Edmonton, Alberta Canada

[Crazy 180]

I am new to Bonsai, and have started with a couple Ficus Benjimina's and a drawf Jade,

Really looking into starting with a Chinese Elm and a Japanese Maple.

Anyone here from the north (Zone 4A) know where to purchase either of these trees to start with? I really want to start with a tree that has not been started, or shaped.

Thanks

 

[kinon_]

It's a bit late in the season, but down in Calgary, ungrafted Japanese maples can sometimes be found at Canadian Tire or Home depot. Derek at canadabonsai.com has a great selection of cuttings of more bonsai friendly JM varieties. He also carries Chinese elm/ Zelkova.

What is your overwintering plan? A good alternative for our climate is the amur maple. Much easier to overwinter in zone 4 and easy to find at big box stores.

Best,

 

[Tieball]

I don't have anything to contribute here on the subject. But do about your location. I thought I'd share briefly. When I was working, sometimes in the early morning hours I would bump into computer problems….IT problems. I would call up our corporate IT support group for help. Because of the hour of the day I most often talked with a support person in Edmonton Canada. She was the best! Professional, knowledgeable, a platinum level listener, an honest problem solver, results oriented, and just a overall fabulous person to close out a support request with a little local information of interest. As a result I have a deep appreciation of everything Edmonton. Fabulous people!

 

[Tycoss]

I live near Calgary, so similar climate but our chinook winds add an extra complication. I keep mostly native/invasive species outside. Nature and people's yards provide lots of options here but I don't keep any traditional Japanese species right now as our climate wants to kill them so badly.

I overwinter white/englemann spruce, lodgepole pine, Peking cotoneaster, tamarack larch, Saskatoon, buffalo berry, American elm and a few others by burying them in the garden up to the pot lips and adding lots of mulch overtop.

 

[Tycoss]

Also, don't get discouraged by people saying it can't be done in Alberta. You just need to adjust species and think long term. We've got some great native species.

 

[kinon_]

I agree with Tycoss! Can definitely be done in Alberta and had much success and fun with the mentioned species but also consider addition Limber pine, Scots pine, Japanese red pine, blue moon wisteria, trembling aspen, Korean maple and many more.

I've had some success overwintering Japanese maple in an unheated attached garage. I've found that they appreciate some bottom heat when it get's really cold out (-30). They just don't come out of the winter as strong with some dieback compared to more cold hardy species. Most important part is to keep it alive and make progress

 

[Tycoss]

By the way, I'd be very interested in any attempts to create some sort of bonsai community in the province. There aren't many people doing this around here and it would be great to have some additional feedback and collaboration.

 

[Tycoss]

I can get some pictures of the material in working with as well to give you guys ideas.

 

[Canada Bonsai]

create some sort of bonsai community in the province.

There are at least 2 at the moment, possibly more

Resources

Below are a list of resources you might find helpfulCanadian Bonsai Societies, Groups, Nurseries and Shops Educational Recommendations Winters in Canada Seed Stratification Japanese Maple Propagation Canada Bonsai Propagation ScheduleThis schedule should be used as no more than a rough estimate...

www.canadabonsai.com