AusBonsai

It is difficult to provide a suitable quality tree for workshops with visiting instructors.
A developed tree or nursery stock?
A worthy tree for the teacher? I hope it is good enough to interest him (and observers)
A species that he understands well?
A tree on which the work will be completed in the required time not not too fast (I want to get my moneys worth)

Koji Hiramatsu will be conducting workshops in Adelaide at the AABC Convention this year. I believe he does a lot of work with mini and shohin bonsai. I need to decide what to take.

Black #1
I think this tree is a good option for size, it is healthy and well ramified.
but
Perhaps it is already on the way, the back branch is a little long but there would possibly be little change and I would be wasting the opportunity.

Good question, really!

Do you give him something he can "fix" or something he has to really put his thoughts into ... Is it an insult to give him something too easy or something too hard?

Do you have the possibility to communicate with him? Ask his preference, show case some of what you have by email, perhaps? Would he want one or several trees ... Australian or Japanese

How many are attending - will they be able to see the demonstration?

Tiny tree = Binoculars ...

To present more than one tree is rude, he is being paid to design a tree and guide me through the process. He needs to spend time with others in fair proportions, if I had a tree which was unhealthy or not suitable for any reason a back up might be sensible but I should be prepared with a single tree to work on!

Gerard wrote:To present more than one tree is rude, he is being paid to design a tree and guide me through the process. He needs to spend time with others in fair proportions, if I had a tree which was unhealthy or not suitable for any reason a back up might be sensible but I should be prepared with a single tree to work on!

You have more experience than I, and I find it an interesting Quandary. While I struggle keeping my trees alive, while learning a trick here and there, I'm always interested in the next level - for me this is quite a bit away before I get to attend a convention (boy Im looking forward to that day) let alone planning for a submission!

Funny how majority of demonstrators (appear) to prefer working on Pines (to me! Not stating that as fact)... Are they considered as the epitome of Bonsai?

Pinus sylvestrus, scotts pine 1 This tree might be reduced to a semi cascade shohin, scotts pines are not common in Japan but I think he would find the species interesting to work on. I worry that this tree may be reduced a lot and the workshop finished in an hour.

I prefer to take pines or junipers to workshops because deciduous species are often a few chops and finished for the day.

I'd always consider taking the tree that I can't get my head around... Not the one with the obvious diabolical problems, just the one that I don't get. Taking something that you can sort out yourself doesn't seem to be much use.

Just my 2c.,

Gavin

Black pine 2 Healthy tree I have been growing on, there are not a lot of branch options,

Scotts pine 2The lower branch is a bit two dimensional, I expect it would be reduced and some depth added

Black pine 3This tree has an interesting trunk line and lots of branch options. This has been used in Grant Bowie's study if I use this one I might reduce and restyle the comparison tree be keep the comparison balanced. This tree will still be a good option for a workshop in a year or two.

Pinus contorta (shore pine)a much larger tree

Difficult thing is all your trees look like they are on the way. I would be inclined to take stock your either having trouble taking to the next level, not happy with and happy for ? Potential major restyle.
I agree in that taking something for a rewire and tidy up is a waste of $$ and time.
If his expertise is in the mini and shohin then that's what I'd be looking for-they're masters at particular things for reasons!


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Gerard wrote:To present more than one tree is rude, he is being paid to design a tree and guide me through the process. He needs to spend time with others in fair proportions, if I had a tree which was unhealthy or not suitable for any reason a back up might be sensible but I should be prepared with a single tree to work on!

With Hiro I always thought I needed to bring two for him to pick one to work with. If you are really uncertain, I have plenty of mid size pines that I'll be bringing to the convention to choose from.

Regards


Tien