Old looking potted tree/shrub for Bonsai.

[Dario]

I know this is a long shot but...no harm in trying ;) :D.

Bonsai (art of training plants in a container) is one of my old hobby that basically got abandoned due to my migration here in continental US. Now I am thinking on starting again. Not to sound snubbish but, I am not thinking of the stuff that you see on Walmart, HomeDepot or the malls ;) :D.

I am scouting for "pre-bonsai" materials and though I might give the forum a try. Ideal candidates are potted tree/shrub with small leaves. Gnarled and irregularly shaped plants are preferred over straight ones. They can be from 4" tall to several feet tall (that can be trimmed down to less than 3 feet).

Some of the best specimens are actually dug from old yard or craggy mountains...but that will be asking for way too much ;).

If any of you have any that you are willing to sell...please PM or e-mail me to see if we can work out a deal.

Timing is perfect since I can start re-potting and training before spring.

Thanks,

Dario :)
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[CajunRider]

Down here in da swamp there ain't much but I'll look for them when I am out and about. I myself dabbled with bonsai a little bit but has not had the time to do it right.

[Kendemp]

Might have something for you. Are there any preferred species?

Got lots o' vegetation where I live :)

Ken

[Chris Moore]

Send him some cypress CR. I've seen it make great bonsai. Just hard to find that miniature spanish moss, but the chiggers on it are already small enough.

Chris Moore
West Palm Beach, FL

[Dario]

Yep...I've seen some nice Cypress bonsai as well ;)

Old potted Bougainvillae make great bonsai too.

Dario :)
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[Dario]

Ken,

I am not really sure what will make good Bonsai...normally the ones with small leaves and slow growers are good. Species which doesn't like their roots being "disturbed" are bad choices.

Problem is I'm in Texas and I need some that can take some HEAT...if you know what I mean ;) Though I've seen people grow plants from cold areas here and they thrive well.

If you have time, let me know what you have there and I'll do a research if they'll work or not.

Thanks!

Dario :)
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[randall]

Cool I like Bonzai and was going to buy some a couple of years ago, I just did a google search for bonzai and found scads of web sites, sales, care- how-to sites etc.

A little pine tree would be neat :)

[CajunRider]

If you live in Texas, mesquite is a prime candidate for bonsai. However mesquite has a large root system so it will be hard to get a large specimen. Properly trained mesquite will make a fantastic bonsai, especially when you partially expose the root and force it to twist and turn.

[Breaddrink]

Kind of an interesting question.
Would a pine tree work?

I thought it needed the leaves trimming constantly to work?
How would that work with needles?

[Dario]

Bonsai leaves are usually thinned NOT trimmed. That is why the best choice are small leaved plants. They maybe reduced but only a little.

Mugo pine, White pine, and Black pine are favorites among Japanese bonsai enthusiasts.

Dario :)
[h4][font color = "blue"] Innovate or Stagnate[/font]
[font color = "red"]"I count my blessings more than my misfortunes"[/font][/h4]