So what did you do when you first started?

[Rhuumz]

Wow never knew Bonsai attracted so many introverts!

This site here: http://bonsaifarm.tv/

Has a heap of videos' in the vid section that will teach you a thing or two.
Many of which are not "too" advanced...

Youtube also has a whole heap as well.

Good luck and welcome to Bonsai.

I will check that out when I get home...

I am hoping to find a DVD thats like....

DVD #1 What is a plant "a plant is a thing and it grows and stuff"

DVD#2 Love your plant "Kiss each leaf 3 times if you kiss it 4 times its over loved and will burst into flames"

DVD#3 Rainbows "Bonsai's only grow under rainbows so once a week you must pack all your bonsai into your van and chase rainbows"

etc...

[evenings]

LOL

That as bonsai is so vast, and the varieties so varied (I would guess)... It would be hard to have a generic set of DVDs, which would be much help when trying to address the specific requirements of each situation.

Is it not more convenient to search the specifics online when you run into a roadblock or need to research something?

Maybe subscribing to Bonsai youtube channels could be beneficial, as each "episode" is labelled clearly and focuses on a specific task?

[banksia]

Rhuumz!. If your in Sth.Sydney I'd imagine the nursery you're referring to is Bonsai South. Mate, I only wish we had that sort of nursery here in Perth...it's a cracker.
What's more he has some excellent stock and is as nicer guy as you could want to meet. Do yourself a favour and get down there...if not only to have a look around as there's some real quality to be seen. Pricewise, I couldn't tell you what to expect, but maybe someone will chime in and give you/us a brief rundown.

Cheers!
Anthony

[kcpoole]

Hi there it is very hard to learn in and isolated environment

Many of the clubs and nurseries have teachers that will quite happily talk 1 on 1 with anyone that will listen
Have a look for Shows and demos that are on, as you can stand back and be anonymous if you like. but you will pick up heaps of little tips.

When buying new stock for starters, look at trees in the $40 - $60 and you will find plenty to interest you.

Pick about 3- 4 different species trees for some variety, and get 2 - 3 of each. 1 to work on and butcher, 1 to grow on in a pot so you can pick up and "feel' it, and another to put in the ground for a few years till you are ready to tackle it.
Look around for gardens being renovated and you will be amazed what you can find.

check out lindsays' videos as mentioned above.

Take some photos of you r tress and post them here so we can have a look and offer some suggestions

Ken

[Boics]

Pick about 3- 4 different species trees for some variety, and get 2 - 3 of each. 1 to work on and butcher, 1 to grow on in a pot so you can pick up and "feel' it, and another to put in the ground for a few years till you are ready to tackle it.

As a older newbie myself I reckon this particular advise is some of the best going around.
+1's, digs, likes and A+'s on this one for me.

Cheers.

[eddieperth]

As a fellow newbie, I have greatly enjoyed the vids on this Youtube channel:
Bjorvala Bonsai Studio Channel

32 episodes each 8-10 minutes. It is an American living in Japan and working at a bonsai nursery. The nursery has all types of trees and the vids are interesting and very informative!

I'm hoping to head to my first BSWA meeting at the end of the month...can be intimidating meeting folks for the first time. Maybe you can meet up with a local member a few times, then when you go to your first meeting, you already know someone.

Good luck my friend!

[mugen]

When I first started I looked everywhere for established stock in abandoned blocks weeds in the bush like olives etc, have a look around your area for ficus they should grow well in your area and you can get good results fast with heavy feeding. I find that going for hardy species to begin with is the best policy.
Welcome to the addiction of bonsai.

[Rhuumz]

Rhuumz!. If your in Sth.Sydney I'd imagine the nursery you're referring to is Bonsai South. Mate, I only wish we had that sort of nursery here in Perth...it's a cracker.
What's more he has some excellent stock and is as nicer guy as you could want to meet. Do yourself a favour and get down there...if not only to have a look around as there's some real quality to be seen. Pricewise, I couldn't tell you what to expect, but maybe someone will chime in and give you/us a brief rundown.

Cheers!
Anthony

Yes it is Bonsai South!

I can say I don't have a frame of reference but his shop was very impressive! Although I don't know if at the time I was being over sensitive but I found the guy there to be a little bit un-helpful...

I went in there with my wife just as I was starting out to get information, the day I went there was ZERO customers in his shop and in a half polite half rude way basically told me he couldn't be bothered with me... All I said to the gentleman was "I am looking at getting into Bonsai and where should I start"... He waffled on about how much there is to learn and how he didn't have the time to sit for 4 hours and tell me the basics. I didn't ask him to give me the history of bonsai just where should I start.... He could have easily had me purchasing several books/dvd's and plants on the day and I would have walked away happy as larry!

If it was me I would have said "here are X books that will teach you some of the basic techniques, we run classes starting Feptembuary 43rd, these 3 plants are very forgiving may I suggest either X,Y or Z as they have a good framework to work with, just take your new plant home and name it gargamel! Do not plant it in a bonsai pot yet just get into the habit of watering it and feeding it and once you have finished the book "Hugh Hefners Sexy Bonsai Basics" come back and I will sell you some tools to do some simple things you have learned like pruning dead foliage etc...

Anyways I will end my rant there...

Yes I can imagine when your in a room full of people that have a myriad of experience you will learn but at the moment I really can't see myself going to a club meeting... If you people saw me you would probably wonder "why on earth is this guy shy" I am 30 years old 6'6" 120KGs i do BJJ, Muy Thai, boxing, MMA every week. I play Video Games and do Bonsai!

Not to stereotype but I would imagine that the demographic would be the polar opposite to me...

@ mugen

Its funny you say that, I have been examining plants in the brush and peoples gardens thinking "oh that would be a good trunk etc.." maybe I will put on a ski mask and go round digging up peoples plants for bonsai ha ha (kidding)

[evenings]

Hi Rhuumz,

That's quite a shame! My first experience with a Bonsai Shop (one near Windsor/Northwest Sydney) was quite different!
I just wanted some starter plants and some basic cutters - the people working there were very helpful but tried pushing me towards some rather expensive equipment! lol.
I explained that I would return when I knew what I was doing and would purchase some more advanced stuff and some Japanese tools.

6'6" 120KGs? I'll let you know when i next need help with collecting something difficult!

If you're still trying to locate some reference resources, i've really found this page useful. http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles.htm

Cheers,

[Qitianlong]

Rhuumz, you need to get yourself to Padre Pio's bonsai nursery, it'll be a bit of a drive, but well worth it. A nicer guy you'll never meet, and he has 100s of awesome prebonsai, and will spend all day helping you if you let him!

[k2bonsai]

There are many great books out there but also a lot of books spouting the same thing. You would be surprised where you find some of the great insights. I came accross an old book the other day and to my surprise has some absolute hidden gems of information. The book is old but great, here is the link (http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media ... isremote=0 ). I got it when i bought some pots second hand from someone. If you are interested you can PM me and i can give you a list of the books i have that are in my eyes invaluable.

[Bonsai4ever]

Anyways I will end my rant there...

Yes I can imagine when your in a room full of people that have a myriad of experience you will learn but at the moment I really can't see myself going to a club meeting... If you people saw me you would probably wonder "why on earth is this guy shy" I am 30 years old 6'6" 120KGs i do BJJ, Muy Thai, boxing, MMA every week. I play Video Games and do Bonsai!

Seems to me that if you think you can - you probably can, and if you think you can't - then you are probably right. Can't understand how you do BJJ, Muy Thai boxing and MMA every week while being introverted!

You have been given a lot of usefull options so far but by far the best suggestion is to attend a Bonsai class. Keep in mind that most classes are very small 4 to 8 people and all of those people possibly feel the same intrepidation as you do but you all have a common interest - just like your martial arts.

Suggest that you quit the games though, they just addle the brain.

[Pup]

I personally have always had a policy of helping those that help themselves. As a young man I was also taught, that the word cant is turned into cantry.

If you are serious then, as Nike say just do it.

Pup once was an introvert

[Rhuumz]

Well...

I bought 2 pieces of advanced stock this weekend and i will be enrolling into a 12 week course starting march...

I got a juniper and a trident maple, will post some pics when i take some

[Pup]

Well...

I bought 2 pieces of advanced stock this weekend and i will be enrolling into a 12 week course starting march...

I got a juniper and a trident maple, will post some pics when i take some

Well done young man, you have started on a long and beautiful journey enjoy it as I have.

Pup Cheers