New to bonsai - where to purchase affordable and more mature Japanese maple

[chapgary]

I didnt really get into collecting trees until this year mainly because I have always lived in a city or a town, now that I am out in the woods, its great. I also didn't know what to look for until after I went to about 3 shows. I go hiking about 2-3 times a week and I look at trees completely different now than I did before.

I'm interested in collecting in the wild also. What would be some good species to consider collecting for bonsai?

 

[BonsaiNaga13]

Greetings, Wanderer! Round the bend lies the Tiny Forest. The rhythm there will cause obsessive undulation. Prepare yourself, the Woody Dwarves are readying the ceremony.

You’ve found a wellspring of shared knowledge and gathered experience.. all communal, of course. Drink when you are thirsty, give when you can.

Are you shroomin?

 

[BonsaiNaga13]

Peter Chan is hated on by a lot of bonsai elite here in the states, but I really enjoy his knowledge on maples and follow his layering advice to the t.

Honestly I've never heard anyone hate on Peter Chan. You'd have to try pretty hard to find something bad to say about him.

 

[leatherback]

I'm interested in collecting in the wild also. What would be some good species to consider collecting for bonsai?

Species that you know how to care for, which are available and for which you can get a permission.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Are you shroomin?

Although I spent many years as an Astral-Naut.. and love the things that the rotating, constantly morphing ball of “flesh” that is the infinite capability of the mind TEACHES us in such scenarios.....

Mushrooms couldn’t handle ME, these days.

 

[Gabler]

I'm interested in collecting in the wild also. What would be some good species to consider collecting for bonsai?

You should have an easy time locating Carpinus caroliniana to dig up. Before I knew any better, I bare rooted and trunk chopped a tree upon collection. I basically had a stump with zero fine feeder roots. It's still alive today.

 

[SouthernMaple]

I'm interested in collecting in the wild also. What would be some good species to consider collecting for bonsai?

ive been collecting hemlock but on my next collecting adventure i am thinking of grabbing a hornbeam and a european beech

 

[SouthernMaple]

Honestly I've never heard anyone hate on Peter Chan. You'd have to try pretty hard to find something bad to say about him.

I know of at least one person on these forums that thinks he is a hack. And to "stop wasting my time watching his videos". I love Peter Chan, I hope to one day have a nursery like his.

 

[n8]

@natg - Check out Maruyama and Lotus, both in Sac. Others have mentioned Lone Pine and Evergreen, which are also good. Lone Pine has regular hours and distributes to many local nurseries in our area. You can contact Evergreen to visit in person and they have great shipping, especially for us because we are so close.

 

[Rfarrell5888]

wired and pruned.
Arrives as a one year old graft.. 2 years earlier?

Where did you order this tree from?

 

[leatherback]

Where did you order this tree from?

Not sure tbh. Probably Esveld nursery.

 

[TimberLakers]

Few others have mentioned Lone Pine Gardens, which is fantastic, esp. for pre-bonsai material. They have been open throughout the pandemic.

Encinal is great for soil mixes. If you go looking for bonsai material - speak to someone at the desk.

For CA especially, would reach out to local bonsai clubs and read newsletters. Hard to top a club event for material.

I've ordered trees from Evergreen Gardenworks and Mendocino Maples - always pleased with results. Different experience than going in person.