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Bonsai supplies in Canberra

Posted: July 28th, 2014, 7:50 am
by GreenThumb
Long time lurker, infrequent poster. I have a few Shohin bonsai, ficus fig, trident maple, a couple of young junipers and an oak. I'm looking to pick up some larger pre bonsai and possibly some more mature trees. Interested in soils as well. There doesn't appear to be any bonsai stockists in Canberra? I will try and get to a club meeting next month, but would appreciate any recommendations for good online sites or knowledge of local retailers.

Thanks in advance

Jake

Re: Bonsai supplies in Canberra

Posted: July 28th, 2014, 8:37 am
by Grant Bowie
GreenThumb wrote:Long time lurker, infrequent poster. I have a few Shohin bonsai, ficus fig, trident maple, a couple of young junipers and an oak. I'm looking to pick up some larger pre bonsai and possibly some more mature trees. Interested in soils as well. There doesn't appear to be any bonsai stockists in Canberra? I will try and get to a club meeting next month, but would appreciate any recommendations for good online sites or knowledge of local retailers.

Thanks in advance

Jake
Canberra Bonsai Society (which meets next Saturday morning) is having a bus trip to two bonsai nurseries in Sydney the following weekend where you can stock up on all manner of things.

Otherwise its a bit tough finding stuff in Canberra as it is such a small market.

Grant

Re: Bonsai supplies in Canberra

Posted: July 28th, 2014, 2:03 pm
by Sean M
Grant Bowie wrote:
GreenThumb wrote:Long time lurker, infrequent poster. I have a few Shohin bonsai, ficus fig, trident maple, a couple of young junipers and an oak. I'm looking to pick up some larger pre bonsai and possibly some more mature trees. Interested in soils as well. There doesn't appear to be any bonsai stockists in Canberra? I will try and get to a club meeting next month, but would appreciate any recommendations for good online sites or knowledge of local retailers.

Thanks in advance

Jake
Canberra Bonsai Society (which meets next Saturday morning) is having a bus trip to two bonsai nurseries in Sydney the following weekend where you can stock up on all manner of things.

Otherwise its a bit tough finding stuff in Canberra as it is such a small market.

Grant
Aptly put Grant :D . Jake, Canberra is very "bonsai'd" in its pre bonsai stock, but if you search some of the bigger nurseries out near pialliago you can find a hidden gem or two in their regular stuff. Just like bonsai it just takes patience. The bus trip is a fantastic way of getting up to Sydney, visiting two good places for stock and stuff and conversing with some very knowledgeable people about bonsai. If I wasn't working this year I'd be on the bus in a flash.

Re: Bonsai supplies in Canberra

Posted: July 28th, 2014, 3:02 pm
by Grant Bowie
I am going this year. I don't miss it unless i am out of the country or state.

I love pots; i must confess.

Also looking for a good advanced Japanese maple stock.

grant

Re: Bonsai supplies in Canberra

Posted: July 28th, 2014, 7:37 pm
by GreenThumb
Thanks all for the responses.

I am actually already planning on being in Sydney that weekend for my brother in law's 40th. I will come along on Saturday and say hello, and get the details of the trip.

Grant - some good maple stock is exactly what I am after too, (along with some soil supplies and some wire). I promise I won't get there early so you come up 'SHORT'.

Re: Bonsai supplies in Canberra

Posted: July 28th, 2014, 9:21 pm
by irish
Grant Bowie wrote:
GreenThumb wrote:Long time lurker, infrequent poster. I have a few Shohin bonsai, ficus fig, trident maple, a couple of young junipers and an oak. I'm looking to pick up some larger pre bonsai and possibly some more mature trees. Interested in soils as well. There doesn't appear to be any bonsai stockists in Canberra? I will try and get to a club meeting next month, but would appreciate any recommendations for good online sites or knowledge of local retailers.

Thanks in advance

Jake
Canberra Bonsai Society (which meets next Saturday morning) is having a bus trip to two bonsai nurseries in Sydney the following weekend where you can stock up on all manner of things.

Otherwise its a bit tough finding stuff in Canberra as it is such a small market.

Grant
Hello.

I all most fell over laughting :lol: :lol:

Try livening in a town of 4,000. NOTHING! :lol: :lol: :o

Cheers.
Irish :aussie:

Re: Bonsai supplies in Canberra

Posted: July 28th, 2014, 9:50 pm
by shibui
Try livening in a town of 4,000. NOTHING! :lol: :lol: :o
Yackandandah has less than half that population but I can usually still find some good potential bonsai stock :tu: :whistle:
Pots on the other hand :x are far more difficult to get hold of.
some good maple stock is exactly what I am after too,
You might look at the same ones as Grant but I doubt that you will be competing for the same trees when you see the prices of
good advanced Japanese maple stock.
;)
Also be aware that although many beginners aspire to Japanese maple bonsai they are quite hard to master. I'd advise starting with tridents until you master pinching and pruning techniques :imo:

Re: Bonsai supplies in Canberra

Posted: July 28th, 2014, 10:13 pm
by GreenThumb
Thanks Shibui. No doubt. To be honest, I wouldn't be dropping loads of money on a best specimen of any variety at my stage. It would be a bit like buying an old ferrari when you can't drive stick. That said, I love the acers and aim to have one in my small collection. I have a lovely 2 year old trident maple that I am looking forward to working with for years to come.

Re: Bonsai supplies in Canberra

Posted: July 29th, 2014, 9:19 am
by Grant Bowie
And I forgot to mention that Shibui usually brings stock for sale to the CBS annual show in October.

Grant

Re: Bonsai supplies in Canberra

Posted: July 29th, 2014, 8:45 pm
by shibui
Thanks for the plug Grant. ;)
Attending this year will depend on how much stock is left. Good sales through the year and more last weekend at Bonsai North West in Melb means I don't have a lot left. There may be a few new ones from the grow beds this winter but far fewer than usual because last summer was so tough.

Canberra has a pretty good members sale table, great trees on show and other vendors but I'll let everyone know if we will be there or not closer to the date.