Bonsai Trees

[DennisP]

Well, I like them.

But know little about them.

I'm sure there must be a few people on here that have or have had some in the past?

I like the look of the fig tree ones, but also too lazy to start from scratch myself.

What I would like to know, is everything. Especially along the lines of effort, pruning, watering, indoors/outdoors, species and price.

Anybody? :lol:

[malevolentsparkle]

theres a company out south Auckland way that sells ready made ones the also sell in garden centres. Ill try and find the name of the company for you

[spoon]

have a look in terra viva in wairakei road they have a few for sale

i like star jasmine as a bonsai but perhaps if you are looking for an easy care bonsai that requires no wiring get a crassula aboresens

http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Crassula.html

you should be able to pick up a small plant for less than $5 or get a cutting off someone there is also a varigated variety availible but the original with dark green leaves looks very nice

[Flosty]

Theres a wealth of information available on the internet about bonsai.Lots of forums and other sites dedicated to the subject -

http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/forum.htm

http://www.ausbonsai.com/forum/

http://knowledgeofbonsai.org/forum/

http://www.artofbonsai.org/

http://www.bonsaifarm.tv/content/view/109/1/

http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/SpeciesIntro.html

http://walter-pall.de/00gallery/index.html

Walter Pall's gallery and blog is very interesting and he has some of the best bonsai out of europe

Theres also alot of books available on the subject as well.

Its a fantastic hobby to get into and very addictive too,you might start out with one tree but that may soon turn into 50

Bonsai are best grown outside as they are trees after all, but the ficus trees like you mention will not take to kindly too winter conditions and may be best kept outside only during the summer months.

I have a fondness for maples especially tridents as well as pines, japanese black pines etc

The trident maple and the chinese elm would be great starter material,they grow fast and adapt very well to pot life

[kd123]

There is the Avon Bonsai Society in chch....great people and very helpful....

Also the VANZ nursery in Burnside, run by Bev and Alan Vanz. Their number is in the phone book.

[snookie]

Nano Trees 8)

[DennisP]

Nano Trees 8)

Exactly.

Thanks guys! Might have a look at those nurseries tomorrow.

I've always found them interesting and its about time I do something about it! :lol:

[David R]

Bonsais are too much hard work IMO, I'm no good at regular watering. Bonsai succulents on the other hand...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k186/ ... ilius1.jpg

[Navarre]

Hi Denis the Vanz,

Run classes and supply trees and equipment

I have several books if you are interested as well

Nav

[bdspider]

There's a display of them at the Chch Botanical Gardens.

[DennisP]

Bonsais are too much hard work IMO, I'm no good at regular watering. Bonsai succulents on the other hand...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k186/ ... ilius1.jpg

I've you put it near a fish tank... tap water -> Fish tank -> bonsai.

2 birds 1 stone, and more regular WCs.