The “Clip and Grow” technique was developed by Wu Yee-sun’s grandfather and other monks at the Guandong temple.  What was that location’s previous experience with penjing, what styles were concurrent w/”C&G,” where did Wu grandpère et al get the idea for, were there other styles attempted but discarded in favor of “C&G,” what did the first “C&G” trees look like & what material were they?

What styles were predominant in the various provinces in the various time periods, which were indigenously developed, which were the result of communication/trade, which rose and/or fell out of favor through political changes (local, regional or national), lack of additional material, dying out of master-student lines, or natural disasters which may have added to any of the previous?

What is the oldest known pot and/or tree and/or landscape from each province?  What is the earliest known graphic portrayal of an extant old pot, tree or landscape?

What pots or portrayals or landscapes will be discovered in yet to be discovered or excavated sites, especially along the Silk Road?  What has been discovered that hasn’t been recognized or announced?

What early tools were used for digging or designing, for what purpose, when & why discarded, are there any extant and possibly unrecognized?

What is the most unusual known pot (a human skull? since one of the Japanese meanings of “bon” is that)?

When was the earliest held private exhibition in each country? large private collection? public exhibition?

How did one become a student or receive recognition as a master?

Were independents held in less esteem?  Did some take on a false identity/credentials so as to not be so identified?

What variety of soil mixes and components have been used, were in favor or not?  What were the most exotic ingredients?  (human bone meal to “continue” a late master’s association with a plant, for instance?)  What about the same for fertilizers?

What was the highest price ever paid – financially, in trade, in human life, in political alliance  -- for a single pot or tree or landscape?

Was there ever a tree that so resisted being dug that several collectors died trying to retrieve it?

What is the highest percentage of wild-dug plants from a given region that survived? That didn’t and thus were extremely valuable?

When did the first nurseries start including some dwarf potted trees?  When were the first exclusively devoted to dwarf potted trees established?

What is the most unusual type of plant ever made into a dwarf potted tree?  What species/variety is/was the most common?

Have any books been banned/burned because they contained cultivation/design “secrets?”

What percentage of the social/economic classes card for dwarf potted trees in the various regions and times?

Was any dwarf potted tree at least marginally pivotal in any historical/political event?

What is the largest – height or width or depth – to have ever been constructed?  When, where, by whom, why, what happened to this composition?

What taxes or tariffs have been applied specifically to dwarf potted trees

What parallel developments died out, what cousins or offshoots were practiced for a while but are no longer?

What masterpiece dwarf potted trees are in private collections, never publicly exhibited?

What is the smallest oldest dwarf potted tree ever designed?  How long did it live?

What teacher created with or without assistance the most non-starter dwarf potted trees during his (or her?) lifetime?

Was there ever a matched set of viewing stones or dwarf potted trees assembled – different sizes but with very similar shape?

Was there ever a portable stone which resembled a large stone in the same owner’s garden?

Were viewing stones ever treated similarly to the large garden stones submerged in Tai Hu by one generation and then retrieved two generations later appropriately aged?

What idioms, folktales, songs make reference to dwarf potted trees or other magical miniature landscapes?

Which of these questions are based on false or partially erroneous assumptions?

What questions still need to be asked?

Again, if you have any answers or corrections or additional questions, please contact rjb@phoenixbonsai.com .  All who are and will be interested in this international gardening art thank you.