Ebay books and Bare Rooting

[cuwire]

A question on ordering bare rooted trees for bonsai via the post at this time of year or at other times.

Any tips or warnings would be appreciated.

There seems to be a number now appearing on Ebay - I haven't seen any bare rooted stock for sale on this forum
(although I have only been here less than a year).

Here is an Ebay item

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pink-floweri ... 4cf8156de4

As an aside I have noticed a larger number of Bonsai Books on Ebay recently - a lot probably picked up from Borders crazy last days sales and put up for sale on Ebay nice profit if they sell - anyway good luck to them nobody is really getting robbed.

Cheers David

[BirchMan]

I saw that one last night, same person has 2 or 3 others - all bare rooted. Looks a bit better than some of the pseudo-mallsai that gets around on there.

[platinum]

hi cuwire

no probs with the bare rooted stock on offer.

you will see this seller every winter.

alot of trees are sold this way through nurseries.

certain species that are dormant.

platinum

[rowan]

Some trees are quite fine when bare rooted as long as they are obviously from nursery stock or have been looked after and have good feeder roots like this stock has been. I would suggest never to buy yamadori bare rooted unless you know the seller well because it is so easy for anyone to just dig up a tree and try to sell it immediately. In my opinion yamadori should be kept for at least one year before being sold as something that has just been dug and offered for sale has a high chance of dying, especially if it has been bought by a beginner.
I sell my stock with most of the soil removed but not bare rooted to make them cheaper to post, but that is just my practice and I also have no problem with these particular Ebay trees.

[craigw60]

I can't see much to recommend this tree as pre-bonsai, the trunk is dead straight, all the branching comes from the same point and the only half of the root system visible looks pretty confused to me. I have no doubt it would be a good garden plant but there is nothing about it that says bonsai to me.
Craigw

[shibui]

There should be no problem with mailing bare rooted trees at this time of year provided packing is good and posted quickly. After that is in the buyers hands.

Ausbonsai is supposed to be non commercial so those of us who grow bonsai starters try to offer advice rather than advertising our trees. There are several members who grow trees for sale that you could approach if you need stock. Some have posted in the nursery section. Some names that spring immediately are Bodhi, Craigw60, Shibui, Chris Sirre....

At Shibui bonsai we send some stock out bare rooted if requested, esp younger trees that are more resilient. Most stock from us goes out in pots or poly boxes as that suits most people better.

Craig is right that some trees sold as bonsai starters seem to be culls from stock grown for nurseries or grown by well meaning beginners. Straight, vertical trunks are a giveaway and roots are often not suitable for bonsai but trees like this are snapped up by enthusiastic beginners, then posted here with requests for ideas on how to improve them. Although any tree can be improved, sometimes it just isn't worth the time and effort. Better to look for a tree with real potential, even if it costs a little more up front. (See steven's recent thread on buying bonsai)

[Fukien beech]

A question on ordering bare rooted trees for bonsai via the post at this time of year or at other times.

Any tips or warnings would be appreciated.

There seems to be a number now appearing on Ebay - I haven't seen any bare rooted stock for sale on this forum
(although I have only been here less than a year).

Here is an Ebay item

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pink-floweri ... 4cf8156de4

As an aside I have noticed a larger number of Bonsai Books on Ebay recently - a lot probably picked up from Borders crazy last days sales and put up for sale on Ebay nice profit if they sell - anyway good luck to them nobody is really getting robbed.

Cheers David

Hello Bonsai Family!

I have actually purchased from this seller before. I bought a 17 yr old Japanese wisteria. It took 2 days in the post to come from Cobargo NSW to Melbourne. Packed perfectly with care and the seller threw in a few free Japanese Maples. Im always on the prowl for bonsai on Ebay and have nothing but great things to say about this seller. They are all stock from his nursery and he is very informative.

keep on eye on his items and if the price agrees with you then bid away!

Thanks

[cuwire]

Thank you to all responders to this post - it has truly been most informative.

Only one question remaining on receiving a bare rooted tree would you plant immediately into a plastic pot big enough to take the existing root system or trim the roots before planting. And would there be some bare rooted stock ready to plant directly into a bonsai pot.

Thanks again
David

[Jarrod]

I would only buy young trees as bare rooted stock. I would avoid any further cutting of roots and I would not expect any to be ready for a bonsai pot.