Search results

Heh, this is definitely what I feel like with the shimpaku at the moment... I re-potted both about 4 weeks ago... the spruce seems to have done fine after the initial re-pot, with new growth and back budding. Maybe doing some excavation and blocking in would minimize trauma yet yield some...

Thanks Dan! Sounds like I should consider re-potting the spruce then - knock back the organic a bit (I originally just went by sight - i.e. a mix that looked comparable to what I'd seen at a club re-potting workshop) and maybe just put it back in the 1 gal. container I got it in? (I don't have...

Hi Judy, Regarding the grow-box: at this time, the spruce is about 12" tall, I would like it to be around 18" before I arrest it's growth. The grow-box interior is ~12x14 (was 14x14 but I put some blocks in there already to "shrink" it, what dimensions would you recommend for what I'm looking...

Hi everybody! Thought you might be interested in a little update. Since we last spoke I joined my local bonsai club (in February) and acquired a couple of trees (from a couple of nurseries in late March/early April). This white spruce had a decent trunk diameter, already exposed nebari, as...

Well, I was thinking of taking the Yew or the Ficus - he wants $15.

Hello everyone! So, by the luck of the stars, I have found a gentleman who is selling several trees from his collection as he doesn't have the space for them this winter. As a novice, I would like your input on which of these species would be good for me to learn from and grow with. He...

I'll try this with a handful... my concern was that it's so dry here, they may not get the moisture they need to soak through the pericarp and germinate. But since I've already soaked 'em... it'd be good to know if I can skip the artificial stratification. Good stuff, rockm, I saw your amur...

Hello all, So, I was wondering what experiences people have had with growing maples for bonsai. From seed, cuttings, or layering. Specifically, my neighbor has an amur maple, with about 20% of it's branches overhanging my yard. Last week I collected about 50 seeds from it's fall on my lawn...

I'm planning on checking out Paulino's this weekend, thanks for the lead, ryno. s_a_m, craigslist was a good suggestion, that's where I found the free silver maples, I didn't want to do juniper, but I know they are hardy bastards so I might just do that too. mrchips, I saw Colorado Bonsai...

Well, it is the internets, I expected some amount of hostility just as I would on any well established forum community. And I'd be the first to admit I can be abrasive, but it really doesn't tend to come out unless beckoned or maybe if I'm angry IRL (which since most of these posts have came...

That's funny, because it seems to me you keep coming back to this thread with little other purpose. :rolleyes: Thank you, everyone, for your input. Truly. Obviously I was and am anxious to DO something, to have a tree that looks like it could be something and to put my hands on it, but...

Thanks Judy, your input has been most appreciated. And though I don't have much to spend at the moment, I'm mostly geared towards collecting resources right now so the links would certainly be welcome.

Alright, well, here's what I'm thinking now. :P I have an opportunity to get a couple young silver maples and a black walnut for free. Maybe not particularly traditional species, but if I can start learning some principles from them and they're free (either me or mulch), why not... ? So, I'm...

I do like the larch, and thanks for the link, Judy. Thanks for the reference material bT, looks like I'll be giving my library card a work-out...

Now why'd you have to go and talk so much sense? >.<

And some people are disparaging. I am confident in myself sure, but also there is a difference between being told what to do/not to do, and being told you can't do something. In some cases, I've been told the latter. I immensely appreciate the affirmative input I receive and have received, I...

Well, what interests me, visually, isn't a preconceived notion or a product of a closed mind, it's my taste and aesthetic. And I have been told pines are difficult, but to quote Ray Parker Jr.; "I ain't afraid of no ghost". I'm not going to start with a collected tree, so...

I guess I have no idea what goes on at a bonsai club, but it seems like showing up without a tree would be like showing up to class without books. I have done quite a bit of looking in to how and what to look for when buying, and aesthetically I know what kind of tree I want (long-needle pine, a...

Thanks for the insight, Brian! Aesthetically, pines are what interest me most and even if it is like jumping in with both feet, I have to start somewhere, this is another good argument though for not starting with a collected stock. Sounds like I have (even more) reading to do! :)

I have the tools (would have to get a pick from my dad, but it is available to me), I have access to a spectrum of soil from river rock to clay, container I would have to get anyway - and was rather looking forward to building a grow box, I get up into the Mtns regularly anyway so the gas is...

The thing is, I have next to no budget for this (which is why I was looking at collecting, intially: seemed like the cheapest way to get into it). I've been convinced to not try collecting on my own, but might have to put my ear to the ground for some sponsored trips or the like. For now I guess...

Probably not, as I'm guessing there's a premium to be paid for a collected tree, and I'm in the <$40 range... ideally less than 20 >.< Though I realize this may not be realistic for something that's a couple years old. //Perhaps I should also mention, I'm looking at pines.

Hello all, What suggestions have you for finding a good starter tree? Denver-area specific shops/nurseries would be great, though general thoughts are appreciated :) Something that hasn't been styled, but is old enough to start thinking about styling, and something that is inexpensive...

This was actually my impression and assumption going into it. Not that I was taking the collecting aspect lightly. I suppose I should just ask the club, but if I joined the local club, do you think anyone would take me out collecting when the season rolls around next spring? I think I just...

You've hit the nail on the head, JudyB. I really don't want to start with a finished product or even a started product, I want to do the shaping beyond what nature has already done, and the hunt definitely has a lot of appeal to me, but I do want something with some character to go off of...