The next time you are in Seattle, take a detour to the Weyerhaeuser bonsai gardens. The tour is free to see some of the best specimens in the world.

http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/aboutus/whereweoperate/worldheadquarters/bonsaicollection.asp

Not a Bonsai person per se, but gardening is such a great activity for de-stressing. I will plant some radish and arugula seeds this weekend.

I have Chinese elm seeds and Dawn redwood seeds to try to grow this summer to get back into bonsai. I've been out of it since college (my trees couldn't survive steam heat).

I've always liked forest plantings and I'd like to try that with the redwoods if I get enough (in about 5 years when the trunks are thick enough).

If your up in Ontario Canada, we have naturally occuring Bonsai:

http://www.escarpment.org/About/overview.htm

Go to the last paragraph on the page.

How long does it take to develop a "mature" Bonsai?

David here - John, you can create a bonsai immediately, if you find something that looks right, somewhat miniaturized, in a pot. "Bonsai" simply means "potted tree." But many of the really fine specimens have been pruned for more than 100 years. As you explore the art, you'll see that time is not really the core of what it's about - it's just a cool element in the process.

I've always loved to look at bonsai plantings, but as a hobby it provides too little active participation for me. Someone has addressed that problem with an ultra fast approach to bonsai - potato bonsai!

http://www.bonsaipotato.com/index.htm

problem defined; solution identified.