Wow, it is always interesting to get the standard US conversation that 'someone is the best', vs isn't it really nice that we are getting a number of highly trained bonsai professionals in the US? Think about it, we now have Kathy S, Bill Valvanis, Joe Harris, Boon, Mike Hagedorn, Ryan, Matt (soon), Bjorn and Owen (soon), and the Europeans like Marc Noelanders, Marco, Colin (now in us), Peter Warren and many others who work significantly in the US. Plus there seems to be a pipeline of young talent going to the best bonsai gardens for training in Japan, Think Peter Tea and Tyler Sherrod. I think the real benefits will be a huge increase in the opportunity for those interested in learning how to produce and care for high quality bonsai in the US (and Canada, sorry guys).
The first person I learned that grafting caused a tree to take on the physiological attributes of the scion? Carl Tottemeier, a longtime botanical garden director and good friend who passed a number of years ago- he told me in the early 90's, I am pretty sure he figured it out in the 50's.
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