AusBonsai

I'm just about at my wits end up here in townsville. No contacts, no "nursery", limited clubs I fronted up to the only club yesterday and was very disappointed (can't be specific on line) finished up just walking out probably never to return The only places to buy plants are Bunnings and one nursery who charge like wounded bulls. No one grows field stock. The only options are buying nursery plants with absolutely no history, life or character. So I have decided I will take a week or two off work and go to the Gold Coast where I can stay with my sister...all planned for Sept. Can anyone shed some light on the best places to go to buy some really nice plants and pots. I'm aware of the Red Dragon (or is it Golden) and I am definately visiting them...can someone suggest anywhere else. I want to do the rounds properly as this will be a once a year visit.
I would like to buy a couple of really special trees. I'm even going to join a pottery club.
PLEASE HELP ASAP
cheers Loretta

hi loretta can i suggest that you save some travel and go to Bonsai Northside in Morayfirld just south of the Sunshine Coast, Tess the owner has everything you need and an excellent range of stock for really fair prices, she is very accomodating and is more than happy to share her knowledge of bonsai! good luck

http://www.bonsainorthsidenursery.com.au/

she also holds regular workshops, check the website for dates

JayP wrote:hi loretta can i suggest that you save some travel and go to Bonsai Northside in Morayfirld just south of the Sunshine Coast, Tess the owner has everything you need and an excellent range of stock for really fair prices, she is very accomodating and is more than happy to share her knowledge of bonsai! good luck

http://www.bonsainorthsidenursery.com.au/

Thanks Jay....we could certainly drive up there and make a bit of a holiday out of it. Northside hadn't occured to me for some reason and yet I've accessed their site several times just to look at that magnificent bougy.
thanks Loretta

Hi Loretta
Check out this list of QLD nursuries
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2240

Also Masakene From Bonsai at the bay said he was doing some road trips in the coming months, Dunno if he was going that far but no harm in Asking

I remember a few years ago, there was a thread on the old Bonsaitalk forums about a US Bonsai Nursery, that did Road trips.
Located on the US east coast somewhere and used to load up the truck and do a travelling Sales Trip
They had specific stops scheduled with Dates / times posted well in advance. Ususally at Truck stops etc

Doubt we would have the numbers to warrant it here, but verry cool and a great way for out of the way places to get access to Good Stock

Ken

A trip south should be great for post and stock plants but here are a couple of thoughts that might help in the meantime.

Try contacting the local garden club – they may be able to put you on to plants their members are thinking of removing that may be suitable collected stock for you. Hey, it’s worth a shot.

Keep your eye out for local building sites; I’ve seen a number for posts where members have been able to “rescue” plants with potential after checking with the owners or site managers. Try the council; go to the works office and ask if they are doing any work in parks or gardens that may mean plants no longer suitable for them could be rescued by you. Again, worth a shot,

Best of luck with your “quest”,

Jan

Hi Ken and Jan.....thanks for all advise and hints...you've certainly given me food for thought cheers Loretta

if your comming to the gold coast definatly look at red dragon bonsai and defined gardens they're both great, they both have there addres's on there web pages.
if u want anymore info pm me i can guide u in the right direction on the gold coast for what your after stock wise

nauticadlay wrote:if your comming to the gold coast definatly look at red dragon bonsai and defined gardens they're both great, they both have there addres's on there web pages.
if u want anymore info pm me i can guide u in the right direction on the gold coast for what your after stock wise

thanks so much nauticadlay, might take you up on that!!!

cool, just let me know im happy to help.

-Jake

I've definitely gotta agree that Bonsai Northside is worth a trip. Tess is great, has great stock and loves to talk bonsai

Hi Loretta,

have you considered going through the market place here on line, even if you put a wanted add in there can be some excellent stock for the taking, if you have anything specific you are after just ask not only are there some great nursery owners here online but also private sellers usually have some pretty good stock that has been specifically developed for bonsai

jamie

Loretta, if there's anything that you're interested in that we can get for you - or might already have - around this area (Maryborough/Hervey Bay), let us know and I'd be happy to send it up to you. What sort of material are you interested in?

Tman wrote:Loretta, if there's anything that you're interested in that we can get for you - or might already have - around this area (Maryborough/Hervey Bay), let us know and I'd be happy to send it up to you. What sort of material are you interested in?

I was thinking the same thing

Jamie wrote:Hi Loretta,

have you considered going through the market place here on line, even if you put a wanted add in there can be some excellent stock for the taking, if you have anything specific you are after just ask not only are there some great nursery owners here online but also private sellers usually have some pretty good stock that has been specifically developed for bonsai

jamie

Hi Jamie
Yes I've looked thu the Buy Swap Sell link and I'm very interested in what people have to offer...but most of them say "pick Up" and I just had the impression alot of it just circulated around the Sydney Newcastle areas where it's just a short drive.
Also I'm not wanting to spend hundreds on a tree and that's what I'd be charging if I'd put so many years into it. I guess I'm just a bit p.ss.d off that the choices aren't here. I'm still going to come down for a look.
cheers Loretta

Tman wrote:Loretta, if there's anything that you're interested in that we can get for you - or might already have - around this area (Maryborough/Hervey Bay), let us know and I'd be happy to send it up to you. What sort of material are you interested in?

Thank you for the offer Tman it's much appreciated. I would love a Squamata Pine and a Japanese Black Pine but I don't know how they would cope with the climate up here...very very hot and humid!! I would love some field stock that I could cut and carve (I've just bought an Ozito "dremel" tool and a recipricating saw). I guess there's nothing to prevent me from going bush to collect...we have different kinds of grevilleas growing wild, mainly silky oaks I think, chonky apples etc. I guess I just want to get in amongst it and see what all you people talk about. I really want to come down for a trip to see for myself. But if a certain thing comes into my mind I will definately post it and ask for help.
Thanks again
Loretta