Exactly, Al. The "Asian influence" created an awareness of bonsai in enough of the general public that there are growers and artists in your area.
Not so in mine. Even though we have a good climate. When I mention to people that I do bonsai as a hobby, I generally get blank stares. It's virtually unknown here.
True, but there is just as much Asian Influence on the East coast to make growing profitable. The problem is the huge disparity in what things cost. Plant for plant, what costs 50.00 here, brings 300.00 back east. Read Maria's question again. Her question had to do with availability and price. Not why I have lots of material. Also keep in mind that you key in on one state while California is narrow it could easily be 8 or 9 states as the same area is back east, which would dilute the pool. It's all supply and demand. The supply keeps up with the demand as long as the price stays affordable. California would dry up in a year or two if we had to pay what east coast people had to pay. Don't sell the east coast short, other than price, the east coast could easily become a bastion of bonsai if the price was right. I have been a Iishi's place when Brussel Martin came in during a convention and dropped $10,000.00 in one purchase to fill a trailer to take back home. I also heard that same weekend he took back about the same amount from House of Bonsai. Long story short...(I know too late) the west coast is supplieng the east cost too, your just paying the shit for it! You East coasters, stop buying your trees from California so we can go the way of Georgia....
The way things seem to be going in
California, I may being paying for trees with Dinars.