[WANTED] Good beginner level bonsai

[Troke-Dast]

Looking for any bonsai fairly suitable for a beginner that would help with learning and discovering the art of bonsai!!
Only preference; not a ficus
Looking around the $200-300 dollar mark (christmas around the corner), although will definitely not argue with anything cheaper
Thanks everyone!

[Rory]

If you are happy to part with $200 - $300 for an entry level stock, I would suggest heading off to a bonsai nursery.

[Inspired]

Surely there is a better way to trade (happy sellers & happy buyers) on this forum than current standards

Im confident there are many that would like to sell their trees with equally as many buyers.. just no good vehicle at present

How about a tiered gallery $50, $100, $200 etc and people can just upload what stock they have available for sale?

[kcpoole]

Surely there is a better way to trade (happy sellers & happy buyers) on this forum than current standards

Im confident there are many that would like to sell their trees with equally as many buyers.. just no good vehicle at present

How about a tiered gallery $50, $100, $200 etc and people can just upload what stock they have available for sale?

The Forum is first and foremost, a place where we can share information and experience with Bonsai, an not a sales vehicle. The for sale section was added as an after thought to give members a way to post a tree or 2 for sale and help them out to turn them over.

Steven is very conscious that the site could become a sales vehicle if we allowed it, but that would make life very difficult for our bonsai nurseries to compete. Like many of us he wants to encourage the specialist nurseries all he can as they are a resource we all need to supoort.

Ken

[bodhidharma]

Steven is very conscious that the site could become a sales vehicle if we allowed it, but that would make life very difficult for our bonsai nurseries to compete. Like many of us he wants to encourage the specialist nurseries all he can as they are a resource we all need to supoort.

Well phrased Ken

[Inspired]

Im a tree lover and non confrontational and respect the forum rules.. just seeking to understand if thats ok.

The Forum is first and foremost, a place where we can share information and experience with Bonsai, an not a sales vehicle.

We all want bonsai to flourish in Australia is that fair to say and the more we "can share information and experience with Bonsai" the more it will attract people at all levels. Do you think imposing restrictions to sales hinders the ability for people to learn,experience and enjoy Bonsai?

to give members a way to post a tree or 2 for sale and help them out to turn them over

Every tree has a price. Limitations will see that many good quality trees are never posted hence I believe the quality in the sale section (or the perception perceived) could never reach its full potential. This extends to the many trees that will never be "aired" and appreciated let alone be enquired for ownership

but that would make life very difficult for our bonsai nurseries to compete. Like many of us he wants to encourage the specialist nurseries all he can as they are a resource we all need to suport.

Do you have a hand in any nursery trade Ken? I respect nurseries and would still always visit them and support them. Can't nurseries also post trees on the forum too? In the end whether you agree or not, sites and nurseries would need to evolve to compete, survive and thrive. If a nursery is renowned for their stock, trees and trees being "moved" as well as their service(s) then it surely will do well. Look what happened to Sensis White Pages & Yellow Pages or Block Buster Video.

To summarize, to encourage wider participation in the art and the added benefit of the domino effect, rules and restrictions can only inhibit the art and trade to flourish.

My opinion only.

[Phoenix238]

From what I've seen Inspired having open sales on the forum would be a negative thing. There was a case of a new user about a month or 2 ago creating an account solely to try and sell some of his stock without really contributing anything to the forum. Personally I'd rather come here for the wealth of idea's and knowledge available and stick to buying from nurseries.

If you prefer to buy online there are always other options such as ebay, or some of the nurseries are now doing online stores too. We do lots of shopping online, but when it comes to buying a living thing I'd rather see it in person before I part with more than I'd be happy to waste were it to not survive the journey or not be what I ordered

[Inspired]

If you prefer to buy online there are always other options such as ebay, or some of the nurseries are now doing online stores too.

Let's not go off track here Phoeni238 and please don't assume my preference after I have already stated that "I respect nurseries and would still always visit them and support them." For your info i spend a great deal of time in nurseries as I find it therapeutic and im in a happy place and can be there for hours admiring and taking in the whole experience - any nursery or garden centre for that matter.

when it comes to buying a living thing I'd rather see it in person before I part with more than I'd be happy to waste were it to not survive the journey or not be what I ordered

How much experience do you have with buying tree's not in the flesh? It doesn't need to be a waste or a wrong tree delivered. I bet many master tree's you've seen in photos had your sap and juices flowing right? How good were the photos or videos?

If a highly desirable tree was available for sale, would you not have liked to be able to make an enquiry? That tree could have been local and you could have just arranged for POD. Maybe that tree could also have led you to other great specimens that you did not know was available for sale? You could have widened your learning after speaking with the owner on its individual history/care.

Wouldn't it be nice to shop in both worlds?

[cre8ivbonsai]

If you are happy to part with $200 - $300 for an entry level stock, I would suggest heading off to a bonsai nursery.

Agreed. we've got some nice bonsai nurseries around Melbourne, set a side a Saturday and go for a cruise, visit 3 or so, that way you can get an idea of what you like, and can afford. You'll also get inspired Before you go, be familiar with what attributes make for good bonsai (there's numerous threads hidden away on this site viewtopic.php?f=102&t=8615&p=161024&hil ... ing#p94592). Don't buy the first one you like, think about it's attributes and faults rationally, then decide For that money you can get something well on its way, but also consider for now buying 2 or 3 (depending on your care abilities), so you have something else to play with and practice on while maintaining your main tree

Last but not least, post a pick back here when you've chosen

Good luck and have fun!

[Phoenix238]

I meant no offense or disrespect mate, personally I have such a small budget and am still grasping the basics that I couldn't even consider purchasing such advanced works

[Inspired]

I meant no offense or disrespect mate, personally I have such a small budget and am still grasping the basics that I couldn't even consider purchasing such advanced works

Not at all Phoenix238 and I apologise if I sent vibes of offense or disrespect as that is not my intention at all. Cheers

I am of the view and can see great success in our much loved art given the "right conditions" to flourish and in my lifetime would love the opportunity to see more trees, buy more trees & even sell a few.

I read somewhere on the forum that Australia has too few young guns to fill in for succession planning.. I just think we gotta give people more opportunity and accessibility to more trees whether it be on forums or at nurseries.

[macca66]

Troke-Dast,
Head down to Bonsai Sensation and see Tien.
He will look after you.

[kcpoole]

Im a tree lover and non confrontational and respect the forum rules.. just seeking to understand if thats ok.

Open discussion is good much preferable to behind the scenes shannanigans

The Forum is first and foremost, a place where we can share information and experience with Bonsai, an not a sales vehicle.

We all want bonsai to flourish in Australia is that fair to say and the more we "can share information and experience with Bonsai" the more it will attract people at all levels. Do you think imposing restrictions to sales hinders the ability for people to learn,experience and enjoy Bonsai?

Not really I think that what we have ( within the confines of the current rules) works well. See my other thread about raising profile and marketing.
if you have any specific ideas to improve thing then happy to have a chat either by PM, Email or phone. Ideas being discussed is good.
having said that, Steven is most definitely;y of the view that no one is going to profit (monetarily) from this site ( even him). He foots the (considerable sum), to keep the site up and active. and purely for the benefit of everyone as a resource on Australian Bonsai and our conditions.
To allow vendors to use and advertise here for their own gain is against his ethos.

to give members a way to post a tree or 2 for sale and help them out to turn them over

Every tree has a price. Limitations will see that many good quality trees are never posted hence I believe the quality in the sale section (or the perception perceived) could never reach its full potential. This extends to the many trees that will never be "aired" and appreciated let alone be enquired for ownership

there have been a few high value trees posted, but generally agree with that. Mnay will suggest that personal security plays a big part in that. I do know that is why some mebers here do not post pictures or discuss their own trees.
How secure that makes them I am not too sure.

but that would make life very difficult for our bonsai nurseries to compete. Like many of us he wants to encourage the specialist nurseries all he can as they are a resource we all need to suport.

Do you have a hand in any nursery trade Ken?

Nope, I am IT Manager / System administrator looking for a JOB. Anyone got anything available?

I am passionate about small business and maintaining there well being in the current environment and day of mega corp taking over everything.
I shop locally and use the small Butcher, Fish monger, Bread shop which are all located outside both Coles and Woolies. I probably pay more but happy to put my money where the mouth is. I have no green grocer nearby any longer so have to resort to the others.
I used to go to my local hardware, but he closed years ago so now have to drive to one of 3 Bunnings within 10 minutes from me
I drive past 3 or so nurseries to get to Ray Nescis but get my supplies from him.

I respect nurseries and would still always visit them and support them. Can't nurseries also post trees on the forum too? In the end whether you agree or not, sites and nurseries would need to evolve to compete, survive and thrive. If a nursery is renowned for their stock, trees and trees being "moved" as well as their service(s) then it surely will do well. Look what happened to Sensis White Pages & Yellow Pages or Block Buster Video.

A thorny Question which has arisen many times, and which Steven has denied many requests to do just that.

Only those outlets that were tech savvy enough and had sufficient resources to commit to the site would do so. Others would get left aside. Each of thos nurseries have their own websites and sales outlets that hardly get maintained so why wou they here? Again only a few would and the others would get left behind to make a very unlevel field.
Those that current are active members here would be disillusioned as the amount of effort they put in would be diminished against those that do not contribute. Our site is richer for them but would they continue if there were some shops freeloading?

We already have the directory available for everyone https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/directory ,
if someone wanted to create a aggregator / shop site that allows all aussie Bonsai outlets an active portal for them then go ahead. How you would manage the conflict and difference in pricing between vendors without devaluing the product, or sourcing the similar product offshore ( eg Tools and wire ) without undercutting the local shops I am not sure but there is an opportunity there for someone.

Ken

[Inspired]

Ken much respects for your time and effort. I observe you do much for this forum with the many posts and questions on this site.

Big Kudos to your responses

Happy and satisfied.. back to bonsai bugging along

Oh yea appreciate the humor and honesty too.. never pictured you in IT. Am confident you'll be in the saddle in no time.

[Rory]

Yeah, it's a good rule, that if u want stock, visit a bonsai nursery. If you want something specific that they don't stock, ask here in th trade forums like I have and others have, and you will often see very very high quality stock for sale from experts if u look long enough, with obviously high price tags for good reason, but generally if u are ust browsing, then that is really what a bonsai nursery is for. Browse, buy and be merry. And of course, for selling,u can get higher prices selling on eBay than on here, cause so many gumballs will pay a lot for sticks in pots on ebay, so it kind of defeats the purpose of needing a sell section that is of high significance. Just remember.... Think about how much a bonsai nurseryman pays just on water costs, and if we lost their businesses we'd have very few options remaining .. I will always support the very few nurseries that grow bonsai on principle, as without them the hobby would go stale for new enthusiasts