tree prices; where can I find trees under $30?

[startjuniper]

I was wondering if there is any place you recommend for buying trees under $30 that is near where around the Shenandoah Valley, which is in Virginia. See, I am between 12-15 years old, and that is all I can afford. If you know where, anyone can notify me; even bonsai businesses. I have no specific type of tree in mind, so any type will do.

 

[CHUCHIN]

I was wondering if there is any place you recommend for buying trees under $30 that is near where around the Shenandoah Valley, which is in Virginia. See, I am between 12-15 years old, and that is all I can afford. If you know where, anyone can notify me; even bonsai businesses. I have no specific type of tree in mind, so any type will do.

Hey bud,

Glad to see guys your age in bonsai. Honestly I would recommend you collect... The next two months before spring would be most optimal. Make sure you take a large enough rootball. Keep Asking questions to everyone have fun

James

 

[edprocoat]

You could check out your local nurseries for a Ficus. They are easy to grow, propagate easily from cuttings and are fairly cheap. You should be able to find a nice sized one for around $20 and you could start cuttings from the small branches and after you read up on it its easy to air layer the trunk so you get a shorter tree and you will able to grow out the bottom part too.

ed

 

[Cypress]

Hey bud,

Glad to see guys your age in bonsai. Honestly I would recommend you collect... The next two months before spring would be most optimal. Make sure you take a large enough rootball. Keep Asking questions to everyone have fun

James

Yea! The woods are full of free trees. Research what trees grow in your area that would be suitable for bonsai. If you're going to collect a tree just make sure you educate yourself enough about collecting to be confident in it. On Ed's suggestion of working with a ficus, just be aware that, since your in virginia and it is a tropical plant, that you would have to keep it inside during the winter. And that may require the use of artificial lights to keep it healthy enough. Which those are expensive.

But at the same time, you can find alot of good stuff at nurseries or stores like home depot/lowes, that wouldn't bee too expensive.

 

[berobinson82]

I was wondering if there is any place you recommend for buying trees under $30 that is near where around the Shenandoah Valley, which is in Virginia. See, I am between 12-15 years old, and that is all I can afford. If you know where, anyone can notify me; even bonsai businesses. I have no specific type of tree in mind, so any type will do.

I know a guy out in your neck of the he woods who collects some gorgeous honey suckle. I'm in central VA and I like collecting hornbeam from the woods. I think CHUCHIN gave you some good advice. Not only is collecting the cheapest way to get material (unless of course you buy a ton of equipment) it's also great to just get out in the woods. Really all you need is a shovel, a saw, and some ingenuity. I wish I started when I was your age.

Stick around.

B

 

[KennedyMarx]

You can find material to work on at places like Lowes and Home Depot. Boxwood, Juniper, yew, and Japanese maple can be found easily and are good material to learn on. The Japanese maples will probably be grafted, so you might want to avoid those. Try to style one of them while leaving it in the nursery pot. You can repot it eventually, assuming it lives. I know I killed my first shrub.

 

[pwk5017]

Start things from seed! I started stuff from seed when I was 18, and Im happy I did. I still grow JBP, tridents, and J maples from cuttings and seeds now, and I am 25. Im happy I did, because there is virtually no source of these species in my area. Trust me, you will thank yourself when you have a lot of mediocre JBP stock to mess with before you mess with the $500+ pieces of stock.

I do feel your plight. This is a difficult/long term hobby for young people/not a lot of disposable income. Heck, I feel like I am still in that crowd some days! Check craigslist and see if you cant find some nice azaleas/boxwoods/yews in your local area. I know it sucks(I was in your shoes ten years ago), but everything you do now will prepare for your future in this hobby. Train and learn with someone talented. Grow stock for future use. Its not particularly glamorous, but you will be way ahead of most when you get out of college.

 

[Poink88]

What others said.

I use Craigslist a lot (free section) and look for people who are re-landscaping. All you put is the effort digging.

I also buy from the box store nurseries. Look at the 5 gallon and up sizes, there are a few gems there waiting to be found.

Recently bought a nice sized quince from my local nursery and it is less than $30.00. I also bought several trees from the "reject pile" of various nurseries. There are usually good ones there that fit bonsai and bargain priced too.

There are various ways, just need to look and have an open mind...and see the possibilities.

Good luck!

 

[discusmike]

You are close to meehans miniatures in rohersburg, md, martha has a large nursery with plenty of plants to start with, she will help you out.

 

[lordy]

where exactly are you in VA? There is a REALLY good show coming up in May at the US National Arboretum that you should try to go to IF you can get someone to take you. If you can get there, I will personally guide you to the source of good prices of material to work with.
Check it out: http://potomacbonsai.com/festival/index.html

 

[Cypress]

I know I killed my first shrub.

Same, haha.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I was wondering if there is any place you recommend for buying trees under $30 that is near where around the Shenandoah Valley, which is in Virginia.

Try these.

Some to play with, some to stick in grow pots, some to stick in the ground. See how they do.

You put a shimpaku juniper this size in a pond container with the right soil and fertilize heavily, and you will get 6" robust growth in a year.

 

[KennedyMarx]

Try these.

Some to play with, some to stick in grow pots, some to stick in the ground. See how they do.

You put a shimpaku juniper this size in a pond container with the right soil and fertilize heavily, and you will get 6" robust growth in a year.

Coincidentally I just ordered a set of ten shimpakus from that guy. I was debating between ground planting and putting them in pond baskets.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Coincidentally I just ordered a set of ten shimpakus from that guy. I was debating between ground planting and putting them in pond baskets.

LOL I did the same I am going to stick them in the ground because I already have a ton of mature cuttings in pond baskets.

 

[bonsaibp]

LOL I did the same I am going to stick them in the ground because I already have a ton of mature cuttings in pond baskets.

Thought he doesn't ship to CA

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Thought he doesn't ship to CA

Oops maybe I won't be getting them He may just refund me the money when he sees my address...

 

[johng]

If you can find a club to attend. I suspect you could find someone there who would be willing to help you out with a tree or two.

I personally believe that there are many of us who appreciate seeing the younger generation getting started with trees. Every opportunity I have(usually when I am vending somewhere), I try to find at least one interested young person to which to give a tree.

As many of us do, I think it is important to foster the hobby with young folk! IF you are ever passing through the midlands of SC please let me know and you are welcome to visit my garden.

John

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Oops maybe I won't be getting them He may just refund me the money when he sees my address...

They arrived. Small, but well-rooted. I was a little nervous when I saw the box, but they came through ok. He even threw in an extra one for luck! So 11 trees total. They're already planted in the back!

 

[discusmike]

Cool, I feel like a kid at xmas when a package arrives at my house.

 

[CHUCHIN]

Cool, I feel like a kid at xmas when a package arrives at my house.

Man who are you telling...but than immediately after I loose it because I take notice of all the darn packaging material and peanuts I have to clean up.