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The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

longwoodgardens.org

21–30 of 43 posts

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#21

When I was younger, bonsai always seemed to have a notoriety of being difficult to care for. I've got a ficus which I've owned for about 4 years now, and it's doing well because my apartment emulates tropical/greenhouse conditions on even mild spring days. I'm thinking about getting a large cloche for it to try and ramp up the humidity even more and encourage aerial roots. I've also got a Chinese elm next to it that'…

I grow rare cactus and succulents and this is a similar lesson, patience. Also, more often than not the correct answer to anything is “do nothing”. You also become much more appreciative of the most minute changes, noticing things that previously you would not notice. It’s a great practice for all of life, slow down, notice the small changes and sometimes the best thing to do is nothing.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#22

When I was younger, bonsai always seemed to have a notoriety of being difficult to care for. I've got a ficus which I've owned for about 4 years now, and it's doing well because my apartment emulates tropical/greenhouse conditions on even mild spring days. I'm thinking about getting a large cloche for it to try and ramp up the humidity even more and encourage aerial roots. I've also got a Chinese elm next to it that'…

I grow rare cactus and succulents and this is a similar lesson, patience. Also, more often than not the correct answer to anything is “do nothing”. You also become much more appreciative of the most minute changes, noticing things that previously you would not notice. It’s a great practice for all of life, slow down, notice the small changes and sometimes the best thing to do is nothing.

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Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#23

When I was younger, bonsai always seemed to have a notoriety of being difficult to care for. I've got a ficus which I've owned for about 4 years now, and it's doing well because my apartment emulates tropical/greenhouse conditions on even mild spring days. I'm thinking about getting a large cloche for it to try and ramp up the humidity even more and encourage aerial roots. I've also got a Chinese elm next to it that'…

I grow rare cactus and succulents and this is a similar lesson, patience. Also, more often than not the correct answer to anything is “do nothing”. You also become much more appreciative of the most minute changes, noticing things that previously you would not notice. It’s a great practice for all of life, slow down, notice the small changes and sometimes the best thing to do is nothing.

Excellent advice.

I solved my problem of over-caring for many of my hardy desert plants by getting myself some more delicate plants which demanded more care, so that I was too busy with them and could give the hardier plants the neglect they needed to thrive.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#24

Been living in Japan for a while and have come to appreciate bonsai. There is a lot that goes into it. I love the concept of such an intricate thing being carefully maintained across decades and generations of people.

It's an amazing economic example of value-add. Taking trees that grow like weeds and putting so much labor and time into them that they become worth a lot of money (and can exhibit tremendous aesthetic beauty). Similar to sushi.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you are in your twenties and "start off some bonsais today" then in 20 years you will start to know what you are doing and then you can start off "good ones" ;)

Yes, the best time to plant a tree....

...is the camera you have with you.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#26
Longwood Gardens (https://longwoodgardens.org/) is one of the most incredible public gardens in the US, and maybe the world. If you are in the Philadelphia/West Chester/Kennet Square area, do not miss the opportunity to check them out!

The Conservatory (and the new West Conservatory) is stunning. Checkout their summer concert and fireworks series for something family friendly. The Chimes Tower District reminds me of something you'd walk around and discover in Myst. https://longwoodgardens.org/gardens/chimes-tower-district

This place is huge! And there's a bunch of trails and places to walk if you wanna get away from the crowd.

Here's a 1hr video from QuietPlaces featuring the Conservatory, Lilly garden, Chimes District. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooR-f3vx_RY

Deep Link to the Bonsai area: https://youtu.be/ooR-f3vx_RY?t=1364

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#27
Long time member / supporter / donator of Longwood Gardens here… it’s a wonderful place to visit if able - while their Christmas display is well known - I personally prefer spring / early fall to be able to more easily walk around outside / when the fountains are open.

When they have larger bonsai displays they have been some of the best I have seen anywhere.

The Philadelphia Flower show recently had a bonsai display. I also know there is a bonsai focused garden somewhere near Philadelphia that I have yet to make it to.

As someone who has tried to grow bonsai and never quite succeeded - I always find them enthralling.

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#28
When I was a kid we had a bonsai book… I used to look through it for hours…

Cut to the future and I not only can find that book again [1] but the author has a beautiful and hilarious youtube channel [2] Worth the watch if only for the lulz

[1] https://a.co/d/06DuHIQs

[2] https://youtube.com/@HeronsBonsaiUK/featured

Re: The Beauty of Bonsai Styles

#30

I love bonsai, but it'd be nice if one could start a bonsai tree that looks like a mature tree in miniature without spending decades on the process. Is there anything that is fast growing, or is the only option buying a multi-decade old one?

Go explore your nearest rock formation. It doesn't have to be tall, in my experience the opposite is true. You have to chose the right time to get the tree out, soil moist level and the status of the tree itself are the top priorities, the latter depends on the season and the tree type.
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