3. So
what
are
the
cri6cal
items
/points
to
consider
in
a
bonsai
design?
And
frankly
who
gives
a
damn?
4. Sure
you
can
‘grow’
bonsai
type
plants
and
keep
them
healthy
and
sustain
them.
But
are
they
really
considered
bonsai
(
primarily
in
world
class
terms?)
Then
who
really
cares?
Does
the
style
maIer?
I
like
the
way
my
trees
look…
And
who
says
we
have
to
go
by
Japanese
rules?
5. “Well,
I’m
no
expert/master
per
say”
but
I
do
have
40
years
Of
growing
plants
that
sort
of
look
like
bonsai.
“Ok,
so
how
do
you
‘qualify’
that
statement?”
Through
fully
understanding
the
parameters
of
not
only
good
design
but
“Bonsai
Design”
that
is
of
world
class
origin.
6. But
what’s
the
difference?
“I
grow
trees
in
pots
and
they
are
nice
and
compact
and
yeppers
look
great!
They
are
healthy
and
do
what
they’re
supposed
to
do
so
hey,
I’m
A
bonsai
grower!”
Pssssssst:
“HEY
THEY
LOOK
LIKE
BUSHES
IN
POTS….NOT
BONSAI”
8. What
you
don’t
see
here
is
about
20yrs
of
growth
in
the
ground.
Yes,
grow
the
tree
in
the
open
Ground.
Root
prune
every
few
years
With
a
sharp-‐shooter
spade.
Shape
and
style
in
a
overall
General
paIern.
Pinch
terminal
buds
every
fall.
Let
grow
unabated.
1975-‐1990
Is
it
a
bonsai
yet?
9. 1) We
need
to
know
a
few
principles
of
design
A)
height
and
width
are
important
and
have
rela6onships
with
the
propor6ons
of
the
pot
B)
The
basic
propor6on
of
the
pot
reflect
approximately
2/3
of
the
height.
C)
The
thickness
or
height
of
the
pot
from
the
table
surface
to
the
lip
is
the
same
as
the
width
or
dimension
of
the
‘nebari’
(surface
root
spread
at
base
of
the
trunk)
D)
Loca6on
of
the
centerline
of
the
trunk
in
rela6on
to
the
pot
is
cri6cal.
Too
much
trouble
for
me
to
bother
with
all
this…..
I
like
my
trees
the
way
they
are!
“Ok,
big
deal
so
what’s
the
point….?”
10. Height
and
Width
and
size
of
pot
Ideal
height
of
most
upright
or
slanted
upright
Should
be
6
x
the
base
of
the
nebari.
Correct
dimensions
of
the
pot
for
this
“Chokkan”
or
formal
upright
is
2/3
height
of
the
tree
is
the
base
dimension
of
the
pot.
And
the
height
or
lip
of
the
pot
should
be
1x
the
basal
root
or
nebari.
Placement
in
the
pot
should
be
lej
or
right
and
slightly
Back
of
centerline
longitudinally
13. This
tree
has
propor6ons
Closer
to
height/
Width/thickness
detail,
although
Not
yet
correct.
(A7er
some
study
the
tree
was
reposi:oned
in
another
container
about
1999)
This
tree
will
need
at
least
another
five
years
of
development
before
the
design
is
fully
established
19. Time
for
repolng!
But
when?
And
newly
poIed
beginning
bonsai…how?
Add
some
of
the
fungii
found
In
the
old
soil
to
your
fresh
mix!
Correct
drainage
is
cri6cal
for
pines
along
with
a
lean
mix.
21. Styling
a
Juniper
into
A
simple
cascade
First
polng
not
the
best
propor6ons
but
fine
for
the
job.
22. Points
to
Remember
• Selec6on
of
species
in
rela6on
to
pot
• Selec6on
of
the
specific
tree
and
how
it
will
Be
trained,
styled
etc.
Chokkan,
Slant,
Bunjin..
• Height/width/nebari
dimensions
• Pot
and
style/height/width
• Overall
health
of
the
tree…long
term.
(don’t
rush
to
pot
a
tree
that
needs
more
root
development)
• Ajer
care
for
pines
is
FULL
SUN,
water
well
and
let
thoroughly
dry
out
between
waterings.
(if
slightly
damp
do
NOT
water
pines.)
And
Lastly
a
poli:cal
message
brought
to
you
by:
24. • Four
Seasons
Bonsai
Club
is
a
founding
member
of
the
John
Naka
Pavilion
in
Washington
DC.
Please
consider
suppor6ng
the
Na6onal
Bonsai
Founda6on
annually.