Best Online Shops for Quality Bonsai at a Fair Price?

[Anthony_Jamez12]

I’m looking to buy a bonsai online and want to make sure I get good value for my money. I’d love some recommendations on reputable online stores that offer healthy, well-cared-for trees at reasonable prices.

 

[pandacular]

Good, reasonable value, online; pick two.

 

[Paradox]

This is a loaded question.
A bonsai is valued at what someone will spend for it.

Reasonable price for what? What are you looking for?
Cuttings/seedlings?
Starter pre-bonsai?
A tree with some age and development?
Highly refined and developed tree?
Yamadori?

What species of tree? Size? Age? Development?
All of these factor into the price.

I have purchased from Brussels Bonsai.
Some consider them expensive for some of their material, I found it reasonable for what I purchased.

Other vendors:
Wigerts Bonsai
Eastern Leaf Bonsai
Cedar Rose Nursery

Before investing a lot of money into a tree or trees, get some starter material and learn to keep things alive first.
Everyone kills trees as they are learning. So starting with lower cost plants is wise

 

[Cadillactaste]

Jason Schley is my go-to... when I've something on my mind. Mind you he has an extensive selection not on his website. Contacting him with a price point and what you are looking for. Would be the way I go.

Quality Bonsai Trees - Bonsai Tree Care

schleysbonsai.com

 

[WNC Bonsai]

You really need to plan a trip to bonsai retailers and see first yourself what is available. Shows are a good place to see trees before you buy them. Sometimes what you see online looks very different in person and as said above vendors often have many more trees than are shown. Ask other local bonsai nuts where they suggest visiting in your area.

 

[Cadillactaste]

You really need to plan a trip to bonsai retailers and see first yourself what is available. Shows are a good place to see trees before you buy them. Sometimes what you see online looks very different in person and as said above vendors often have many more trees than are shown. Ask other local bonsai nuts where they suggest visiting in your area.

That's great...for those who have access. all my trees except the two I collected were purchased online and shipped to me. I'm also quite proud of the collection I've built with my being so far removed from a bonsai community near myself.

Seeing in person...definitely ideal. But...not a deal breaker. But I am firm on seeing what you buy. Many places offer an image of a species. And for said money they choose you something. That isn't something I ever was about. As a child the flea market. Had sack bags... and you could purchase them. The more money spent. The higher the item inside was. My cousin always got crap. I never played. I was dirt poor. I seen the negative in spending what little I did have on junk. I see buying sight unseen...as brown bagging. Never was into it. I'll never be one to promote it either. But...you can get good material... you have to step into a specific price point. To get nicer material. So skip buying two trees...and invest in just one. That's how you build a collection later to be proud of.

By all means...if one has access to buy in person. Do so. But...don't let it hinder you. If it's not realistic. I'm proof. You can build a collection by buying online.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I will say this...when buying online. Know your source. So many scammers out there. Always check the source you intend to use. That others know of them.

Even on auction platforms. If I'm not familiar with the seller. I ask around about them.

 

[Paradox]

Have to agree with @Cadillactaste. Many of us dont have a good bonsai retailer within reasonable driving distance.
I live in pretty much a bonsai desert here, as odd as that seems considering my proximity to NYC and the population here.
Until last year we only had Bonsai Boy here and I wouldnt consider them a go-to because most of their trees are ram rod straight seedlings that are overpriced for what they are IMO.
A new place started last year and I hope they can become established and thrive.
The only other place on the island was a side business to a landscaping business and the owner decided to retire after many years and it shut down.
The next nearest to me are either Massachusetts or Pennsylvania, both about a 5 hour drive away so not really easy to get to.

 

[BrianBay9]

I suggest you start by joining a local club. Those folks will know where to get the best bonsai in your area, and can give you advice regarding online sellers.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

That's great...for those who have access. all my trees except the two I collected were purchased online and shipped to me. I'm also quite proud of the collection I've built with my being so far removed from a bonsai community near myself.

Seeing in person...definitely ideal. But...not a deal breaker. But I am firm on seeing what you buy. Many places offer an image of a species. And for said money they choose you something. That isn't something I ever was about. As a child the flea market. Had sack bags... and you could purchase them. The more money spent. The higher the item inside was. My cousin always got crap. I never played. I was dirt poor. I seen the negative in spending what little I did have on junk. I see buying sight unseen...as brown bagging. Never was into it. I'll never be one to promote it either. But...you can get good material... you have to step into a specific price point. To get nicer material. So skip buying two trees...and invest in just one. That's how you build a collection later to be proud of.

By all means...if one has access to buy in person. Do so. But...don't let it hinder you. If it's not realistic. I'm proof. You can build a collection by buying online.

Experiences with the same seller can vary. I bought a trident from Jason Schley in 2018 and it arrived with some open chops that have just healed over 7 years later. There are still some wire scars on a couple of branches that are slowly disappearing. Had I seen the tree in person instead of his online photos I probably would not have bought the tree.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Experiences with the same seller can vary. I bought a trident from Jason Schley in 2018 and it arrived with some open chops that have just healed over 7 years later. There are still some wire scars on a couple of branches that are slowly disappearing. Had I seen the tree in person instead of his online photos I probably would not have bought the tree.

That's a shame, did you think to discuss your displeasure? See if he would do a return?

I will say...I always ask...about any pertaining scars a tree may have. If the images are not up to par. From any online source. I'm seasoned as it's my only option.

That said... how many have I gotten? So many...that I absolutely love. They would not be in my collection had he not provided them. Yes...I've had them and worked them into more. But...I bought good bones.


I have always got good photos...and video of the material I buy from Jason. These are not all my trees from him. But...a few that make me smile.

Three foot canopy spread Sweet Plum


Banyan willow leaf ...crazy solid/heavy. Like when watered in. I need two hands to move it.


The right material for this upside-down project. Curts Cap Mallow
Pyracantha Flying dragon...I needed to see the bones. I needed lines that I could work with as the characteristics of the species is chaos.
My ROR Winged elm. I love the sinuous movement in the trunk.

And this quirky crepe myrtle is gorgeous in waking come spring.

 

[Cadillactaste]

And...for those wanting to see my sweet plum. I go in close. It's my nod to a raft... penjing.

Direct links allow ones without an account to view only it. Nothing else on my Instagram page. I absolutely LOVE this composition.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Cadillactaste]

Experiences with the same seller can vary. I bought a trident from Jason Schley in 2018 and it arrived with some open chops that have just healed over 7 years later. There are still some wire scars on a couple of branches that are slowly disappearing. Had I seen the tree in person instead of his online photos I probably would not have bought the tree.

Look into trying to heal them over maybe? Sounds like you would have been better returning it. Than be unsatisfied.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EHDLfJVD3/

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Look into trying to heal them over maybe? Sounds like you would have been better returning it. Than be unsatisfied.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EHDLfJVD3/

Yes, in hindsight that is true, but I was new to tridents and decided to give fixing it a try. Now I see it would have been better to cut it back to just an armless trunk and grow new branches. It taught me a good lesson though and I never buy anything I haven’t seen or trust the dealer explicitly.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Yes, in hindsight that is true, but I was new to tridents and decided to give fixing it a try. Now I see it would have been better to cut it back to just an armless trunk and grow new branches. It taught me a good lesson though and I never buy anything I haven’t seen or trust the dealer explicitly.

Lessons learned... I get that. Just the same. My extensive collection...all but two, came shipped to me. Since doing bonsai beginning back in 2013. There is no other option for me. But...I trust my source...I ask questions...I get good shots and or video of my material I'm to buy. That you have the ability to buy them first hand. That is simply great. Not everyone can. It's a learning curve...buying online. but can be done. With success...but I wish you had reached out to Jason. He would have worked something out. I've dealt with him for years. He's a good man...but water under the bridge.

Proof...online purchases can be successfully done in the hobby.

LIST OF SPECIES I OWN:

1 Wisteria
2 Sweet plum [sagaretia theezans]
3 Bald cypress
4 Neagari satsuki azalea * [Shuho-no-Hikari]
5 Forsythia *
6 Chinese quince [Pseudocydonia sinensis]
▪︎ shohin size one as well
7 crepe myrtle neagari *
▪︎ crepe myrtle connecting base quirky
▪︎ 7 inch base sumo
8 Winged elm * ROR
▪︎ Caitlin Elm neagari cascade*
▪︎Drake elm on dragon
▪︎ elm mini forest
▪︎ Neagari elm for cosmic design
▪︎ Mother/daughter planting
9 Trident clump
▪︎ mini Grove
▪︎ cascade trident
10 Pyracantha *
11 Ginkgo
12 Nippon daisy
13 Large neagari Asian jasmine *
▪︎ neagari trial run set to repot into
Bonsai pot 2025
14 Paul's Scarlett Hawthorn
▪︎ Yamadori Hawthorn
15 Crabapple
16 Tamarix
17 Toyo Nishiki quince neagari *
▪︎ ROR Toyo Nishiki quince
▪︎ novelty neagari red

18 Thuja planting
19JBP pine *
20 flying dragon [Poncirus trifoliata "contorta"]

21Ryusen Japanese maple
▪︎ Tim Burton Acer Japanese maple *
▪︎ Semi cascade Japanese maple
▪︎ Grass Torched trunk Japanese maple
▪︎ Hollow and scarred trunk JM
▪︎ Neagari Japanese maple *


22 Bog Monster olive *
▪︎ Pig /an olive
▪︎ cascade style

***smalls*** (Do they really count)
23 Barberry
▪︎ Asian jasmine *
▪︎ Red chojubai *
▪︎Wee Japanese Maple

Wintering indoors
24 bougainvillea *
25 Turks Cap Mallow (Upside-down)*
26 Too little ficus
27 willow leaf ficus
▪︎ Banyan willow leaf *
28 Ficus natalensis *
29 Tigerbark

* Some sort of exposed root.
▪︎ duplicate cultivar

 

[AmellLeo]

I’m looking to buy a bonsai online and want to make sure I get good value for my money. I’d love some recommendations on reputable online stores that offer healthy, well-cared-for trees at reasonable prices.

It'd be better not to buy online.