2018 BSOP Rendezvous - Super Critique

At the monumental first Bonsai Society of Portland Rendezvous, Ryan Neil, Bobby Curttright, Matt Reel, and Michael Hagedorn participated in a groundbreaking critique of selected trees from the Rendezvous exhibition. These four practicing bonsai professionals dove deep into the nuances of what makes a truly superior tree from an exhibition perspective.
In their careful consideration of a large juniper, cypress, a hemlock, a Japanese maple, and other remarkable specimens from the exhibition, these practitioners discuss North American bonsai at a level thus far unexplored, adding their vast variety of professional insights to the dialogue. This is perhaps the highest level of critical discussion of bonsai in North America to date; the conversation of the evolution of American bonsai has truly been opened to the next level with this dialogue between artists.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Trees worthy of in depth discussion! Good stuff.

[@putraghaly6034]

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[@MrHoland11]

He is perhaps one of the best speakers and educators on bonsai. Engaging, knowledgeable, and relatable.

[@kevin8360]

Listening to your critiques... I feel as though I'm listening to Leonardo Da Vinci give a critique of Van Gogh's 'The Starry Night' painting. I no longer feel as though bonsai is a hobby or craft, but I want to know the story or interpretation of the tree. This video pretty much opened my eyes to the real beauty if the trees... and it's not in their technical flawlessness... it's in their story. Thanks!

[@chriswillette8743]

Michaels analogy of the temple and the steps of the temple regarding the pot to the tree is very thought provoking. Never thought of it that way! I love his way with words

[@thepaperstaggering]

Chris Willette Bonsai: I appreciated michael’s muse, too. To me, bonsai is all about evoking an emotional experience. The wabi-sabi.

[@PlantObsessed]

I think one of the great thing about this video is the educational value. This isn't a quick visual gratification of a demo. When I see the time of the video is over an hour I know I need to devote my time to it. There is very little free content that digs this deep. Thanks guys.

[@JAMES-dv5ns]

The Engelmann Spruce and Larch were my favorite, Ryan and Michael really showed their props to the tree. I don’t think the two on the right can think outside of the Japanese bonsai form. I like how Ryan took a giant dump on the two dudes on the right when they were kinda picking everything apart hahaha.. great trees. Doesn’t Bobby and Matt know that the yellow pot compliments the larch in fall with yellow needles?

[@Airel17]

Ryan is a good public speaker and I think the other guys did a great job of voicing their perceptions and a lot of good information about what experts think about when judging Bonsai. Great job guy thank you for sharing on KZbin.

[@henrygrey285]

Ryan and Michael are by far the most knowledgeable... I like how they understand why the spruce was designed this way... not like the guys on the right that are just critiquing without understanding why it is the way it is...

[@larrylamonde7242]

Perhaps one of the finest videos I've seen. Bravo!

[@IntrinsicRoots]

J I’ll

[@Brosef1974]

Going deeper into iterations of remarkable Bonsai,a foundation of excellence . Bravo!

[@777greglee]

Bobby and Matt talk about "what". Ryan and Michael talk about "why". There's a real value difference there. Bobby and Matt talk like practitioners, Ryan and Michael talk like artists.

[@paulstephan1115]

Dennis has the best deciduous in the US in my opinion. That maple is pristine

[@notyourproblems]

The pot of the larch would work for a flowering tree which it would complement in many ways since it kind of looks like a flower itself, even the legs of the pot speak a totally different upper picture...it's kind of glamorous or something like that, definitely not for a conifer, not in my cup anyway. Thank you for posting these online! It's a magnificent learning possibility being shared.

[@Bonsai.Treedom]

This show is just great. Really enjoyed each and every tree. I literally lived theses trees. Thanks to everyone. Hope u all are in good health and doing well.

[@gjackyroxas2720]

Respect to the artists ♥️♥️♥️

[@philippbrugger8728]

Amazing video! Amazing discussion. Thank you for sharing!

[@NimrodTargaryen]

Thanks Ryan!

[@hectordehesa2118]

So much great info! I love this channel

[@lakeelsinorebonsai1203]

It’s really great to see the four allstars of American Bonsai!

[@JAMES-dv5ns]

Two all stars… the two on the right are blowhards

[@wriv819]

Lol 😂

[@wriv819]

@@JAMES-dv5ns all of them are.

[@yoteslaya7296]

All stars of bonsai? Super cringey

[@HansKaramottoBonsai]

GOOD STUFF AND AMAZING ARTFUL BONSAI !!!! Well done guys !!!! 👏👏👏 Cheers, Hans van Meer. KARAMOTTO BONSAI.

[@Nexus2Eden]

I have to say, as soon as I saw that Japanese Maple come out I nearly peed my self. F#@King Beautiful specimen! Absolutely gorgeous! I mean, I recognized that as a definite Best in Show...I agree with Ryan 100%. And 70 years from seed....Wow...just ....Wow! 😳😓😲

[@XxGAMES12xX]

The engelmann spruce is beautiful

[@scharfaced]

I agree with Scott at the end. I think that dead wood would look awesome spiraling around half way up the main trunk and it would even decrease the inverse taper. The presenters might not of understood what he had in mind. Obviously I'm no expert but i think it would be really cool to see and perhaps could be photoshopped first before making drastic changes. Epic trees and great presentation. Well done everybody!

[@nature337]

I think my favorite is the Hemlock

[@dianeschneider8346]

The Engleman spruce looks like it was taken directly out of the mtns. I have lived in Rockies for yrs and I have seen spruce like this. Lightning does a great job of pruning tops off lots of spruce.

[@farhanmokhtar8300]

Awesome guys 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Gabriel-dm1du]

Whenever you come across bonsai artist who talk about going in depth in terms of the owner's vision you know you're in good hands I don't mean if it's a crappy tree and I'm offended by what you said of course but the youngest two kept mentioning(show) all the time something we made up; (man made) and other ways to deal with reverse taper in other words techniques so... PROTOCOL WITH NO ESSENCE. Sorry for the bashing guys I'm doing it for the new comers, enthusiast begginers etc... 😁 Thanks Ryan your channel it's amazing and the other mature artist there with you forgot his name sorry he's awesome too I've seen his trees too.

[@douglasyokoi7805]

Yeah, I agree! Michael hagedorn`s vision and Ryan`s were the most pleasing to hear.. It's quite easy to point "defects" but really hard to understand the art in its essence.. Much like Ryan said about bonsai as a craft and bonsai as an art.

[@defnotmee5085]

Thought I wouldn't want to hear what the other guys had to say after hearing Ryan speak. However, I enjoyed hearing everyone's critique and seeing some great work. Thanks all!

[@queenelmejor]

Precioso

[@hectordehesa2118]

True geniuses!

[@noeundan6511]

It doesn't end right there it's evolving

[@sidewaysonhighways]

I was thinking a drum pot would be better for the larch. Something sleepy looking with studs on the sides. Maybe bronze colored or something with a patina. A patina would suggest a glazed pot, so something earthy. The tree. Still has great potential. Largest larch I have ever seen. The pear is impressive. I have tried growing an Asian pear before. Don’t have the land for it. The pears look like small apples. First had an Asian pear in Nepal. They didn’t taste very ripe, but still good. That pear tree needs to be thinned, exposed trunk line, and needs more leaf reduction if possible. Mind you, pear leaves are mush larger to begin with.

[@santoshsharmavlogs1550]

Wow so beautiful 👌👌👌

[@troycequimpo6685]

imagine slipping and falling onto the tree

[@lakeelsinorebonsai1203]

Can I ask what was the brand of cut paste Michael was talking about? I did not understand it, I appreciate your reply, thanks!

[@douglasyokoi7805]

Kirikuchi-naori

[@sallymay3000]

😍😍😍

[@Kwood10]

Love the engleman spruce towards the end . But I love more rugged looks on a bonsai .

[@brandondumont7223]

For the second plant i am quite concerned you need a better stand thats more secure it would be such a same for it too fall larger base or holes in base to slide extention in plz and thx.

[@peeweepabalate302]

Wheres momo chan?

[@paulmesi3958]

dat maple at approx. 49 minutes 🙌

[@johnpedro2181]

What’s the name of the latex scar treatment liquid?

[@debbieerickson3695]

Can someone please tell me how to get in touch with the two guys opposite of Ryan?

[@bennyallbutt]

Instagram - matt reel and bobby curtttight

[@thanhucle6274]

Cây phong lá đỏ quá đẹp

[@inforetreat3331]

Who are the other guys please?

[@min2oly]

28:40 is dangerously looking like a branch was air layered into a "tree" 1:11:06 has to be an air layered branch... *Love the positivity and depth of knowledge you bring Ryan*

[@jaredanderson7494]

Is it wrong to air layer?

[@danbalsley4725]

Bill V I s very well to hear

[@sophiaangelini4368]

Somuch more important than politics, business or gossip.

[@irisperfetto]

22:43 there is a heart shaped void in between the root system!!!

[@josephbreckenridge2139]

Ryan is too bonsai genuis. lol

[@TomTomTomTom538]

I'd like to see a critique of a Walter pall deciduous tree

[@JAMES-dv5ns]

Michael and Ryan would respect the style.. the douches on the right are hardwired by old sterile Japanese bonsai

[@harrywallner4816]

Outstanding commentary, however I would like to remind all of you that larch is alive and well in the northern midwest and wouldn't be considered an alpine tree.

[@eribachtiar7842]

53:04 58:17

[@olosyranib]

Matt and Bobby are microdosing at least :D

[@bonsaiminhkiet846]

Đọc

[@outsiderdf]

12:12 lmao, just shush for a moment.

[@zroform7004]

ponytail and backwards cap...... haiyaa

[@wriv819]

There is no perfect tree. Bonsai is matter of taste and and beauty. By the way what that hell is the guy on the black sweater and blue jeans is talking about ???? 😂

[@yoteslaya7296]

A bunch of millennial man buns critiquing bonsai, no thanks

[@kimchy4692]

The guy with the hat seemed so annoying. His lack of understanding and shallow criticism, who is that twerp to judge so harshly trees older than his grandparents. Almost like he wanted to be elsewhere, with a mix of teenage renegade and lack of respect. I even thought he triggered Ryan after his rant on the spruce.

[@SuperPeleke]

Lol. Ryan is so hilariously long winded. I feel like he needs an editor. He is so verbose. He could say what he says in half the time if he used shorter sentences.

[@monicamovie1788]

Your tree is boring there's no high THC on it.... Smoke that tree smokey.!

[@goosecouple]

Bonsai art will go down the drain if the modern artists take over. Picasso bonsai. Huhuhu..

[@ENERO33]

I DONT LIKE THE ATTITUDE OF THE GUY IN GLASSES….

[@flamomo]

These guys are so pompous I can’t stand it. Sweet trees though

[@TheBrewersDroop]

The one on the left... Its his channel.

[@thepaperstaggering]

LOL! Bonsai snobs for sure. Gotta stay humble. Ryan and michael seem cool, tho.

[@monicamovie1788]

Why are you growing a tree that you can even smoke or doing anything to it, it is a such a wasted of time... Smoke that tree they probably had THC in there.