Pondering my next purchase...

[Cadillactaste]

I'm a little surprised to see you be so dismissive of magnolias! Yes the blooms are "huge" but to me, that's part of the charm. I haven't seen many magnolia bonsai in person, but have seen many photos in International Bonsai and various websites. They range in size...some mame (hard to believe but true) to 3 or 4' giants. Just do a google image search for magnolia bonsai.

Now, you likely won't be able to coerce one into a "typical" highly ramified small leaved Japanese style bonsai, you have to work with the traits of the species. I'd love to have some of the ones I've seen in my collection. I'm working on a couple but they are just in the early stages.

Anyway...2 cents and all.

Chris

P.S. just to be clear, we're not talking about M. grandiflora but the saucer or lily-flowered types.

Chris...you have persuaded me to go ahead with my desire to own a magnolia "little girl" variety. I held off going to the closer nursery this week. And am holding out for the one that is much further away that has two in stock. To take a peek at... It maybe just what I need to get my mind off of my oldest starting his senior year of high school. It's like...HOW DID THAT HAPPEN!?!

I need a bonsai to get my mind off of it...can't change it. I am proud of the man he's became. Now that he works with his dad over summers...and has a girl he's dating. He is understanding the all mighty dollar. When shoe shopping he refused to even look beyond the price tag...anything more than $60 he refused to give a second glance. That it was my money and not his being spent that day. That he was being frugal...impressed me. I guess it's maturity and understanding what it's like spending ones own money...to appreciate out of pocket expenses.

But...I need a bonsai fix...in a bad way.

 

[coh]

Good luck!

Just be aware that a magnolia will most likely be a long term project; unless you find really spectacular specimen, it's something that will probably not look much like a bonsai for a while. And there aren't a lot of people working with them, so you'll be largely finding your own way in terms of best times to do things, how much to prune, etc. I'll keep you posted as I progress but as I said, I'm still in the very early stages with my plants.

Chris

 

[Cadillactaste]

Thanks Chris...though, if I don't see anything monumental in it's movement I am not planning on dropping $100 for said magnolia. And will wait until next year when the nurseries have more available. Because I think the root/base if the tree is my first and for most concern. The rest can develop.

With you in NY what zone are you considered? I myself am a 5b. Curious if were close to the same zoning for plants in general. If so...your leg work you've learned maybe more valuable to me than one would think.

 

[coh]

Zone 6a where I live (courtesy of the moderating influence of the lakes)...typical coldest temperature in a winter is about -10 F. Even last winter, we didn't get below that value, though we had prolonged periods of very cold temps (single digits).

I have seen some magnolias in nurseries with very large bases, decent surface roots, nice trunk movement. Just haven't been willing to spend the $ those trees command. Maybe once I get some experience with the ones I currently have.

Chris

 

[Cadillactaste]

Zone 6a where I live (courtesy of the moderating influence of the lakes)...typical coldest temperature in a winter is about -10 F. Even last winter, we didn't get below that value, though we had prolonged periods of very cold temps (single digits).

I have seen some magnolias in nurseries with very large bases, decent surface roots, nice trunk movement. Just haven't been willing to spend the $ those trees command. Maybe once I get some experience with the ones I currently have.

Chris

-20's without windchill here last winter. Maybe I need to work with something less $$$. Waiting next season then when more are available. Just larger material now in nurseries...if they have any at all.

Okay...off today then to the local one with the quince. Since magnolias are a gray area...and I will be going blind into it basically. Thanks Chris...

 

[GrimLore]

-20's without windchill here last winter. Maybe I need to work with something less $$$. Waiting next season then when more are available. Just larger material now in nurseries...if they have any at all.

Okay...off today then to the local one with the quince. Since magnolias are a gray area...and I will be going blind into it basically. Thanks Chris...

You will become affectionate of Quince once you grow them and see the spring blooms - Hope you find one!

Grimmy

 

[cmeg1]

Seems Gregory Beach Bonsai is the place for Chojubai quince now.If not the only place for mature flowering quince Chojubai.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Seems Gregory Beach Bonsai is the place for Chojubai quince now.If not the only place for mature flowering quince Chojubai.

I want to have something hands on in front of me when I make this purchase. Also...I am not set on Chojubai...maybe because it's the craze right now. But am looking for something different. They have a double take that Grimmy mentioned...I did a google search and found a variety I liked in bloom. And they have a few there at the nursery. So...I am off to check that out. But...I appreciate the heads up on the bonsai nursery.