Bonsai 101 - Chapter 4: Getting Started with Your Bonsai Journey

Chapter 4 of our Bonsai 101 series is here with all the tips and tricks to get started on your journey.

In Chapter 4 of the Bonsai 101 Series, Milton covers tips on learning bonsai, how he has learned over time, best practices, and potential setbacks you might encounter on your bonsai journey.

Tips on Learning

• Attitude:

  • Take an interest in the subject…in this case Bonsai

  • Be receptive to ideas, then filter and extrapolate…never reject out of hand…intellectually humble

  • Cross fertilization because of being broadly knowledgeable

  • Hands on experience provides active learning

  • Always begin with the end in mind…begin with a vision & a goal

• Taking a holistic approach by learning broadly

  • Art principle, painting, sculpture, art appreciation

  • calligraphy, photography

  • Nature, ecology, science, growing things

  • History, geography, cultural studies

• How Milton has learned

  • Bonsai class

  • Bonsai clubs

  • Show & workshop

  • Scanned and read hundreds of books & magazines

  • Being inquisitive

  • Making mistakes & taking corrective actions

• Ways to speed your bonsai learning

  • Develop an understanding and appreciation of the basics

  • Accept and reject conventional wisdom to filter and extrapolate to form your own opinion

  • Start on a few bonsai to develop deep understanding before scaling.

  • Stick to traditional trees, before being adventuresome

  • Be positive, see setback as a learning opportunity

---

About Bonsai Heirloom

We document bonsai transformations and the philosophy behind them. If you're feeling inspired to begin your own bonsai journey, consider adopting a bonsai from our curated collection. Each tree is hand-selected, artistically shaped, and ready to grow with you.

---