Where do I get a Bonsai?
From BonsaiWIKI
Beginners are often very interested in how they can acquire bonsai. This article discusses some popular methods
Purchasing Finished Trees
This is a fast, but potentially expensive way to get started building a bonsai collection.
"Finished" bonsai don't really exist, because the trees continue to grow and undergo changes (hopefully positive ones!) until they eventually die. Finished bonsai are those trees that have been brought to an arbitrary level of refinement, varying, in the case of the mall bonsai or "mallsai from very little training to very expensive trees that have undergone decades of work. You need to be aware that your purchasing power may exceed your growing skill, so take it slow and build up.
- This is a list of nurseries that carry bonsai-related materials. In addition there are a number of online and of mail order options.
Collecting or developing trees from cuttings or seedlings
These are excellent ways to produce the finest quality bonsai; however, the beginner may have variable success with these somewhat advanced techniques. Most anyone can plant a seed and enjoy its growth for years as we pursue other activities, so I don't want to discourage you, but it shouldn't stop you from considering other options.
- See Propagation
Developing bonsai from material found at the garden center
This method is very rewarding. The material may be most any woody plant or shrubs in a 1, 3, 5 gallon container or larger. Look for interesting character. Poke around a bit, moving some of the foliage out of the way so that you can appreciate the trunkline and consider a design.
Some staked junipers make excellent bonsai. You may need to reduce the plant's height significantly to keep it in scale with the trunkline. Keep in mind that the "finished" height of a bonsai is usually between 3 and 10 times its caliper, measured at the rootbase. Shortening a plant will make its trunk appear larger relative to its height.
Starter Material
You may be lucky enough to find starter material (2-inch or 4-inch liner material) of various types at your local nursery that can be adapted for use as bonsai. Miniature Plant Kingdom sells a variety of material in 2" and 4" liners of popular bonsai species. Conifers, flowering trees and deciduous forest trees are all represented in their offerings.
Joining a Bonsai Club
will give you access to some sources that would not be available to you otherwise. Trees are sold at club auctions and at shows, members swap trees they have outgrown, overcollected or simply lost interest in. Entire member collections are sometimes sold at estate auctions as members pass-on or lose interest.
- Here is a link to Bonsai Clubs
Online Auctions
Online auctions are one way to purchase materials. You should be aware that because you can't inspect the materials in person you may not get exactly what you expect. You are also depending on the reputation of the seller, who may be new or unknown.
Club Auctions and Sales
Let me tell you a secret - Bonsai auctions and estate sales are two of the best opportunities to acquire fine bonsai and pots at bottom dollar prices. The reasons are as follows:
- Supply and demand: when an entire bonsai collection goes up for sale, there can be a high ratio of trees to buyers, which tends to drive the prices down
- The Ugly Factor: Trees may be sold at a loss simply because of economic need on the part of the seller, or because the tree's appearance is in decline. In just a few months a tree can become overgrown and would appear unsightly to a novice buyer, but it retains much of its potential in the hands of a knowledgable buyer.
Unmarked or Out-of-season purchases
These are my absolute favorite. When you have been around bonsai for a while, you will be able to recognize trees in most any season. If you find a tree for sale when it's not in its best suit of clothes, you can strike a great price at an auction or sale. If you know that bare, knobby looking thing is a ginkgo, and that half-dead-looking "cypress" is actually a larch, you're two steps ahead of many other buyers.
Distressed or neglected bonsai
May be acquire some venerable material with great potential at a reasonable price. You should be very careful in buying trees that are weak or diseased unless you know what you are doing!
