Type and Thought of this Juniper?

[Brian Van Fleet]

I think that opinion may be accurate for some people but I do not think it will take someone with a high degree of skill to turn this into a decent bonsai. All that is required is a vision for the finished tree which could be approached, copied, or imitated by looking at a lot of similar bonsai in books, INTERNET sites and a host of other sources, and some basic wiring skills that can be obtained from similar sources or through a club.

I don't understand how some of you think that this tree is undoable and continue to tell the owner or potential buyer that this is a mistake. Answer this: Where might you find better material with more potential options than this tree?

There really isn't much to do with this tree, in this state...it has 5 branches, leaving few potential design options; none of which would likely become show stoppers in this decade.

While we are being honest, given $100, most of us with experience would find better material to spend it on...especially someone who continually makes a case for the merits of cheap Home Depot nursery material as potential bonsai, where that $100 would buy 5 p. nanas that could look like this in an afternoon, and at least provide the hands-on experience.

Silly how this juniper gets defended post after post, while Bob's gorgeous Caitlin Elm gets beat up just a couple forums down...

I'm out...got a $200 ezo spruce to finish wiring. Maybe it will be worth $95 when I'm done ;-)

 

[Dan W.]

I do see some potential in this juni... I really don't know what value I'd put on it though.

Brian, be sure to post the spruce when you're done wiring!

 

[bonsaibp]

The bottom line is that it's worth whatever someone would be willing to pay. Some more then others and some not at all. The same holds true for any bonsai. There are many other factors involved as well in CA that tree wouldn't be as valuable as in say NJ or Ohio.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

For me, if I have to ask others whether or not I should get a tree, I don't truly want it. When I see a tree, something tells me it's the right one. I just get a feeling, I guess

 

[nathanbs]

Silly how this juniper gets defended post after post, while Bob's gorgeous Caitlin Elm gets beat up just a couple forums down...

In my defense, I love the Catlin Elm, I just don't like the pot pairing

 

[october]

Such a modest tree to start so much debate. Never underestimate the power of wiring and a little carving. What would you pay for the tree in pic 1? Now, what would you pay for the tree in pic 2. Although this tree is not around anymore, it is a good example of the potential that many trees have.

Rob

 

[bob shimon]

It seems to me that value and desirability is really influenced by regions and what is available in a particular area. I see large price differences on the the same material, depending on what part of the country you live in. Even here in Calif., you hear about Soutern Calif prices vs Northern Calif prices and even Bay Area Prices.
Having said that, I personally wouldn't be interested in this tree at any price. If I had to put a value on it, based on my region and availablity, I would say that anything over $50 is overpriced. As a comparison I have included a picture of a tree that I picked up at our GSBF convention in October. It has a 2" trunk, nice movement and the asking price was $55.
Happy New Year to everyone

 

[elliott]

Vance, your a lost cause. You should limit the hot air you blow to the decrepid midevil instruments you claim you like to blow on in your profile, and stop polluting this thread. It's obvious there is a lack of good material where you live or more likely you don't have the aesthetic or talent to recognise it. Why start with crap when you can start with good material?
Some people just seem to have better trees, and wether they bought good raw stock or yamadori, or carefully grew it from seed or cutting, standards were always kept high in those who have tne nicer trees.
We as a nation here in the US will never reach the level of Japan or even Europe if we don't take advantage of the best material we can get our hands on.
Please stay hiding behind your stubborness and stop influencing new people to the art, before we get another generation mediocrity in bonsai.
Retort all you want to the reality I just gave you, I won't read anything on this thread anymore, it's been beat to death, like your artistic ability.

 

[nathanbs]

Such a modest tree to start so much debate. Never underestimate the power of wiring and a little carving. What would you pay for the tree in pic 1? Now, what would you pay for the tree in pic 2. Although this tree is not around anymore, it is a good example of the potential that many trees have.

Rob

This was exactly my point earlier. It's amazing what someone with more advanced skills can accomplish with just about anything but the OP is a newbie so it's unlikely he will have much luch with the material pictured.

 

[Vance Wood]

While we are being honest, given $100, most of us with experience would find better material to spend it on...especially someone who continually makes a case for the merits of cheap Home Depot nursery material as potential bonsai, where that $100 would buy 5 p. nanas that could look like this in an afternoon, and at least provide the hands-on experience.)/QUOTE]

What does one haver to do with the other? The OP stated that he didn't mind spending $100 for this tree. True he might be able to find a better tree for that amount but the question is where?
While we are on the subject I have never recommended Home Depot or any big box store, local nurseries are a different story.

Silly how this juniper gets defended post after post, while Bob's gorgeous Caitlin Elm gets beat up just a couple forums down...

I'm out...got a $200 ezo spruce to finish wiring. Maybe it will be worth $95 when I'm done ;-)/QUOTE][

Again what does one have to do with the other?

 

[Vance Wood]

Vance, your a lost cause. You should limit the hot air you blow to the decrepid midevil instruments you claim you like to blow on in your profile, and stop polluting this thread. It's obvious there is a lack of good material where you live or more likely you don't have the aesthetic or talent to recognise it. Why start with crap when you can start with good material?
Some people just seem to have better trees, and wether they bought good raw stock or yamadori, or carefully grew it from seed or cutting, standards were always kept high in those who have tne nicer trees.
We as a nation here in the US will never reach the level of Japan or even Europe if we don't take advantage of the best material we can get our hands on.
Please stay hiding behind your stubborness and stop influencing new people to the art, before we get another generation mediocrity in bonsai.
Retort all you want to the reality I just gave you, I won't read anything on this thread anymore, it's been beat to death, like your artistic ability.

Boy-----I guess I got told! When one runs out of substance they turn to insults.

 

[Paulpash]

Sorry this thread turned a bit personal. If your only option when purchasing this material is to site it indoors then DO NOT BUY IT whatever the price. A juniper inside will wither and die and you will waste time & money trying to keep it alive....

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

What does one haver to do with the other? The OP stated that he didn't mind spending $100 for this tree. True he might be able to find a better tree for that amount but the question is where?

When I was looking for pre-bonsai shimpaku stock last year in the US, I found a big gap existed in the $500-$1500 range.

Most $500 stock was field-grown, wired for trunk movement, and around 1.5-2" diameter. Some was good (Telperion, Evergreen), other was not, or at best, the online offerings weren't there.

Brent and Don each had one in the $1500 range, both were roughly the same size, 4" trunks with some pruning to get growth close to the trunk.

Material over $1500 was largely imported cast-offs. Either bigger, field-grown with some introduced deadwood, or Yamadori with not-great bases or deadwood with not-ideal movement.

Get over the $2500 range, and the quality started to improve.

This was my experience, and I do not visit many nurseries other than Brussels, Plant City, and occasionally the Monestary, so much of it was online.

With that, $100 bonsai isn't really a market most nurseries pursue with individual "specimens" offered, and it would be likely more successful with some phone calls or visits. But...here are a few in that $100 range with potential by a quick online search:


Plant city, $125-$195:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...6488659.-2207520000.1357048681&type=3&theater


Sold, but likely they have others at Wee Tree, $65:
http://www.weetree.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=407

prostrata offered by Muranaka, $117:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Prostrata-j...877&pid=100015&prg=1006&rk=1&sd=190615145975&

http://www.hollowcreekbonsai.com/ec...juniper-bonsai-22-tall-in-12-pot-06js98.rhtml




http://www.bonsaitrees.com/detail.php?id=1515&catid=1




http://www.bonsaitrees.com/detail.php?id=1583&catid=1

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Another:
http://gregorybeachbonsai.com/5.html
http://gregorybeachbonsai.com/resources/DSC_4771.JPG

 

[BigDave]

Keep it up

Brian Van Fleet,

I dont know you but through your words. Can I say that I appreciate how when rebuked you seem to turn it into a positive and helpful thread once again.

You have a confidence that is refreshing.

Good Growing,

big D