AusBonsai

I was up at Ray's the other day and wanted to tell everyone how impressed I was with the range of species he currently carries. I went up there and picked up 2 African Lilacs and was wrapped. (I did'nt even think you could get them) His nursery seems to be improving with age. If anyone is looking to get some young flowering quinces I don't think you'll go wrong there; there's tonnes of them and the prices are very good in my opinion. Hard to beat a family business like that - the service is always great from both Ray and Clinton. I also happen to think he has a superb range of scissors and concave cutters whether you are after stainless or carbon steel. If you are new to Bonsai, this would be a good place to start. (Melaquin I don't mean to be rehashing would said in your posts either)

I agree. Always enjoy to go there. BonsaiSouth got superior stocks too but species is very limited.

It is amazing the range of species Ray has collected and has made available. I searched a long time before finding un grafted paperbark maple at his place. I was even more amazed when I found that he also had a very rare tree that I had been looking for Hornbeam maple(Acer carpinifolium) A maple with a single lobed leaf that looks like Japanese hornbeam leaves. He went to the trouble of taking cuttings of his stock tree and then gave me one 6 months later. I killed that and am now on my second one.

Killed a tree and ready for your second... that's one reason Ray is in business

I also saw some manchurian pears there as well. I don't recall seeing them anywhere else. I would have bought some but I am running out of space. I've got Bonsai taking over the house!! I just wish someone stocked some nice , big , fat , chunky cotoneasters. It's one of my fav's and I don't even own one!!!!

Bretts wrote:It is amazing the range of species Ray has collected and has made available. I searched a long time before finding un grafted paperbark maple at his place. I was even more amazed when I found that he also had a very rare tree that I had been looking for Hornbeam maple(Acer carpinifolium) A maple with a single lobed leaf that looks like Japanese hornbeam leaves. He went to the trouble of taking cuttings of his stock tree and then gave me one 6 months later. I killed that and am now on my second one.

Bonbon wrote:I agree. Always enjoy to go there. BonsaiSouth got superior stocks too but species is very limited.

I don't have much experience but, I certainly agree Bonbon. In a cross post I've said that Ray is better on price also. Leong has what in my limited experience is better stock but Ray has much wider variety of species.

MelaQuin wrote:Killed a tree and ready for your second... that's one reason Ray is in business

Ray never charged for either. Ray is a very Charitable bloke but I don't think that is common for Ray. Maybe he appreciated me giving him the motivation to take some cuttings as he stated he had been meaning too for years.

It may come back in full though as I am trying to cultivate Carpinus Orientilis and that is a hornbeam Ray has not added to his collection yet

does anyone go to the workshops he host i wanted to go but missed out 5 times because i was busy =.= anyways ray is a good bloke he always gives me good advice wen i collect plants near his areea n then go to him to ask him about wat i should do with it hahahah HATS OFF TO HIM

IS2SXC wrote:does anyone go to the workshops he host i wanted to go but missed out 5 times because i was busy =.= anyways ray is a good bloke he always gives me good advice wen i collect plants near his areea n then go to him to ask him about wat i should do with it hahahah HATS OFF TO HIM

Never been to his workshops, but am a memeber of the school of Bonsai and ray is one of the teachers.

can u give me details i want to learn more LOL my bonsais looks more like it was trained by a grazing cow LOL

I did not know Ray had workshops?
Except for the ones that are connected with the odd show or event. I am too far away to attend the school regularly.

IS2SXC wrote:can u give me details i want to learn more LOL my bonsais looks more like it was trained by a grazing cow LOL

Hi IS2
the school of Bonsai website here http://www.schoolofbonsai.com/
Clinton Nesci is the School president.

We run a multi year program as follows
1st year - Beginners,
It is a 1 hr formal lesson / Demo, then 2 hrs of workshop wher eyou bring in trees and the teachers will discuss and work on them with you

2nd year - Intermediate
Again a 1 hour Demo on more advanced techniques and then 2 hr Workshop on your own trees with a teacher assisting

3rd year + Advanced
Purely workshop where you can do your own thing, or with the assistance of the teachers as neded. Most people when they are in the advanced classes ar mostly self sufficient in the maintenance of our trees but we will mainly discuss ideas on processes to get to our outcomes.

Many of our Sydney members here have been thru the school program adn will recommend it for anyone that can make it to north rocks for classes.
School starts in the first term each year but you can join us anytime, Contact Clinton Nesci if interested

Ken

yes, I have been converted by Ray and Clinton, and am a member of the school.

In my mind, The school's 3 yr course is equivalent to a Uni course... without exams , and just like a degree, you have the theory, some prac and it is up to you to push yourself along. The best part about going to "an ALL beginners class", is that you are not intimidated by other peoples plants and knowledge. After doing a couple of years of study, I have learnt heaps, and although it is sometimes intimidating to show my plants or post on a "public forum", I dont feel like such a beginner no more.

Ray has a monthly workshop - first sunday of the month from 9 to 12, at the nursery. But he does not advertise it since (and I quote Ray) "a million people would turn up". I went for the first time this month, and there were about 15 people there. Many thanks to Rose for cooking cake for morning tea... but ... oh... you did not hear any of this from me here....

Hmmm... Not sure if I went for the cake or the help with the juniper !!!

thanks heapz KC i will see into it
if the school is like a uni course i dont mind at least its better than accounting =.=

The School . . . . . . . . . is awesome! You wont regret joining! And as far as Ive heard, UNI isn't enjoyable, so i would have to disagree with that bit

JayC