HELP FOR THE BEGINNER -SEE ELM PHOTO

[Dave54]

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Hi everyone,
just wanted to share this experience. I received an e-mail via e-bay from a beginner requesteing some free advice, so amongst other things, I told him to pay $100 for some good raw material, rather than ten little seedlings at $10 each. He thanked me, however, said he was ordering some seeds and seedlings to "make his own bonsai".
This year I purchased some elms from Kingston Wang(Bonsai Environment, Sydney) for $125 each, they measure between 50-60mm across the trunk. They were deciduous at purchase and when I arrived home I removed every branch and shortened the trunk. One unfinished growing season and this is the result so far. I have only just shortened the trunk, so no critique of the lack of apex construction,please.
I've had to rewire about 5 or 6 times due to the fast growing, but if you feed regularly, the wire will cut in.
Certainly saves a quick ten years from a seedling for a hundred bucks.
cheers
Dave

[MelaQuin]

I can't understand the thrill of playing bonsai by starting with seeds... or, for that matter seedlings. However, because that person chose seeds he left the good ones for you so I guess there's a rainbow.

[Jon Chown]

Hi Dave - You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. I see so many people who take on this hobby with a next to nothing budget and wonder why it is so hard. Better to spend $125 on a trunk like that one than 10 times $10 on lesser quality stock. Most of us who have survived the early stages of this addiction have learnt that lesson.

You have done a good job on that trunk with branch placement, very pleasing is it a corky bark or Nyre Elm?

Jon

[anttal63]

dave a great job on this tree! no one in their rigt mind could critique what has been achieved here in 12 months. how ever lets face it, easy for us to suggest this but most (i stress most, not all) people about to begin bonsai would have no idea of what to do with a trunk like that in its raw state. therefor they find it easier to spend 10 bucks at a time and piddle around and attempt to learn the ropes. most give it up, some learn and move on. me for example, 4 years in im happy to spend serious dollars on raw and established stock and have many times over but i still get a buzz out of putting a seed into a pot and wrapping wire around a 12 wk seedling and introducing it to movement and bonsai culture. i also find the journey onwards from here very satisfying and believe they will make damn good trees in future. somebodys gotta do it or you and i wont have raw stock to play with in future.

[Dave54]

Hi Dave - You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. I see so many people who take on this hobby with a next to nothing budget and wonder why it is so hard. Better to spend $125 on a trunk like that one than 10 times $10 on lesser quality stock. Most of us who have survived the early stages of this addiction have learnt that lesson.

You have done a good job on that trunk with branch placement, very pleasing is it a corky bark or Nyre Elm?

Jon

Hi Jon,
It is a Chinese Elm, however, the bark is so "Craggy", one could be tricked into thinking it is a Corky Bark.
cheers
Dave

[aaron_tas]

nice one dave, and only one year too

i heard this advice when i was just starting, but as jon said...

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.

if i knew what i know way back when, i woulda and shoulda taken this exact advice.

so i agree with you wholeheartedly dave, this surely is HELP FOR THE BEGINNER.