AusBonsai

Hi all,

Great site!

I frequent Bonsai South in Carringbah, Sydney. ( http://www.bonsaisouth.com.au ) Leong the owner is a great guy and a super help. Always willing to share his ideas and tips.

Great collection of bonsais and fantastic stock trees. Specialising in figs.

A pic of the nursery attached.
Brenden

Yeah I want one of those imported figs from Taiwan... not that I'll ever afford it....
Still trying to work out how they do it...

Hi Asus101,

They actually graft several together... superfeed them and so they fuse over times.
The Asia ficus species are as vigourous as the Australian ones if not more.

I have only made it to bonsai south once but it will not be the last. The only bad piont was Leong tried to tell me only one species of hornbeam was any good for bonsai
I was so offended I did not even remember wich one he liked
Seriously I can't wait to get back there and see his stock and have a chat. His growing field looks awesome

I was fortunate enough to visit Bonsai South recently. WOW....was i gob smacked! I arrived at 7am and was literally waiting at the door. At 7.30am Leong arrived in a van with his days work in the back. I waited as long as i possibly could in my car to allow him to open up shop etc and not appear to eager ......i think i waited about 3 minutes, my brain said wait but the rest of me said go.....so in i went. I was welcomed by Leong and about 8 high quality willow leaf figs. After the formalities i went out into the nursery to be amazed by the variety and quality of trees. Well i couldnt get the stupid grin off my head! The Japanese Black Pines were meticulous, as were the Radiata Pines! The Figs are just stunning and the Junipers all had a story to tell. I think my favourite tree (if thats possible to have just one) was a very large old Podocarpus. After taking pictures (with permission being given freely) of everything, i put the camera away and started digging through the pre bonsai stock. I could have spent thousands there very easily. Maples, figs, junipers, you name it and it was there in varying price ranges to suit the newby and the expierienced grower alike. I ended up getting a shimpaku with a 7 or 8 cm base on it and great movement. After seeing what Radiata pines turn into, i had to have one of them also. I got a PK pot, 6 bonsai today mags, a Naka sketch book, several bags of Akadama. I was fortunate to have been there when Leong was instructing a protege on what to do with a very large old Juniper, i was invited to sit in and listen. I wont forget what i learnt in that short time, invaluable expierience!
At the start of this post i mentioned Leong arrived in a van with his days work in the back, this days work was about 8 willow leaf figs and about the same amount of Pines! It was clear to me that you dont get this good by sitting on your butt, he works very, very hard and has a large number of high quality trees to show for his efforts. After 4 hours at the nursery and only limited time left in Sydney i had to force myself to leave as i had other commitments. I can hardly wait for my next visit, i thouroghly enjoyed myself.
I hope you enjoy the pictures and i do apoligies for my poor photography skills.

Regards
Peter

Hi everyone,
nice photos.
I recently wrote under a different topic in this forum about the true bonsai artist as opposed to the custodian of potted tees.
In my opinion, Leong is without peer as a true creator of top quality bonsai, always happy to give advice or guidance if requested.

cheers
Dave K

Looks like you had a grand holliday Peter - I'm anvious, I just have to get out more.

Jon

Jon Chown wrote:Looks like you had a grand holliday Peter - I'm anvious, I just have to get out more.

Jon

I was going to give you a call and see if you wanted to come down with me. I had work to do up till about 1 or 2 oclock on the Friday but after that it was just bonsai stuff! I am planning on doing some more trips to Sydney or Melbourne or both later in the year if your interested? Let me know. It was a good weekend though. If your organized you can get through a fair bit of stuff in one weekend!
Peter

If you do get to have a joint trip, Let us know before have and we can arrange to meet as well

Cannot think of a better reason to go to a nursery than to meet some "out of towner" bonsai buddies

ken

kcpoole wrote:If you do get to have a joint trip, Let us know before have and we can arrange to meet as well

Cannot think of a better reason to go to a nursery than to meet some "out of towner" bonsai buddies

ken

Sounds good Ken. I thought of you when i went to Ray's.

hey me too if ya's come to melb! now lets talk about this cat!!! this man leong is without a doubt one hell of a cat, the real mcoy. amazing trees created by such a soulful artist. thanks for pics pete, these are the hidden treasures that need to get out there and push aussie bonsai. oh by the way got my book today its a rippa!!!

I am planning on doing some more trips to Sydney or Melbourne or both later in the year if your interested? Let me know.

I recon a trip south to visit some nurseries and catch up with some online buddies would be fantastic, perhaps try and fit it in when there is a show on down there somewhere. We must talk more about this Peter.

Jon

Jon Chown wrote:

I am planning on doing some more trips to Sydney or Melbourne or both later in the year if your interested? Let me know.

I recon a trip south to visit some nurseries and catch up with some online buddies would be fantastic, perhaps try and fit it in when there is a show on down there somewhere. We must talk more about this Peter.

Jon

Great stuff Jon! I was hoping for a response like that from you! Im saving my coin already, I think the Newcastle club have their show on in October (lateish??) sometime, thats definitely one i would like to see based on the quality of the collections there! Lets chat soon.
Peter

Our exhibition is at Club Macquarie on 30, 31 Oct and 1 Nov. There is a motel section there - it's new. I can get prices for you if you like. I think Ray and Clinton will be staying there this year. Come for a few days before and do a members' tour. I'll ask Greg about going on a dig, Peter. (but not so close to the exhibition though).
Penny.

Sounds good Penny. We'll see how many are interested in just the trip first though. Dont think Greg or anyone else would apreciate 20 out of towners digging all the material and running away with it!
Peter