inspired by nature' or any other way of describing it as being natural, but simply owing to the fact we are cultivating the trees in some way it cannot strictly be natural. In fact if we just let the tree grow in a pot without doing more than watering and fertilising it, it would be as natural as it could be (ignoring it is pot grown) and i'm sure we would all describe it as being good or bad rough stock, either suitable or not suitable for bonsai.

I am trying to think back to if i have ever seen a truly natural looking bonsai, in so much as it actually looks like an exact miniature version of nature. I think not, for the reason that the cultivation innately prevents the natural formation. I think of one of my Chinese Elms as being 'natural style' or 'field style', but as a member here noted, it looks almost cartoon-ish in winter form.

Now does this mean i throw all the toys out of the pram, cut all the branches off and regrow it in an extreme abstract style because it doesn't look like an exact miniature of a Chinese Elm growing in nature? Hell no. I love the tree for its form, and i will continue to work towards what i have in my head for it. Compared to a penjing Chinese Elm yes it looks more 'natural' but no it is not ever going to be truly natural as long as i am growing it as a bonsai and applying wire and manipulating the structure to how i want it regardless of what the tree wants to do. To suggest that a natural bonsai is an exact replication of nature is either a misunderstanding of the inferences behind the description, or ludicrous to suggest.

Grow your trees how you like them, describe them how you think best to describe them and most of all don't get hung up on the splitting of hairs about your tree. If you wait for universal approval for how you style and define your trees you will be in the ground before everyone likes what you do.

[Rory]

Keep trying, you might convince some with your natural BS...

Best let our work/trees speak not our mouths...your like broken record mate...play again Sam

If you don’t like the natural style, that’s understandable. Don’t grow your trees in a natural style.
But why post in a thread stating you hate the thread.

Leave this open-minded, wonderful discussion for those that do appreciate it and instead, maybe spend your enjoyable time reading other threads.

Some of us love this natural BS.

[anthonyW]

Rory to the rescue...good on ya mate, least you have got a sense of humour

PS; No one said hate mate,...I wish the bass bit like you when I go fishing haha

[treeman]

describe them how you think best to describe them and most of all don't get hung up on the splitting of hairs about your tree. If you wait for universal approval for how you style and define your trees you will be in the ground before everyone likes what you do.

I don't know....Here are a couple of pines which I call the ''Not quite natural but trying to achieve a natural look by not sticking to traditional training and wiring methods but looking more to natural tree branches for inspiration style''.

I can't for the life of me see why that name wouldn't be universally accepted.

P1120735.JPG

P1120725.JPG

[Rory]

I don't know....Here are a couple of pines which I call the ''Not quite natural but trying to achieve a natural look by not sticking to traditional training and wiring methods but looking more to natural tree branches for inspiration style''.

I can't for the life of me see why that name wouldn't be universally accepted.

$&^! I'm in trouble.

I have split my sides laughing and am bleeding quite heavily. I may be in need of medical attention.

EDIT: That 2nd tree is so gorgeous Mike. Loving it.

[MJL]

Rory, hold and to your sides and seek out Grant Bowie - it seems Grant knows a good doctor or two that you can visit.

Mike, a simpler descriptor might just be ‘bl@@dy good trees’ whatever else - producing these takes knowledge and skill that I don’t yet have but will work on acquiring over the next 20 years or so.


Bonsai teaches me patience.
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[Grant Bowie]

describe them how you think best to describe them and most of all don't get hung up on the splitting of hairs about your tree. If you wait for universal approval for how you style and define your trees you will be in the ground before everyone likes what you do.

I don't know....Here are a couple of pines which I call the ''Not quite natural but trying to achieve a natural look by not sticking to traditional training and wiring methods but looking more to natural tree branches for inspiration style''.

I can't for the life of me see why that name wouldn't be universally accepted.

P1120735.JPG

P1120725.JPG

Really like no 2 as is, no matter what style you may call it.

Grant

[anthonyW]

Really like your first Pine Mike, really nice...Penjing style to me....but if it works, thats all that matters...cheers

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

Keep trying, you might convince some with your natural BS...

Your ignorant opinion becomes slightly hypocritical when you currently have trees entered in the current "Natural" competition.?
just sayin'...

[anthonyW]

you missed the point go back to your cave.

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

the cave's been left behind in order to explore.

[baldtwitlion]

Your ignorant opinion becomes slightly hypocritical when you currently have trees entered in the current "Natural" competition.?
just sayin'...[/quote]

Unfortunately Kcar the ignorant have their ignorant opinions

Either that or you have no sense of humour


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[tgward]

about the last couple pages of ego comments---"and thus it shall ever be-----"

[LLK]

Maybe its time this thread was locked.