Learned a new word.

[liltrees]

Never had a mallsai but my start was 15 or so years ago when I received a "bonsai seed kit" as a gift. None of them germinated but I didnt let that stop me from growing and learning.

 

[Michael P]

NEVER!

 

[Wulfskaar]

Never had a mallsai but my start was 15 or so years ago when I received a "bonsai seed kit" as a gift. None of them germinated but I didnt let that stop me from growing and learning.

Same here, although most of my seeds germinated. I still have about 20 of those trees.

Keeping them alive began with me asking questions here on this site. That's where it all began for me.

The closest I have to mallsai are my dwarf pomegranate from one of the big bonsai suppliers, and a couple nana junipers that I mallsai-ed.

 

[Quirkus]

Apparently there's a term for buying common nursery stock and developing it to a high quality bonsai. "Mallsai".

I guess there's even an annual challenge open to the public at large.

I've started referring to my succulents and cactii as "Sandsai" and my ferns as "Frondsai"... Maybe they'd sell well in malls?

 

[Attmos]

I've started referring to my succulents and cactii as "Sandsai" and my ferns as "Frondsai"... Maybe they'd sell well in malls?

I was just asking about whether or not succulents qualify as bonsai. It doesn't seem like they should because they aren't trees.

But, the art of creating bonsai seems to be more important than the species.

Having said that, inventing a new attraction usually comes with some interest. "Sandsai" and "Fronsai" are sure to make money.. at least, for a while. lol

 

[Gabler]

You did all that in three years? Damn...

Yeah fast grower

Four growing seasons including 2022, but yeah. I put the pot on the ground each summer and let the roots run wild.

 

[Quirkus]

I was just asking about whether or not succulents qualify as bonsai. It doesn't seem like they should because they aren't trees.

But, the art of creating bonsai seems to be more important than the species.

Having said that, inventing a new attraction usually comes with some interest. "Sandsai" and "Fronsai" are sure to make money.. at least, for a while. lol

Technically "bonsai" translates to "grown in a pot". So any botanical grown in a pot is a bonsai... But obviously not everythong grown in a pot counts as a bonsai in the well styled tiny tree arena.

I do think succulents, cactii, and some ferns deserve their own umbrella term. They can look just as impressive when styled and manicured in pots, but definitely aren't ever considered "bonsai" by many... Ah well I'll keep rolling with Sandsai and Frondsai, the terms have to stick eventually... We ended up with "Mallsai" as a term, so who knows maybe this is ground zero for "Sandsai" and "Frondsai" to become etymological lingo... You heard it here first, come get your Sandsai while they're spikey and thirsty, on offer all week!

 

[ZombieNick]

I still have my first mallsai! I made a ton of mistakes on it in my early years, but it is alive and starting to shape up now.

Here it is as bought in 2020:


And here it is in 2026, after I potted it into an oversized bonsai pot (trying to fix the root issues I should have addressed years ago).

 

[Wulfskaar]

I've started referring to my succulents and cactii as "Sandsai" and my ferns as "Frondsai"... Maybe they'd sell well in malls?

Would this be a Saisai?

I'll not continue.

 

[Quirkus]

Would this be a Saisai?

I'll not continue.

Hai! Saisai Sensi!

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Ok fess up, how many of you got sucked into the game via Mallsai, or Trucksai.... I was a victim... from a local Andersons way back when. Only one, but then I started buying 1 gallon containers to kill. No pics, thank god.

I actually can't remember a specific trigger for my interest. But my real study started during the plandemic when I started watching YT videos. My knowledge accumulation started when I figured out which channels were legitimate (thanks, Jelle @leatherback) and my legitimate practice began when I discovered this forum. I've bought a few trees from nurseries, but I have yet to buy anything that has been styled in any way.

Would this be a Saisai?

Perhaps just behind them would be herbsai?