My article for the SA bonsai Soc.

[Asus101]

This is my article on being a beginner in a rural environment. Trying to grow plants here is very difficult, but I am starting to get the hang of it.

Into the Wilderness
Ben Cutts

I had never had the chance to write an article, so when I was told that I could help out by writing an article on what it’s like to be a beginner out in the middle of no where, I was kind of hesitant. My name is Ben Cutts, I have been into bonsai since October 2007, and a member of the South Australian Bonsai Society since May 2008.
Not long after getting into bonsai I moved to Renmark, a very dry town in the Riverland. Now what’s worse than being a “noob” (newbie in the fast paced world of online gaming) to an art that not only has a long and proud history and tradition, but is also highly dependant on knowledge of both art and horticulture? Well, being that “noob” and moving to somewhere where the nearest bonsai enthusiast is across state borders.
Like most beginners I spent the first few months before the move going out and buying as much stock as I could lay my hands on. I started reading up, joined the Northern Districts bonsai club and was happy. Not long after the move I started to lose a lot of that stock I had gone nuts about and snapped up like an insane shopper at a post Christmas sale. My “noob-ness” was showing. So what was I to do? Here I was, a demanding art form (if I wanted things to live of course), in a new town, and no bonsai people for miles?
Being an avid computer gamer and spending vast amounts of my years living online, I turned to the only friend I had, the Great World Wide Web. I quickly found a few bonsai forums and was soon learning more than I could have possibly imagined. I wasn’t just in contact with the local bonsai amateur either, I was talking to people like Walter Pall, Hans van Meer (I owe him a few coopers actually, we need to get him here asap!), Cheng Cheng-Kung, Morten Albek and Nick Lenz just to name a few (yeah name dropping, I feel the ego grow). I was in Virtual heaven.
The internet is really the greatest tool available to all of us. It’s not a hard thing to learn at all, but like bonsai there are some guidelines one must follow. Good virus protection and remember not to take things too seriously on the internet. Not only do I have a huge resource of information at my finger tips, but I also have more inspiration than I could ever need. At a few clicks of the mouse, I can study Chinese penjing, bonsai styles of Germany, I can see the latest trees coming out of Japan, I can view American bonsai and see the differences between them all.
While I have all that information available to me, there is a great sense of frustration. I don’t get the hands on experience I would have if I were in a big city. I have a great deal of knowledge, but I don’t have knowledge. I can point out errors with a tree, I can recommend soil conditions, ways to create shohin black pine from seed in 10 years, I can pick out a better pot for a tree, but to get started I hit a brick wall. I miss the workshops, the extra confidence to know that splitting a trunk into 6 to create a multi trunk is the right thing to do (bonsai today issue #43 Kimura divides a tree trunk).
Being in a small country town adds the second frustration: obtaining stock. From reading I learned how to pick stock better than the mad grab and run that I did before. It causes issues when there are three garden centers in the area and no proper bonsai nursery for 250 km. With a limited market there is little stock flow. I have the choice of tube stock at a native nursery, or two cottage styled garden centers. I have learned to curse the almighty graft.
However being in a small town also has its perks. Everybody knows everybody. Not long after coming here I met a guy who used to run a nursery and worked with advanced stock. He had a large field of trees he didn’t sell before closing, and was given free pickings. Although I have to work through the frustration of missing workshops, not having good workable stock, I have been able to skip many of well known beginner mistakes. When I think about all I know, weighed against those frustrations I still feel like I’m a level above what a one year old bonsai enthusiast usually is at. To a degree I am happy with where I have chosen to take up the fine art of bonsai.
Ben Cutts @2009

[mudlarkpottery]

I thoroughly enjoyed your article, Ben. (name-dropping and all).
Penny.

[Jon Chown]

Well Ben, you don't get called Asus anymore. That pretty well sums up the excitement and frustration that many of us go through in our first year and if you ad a limited budget to this, it gets even more painful.

Jon

ps You might like to edit this line

I have a great deal of knowledge, but I don’t have knowledge

to read 'I have a great deal of knowledge, but I don't have experience'

[Asus101]

Yeah jon, I got the newsletter guys to edit that, so hopefully they have fixed it.

Its also hard being where I am, the heat is a real killer, as is I have one JBP with limp candles...

[Pup]

Well done young man. Very aptly put. With an attitude like that I am pleased that I have you as a friend.
I was beginning to wonder, and name dropping is an art form in its self.
So you have learnt a lot more than you realised. You have also taught me a few things over the last few months. Of that I am sure grateful now I will not use the term noob for my ineptitude at computers. Well done Mate Pup

[Leigh Taafe]

Hey Ben - Good article mate!

Cheers,
Leigh.

[Asus101]

Thanks guys,
I name dropped not for ego, but many people in the club don't use the internet/are scared of it and don't know what these artists are doing, or they have heard of them, but don't know of their work. I cant try and describe a technique and go "have you seen the latest work from artist b" and have them understand.

I really love bonsai, I want it to grow, I want it to progress, I want to see more Australians overseas recognized for being masters of the art and I want to be the best artist to come from out of South Australia.. Hell all of Australia.
Currently we are surrounded really by a shroud of mystery. I want to be apart of unveiling..

Its kinda funny, I never thought that a little industrial Goth who uses claims to be both a communist and a facist (Im in constant conflict with myself) could find such love for little tree's in pots.


Do you think that could score me an Oscar? Or should I re do it with a few tears?

[aaron_tas]

i reckon a little vics under the eyes just might do it mate

nice article

[anttal63]

thats why i got me violin ready

[Russ]

I feel exactly where your coming from Ben...
Respect

[Asus101]

thats why i got me violin ready

You going to play bad music to help me cry?

[anttal63]

na ace i dont wish that.

[Asus101]

na ace i dont wish that.

[kcpoole]

Hi Ben

In all your name dropping, you forgot to mention Me !
Ken P from Sydney!!

Hey that rhymes

Nice article Mate

[Ash Barns]

Ben your article is inspiring, it displays a determination to get that experience. It is great that we have contact with the cream of bonsai via the internet. Who knows, someday we may refer to you as an 'ace' in your own right. It is all possible providing you train with the right people and fulfill your dreams. Good luck with that Ben.

Ash