Wanting my first bonsai

[Lowlyf]

G'day,

Im very new to this, but i feel the best way to learn about bonsai's is to experience what i have read in books and on this forum. I would like to purchase my first plant, be it bonsai or just a miniature plant, to grow and practice on. Obviously i dont want to spend alot of money and have it die, so i am wondering if anyone knows of any type of plant that is strong, cheap and grows well with a beginner following a basic bonsai book. I am in brisbane if that helps with climate etc.

thanks

[Bougy Fan]

Figs - or you could try a fig They grow like weeds and you would have to have a very brown thumb to kill one. Have you seen them growing in gutters or out of a brick wall ? Go to a bonsai nursery and buy a starter or a finished tree or both Australian Bonsia Grower at Greenbank would have to be the closest to you.

[Jamie]

hi mate,

i have sent you a pm with a few QLD small leaf pics and prices. to read the pm you need to go to you inbox, in the top left hand corner under the ausbonsai title you will see the user control panel and in brackets like this (1 new message) or how ever many messages you have, the rest is pretty self explanitory

if you can kill a fig you are doing pretty well, i smash em big time and they always bounce back


jamie

[Crowie]

Ive found that privets are a good start as they are near impossible to kill but make good bonsai.
Also figs are very hardy, although ive only worked on port jacksons but guessing the others are just as tuff.

[Glenda]

Hi Lowly, welcome to bonsai and to Ausbonsa forum. Lots of friendly people here ready to dispense valid advice. I have to agree with Bougy. In Qld, the easiest to look after is a fig. Go to Bunnings or a nursery of your choice (in Brisbane there is a specialist bonsai nursery) and get a pot belly fig (ficus microcarpa retusa). The are impressive to start with, grow like wild fire and very hard to hurt. You will have something that looks bonsai like quickly. I have only been doing bonsai for 12 months so am a complete novice, but the pot belly was my first purchase and it has never looked back. You can get a small one at Bunnings in an ordinary pot for around $6, in a bonsai pot for around $15.

Good luck!

Glenda

[simo_5]

yeah i agree figs are among the most hardiest and easiest to work with, they grow fast and handle extreme torture. i recommend going searching for some if they grow in your area. good luck!

[Taffy]

Hi Lowlyf.

Mmm, figs - Me love figs!!!

Figs native to QLD that you should be able to find somewhere in your area are the two types of Queensland Small Leaf (Ficus Eugenoides and Ficus Obliqua). Eugenoides has red petioles (leaf stalks) and red sheaths on the growing tips. Obliqua has white (very pale green) petioles and white, but occasionally pink to red sheaths.

They grow readily from cuttings or Air-Layers and as others have said, figs are almost bullet proof.

[Lowlyf]

Thanks alot everyone, this has helped me immensely.
I knew it was a good idea joining this forum! Thanks guys/gals, i shall keep you posted!

P.s Thanks jamie, I will check out the pm