 |
|
Before
venturing into bonsai, there are a few words of warning that I want
to offer the newcomer that may help better prepare you for what is
to come.
Bonsai is an outdoor activity. Trees are outdoor plants, putting
them into pots does not transform them into indoor plants. With very
few exceptions, if you keep your bonsai indoor they will die. Make
room for your collection outside. You will be happier and your tree
will be happier.
You will make mistakes, lots of them - everyone does, in fact, most
of us still do.
You will kill trees. This is a sad fact of the activity, especially
as you start out. You are dealing with living things, and you must
be respectful of that. Commit yourself to understand why every tree
dies and what can be done to prevent it. Learn from your mistakes
and do your best to prevent them in the future.
Try to limit yourself to a few kinds of plants. Every tree is
different. Likewise, every kind of tree is different as well. Maples
have different requirements from Junipers, which have different
requirements from Serrisas, and so on. Learn to care for a few
different types of plants, and grow your collection from there.
Find a club or organization in your area and join. This is,
undoubtedly, the best way to learn bonsai. People in there clubs
have been, in my experience, always willing to help newcomers and
very enthusiastic in their support. It is a great way to learn (most
organizations hold workshops, have guest speakers, and even put on
shows) and to see more experienced member's trees.
Perhaps most important, understand that when you put a tree in a pot
you are committing yourself to the care of that tree. You cannot
simply ignore it or it will die. Bonsai is a responsibility as well
as a hobby. If you practice it with care and patience, the rewards
are tremendous.
Finally, almost nothing in bonsai is immediate. Expect your tree to
develop over years, even decades. It will be ten years (or longer)
before your plant will actually be a 'bonsai'. Do not be
discouraged by this, but think of it as part of the experience. |
|
