AusBonsai

What is the optimum number of trees one person can maintain to a high standard on their own ? Assuming that person works and has other responsibilities.
Craig

Somehow I get the feeling that the optimum number is probably about half of what anyone currently has. That is the general law when collecting anything. My husband is very interested in photography and cameras, and I remember reading in one of his magazines that asked how much should one collect, and the answer was "twice the amount of available storage space".

Glenda

Good question Craig.

I'm imagining that the answer would be different for everyone. All would depend on level of skill and experience. If all of ones trees were at the "finished" stage (if theres such a thing), and only required pinching/trimming for ramification and repotting every 3 years, then I imagine it would be very different to owning the same amount of trees in early stage of development which require many hours of work sorting out roots, wiring the entire tree, sorting out branches, faults, jins, sharis, dealing with sacrifice branches, etc.

I recently spent 15 hrs wiring out a Juniper and doing some basic Jin work. As the years go by, that tree will need less and less design work (If I stick with the plan I have set out) and will only need pinching of foliage and repotting every few years.

I'm sure that as the years go by, my skills in development and design will improve. This would make it much faster for me to make decisions on how I might design/redesign newly acquired trees. I'll hopefully be making fewer and fewer mistakes thereby allowing me to save time on repairing my trees!

Would anyone out there agree with me?

I have heard that 1 person can and should spend 30 minutes per tree per week

If you have 1 hour a week free time, then you can have 2 finished trees

10 Trees you will need to spend 5Hrs each week tending them. Obviously this amount will vary depending on the season, but will average out over the year about right

Ken

One day I hope to reduce my collection to a single bonsai. I will spend the last of my days, trying to accomplish what I and others deem a perfect bonsai.
I do not believe I can achieve it, or if perfection is even achievable, but I'll try.

craigw60 wrote:What is the optimum number of trees one person can maintain to a high standard on their own ? Assuming that person works and has other responsibilities.
Craig

High standard may be percieved in various ways. I certainly know what you mean when referring to such a phrase. Therefor to answer your question in full i say 30...

I would say Ant you are about bang on about 30 trees and some in training. My experience tells me that as the trees get older the work load increases, roughing a shape into may tree may require a few hours or even days work but as the trees age you will find the pinching and wiring twigs for directional flow is a much slower and more laborious task it takes ages especially on conifers when you have to thread the wire amongst foliage and needles. Then as the tree develops more ramification there are so many more tips to pinch or leaves to cut at defoliation time. At the moment I have about 40 trees in bonsai pots and I think its probably too many for me to properly maintain. There would be probably 5 which would be ready for exhibition with a bit more work. I have lots more in training which only require a bit of work on odd occasions. One of the many skills required to grow good bonsai is to be able to see into the future and work out which trees are worth pursuing in the long term and which trees should be moved on. One of the worst mistakes anyone can make is to keep every tree you ever started and overload your collection with lots and lots of half trained trees.
food for thought
Craig

I agree Craig. And must say that I am guilty of holding onto too many trees. To the piont that I am probably going to give away some stock cheap that I don't see a future in.So, if your in the south of Melbourne PM me and I'll let you know what's on offer.

I would like 15-20 potted trees when all is said and done.

Cheers

Hi Craig,
One thing to add into the equation is the type of trees you have. I like Privets but they require a lot of work in the growing season. They may need to be pruned each week. If you like Junipers they will need pinching at longer intervals than the Privets need pruning.

Regards Ray