While walking early in the morning one day this past week, I was thinking of my favorite hobby, BONSAI. A picture came to my mind as I recalled once seeing a person about to put bonsai potting material into a pot to get it ready for a shimpaku juniper. I noticed how the screening had been placed into the pot to cover the drain holes and could also recall Kathy Shaner asking us at one of her workshops which side of the screening should be on the bottom. A number of people, including myself, were forced to look at the screen material and, for the first time, really noticed that there were definitely differences in the two sides. One side was absolutely flat and the other looked like it had tiny "legs". Once that observation was made, one could then guess that the side with the tiny "legs" would be the bottom side. Why?? Well because it permitted total drainage of the pot. Was it that important?? Kathy Shaner seemed to think so. How has that affected me?? I now look at the screen and place the screen with the tiny "legs" down. This was reinforced by a senior bonsai society member at a fairly recent meeting.

That was a basic matter that was "forgotten" along the way. What else may we have learned when we first became interested in bonsai that we now do not pay much attention to?? One of the favorite bonsai styles is the informal upright. How many times do we remember to have the apex of the tree directly over the tree base?? Does the apex lean toward the front of the tree and the viewer?? Do we have crossing branches or branches that cross across the front of the tree?? Do we have T-bar branches (branches that are directly on opposite sides of the trunk)?? Do we place the tree in the pot with the tree slightly behind the centerline and off to the right or left depending on the tree?? Do we water the tree from above so that air is pulled in as the water sinks into the pot or are we watering the tree by submerging it in water and aiding in accumulation of salts?? Do we screen our potting mixes to get rid of the very fine particles that can clog air spaces that are necessary for good root development?? Do we wire our trees as if each tree was to be shown to the public??

I was especially guilty of the last bonsai "sin" until one of the more experienced members brought this to my attention. Doing slipshod wiring when in a hurry or when one knows the tree is not going to be shown is no excuse and I am found guilty. No, I am not going to undo all the wiring I had already done but when it is time to rewire, I certainly will be more attentive to the task. How does one get to do a good lob of wiring? One gets that way by practicing the art on each wiring job so that one can improve. If there isn?t enough time (?), wait until there is more time to do the job correctly. Practice helps make perfect. Those are some of my sins. What rules of bonsai are you not following??

One realizes that all trees do not lend themselves to following all the rules. Nature doesn't conveniently place all branches in the place where the "rules" state they should be; so, it is not always possible to follow the rules which have been handed down generation after generations by the bonsai masters. One should just know when one is not following the traditional rules when styling a tree. Following all the rules to the letter can also play havoc with ones creativity. One needs to be pleased with the end result of their labors and as they plan for the future of their tree. Isn't that what it is all about??

One should experience joy and satisfaction from their hobby. I do and hope that you do also.