The start of a new experience

[Perry the Pom]

G'day All,
What a great Forum. I only joined one day ago and have had some really good help. I went to the Find a Book site there are more books on Bonsai than Woman Weeklies! I should have no trouble purchasing the ones I want.
I went to the Nursery and had a good look around. I think I would prefer to purchase Australian Natives as we have some very beautiful trees. Please could somebody suggest what plants to purchase, how many for starters. I found a web site for seeds but I might be dead before they grow big enough for Bonsai. There are dates on some of the plants. Would I be correct in thinking about two to three year olds. The nursery also has tools. So if you were me, what Aussie plants would you suggest? Is there anything important I need apart from money!
Many thanks
Perry

[Nic]

Hi Perry,

I think the best Aussie native to begin with is the Port Jackson fig. They're quick growing and difficult to kill. How many? Well, I've only ever bought one, but from that I've propagated many. Taking cuttings with them is really easy. If you'd prefer larger specimens sooner, than buying older stock will work better for you.

Nic

[Levuccio]

I recommend getting a couple of younger trees and one older/nicer one that will keep your morale up

And I would also recommend you to buy unstyled/stock trees that are not in bonsai pots yet for a couple reasons:

1) much cheaper
2) much more rewarding to shape it yourself

[LLK]

Hello P the P
Welcome, and glad you like it here.
There are a lot of natives we could recommend for bonsai, but which ones exactly would depend on where you are.
Can you give us some idea?

Lisa

[Pup]

G, day P the pom, as you have realised Australia is a bloody big country with all the climatic Zones of the world. So to offer advice is subjective.

One of the best books to get Is Deborah Koreshoffs Book and her parents one on Natives is also a good one.

There are a lot of others on styling but the one on Natives by the Koreshoff's is very good.

Cheers Pup

[Perry the Pom]

G'day Lisa,
I am in Maryborough Sunny one day beautiful the next!
We are classed as a warm to hot clime the humidity is low. The property has only had one bad frost in the 40 years I have been here. That was very low and and behind sheds in the shade. I used to grow small crops and never had any problems with weather. Maryborough is 30k from the sea so no problems there. I hope that helps.
Cheers Perry

[Perry the Pom]

G'day Pup,
I have looked on the Fraser Coast Library web site and they have BONSAI WITH AUSTRALIA NATIVES BY Deb Koreshoff. I have reserved it so hope to get it to read the beginning of the week.
Cheers Perry

[Jamie]

gday perry

as you know I am in the bay and I can grow most species, apart from maple, god they dont like me, I think I look at them wrong anyways, taffy is near you in maryborough as well and he has a lot of different species.

you will find figs one of the easiest trees to work with, and I reckommend you go for them to start with, clero, swamp cypress, privets are really good up here too. most will be quite happy, some might need some special treatment like if you do go for maples they will need shade protection at least.

jamie

[Taffy]

Maryborough - MARYBOROUGH?? Hey I live in Maryborough as well Perry. Welcome to Ausbonsai.

What trees? Any of the figs go great here eg: Port Jackson, Queensland Small Leaf (2 different ones - and they are both native to this area). Celtis, Clerodendron, Chinese Elm, Privet - oh hell, you name it and it'll most likely grow here.

Stick around Perry, you're going to enjoy becoming a member of Ausbonsai.

[Perry the Pom]

G'day All,
Thank you for your replies.
I received a private message for Tman but cannot seem to send it, it remains in my out box.
Reply to Tman. I will be attending your meeting I will be there at 12 45.
Cheers Perry

[Taffy]

Thanks Perry. I got that pm. It remains in your outbox until I access it - then it goes to your 'sent' box.