After reading the Bonsai subreddit for a while and prowling through the sidebar that all newbs are continually directed to, I decided there may be more organized information in books.

I don’t have a problem with books.  I don’t dislike books.  I read a ridiculous amount of fiction,  But when trying to learn a new thing, I find choosing a best-place-to-start book difficult.  Because, if I know nothing, then anything is more than that.  But not all books on a given subject are good for starting places.

So, I asked the Reddit bonsai people and got 4 recommendations.  One was written by guy who has a website in the Bonsai subreddit sidebar.  I got that one on Kindle.  And I found that the book format makes it easier to get the information I want in a more orderly fashion.  I think part of the problem is that, when I’m using a website, I hop around and with a book it is more back-to-front.  I was getting in my own way.

I got the other 3 books, used, through Amazon.  I expect to pass at least 2 along to my dad after I have finished reading them.  Or, I may find that I prefer to get him his own copy if they become necessary references.

They are Bonsai Life Histories by Martin Treasure, The Complete Book of Bonsai by Harry Tomlinson, and The Bonsai Workshop by Herb L. Gustafson.

Last Spring, I went to the NC Arboretum in Asheville with my parents.  The Arboretum has a bonsai garden.  I was blown away by the bitty trees and the groves of bitty trees.

My dad is as fascinated as I am.  He told me that they were going to do a workshop, but it was a weekend we were going to be on the other side of the state.  So, we have made a date to attend the workshop in 2015 together.

There was a multistate exhibition in October and it inspired us even more.   Pictures I took to show a friend are here.

Pop has some concern that my mother would object to a live plant in their condo, but I have learned that they aren’t houseplants.  Bonsai that would live outdoors in your area are outside bonsai.  If you have a tropical tree, then it does need to come in through the winter.  But, it should go outside as soon as possible.

I’m having a little trouble getting my head around that. I keep thinking that the roots will freeze in those bitty pots.  But, I have seen pictures of a bonsai collection with snow all over them.  So, it must be true.  I can’t imagine anyone putting that kind of effort into something and, then, letting it die on purpose.

I am 54 years old and beginning to learn something that takes decades.  If that isn’t optimism, I don’t know what is.