Roadside Bonsai Van Guy Buy

[just.wing.it]

For years I've driven past this dude on the side of the road, with a Toyota Van, and 2 large hand painted plywood signs that are white with big red letters that say BONSAI.

Every time I drove by, I was on my way to pick up my daughter at the inlaws place, and was already dealing with the local MD traffic....
I'd see his tables set up, and what looked like some decent starter material, but only in passing...

Well, yesterday I moved into my in-laws place, and will be moving out in less than a week...and I saw the Roadside Bonsai Dude out there today, on our way back from lunch...

I said to my wife, "I'm gonna have to see what he's got today..."
To which I received a scowling look and no words...I have enough trees, you know...

Anyway!
Most of his material was rooted cuttings in cheap pots...
He had obligatory junipers and elms, he had some very young Barbados Cherries and Pomegranates, he had several very young Olives and Serissas, he had a bunch of small Spekbooms and Jades.

I truly wasn't planning on buying anything, but...you know how that goes... wife was right again....

I wasn't impressed with any of the trees initially... Wanted a Pom... Or an Olive... But they all were literally straight trunked rooted cuttings with no character whatsoever...

After quickly realizing that I HAD to buy a tree (deep in my soul, I knew all along that I wasn't leaving without something)...

I found his most interesting (to me) tree, that was neither an 'S' curved Mallsai, nor a straight trunked rooted cutting!

A twin trunk Serrisa....
(Please correct if I'm wrong on the ID)

It has some interest... I'm thinking Mother/Daughter structure...
I need to repot it soon...the soil was very dry and very hydrophobic...

Anyway, here's the Roadside Van Serrisa...
Any Serrisa advice is welcome!

 

[sparklemotion]

No advice -- I'm just curious about how much this set you back (you know, for when I quit my job and decide to sell bonsai out of a van down by the river).

 

[just.wing.it]

No advice -- I'm just curious about how much this set you back (you know, for when I quit my job and decide to sell bonsai out of a van down by the river).

Lol!
$25 ?
I didn't haggle....not my style.

 

[Carol 83]

Are you sure that is a serissa? I'm certainly no expert, but I have a couple, and the leaves are much smaller. Not so long and thin.

 

[just.wing.it]

Are you sure that is a serissa? I'm certainly no expert, but I have a couple, and the leaves are much smaller. Not so long and thin.

Well, I'm wondering that....
One of the main reasons I posted it...
I'm not sure.
Van Dude said it's Serissa Foetida.

 

[JosephCooper]

If it isn't a Serissa, then it may be a New Zealand Tea Tree. It also flowers, but they look more like tiny, tiny roses.

This has some interest, especially when it gets older.

 

[Carol 83]

Just ran outside for a look at mine. The leaves more resemble my dwarf pom, but don't listen to me.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

It is indeed serissa, the Chinese type, it has longer and thinner leaves than the rest. White trumpet shaped flowers, here is one that my dad has:

The picture is from late winter, so it is not dark green as it usually is.

 

[Carol 83]

It is indeed serissa, the Chinese type, it has longer and thinner leaves than the rest. White trumpet shaped flowers, here is one that my dad has:

The picture is from late winter, so it is not dark green as it usually is.

I knew you would know. I didn't know there were different kinds. I'll just go back to my corner now....

 

[just.wing.it]

Thanks @Mellow Mullet

 

[Anthony]

Any suggestions --------- learn to keep it healthy.

With time tidy roots.

Be aware that large cuts will rot ------ [ ] this size and up.

Take cuttings.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[AZbonsai]

Funny. Bonsai guy must get around. We have a guy here same set up. I have not stopped.....yet.

 

[rockm]

Seriously? Two weeks away from the PBA show and sale at the Arb and you shell out $25 for THAT? Now you will probably be $25 short when trying to get something decent there...

Best serissa advice--don't buy a serissa. Nothing good can come from it. I've never seen one worth $25 or above...

 

[GrimLore]

Best serissa advice--don't buy a serissa. Nothing good can come from it. I've never seen one worth $25 or above...

I guess you are just not interested enough to look It's OK we all favor different plants I guess...

Grimmy

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Funny. Bonsai guy must get around. We have a guy here same set up. I have not stopped.....yet.

Its a franchise operation, they are all over the country just like McDonalds.

 

[just.wing.it]

Seriously? Two weeks away from the PBA show and sale at the Arb and you shell out $25 for THAT? Now you will probably be $25 short when trying to get something decent there...

Best serissa advice--don't buy a serissa. Nothing good can come from it. I've never seen one worth $25 or above...

Lol!
I know, I know... you're right!
But I won't be $25 short! I worked a ton of overtime last pay period!
I've literally driven past this guy for years, never with the time to stop...
I'm currently living 5 mins up the road from him, and he's not there everyday, just randomly...and I'll be moving out at the end of this week....
So I patronized his operation....I like the cheap little pot too.

At the PBA show I'm keeping eyes peeled for small azalea or JBP, or a pot or two...
No more others until I can get somewhere with what I already have (in reference to my yews, maples, elm, crape myrtle, and so on...)

Also, Serissa seems like a plant that is year-round fun to clip and grow, which I also enjoy.

 

[GrimLore]

Also, Serissa seems like a plant that is year-round fun to clip and grow, which I also enjoy.

They are - and no need to justify YOUR 25.00USD, the price was ok too, it would go for that at any "Bonsai" Nursery plus S&H

Grimmy

 

[rockm]

Lol!
I know, I know... you're right!
But I won't be $25 short! I worked a ton of overtime last pay period!
I've literally driven past this guy for years, never with the time to stop...
I'm currently living 5 mins up the road from him, and he's not there everyday, just randomly...and I'll be moving out at the end of this week....
So I patronized his operation....I like the cheap little pot too.

At the PBA show I'm keeping eyes peeled for small azalea or JBP, or a pot or two...
No more others until I can get somewhere with what I already have (in reference to my yews, maples, elm, crape myrtle, and so on...)

Also, Serissa seems like a plant that is year-round fun to clip and grow, which I also enjoy.

I'm kidding dude. Seems like some people just don't know what to think of me.

At some point in their bonsai career, EVERYONE wastes money on a serissa. FWIW, I have stopped at those roadside trucks in a few states, from Va. to Texas. The attraction is to see WTF they have and how much they're asking. The temptation to buy stuff wears off after a decade or two.

 

[GrimLore]

EVERYONE wastes money on a serissa.

Many would disagree, hardly a waste, or do you mean spending money is a waste because they are so easily propagated?

Grimmy

 

[rockm]

Many would disagree, hardly a waste, or do you mean spending money is a waste because they are so easily propagated?

Grimmy

They're crap. Mostly sold for their cute widdle blooms and not much else. Rats are also easily propagated, doesn't make them worth keeping or buying. By now, you probably know I have extreme prejudice against this "tree" or bush, or sickly weed. It's not worth the money because it's CRAP.