What's good for growing in Brisbane?

Damian Bee · Post by **Damian Bee** » July 3rd, 2013, 11:00 pm

Hi there.

I have a good friend in Brisbane who would like to have a crack at Bonsai there.
Since I am a long way from there I can only guess that Ficus would be a good place for him to start but if you are able, please post a list of what is good for beginners in Brisbane.

Thanks in advance

Beano · Post by **Beano** » July 3rd, 2013, 11:07 pm

Figs, Chinese elm, crepe myrtle. This is my experience so far anyway. I don't have any figs here, but had them in cairns, should be easy enough in Brisbane.

Post by **kcpoole** » July 4th, 2013, 1:23 pm

Trident Maple, Figs, Celtis

davidmorgan · Post by **davidmorgan** » July 4th, 2013, 2:36 pm

i have been growing, Serissa, Bougainville, Jasmine,Desert Rose and of course the figs.

Stewart_Toowoomba · Post by **Stewart_Toowoomba** » July 4th, 2013, 2:39 pm

Get your friend to go to one of the local bonsai nurseries to see their stock and to have a chat to the staff.

I can personally recommend two places :

1. Bonsai Northside located http://www.bonsainorthsidenursery.com.au/

Tess or Selby will be very helpful in assisting your friend to obtain reasonably priced starter stock and all associated needs - soils tools etc.

Also visit Steve at 2. Australian Bonsai Grower located at :190 Hubner Rd, PARK RIDGE, QLD, 4125, (07) 3803 3060 (no website sorry)

These nurseries are on the opposite sides of Brisbane and so would be hard to do them both in a day, but either would have good starter stock to begin with.

If i had to choose for a newbie, i recommend the trip to Northside and phone ahead to make sure that Tess will be there. If she's got time, she'll help your friend get off to a good start. They are both a commercial venture and so need to sell their trees to keep in the business, but there are so few places in Brisbane, i try to support them as much as the wallet can allow. Neither are there to make heaps of money and MAJORLY better than looking at the big green or blue sheds ARHH

My personal preference would be figs, but don't forget swamp cypress and grewia too and of course banksias and mels and callistemon....

Hope your friend gets off to a good start. do phone to check their hours as they close on different days.

I also highly recommend your friend take the plunge and go to a local bonsai club meeting and get some real local advice. I'm sure some other members will be able to help you with locations and meeting times etc.

jezz_39 · Post by **jezz_39** » July 4th, 2013, 3:10 pm

Im an hour north of Brissy and have Figs, Swamp Cypress, Casuariana, Banksia, Callistemon, Melaleucas, Azalea, Junipers, Liquidambers, Chinese Elm, Crepe Myrtle, and Trident Maples.
As Stewart has mentioned, Northside Bonsai and Australian Bonsai Grower are both very good nurseries, owners are more than willing to give advice and experience and both nurseries offer classes. Prices are fairly similar between the 2. Northside is very well set up, nice and neat and easy to navigate. AusBonsai Grower can seem a little like a jungle sometimes but thats where the fun comes into it, searching through the many pots and pulling a few weeds and finding yourself a ripper of a tree

DustyRusty · Post by **DustyRusty** » July 4th, 2013, 3:25 pm

Figs! Figs! Figs! Best beginner tree, perfectly suited to warm climate, would thrive in Brisbane. Get a PJ or a QLD small leaf. Figs I tell you!

Stewart_Toowoomba · Post by **Stewart_Toowoomba** » July 4th, 2013, 4:34 pm

jezz_39 wrote:Im an hour north of Brissy and have Figs, Swamp Cypress, Casuariana, Banksia, Callistemon, Melaleucas, Azalea, Junipers, Liquidambers, Chinese Elm, Crepe Myrtle, and Trident Maples.
As Stewart has mentioned, Northside Bonsai and Australian Bonsai Grower are both very good nurseries, owners are more than willing to give advice and experience and both nurseries offer classes. Prices are fairly similar between the 2. Northside is very well set up, nice and neat and easy to navigate. AusBonsai Grower can seem a little like a jungle sometimes but thats where the fun comes into it, searching through the many pots and pulling a few weeds and finding yourself a ripper of a tree

yes gotta completely agree Jezz

You've definately been to Steve's place. Gotta love the man. Loves a good chat too!!

jezz_39 · Post by **jezz_39** » July 4th, 2013, 4:45 pm

I certianly enjoy the hospitality. I know for 'non-bonsai' people, entering a nursery that isnt maintained to the smallest detail can be a huge turn off, but for us who understand the work that goes into it, and the viability of spending money on employees to weed pots and make the place look overly manicured, its well worth the visit. The proof is in the pudding once you take a look at the trunks and the time spent in developing nebari's at an early stage.

Damian Bee · Post by **Damian Bee** » July 4th, 2013, 8:13 pm

Thank you heaps guys for the input. My mate is a student and as you can imagine, on a tight budget so I will be sending up some trees from home, I have them up to my eyeballs and its s matter of which are good beginners for QLD. I think I will send up a Ficus Little Ruby, a Juniperus squamata and maybe a Rukizon Azalea.
That should help kick start his addiction

AusBonsai