American Elm repot
- Thread starter xaviguti
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- american elm repotting
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
You supplying the soil etc or just the labor?
xaviguti
Seedling
I am supplying the soil. It's in development since it was neglected and needs ramification so it will have organic elements in the soil for faster growth so no akadama. I also did some raffia on the top to curve a branch that looked boring. Took me 3 hours and it was extremely root bound after 5 years of neglect. They got it as a wedding gift and never even fertilized it. Just watered it. Thanks for your reply
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Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Surely the price is up to you as the supplier. Asking others for price guide could probably be construed as collusion or price fixing. Not sure if that's illegal where you are but it is down here.
You need to do what any other contractor does. Estimate time, decide your hourly rate, add materials.
Now that it's been done you have the hours so only need to decide your hourly rate.
I'd suggest as this is the first time you've done this your hourly rate should be quite low. I know I'd be expecting to pay apprentice rates for an inexperienced operator.
You need to do what any other contractor does. Estimate time, decide your hourly rate, add materials.
Now that it's been done you have the hours so only need to decide your hourly rate.
I'd suggest as this is the first time you've done this your hourly rate should be quite low. I know I'd be expecting to pay apprentice rates for an inexperienced operator.
xaviguti
Seedling
This isn't that serious it is for a friend. I'm just wondering how much something like this costs out in the real world since I've always done things myself. I'm not an apprentice, far from it, I have 4 bonsai and 30 pre-bonsai and have done gardening all my life. Experience is measured in the times you do something not in the times you get paid to do that something
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
Then why charge anything? I have repotted, pruned and wired trees for friends. Not trying to sound noble here, which I am not, but how solid is this friendship?
xaviguti
Seedling
It's not my best friend and my time is important to me. We bartered since I didn't know what to charge him. He has a private plane and my 4 year old son hasn't been in a plane yet so we'll be flying this weekend to his house in the mountains. I'm just curious as to how much people charge for this and all I'm getting is responses that have nothing to do with my original question
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
B
M!My thoughts as well. Shoot...I've given trees away when I thin my collection. A friend?
I also don't repot my elm while in leaf. But when buds push waking from dormancy. (((Shrugs)))
xaviguti
Seedling
This was an emergency repot and elms can take it. Your last sentence fits almost all trees and plants except when the roots can't breathe and water is standing on top from all the compaction.B
My thoughts as well. Shoot...I've given trees away when I thin my collection. A friend?
I also don't repot my elm while in leaf. But when buds push waking from dormancy. (((Shrugs)))
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
Sorry if I distracted you, and I have no idea what a reasonable charge would be. When it comes to friends, I don't keep track.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
you want a cold hard numbers answer? I’d charge $50-$60 for my time to do a repot like that. Ive e been doing this 30 years though.
Fwiw I also wouldn’t charge most anyone for this kind of thing. I’d invite them over to watch and have a beer. Show them how to do it. Turn it into a bonsai social. I have done that for a few people who have asked me. I refused cash. That work paid off in many other ways down the road as in “I got this excess tree that needs a home. You want?” No money changed hands. It’s happened repeatedly.
If you’re not a schooled bonsai professional charging for something like this is counterproductive and can be kind of a rip off. I am really sorry to be judgmental I really don’t mean to be but it’s pertinent to the discussion. The work on the wiring and top is iffy as is the timing of the repot.I would have taken a pass and explained why and done it next spring.
BrianBay9
Masterpiece
Welcome to the site. People here will generally tell you what you need to know, whether you asked for it or not.
xaviguti
Seedling
Then maybe mind your own business since there's no need for you to reply if you don't know. You keep throwing indirect jabs about what friendship should be in your eyes when friendship can encompass a bunch of different types of relationships. This is not the 'I'll waste 3 hours of my life for free" kind
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Are you in the N Va Bonsai Society?
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
You bet. Thanks for the clarification friend.
xaviguti
Seedling
Deleted message
xaviguti
Seedling
I'm a member of their Facebook page but I've never had a chance to go to their meetings since I live too far away. I did find out what a bonsai shop charges though and it is $10 per inch of pot and they keep it for a week to monitor its health. So in this case it would have been $200 beans
littletreefarmer
Yamadori
I wonder if people are this combative all the time.. Why ask what other's opinions are if you are only looking for validation?
The plane trip is probably much more $$ and effort than what you did to that tree, honestly. Feel grateful that you have such a caring friend.
The plane trip is probably much more $$ and effort than what you did to that tree, honestly. Feel grateful that you have such a caring friend.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Ha! Thats ridiculous. I have bonsai professionals who repot a huge bonsai of mine (27x24 inch 25 gallon pot) and it’s nowhere near that price even with 50lbs of soil and three hours of work ( BTW—three hours to repot that medium ish sized tree?) I also board the same tree at their nursery over winter for three months @ $2 a day
$200 for a tree that size is way out of line IMO
BTW. You really ought to get to a NVBS meeting. If you do you will probably get a different perspective
Mike254
Seedling
Hey man, I haven't been on this forum for all that long but I'm pretty sure that kind of reply doesn't get you many friends around here. You posted on a public forum asking for advice, don't get upset when you get it.
If you really want an answer I'd say ask for $20 and call it a day.
