Penjing Bonsai Garden in Malabar Florida

Hartinez

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Hey all. I’m on a 10 day trip to Merritt Island FLA. I had hopes of visiting the American Bonsai shop, but I guess they are moving locations and not open to the public right now.

instead I found this small nursery 40 minutes south Called Penjing Bonsai Garden. A very humble and simple nursery operated by the same man and wife for 30 years. His name is Feng, but told me to call him Gary if I prefer. Feng was a very kind person and we talked for at least 20 minutes about the pros and cons of fla and NM bonsai hobby. He had a pretty nice selection of a few different species. Green island ficus, Nana, Tolurosa,
ficus microcarpa, Chinese elm, p afra, JBP and bucida Spinosa. Plus a spattering of others. He had a handful of specimen trees that were also pretty nice. His pot selection was so so but he still had a range of sizes.

I really wanted a spinosa but ended up not getting one due to my uncertainty of the species. I ended buying a few green island ficus for $25 in nursery pots. Lots of aerial roots and the trunks had decent thickness, taper and character. One is for me, the other for my pops. He had some excellent very large ones for fair prices I thought.

all in all it was a good nursery. Nothing overwhelmingly amazing but worth a visit if it’s the closest you’ve got. The spinosa and green island ficus felt worth it alone and the prices fair. Feng was very kind and welcoming and I always appreciate that as a business owner myself.


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Katie0317

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I hadn't heard of this nursery. Is it mostly pre-bonsai or do they have a good selection of finished bonsai too?

Do they have many deciduous trees? I see mostly tropicals, (which makes sense) but am looking for deciduous too. Nice little shop and am glad you found them. Thanks for sharing.
 

Hartinez

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I hadn't heard of this nursery. Is it mostly pre-bonsai or do they have a good selection of finished bonsai too?

Do they have many deciduous trees? I see mostly tropicals, (which makes sense) but am looking for deciduous too. Nice little shop and am glad you found them. Thanks for sharing.
Few deciduous. A handful of Chinese elm that were just ok. Other than the junipers and JBP it was mostly tropicals and sun tropicals. Not many “finish” trees, but quite a few that are so close and just need a good pot, wiring and a season or or two to be great little trees.
 

Hartinez

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What is the point of covering the substrate of just the pines with the black material? I'm assuming this color material gets pretty hot. Is that the benefit?
I have no idea. 🤷🏼‍♂️
 

equaloil4710

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I hadn't heard of this nursery. Is it mostly pre-bonsai or do they have a good selection of finished bonsai too?

Do they have many deciduous trees? I see mostly tropicals, (which makes sense) but am looking for deciduous too. Nice little shop and am glad you found them. Thanks for sharing.
I know I'm late to reply, but I visit this place twice a yea, when I visit my in laws. I asked him about deciduous and azaleas and stuff. He said he has a hard time keeping them going due to how close they are to the ocean. The salt sprays reach his nursery and some of the trees with thin leaves don't survive. I love going here the owner is really awesome. He does have great finished bonsai too.

He also has a great selection of pots.
 
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