How do you choose your stock?

[Damian Bee]

How do you choose your stock for your collection?
What makes your bonsai senses tingle?








If you have a story or more options, post them up...

[rowan]

This poll is more of a 'where do you get your stock' than a 'how do you choose your stock'.

As for how do you choose your stock, there is no definitive answer to this. It can depend on your mood - sometimes you see something that would not make good bonsai but you like the look of it anyway, sometimes you can see future potential in a young tree, sometimes you see a tree, whether in a nursery or by the side of a road, that takes your eye because it is just so perfect.

I usually go to a favourite hunting ground, look around, then choose what is good and suits what I need.

Cheers,
Rowan

[dannynovo]

i have a few Nurseries that i haunt for unusal trunks or nebari height doesnt bother me to much.
lucky to have a fire trail behind my house where i go to look just before they bulldoze to give a bigger fire break.
the biggest bonsai thrill i get is travelling along the F3 between Sydney and Newcastle and imagining the natives growing from the centre rock wall of the road being in a grow pot.....some of them are spot on size and a fair age..

Danny

[de_keizer]

i have 2 sugestions for you for catagories
"i want one" and "it speaks to me"
these are the 2 i follow dosen't mater where i look if its not a species i want or if there isn't something that just yells buy me i don't get it

[Petra]

"i want one" and "it speaks to me"
these are the 2 i follow dosen't mater where i look if its not a species i want or if there isn't something that just yells buy me i don't get it

Just as de-Keizer has said, i too am guilty of the same insidants. But i know when to stop.

[Bretts]

i have 2 sugestions for you for catagories
"i want one" and "it speaks to me"
these are the 2 i follow dosen't mater where i look if its not a species i want or if there isn't something that just yells buy me i don't get it

Yep, some times it is just a species I would like to try and will buy a stater or something that has a long road ahead. Other times it is somethings that states this is, or will be great.

There has been nothing mentioned about price? I think most will consider price as much as quality. "Is this quality stock worth this price"
Yet I think this can be a bad habit for the artistic soul. I recommend walking into a bonsai nursery and ignore the price of the trees. Just concentrate on looking for what you think can or does make great bonsai.
The first time I did this I purchased what is now my favourite tree for what seemed like alot of money at $185. Now I think it is the best $185 I have spent on trees. (now it also seems very cheap )
Next time you visit a bonsai nursery look with your hart and not with your wallet.
It does help if you trust the nursery that you are buying from as you can be confident you are getting value for money. It is quite suprising at certian bonsai nurseries how similar sized trees can vary in price. When yo spot a good tree it usually comes with a good price
So at least try to forget the prices for once and just pick which tree you would really want if price was not an issue.

[Damian Bee]

theres some good additions there, price and I just want one are quite valid.
ok moderators, please give me the opportunity to update the poll or I swear 'I will make a new one '

[Jarrod]

Bretts on the money, don't think about price while selecting, not easy for most but, you should be prepared to pay for quality! I prefer to look to people I know through clubs rather than nurseries, though I will buy from a nuresy if they have what I want. (quality not species, I rarely looking for species, I just look at what has been grown well and has a future)

[NathanM]

It’s a tough question to answer.
I am price conscious, but at the same time I’m happy to pay good money for GOOD stock. The most I’ve spent on a tree to date is only $250 though. I got a large crab apple and I also got a large tiger bark fig for $220. The fig was worth every cent, and more!!!
But then there are the smaller, and cheaper starters and trees that might be a little more than a starter that you get to experiment and learn on.
The things I look for most, regardless of size or cost, are branches.. Does it have a lot to choose from? Trunk.. Movement, taper and also size. Does it have these? If it doesn’t have the first tow, does it have the branches to create them? Base/roots… The wider base the ebter. Big down a bit and see what roots are under there.
As an example, my big tiger bark fig. I dug down about 3-4inches front it’s apparent base and found more taper and some good surface roots!!
But I also sometimes go looking for something in particular.