let's talk about bonsai nurseries

[stocaz]

Unfortunately for my wallet I drive by an amazing nursery every Friday while I'm working.
Hate to think how much money I've spent but as long as the wife doesn't know it's all good

[Ash]

when was the last time you visited a bonsai nursery and when was the last time you made any purchase to financially support the people who dedicate full-time or part-time to the art that we enjoy and appreciate?

Hi,

I visit a bonsai nursery every time I go to a major city where there are bonsai nurseries. This is usually on an annual basis. Most recently this was in December when I visited three nurseries and I made purchases at each. I did not make these purchase with the intention of 'supporting' the nursery but rather because I genuinely wanted particular material they stocked. In my case it is always bonsai pots that I focus on because I am always returning from a bonsai nursery by plane and live plants would not be practical. In general the quality and price of pots has been on-par between the nurseries and between what I could import. I have visited some nurseries stocking a small quantity of select high-end pots for the connoisseur. Personal favourites of mine for either service, friendliness, quality of stock or accessibility have been: Tasmanian Bonsai Centre, Imperial Bonsai, Bonsai South, Bonsai Northside and Australian Bonsai Grower.

good evening

Ash

[macca66]

One per week, rotating between six or seven in Melbourne, just to keep an eye what's about and to get inspiration.
I only buy from you though Tien
Well......

[Rory]

I generally go about once every few months to a bonsai nursery, for soil, occasional starters and if they have nice stock, might pick up a $12 bonsai or so forth. I purchased a Casuarina bonsai for myself from Ray Nesci on about 23rd December and also a group planting of redwoods with a few pots and starters for a family member as a present, which was my last bonsai purchase.... about $130.00 I think. The reason I don't purchase anything more than about $12 on a single tree, is that to be honest, if I kill it by mistake, I'll feel rotten. I would happily pay about $50 or so for a more advanced stock if it was of a species that I personally love, but otherwise no. For a purchase for a family member or friend, I would be more inclined to spend in the $50 price range - $100 price range, simply because it would make for a nicer present, but for myself, I can't justify the large price tag unless it is a species that I really love, in which case I might consider it.

I have found over the years, that the material I get from bonsai nurseries is generally better than buying from a nursery, as they respond better to my treatment of them, as they are used to having their roots pruned and so on. I would only purchase more advanced stock from a general nursery if it was say a bouganvillea or something hardy. I purchase trees and starters from Ray Nesci, and soil and occasional starters from Terrey Hills Bonsai Art store.

I don't have time to join a club, as I have 2 children, a full time job, and a part time job, so I literally have no time for joining a club at this point in my life. Therefore, I get good advice from Ray and his son, and also from the guys at Terrey Hills. I love to support them, and try to encourage my 5 year old son to come with me and choose a bonsai every time we go. He now has 5 of his own, and even though he gets me to water them, he likes to come out about once a week and check up on them and hopes to see flowers.

My wife isn't exactly encouraging of the hobby, but likes that I don't spend my time at a pub or at golf all weekend, and occasionally sits on the back deck with his son and daughter and waters the 'plants'.

[Jason]

Usually when I can convince the missus to take me out (not having a license sucks lol), so probably once a month, and I can't really leave without buying something, which is usually some raw stock

I'll also drop in to as many as I can when I'm interstate, unfortunately I can't buy much, but I still like to check them out and have a chat with the owners if possible

[bonsaisensation]

thank you everyone once again

i started this thread wishing to explore the understanding of the relationship between the australian bonsai community and the specialized bonsai nurseries. far too often do i hear discontent from bonsai people about what they can get out of a bonsai nursery, generally the lack of quality of ...................you name it.
one thing about any business, is supply and demand. bonsai nurseries will only stock up what they think the customer will buy. if there is big enough of a demand for something, any bussiness will endeavour to supply it. now the question becomes: do the bonsai nurseries know what we want? if they don't, how do we let them know and make them aware of our needs and help them achieve it?
the abundance of quality bonsai materials in Japan did not happen over night, often they are second, third, fourth, even fifth generation of bonsai growers who have a close relationship with their clients and have figured out a good idea of what is in demand. therefore is willing to invest the time, effort and money to produce quality bonsai stock that they know will sell. while the growers are investing in growing the stock, meaning their investments are not making the return of profits yet, it became a test of their commitment to keep going for another 5, 10, 15, 20 years before they see any fruit of their labour. this is when our relationship with the bonsai growers, can help strengthen their commitment to not giving up and work for a quick buck to support their families.
obviously i know there are a lot of bonsai enthusiasts starting to grow some good quality bonsai stock already, but if we were to really improve the quality of bonsai in this country, we need to work in conjunction with the growers, to grow them in the thousands, not just one or two in our backyard. because the reality is, out of one hundred trees, one will be lucky to have 10% that turned out to be top notch.

so let's help and support our bonsai nurseries to be the first generation of quality bonsai growers, no disrespect to those growers who are already doing a good job and supplying us with what we want. we need more of them.

regards

[Mojo Moyogi]

Hi Tien, I haven't bought anything at a Bonsai nursery, other than consumables for a long, long time. I'm holding out for a Bonsai nursery that is not fixated on gaining the attention of customers with $30 burning a hole in their pocket on Friday arvo (OMG!!! you have Corokias!!!, this is my lucky day!). Turns out that I'd have more luck hunting unicorns, such is the allure of the easy, dumb dollar.

Cheers,
Mojo

[Slothman]

Tien.

After running a PC store for 10 years I can tell you one thing that a retail store MUST have.

I could stock those nice Laptops and PC's. In bonsai terms the nice Bonsai and Pre Bonsai. But unless someone really wants those items and goes looking for them, they have a good chance of being unrealised capital for the tyre kickers to have a look at.

I did stock a lot of accessories. External HDD, printers, cartridges, bags, webcams, headphones etc etc. To me the equivalent of a bonsai store is Accessories and tools.

If I walk into a bonsai store (again rarely due to location) and I have a list for instance Cut Paste, Selection of Wires, Dirt Sieves, Plastic Pot Screen, soil mixes BY the store not generic bunnings mixes, tools and say some sulfer they should ALL be there, at the front counter easy enough for me to see, ask questions and buy. Impulse buy items. Pots should be numerous with the "special" pots out front and centre.

I went to one where I was told "sulfer, get that from Bunnings". I purchased a "pottery wheel" and because I picked it up off of show was made to feel like it was a chore to get the boxed wheel from behind the counter and ask me to put the one I had back. I got some wire but felt like I was inconveniencing the person. Have pre packed wire ready to go...seems easy enough.

I understand tools can be subjective but at least basic tools with a sign saying WE CAN ORDER!!!

Stock and Bonsai are subjective as to whether someone will walk away with one, accessories not so much.

I was rather disappointed with my last run to Perth, but I put it down to timing as well (mainly my lack of time). I wanted one or two of their starter packs they advertise, some small trees and a heap of accessories. I got enough to do what I wanted but would have easily spent more, no trees or starters where purchased. Went in with $200 in my back pocket...walked out with $170 left.......

My next trip now will be hunting down other stores as well as a revisit. With the right accessories and customer service...I would not even look at another store.

Bonsai is a niche market. Although you will get tyre kickers a majority of people walking through that door WANT to spend money, make sure they have every opportunity to and make sure they are aware you can accommodate their wishes easily by taking orders.

[Jason]

.

Feel free to drop me a PM when you come up next mate, can point you in the right direction

[Slothman]

Too easy.

I put the experience down to just bad timing all round, so will definitely visit again. But there are plenty who would not give that second chance.

Having had the PC store and a hobby business, I tend to give retail outlets benefit of the doubt...at least the first few times

[bonsaisensation]

[quote="Slothman"]


If I walk into a bonsai store (again rarely due to location) and I have a list for instance Cut Paste, Selection of Wires, Dirt Sieves, Plastic Pot Screen, soil mixes BY the store not generic bunnings mixes, tools and say some sulfer they should ALL be there, at the front counter easy enough for me to see, ask questions and buy. Impulse buy items. Pots should be numerous with the "special" pots out front and centre.

Iquote]

thankyou slothman
this is what i meant by helping the bonsai nurseries. honest feedback and even better, constructive criticism on what turned you off and how to improve them. bonsai nurseries should be our friends to this wonderful art that we all enjoy. i must admit that i rarely buy anything from any bonsai nurseries anymore because well.............i have plenty of everything already. but if i get a chace to go interstate or here in melbourne, i'll always make time to visit them. chat to the ower and learn from them with the belief that as long as the nursery is still running, they must be doing something right. share bonsai experiences with them in the hope to improve the quality of bonsai in this country, well for me anyway.

thanks everyone for your thoughts

regards

Tien

[Slothman]

Yeh no worries.

Having owned my own store, sometimes its very very easy for the owner to not notice small problems or issues or ways to improve. Trust me I was very proud of my store(s) and unless it was my idea or I pointed it out, it was hard to make me change my mind or see a fault.

I started writing everything down customers said, stupid or otherwise, and once a month walk around the store and look at things from a customers perspective. Some things where practically unachievable but could be addressed via communication to the customer or just in general chat.

Other things where actually good ideas that made sense and where implemented. However if I was not told I just assumed everything was perfect

Its also very easy to overlook something that a beginner does not know or see because you have been doing it for so long. Again having been there and done that and made those mistakes, I am a LOT more forgiving when entering retail stores now Seeing the other side, sometimes helps with expectations and just a touch of compassion when dealing with the shop assistant.

BTW, the main reason I mention having a good stock level of accessories and consumables is very simple, with the ease of access to the same items and most likely cheaper on the internet (lack of brick and mortar expenses makes it so much cheaper to run an internet store) local consumers need that convenience of knowing "I can just pop out to the store and grab this, while there I might have a look.....OH GOD..I just spent $200 on more stock". You leave empty handed once or twice, the first stop will always be the internet. People are willing to pay more for convenience...so make it convenient.

The hobby store supplier had this nailed. Providing a list of top 100 items to keep on stock as that is what 90% of consumers wanted....and they where right.

[Isitangus]

Hi Tien all interesting posts, when I go to any speciality store, the number one factor that gets my wallet open is the person behind the counter.
If I go to a mechanic I want no nonsense realistic advice.
If I go see a medical specialist I want advice specifically related to my enquiry.
Ditto for a bonsai nursery. They are a specialty business that stock specialty items.
The last time I was at a bonsai nursery I went look for a specific species but after speaking to the owner about that and other similar species I walked away with many items-nine of which I went in there looking to buy-good honest advice had me sold.
Yes I expect there to be good levels of various stock but I also understand that it's unrealistic to have 100 of everything just in case I come in, you can however try to "up sell" me. I came there to buy not for coffee, me leaving empty handed = me and you both non winners! And once that relationship has been built I will ALWAYS go back to that shop (be it bonsai or otherwise) as a matter of preference. People buy from people they like and trust and I am No exception to that!
Sorry for the long winded answer-anything that can help make bonsai in Aus grow and evolve gets my support!

[trident76]

Hi all,
When it comes to plants for bonsai, I have learnt that the best way is to grow your own stock.
However when it comes to bonsai pots, apart from making the occassional pot myself, I have bought many pots from Bonsai Tree Gardens over the years, however my most recent investment was $500 odd dollars worth at Bonsai Mujo.
This is of course only useful if you are in Adelaide.

[Boics]

I agree with Isitangus.

The person behind the counter can leave a really big impression and make a customer want to return to a particular store.

Locally here in Melbourne I've only really visited the same store and to be honest I've not had the greatest experience.
Not going to name names in this thread but the store that I frequent does not make me want to go back.
Advise, enthusiasm and just general vibe play a big part.

Bonsai is at times somewhat mysterious - especially to guys like me who are far from experts and still learning.
I (and I'm sure others) would assume that a person owning or running a store to be far beyond my skill level.
Sharing this skill and providing sound advise using your stock as props for discussion would go a long way.
Especially to those that are not members of clubs and this interaction at a store level is a rare chance to learn more.