Going to bonsai nursery - what to get?

[Ishaan]

Hey everyone,
I recently have been traveling, and have the opportunity to visit Lucky Bonsai, (look up their website, they are amazing). I went once today to “scope it out” in a manner of speaking, but did not make any purchases. Prices are quite reasonable compared to my area, as in 2 - 3x less expensive. I was looking at buying the following:
5x young Japanese larch for forest planting
1x young trident maple
1x young field maple (considering getting more, 2-3)
1x young Japanese black pine
Maybe 1x young Chinese elm.
These young trees are not expensive, 10-15$, and I’m prepared to spend quite a bit as it as the same cash ( for all the trees mentioned ) where I live could MAYBE buy 3 young - medium age trees.
I am going back tomorrow, and on the chance that anyone sees this, advice would be greatly appreciated. If I should buy more, less, or different things, then specifics would be great!
If you are later than that, and I already have the trees, I would love some direction for what to do with them.
Have a wonderful evening!
(Oh, also, here is the link to their website. btw they have waaaaay more in person than is on their website)

Bonsai Nursery and Supplier

Bonsai supplier, bonsai trees, bonsai pots, unglazed bonsai pots, glazed bonsai pots, ceramic pots, prebonsai, pre-bonsai, seedlings, bonsai tools, nursery, pot sets, ceramic, clay, trees, bonsai

lucky-bonsai.com

 

[Joe Dupre']

Sounds like a good mix to me. That group might be a bit much to chew on for a newbie. Have you been into bonsai long? One bit of advice. Small trees put into bonsai pots will grow SSLLLLOOOOOWWWLY. When you are comfortable with the process, I'd suggest something with a trunk in the 1" to 2" diameter size.

 

[pandacular]

I was looking at some of the selections and photos on their website. I will say that it looks quite like one of my city’s backyard nurseries, and that I think you’re wise sticking to the younger material. If you’re just starting, I would focus on getting a wide amount of material snd letting the more advanced trees “come to you”. The best value in material is rarely when you’re actively seeking it out, and this goes double for online purchasing. Auctions, conventions, collection sales—things of this nature are where to look for great material that has been worked on by others at reasonable prices.

 

[Shibui]

Your list is pretty good for beginner bonsai. The only suggestion from me would be to just take 1 field maple and more tridents. The few field maples I've worked with are frustratingly slow to develop and they don't seem to ramify anywhere near as well as tridents.
A couple of Chinese elms would also be my second choice. Having a couple of anything allows room for experimentation and error, not to mention differing styles.

 

[Ishaan]

Hi again,
Thanks for the responses! I will be visiting the nursery later today, and have amended my list as follows thanks to your suggestions:
5x young Japanese larch for forest planting ( might end up going with 3 for price reasons, also so I can get more varieties)
3x young trident maple
1x young field maple
2x young Chinese elm
1x Japanese black pine
Once again, I appreciate you all getting back to me so soon, it really helps a lot.
Have a good day!

(Also it just occurred to me I can’t really say have a good day because we are all in different time zones lol)

 

[Paradox]

Hi again,
Thanks for the responses! I will be visiting the nursery later today, and have amended my list as follows thanks to your suggestions:
5x young Japanese larch for forest planting ( might end up going with 3 for price reasons, also so I can get more varieties)
3x young trident maple
1x young field maple
2x young Chinese elm
1x Japanese black pine
Once again, I appreciate you all getting back to me so soon, it really helps a lot.
Have a good day!

(Also it just occurred to me I can’t really say have a good day because we are all in different time zones lol)

Think that is a good starting list for a new person. Each species will have its own development techniques. The two maples will be close. Trying to learn too many species at once can be overwhelming.

And no matter what time zone, it's still a day no matter where one is.

 

[BrightsideB]

I started roughly around this time in the year 6 years ago. And I worked my tree’s out of season. Some died others I set back in health. Right now not much work is good for tree’s. The tree’s will be entering the summer heat and need their roots for moisture. And they need leaves for energy. But it is also important understanding your local climate because that dictates what is possible and not during the season’s. Specially if your summers aren’t as hot as other’s.

And I agree with @Paradox that getting a lot of different tree’s at once can be overwhelming. For example even double flush vs single flush pines are treated differently. You have to learn the basic physiology of both to keep them as bonsai properly. Good luck! Post what you get for tips. We learn from experience as well.

 

[Paradox]

I started roughly around this time in the year 6 years ago. And I worked my tree’s out of season. Some died others I set back in health. Right now not much work is good for tree’s. The tree’s will be entering the summer heat and need their roots for moisture. And they need leaves for energy. But it is also important understanding your local climate because that dictates what is possible and not during the season’s. Specially if your summers aren’t as hot as other’s.

And I agree with @Paradox that getting a lot of different tree’s at once can be overwhelming. For example even double flush vs single flush pines are treated differently. You have to learn the basic physiology of both to keep them as bonsai properly. Good luck! Post what you get for tips. We learn from experience as well.

Yea I bit off more than I could chew when I started with too many species to learn keep track of at once. Had to focus on a few, get those down then learn a new one.

 

[Cajunrider]

Hi again,
Thanks for the responses! I will be visiting the nursery later today, and have amended my list as follows thanks to your suggestions:
5x young Japanese larch for forest planting ( might end up going with 3 for price reasons, also so I can get more varieties)
3x young trident maple
1x young field maple
2x young Chinese elm
1x Japanese black pine
Once again, I appreciate you all getting back to me so soon, it really helps a lot.
Have a good day!

(Also it just occurred to me I can’t really say have a good day because we are all in different time zones lol)

I like your list.
I see a lot of time spent staring at young trees until you are able to do anything to them.

 

[Paradox]

I like your list.
I see a lot of time spent staring at young trees until you are able to do anything to them.

Needs to learn how to keep them alive as well though.

 

[BrightsideB]

Yea I bit off more than I could chew when I started with too many species to learn keep track of at once. Had to focus on a few, get those down then learn a new one.

I bought a nice established small shohin broom trident. And figured it needed to be a ROR and killed it lol because it was summer and it was already like 5 years old. Wasn’t even viable to do ROR with in season. That was just my ignorance. I feel getting a variety of tree’s at once was as well.

 

[Ishaan]

Hi all, quick update:
I have been researching these specific tree varieties for 6+ months, because since I live so far from any nurseries, I try to be prepared. However, I realize that the best learning comes from experience, so that is the reason why I am getting a wide variety of species. Thanks for your concern, I appreciate it.

 

[Jrmcmich]

I have gotten a few trees from lucky bonsai and your right he has many trees on site.

 

[JudyB]

I think I would get several of your younger choices, but get at least one more developed tree. If you can find a good medium aged trident, then I would suggest that. Learning from material that is older can sometimes make the learning curve shorter. And tridents can take almost anything you can dish out! Happy shopping!

 

[Jrmcmich]

what did you end up getting?

 

[Ishaan]

Okay! Back from my trip a couple days ago, here are pictures of what I got!
1 field maple, 3 tridents, 3 larch, 2 Chinese elm, 1 black pine. If you want close ups I can take those too.

 

[Jrmcmich]

Nice are these your first trees or you have others? Good luck with the growth

 

[LuZiKui]

Looks like a nice haul! Not that you're asking for any advice but I'd try to get some wire on that black pine ASAP. It looks small enough you should still be able to bend it. Much more growth and it will make tighter bends much harder.

 

[Ishaan]

Looks like a nice haul! Not that you're asking for any advice but I'd try to get some wire on that black pine ASAP. It looks small enough you should still be able to bend it. Much more growth and it will make tighter bends much harder.

Just did that yesterday!

 

[Dabbler]

Nice little haul to start some fun journeys