AcerAddict
Shohin
Sorry in advance for the long post. There's a lot of background info about me below.
I'm in coastal North Carolina, zone 8b, just one mile from the ocean. Summer temps usually peak around 85-90F (29-32C) with humidity range of 60-90% or more. Winter lows typically reach the 30s, with the occasional 20-something in January or February. For anything that can't handle those colder temperatures, our home has a large attic space with a big east-facing window that trees can spend the winter in, if needed. Also, our whole 2nd story is a large, well-lit bonus/guest room that we keep in the low-60's during the winter unless someone is visiting us, so that has potential as a protected location too. My Royal Poinciana and Blue Jacaranda spend winter there since they're tropical species and will die if left outside in the cold. They love our summer heat and humidity though!
I've got literally dozens of potted plants, trees and shrubs at our house, with 95% of them outside. None are ready yet for bonsai training except a Bloodgood maple, which got major shaping/pruning and wired up earlier this year. I'm considering buying a pre-bonsai now, in the dog days of summer, in order to start getting some serious bonsai husbandry under my belt. Even if I can't do any styling or shaping to the tree until spring, I just simply want to keep it alive and happy. Admittedly, for all my years of plant care experience, which includes a two-year stint as a landscaper in my early 20s, I have very little bonsai experience. I guess a good analogy would be like someone who's played the electric guitar for 25 years starting to learn the violin. Knowing the basics of music theory, how to read notes, and how to play a stringed instrument would be a good solid foundation, but there's still much to learn. I can tell you how to care for Bermuda grass, when to prune a palm tree, or how to get rid of bagworms on your juniper bushes, but bonsai is a specialized type of plant care I broke into only a year ago.
Anyway, I'd like to buy a quality pre-bonsai in the next month or two before we start cooling down here for the year. Budget is $200-300, but I would go up to $500 for something that was really special. Why so expensive? For starters, I want a tree with a decent trunk and several years of age on it. I've got PLENTY of seedlings, saplings, and young plants at home waiting to grow up as it is already. I don't need another one. Plus, a tiny, mass-produced tree from a big commercial grower would have a difficult time holding my attention and forming a bond with me. Sounds weird, I know. I always prefer to buy plants that are unique or have character, and could generate a special meaning to me. It brings more enjoyment from caring for them. I can tell a story about every plant at home that I've bought and why it means something to me. As a good example, we have a seven-foot Bloodgood Japanese maple in our yard that caught my attention at the local nursery last spring because it blew over in a stiff wind while I was trying to decide what tree to buy. It was literally the only tree that fell over, despite being in a 15 gallon pot. I stood it up and immediately took it to the register. Now I have an interesting story to tell about that tree forever and I love seeing it in the yard. Besides having a good vibe about a plant, let's face it, people are typically much more likely to invest time and effort in a tree that cost a fair amount of money over one that was on the cheaper end of the spectrum. I'm a self-admitted perfectionist though (as my wife would gladly confirm LOL), so price aside, any plant is going to get good care on my watch.
Trees I'm considering, in no particular order, along with a link to a specific tree as an example:
Thanks for reading this long post and some of my story. I appreciate any and all feedback.
I'm in coastal North Carolina, zone 8b, just one mile from the ocean. Summer temps usually peak around 85-90F (29-32C) with humidity range of 60-90% or more. Winter lows typically reach the 30s, with the occasional 20-something in January or February. For anything that can't handle those colder temperatures, our home has a large attic space with a big east-facing window that trees can spend the winter in, if needed. Also, our whole 2nd story is a large, well-lit bonus/guest room that we keep in the low-60's during the winter unless someone is visiting us, so that has potential as a protected location too. My Royal Poinciana and Blue Jacaranda spend winter there since they're tropical species and will die if left outside in the cold. They love our summer heat and humidity though!
I've got literally dozens of potted plants, trees and shrubs at our house, with 95% of them outside. None are ready yet for bonsai training except a Bloodgood maple, which got major shaping/pruning and wired up earlier this year. I'm considering buying a pre-bonsai now, in the dog days of summer, in order to start getting some serious bonsai husbandry under my belt. Even if I can't do any styling or shaping to the tree until spring, I just simply want to keep it alive and happy. Admittedly, for all my years of plant care experience, which includes a two-year stint as a landscaper in my early 20s, I have very little bonsai experience. I guess a good analogy would be like someone who's played the electric guitar for 25 years starting to learn the violin. Knowing the basics of music theory, how to read notes, and how to play a stringed instrument would be a good solid foundation, but there's still much to learn. I can tell you how to care for Bermuda grass, when to prune a palm tree, or how to get rid of bagworms on your juniper bushes, but bonsai is a specialized type of plant care I broke into only a year ago.
Anyway, I'd like to buy a quality pre-bonsai in the next month or two before we start cooling down here for the year. Budget is $200-300, but I would go up to $500 for something that was really special. Why so expensive? For starters, I want a tree with a decent trunk and several years of age on it. I've got PLENTY of seedlings, saplings, and young plants at home waiting to grow up as it is already. I don't need another one. Plus, a tiny, mass-produced tree from a big commercial grower would have a difficult time holding my attention and forming a bond with me. Sounds weird, I know. I always prefer to buy plants that are unique or have character, and could generate a special meaning to me. It brings more enjoyment from caring for them. I can tell a story about every plant at home that I've bought and why it means something to me. As a good example, we have a seven-foot Bloodgood Japanese maple in our yard that caught my attention at the local nursery last spring because it blew over in a stiff wind while I was trying to decide what tree to buy. It was literally the only tree that fell over, despite being in a 15 gallon pot. I stood it up and immediately took it to the register. Now I have an interesting story to tell about that tree forever and I love seeing it in the yard. Besides having a good vibe about a plant, let's face it, people are typically much more likely to invest time and effort in a tree that cost a fair amount of money over one that was on the cheaper end of the spectrum. I'm a self-admitted perfectionist though (as my wife would gladly confirm LOL), so price aside, any plant is going to get good care on my watch.
Trees I'm considering, in no particular order, along with a link to a specific tree as an example:
- Trident Maple (link) or (link)
- Arakawa (Rough Bark) Japanese maple (link)
- Crape Myrtle (link) or (link)
- Buttonwood (would be wintered inside) (link)
- Japanese Black Pine (link)
Thanks for reading this long post and some of my story. I appreciate any and all feedback.
So, if you want the tree now then it would be best to get it locally. If you can wait until Fall, then the world is your oyster. 
