In Amstelveen, close to Amsterdam, live many Japanese. There's an annual Japan festival and in spring, there's the Cherry Blossom festival.
This is held in the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest), in a part where 400 cherry trees were planted.

I went there and it was lovely. The pink cloud of cherry blossoms was very nice.



There were stands, singers, food, ikebana, sushi, etc... and a bonsai stand.
When I walked by, they asked me if I wanted to join a workshop. I told them I grow bonsai myself and declined. I changed my mind though when I saw people working on the trees. The workshop was free and I could keep the tree. Ofcourse I wanted to practice my skills - and maybe show off a little.

It was fun. Nice to see all the people, new to bonsai, focussing and trying to figure out what to do. I was done pretty quickly with my tree, which, according to the label, is a Zelkova Parviflora.
The guy, who assisted, looked approvingly... "first branch, second branch, back branch... good". I was happy with this comment.

Here's the amazing result! Now... let's see how to develop it in the future. I think the regulars know what I'm going to do.

Is it not too large for a mame?

nice that you went. Heard about it on the radio. Just a little out of my way.

Auk wrote:

I think the regulars know what I'm going to do.

A shohin?

Nice from you posting your experience, Auk.

BTW, I love these japanese festivities, the biggest japanese community outside Japan is in Brazil; from the past week we have now in São Paulo a matsuri festival with free bonsai workshops during the weekend. I guess I'll go, maybe they give me a nice tree to work on!

Nice one.

Auk wrote:

I think the regulars know what I'm going to do.

You are going to fight for your right to call it a bonsai!

Mimo wrote:

Auk wrote:

I think the regulars know what I'm going to do.

You are going to fight for your right to call it a bonsai!

Maybe. After a drastic restyling and 15 years.

Auk wrote:

Here's the amazing result! Now... let's see how to develop it in the future. I think the regulars know what I'm going to do.

Ha... Welcome to the dark side Auk... The Force was strong in you, but you have faltered and fall into the long claws of the Mallsai´s Creed . Now, let´s see what you can do with it... Mame said Leatherback, Shohin stated Clicio... Me, I just say chop it of at the first branch level and start building from there and let´s see where it takes you.

On the other hand... Thanks for sharing this experience with us all and, of course, every once in a while do update us with your progress. I´m most intrigued on what you would finally do with it.

Alain