HELP A NEWBIE

[JOHNR]

Hi Guys, have looked at all the books re obtaining Nursery stock plants but everytime I go there doesn't seem to be any plants worth while. Anyone know of an interesting Nursery around the Penrith / Parramatta area

[Mitchell]

Welcome to AusBonsai!

Generally you have to have a pretty keen eye to get good bonsai stock from a standard nursery. It's worth a drive to get a bunch of quality stock from a Bonsai Nursery. Plan the trip with what you want in mind before you go and come away happy. It will save you years trying to convert nursery stock grown to nursery standards. JMHO

I'll recommend Ray Nesci at Dural, on Sagars Rd. It's not all that close but I frequent it regularly and just about always find what I want.

The only Nurseries I visit these days are specific native dealers. A wealth of possibilities there. I'm going this arvo to Cumberland State Forest Nursery, to pick up some Euc seedlings.

Happy hunting!!

[Jamie]

hi mate welcome to the site, you will find a wealth of info here to help you!

finding stock in normal nurseries can be hard but there occasionally is something good there ya just need to hunt and to know what to look for, i would reccommend what mitch has said and that is to go to a specialist bonsai nursery, they will not only be able to help you in choosing something in your price range but will offer you some good advice to the tree/s you pick

i would suggest looking at figs, junipers, elms to start with as they are generally pretty tough! figs and elms especially as you can quickly figure out what to do with them and they are quite predictable when pruning

jamie

[Gerard]

It is easy for a beginner to make costly mistakes.
Look for:
A good root spread (don't be afraid ti scratch at the surface of the soil)
Low branches.
Good taper (base should be thickest and avoid anything with fat bulges)
Interesting trunk (Angled is better than straight up, curves are good)
Healthy trees, foliage is an indicator but foliage changes as the tree develops
Small leaves

[Matt Jermy]

All the above is good advice ...
Might pay to look at getting a 'parent' tree or two:
ie. grab a healthy (relatively) large tree that u can use tograb layers//cuttings from -
this will help u have some control and insight into what shapes u want and can craft.
An 'air' layer is a great way to start good nebari too...

[Chris]

welcome to the site John my advice would be to go find an olive and dig that up work on something free or keep an eye out for specials going in the for sale section

[Glenn C]

Hey John, as a fellow Penny the closest Bonsai nursery is at Vineyard, they're on the Web.
Plenty of bonsai supplies of all kinds, quality varies but it's convenient for we Westies.

[Jamie]

heres the website for ya

http://www.bonsainet.com.au/

[JOHNR]

Thanks Guys, have taken all your info on board and will certainly check out the two Bonsai Nurseries mentioned . I guess ( same as all beginners ) I look at your trees and read the books then wonder why mine look like sticks in pots. Patience is a wonderful vitue.

[astroboy76]

sometimes the sticks in pots grow up to be the most spectacular and surprising little tree's of all. I had about 40 little starts growing when i first began bonsai. as my knowledge grew i started to buy larger stock. i am now at teh stage where i need to severley cull my starters. i coudl open my own nursery! lol

but some of the starters that i discarded with not much interest have now become the best trees i have