AusBonsai

Anyone know an ideal bonsai starter for group planting, more specifically Larch or Pine since I want it to grow vertically.
Plan on acquiring them either through Hiddent Orient - Bonsai Art in Belrose.

I just bought a group planting of larch and a single tree as well, can't wait to pick them up at the end of the week.

I would not recommend either Larch or pine for beginners - group or single tree. Larch are a bit temperamental and do not like heat or dry. Might be ok if you live in the Dandenongs or Blue Mts but difficult to keep alive otherwise. Pines need very specific pruning to maintain compactness and shape. If not pruned correctly difficult to recover size and shape.

For upright group planting consider Swamp Cypress. Relatively hardy, deciduous and will sprout from bare wood when pruned. Just keep them a bit wet.
Trident maples are one of the best beginner trees and can produce a great group. Straight, vertical trunks are ok as well.

shibui wrote:I would not recommend either Larch or pine for beginners - group or single tree. Larch are a bit temperamental and do not like heat or dry. Might be ok if you live in the Dandenongs or Blue Mts but difficult to keep alive otherwise. Pines need very specific pruning to maintain compactness and shape. If not pruned correctly difficult to recover size and shape.

For upright group planting consider Swamp Cypress. Relatively hardy, deciduous and will sprout from bare wood when pruned. Just keep them a bit wet.
Trident maples are one of the best beginner trees and can produce a great group. Straight, vertical trunks are ok as well.

Thanks Shibui, saw couple of Swamp Cypress seeds for sale via ebay which is from Victoria or Queensland. Got tonnes of moss on brick cracks out in the car park which can be helpful to maintain it for moisture/wet.
I live in Thornleigh but where the house is located and under a gumtree, only half the house gets sunlight at certain time. Maples were a good recommendation from Alex at Bonsai Art, however it looks really weird when its in a group.

Is there another type of specie from the pine category?

Maples were a good recommendation from Alex at Bonsai Art, however it looks really weird when its in a group.

You have got to be kidding surely There are many fantastic trident maple groups and so easy to grow

You could try cedars as an upright conifer group. They are very hardy and not quite as difficult to prune as pines. Slow growing though so be prepared to allocate 20 years or so to the project. Junipers are relatively easy to grow and style but I think more difficult to make a good group. Probably easier as a group with just a few trunks maybe.

shibui wrote:I would not recommend either Larch or pine for beginners - group or single tree. Larch are a bit temperamental and do not like heat or dry. Might be ok if you live in the Dandenongs or Blue Mts but difficult to keep alive otherwise.

yes I have heard they can be temperamental with the climate and aren't the best the best for us noob's but they are locally grown and about 10yrs old If I remember correctly, keen to give' em a go anyway so...

@ RevoEvoS, I love swampies and would have to agree, they would make a great grouping and are not very expensive ... at least here in Melbourne anyway. Swampies are defiantly in my top three favourites at the moment.

Make sure you get some pic's posted up once you get it happening.

Hey Rustdust.... nice name

Sounds like 2 experienced people have given you good advice.

shibui wrote:

Maples were a good recommendation from Alex at Bonsai Art, however it looks really weird when its in a group.

You have got to be kidding surely There are many fantastic trident maple groups and so easy to grow

You could try cedars as an upright conifer group. They are very hardy and not quite as difficult to prune as pines. Slow growing though so be prepared to allocate 20 years or so to the project. Junipers are relatively easy to grow and style but I think more difficult to make a good group. Probably easier as a group with just a few trunks maybe.

I concurr.
A trident maple must be about the Easiest I could think of apart from Callistimon.

I have a callistimon forest grown from self sown seeds in my garden and looks nice after only 2 years

Ken

DustyRusty wrote:Hey Rustdust.... nice name

hahaa ... or ... LOL

Couldn't agree more. Trident maple are a great group option. A lot more hardy than the Japanese maples and suitable for most styles.

Chinese Elm could be an option - although nothing like a Larch or Pine, they come out great and aren't rocket science to maintain. That's not to say Trident (YES, I've seen great groups - but own none myself) or even Callistemon as suggested (if you wanna go native... why not!) aren't viable, of course they are - 2 experienced bonsai artists on this forum suggest them... Enough said. In the end, the choice is yours and nobody but you know the skill you have, the time you have, the $$$ you have, the drive you have or the conditions you have better than you. In the end, the decision has to be yours.