Collection I Inherited...

[jahjer]

My uncle recently passed and left me his bonsai collection. He never got to put these pictures on a forum so I'm excited to make my first post! I need some help here, if possible - books can only get you so far. Here's a few shots in light that doesn't do them much justice. Hope you enjoy and any comments are appreciated

[TomM]

Jahjer, WOW!

Your uncle must have thought very highly of you. He had a very nice collection. Your photo 'gallery' shows many things here. He had a nice assortment of tree varieties including the 'hot' bougie (bougainvillea) in the first pic to cypresses and junipers - some in ROR (root over rock) styles.

It's great to see them outdoors where they will thrive.

One thing that I hope will will do very early on. PLEASE get involved with your local bonsai club. Reading and internet correspondence can not replace hands on learning and one to one interacting with other bonsai lovers. Take some classes. There is so much to learn about your new 'dependents'.

I see in your profile that you already have many interests. Bonsai care will take some time, responsibility and devotion. Make your uncle proud.
Keep in touch, and good luck!

[kdodds]

WOW indeed. That is some awesome collection. I agree, it's not just the value and age of the trees, it's all of the care and love of bonsai that went into them that make them so precious. Your uncle must have held you in very high regard indeed to entrust them to your care. Now, I have to agree, forums are not going to be adequate. Please find a local club to help you. Your uncle was very good at what he did and some of those trees would go for many thousands of dollars on the open market. Again, it's not the monetary value, per se, but what people would be willing to pay for, basically, a common tree in a clay pot, should say a lot about what each one exactly IS, it's own work of art. To say I envied you would be ludicrous, no one wants to be in your situation, the means of acquisition, but you do have, now, an amazing collectio. Of course, I don't know your uncle's intent. But if you were interested in bonsai, I think it's most likely he'd want you to keep and care for them as he did. If not, perhaps he meant for you to sell them to provide for an education. Either alternative is a viable one, of course, but personally I would want to keep them.

[jahjer]

thanks for the advice..it means alot to hear what you think..ive gone to the local nurserys seeking some knowledge and tips and that helps. i have had the garden since oct. of this year...prior to that ive only trained a few elms and ficus...such as narrow leaf ficus..My uncle taught me what he knew in the time he had.. now being that im the only one in the family who cares for the plants and loves bonsai.. ive taken on the task of keeping them in good health and training them. i seem to be doing "ok' but im worried that my knowledge from books etc. can only go so far.. i don't plan on selling any of them.. my uncle would want me to learn from them rather then selling them..and I have learned sooo much in the past couple months..trying to finish all the "work in progress" and seeing his intentions with the plants.. im Now running into a problem with junipers, which i have the least education of..a few of them are browning from the inside out . im finding this is caused by not pruning the new shoots and buds..its hard to pick up where he left off. knowing what look he was looking for etc. only if i could conquer these junipers i feel i can keep the garden the way it is..im taking the advice and looking for a local bonsai group.

[TomM]

Bonsai Clubs International & American Bonsai Society both have websites that will give club locations.

For Fort Lauderdale see www.goldcoastbonsai.com Contact Ed Trout.
There are numerous clubs all around the state, not to mention bonsai nurseries.

[kdodds]

I think you definitely have the right attitude and I understand your homage to your uncle in wanting to develop them the way he would have. But remember, they were entrusted to YOU and they're YOURS now. In time, they will inevitably reflect you, and not your uncle. YOU may still see him in the trees, but they will be distinctly YOU to anyone else who sees them. I say this because it should come a lot easier to you to look at the tree and see what YOU want to do rather than what someone else would do (or would have done). This will definitely free your mind up to concentrate on other things, like tending those Junipers to your best abilities.

I posted in another link, but I'll post here as well, here is a Bonsai Society I found IN Pompano Beach:

Lighthouse Bonsai Society
5430 Pine Tree Rd
Pompano Beach, FL 33367-4111
(954) 752 4295
mdburatt@mindspring.com

BE CAREFUL. Being from NY, and born and raised in the city, I'm probably not the best person to talk about trusting strangers. I trust nobody unless they give me plenty good reason to do so. But, please, do be careful. You never know. Someone might take advantage and you might wake up one morning to find no trees left (yes, I know someone this happed to, with reptiles, not trees). But you can certainly bring a tree to a meeting or to someone else for help with it. And, I really do think this is the best (and only) immediate action that can be taken.

[JTred]

You have gotten a wonderful collection, and a wonderful way to remember your uncle. Learn as much as you can and have fun doing it.

[Killweed]

the firsdt one is really nice!

[jahjer]

thank you killweed that happens to be one of my favorite

[kdodds]

How are things going with them, BTW? Was the bonsai society in Pompano Beach helpful at all?

[jahjer]

I tried to call them but had no luck but i did find a club in boca and i will be going to the meetings a.s.a.p. The plants are doing great im finding new cuttings and potential. its great I learn something new everyday. I saved a few junipers and learned from my mistakes. I still have alot to learn. i thank you for effort and help. i still have a few i need to identify. maybe you could help if i posted pictures? im also posting my group barbadoa cherry project.

[kdodds]

I'd be happy to try. I'm pretty good with odd tropicals, not so good with maples, pines, etc.