Unexpected visit to Schley Bonsai

[Carol 83]

Before we left for vacation, I mentioned to my husband that there was a bonsai nursery only 20 some miles from where we were staying. His response was "that will be a long walk for you". But, yesterday we had nothing to do after lunch. You can only shop or hang out at the pool so much. So, we went. It was out in the middle of nowhere, and didn't even have a real parking lot, so my expectations were pretty low. Once we wound our way down the path, a nice gentleman greeted us and showed us the layout . There was everything from raw nursery stock, pre-bonsai to finished trees and some really impressive big guys. Even my husband was impressed and especially liked the ones with dead wood features and carving. The pictures aren't the best, as it was REALLY sunny.

 

[Carol 83]

 

[Traken]

How many did you buy? ;D

 

[Carol 83]

 

[Carol 83]

 

[AZbonsai]

Nice pics. On vacation with the family as well. "Bonsai nursery near me" Google search is run several times a day.

 

[Carol 83]

How many did you buy? ;D

Just one little BRT. I told my husband we couldn't wander around there for an hour and not buy anything! Going to sneak it home in my carry on.

 

[Traken]

Just one little BRT. I told my husband we couldn't wander around there for an hour and not buy anything! Going to sneak it home in my carry on.

Nice. I need to get a BRT or two someday. Such cool trees. You just need to get your husband into bonsai as well. You said he liked the deadwood on some, so clearly he needs a juniper or something to get him addicted. haha

 

[Cadillactaste]

Jason has put a lot of back bone into that place of his. All the additional scenery is just as lovely from what I see from his photos he shares. He's got some amazing looking trees on the bench. That's for sure! Congrats on the BRT. Never know...I may end up with a small one. A guy on FB has a sweet air layer that...opens the possibilities of my getting one some day. Adam mentioned they can make great air layers...and a small tree. Then...seen Bob's just the other day.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Oooh. What fun. I would love to see his place.
I wouldn’t know where to begin.
Thanks for sharing your photos.

 

[my nellie]

Good on you, Carol!

View attachment 249031

What species are these? Are their pots standing into water?

 

[substratum]

I saw someone putting a small tree in the overhead compartment on a CLT-DCA flight this week, so apparently that’s ok.

I get within an hour of Schley fairly regularly. Maybe when it cools off, I’ll get over there. Definitely on my list to visit.

 

[Ali Raza]

Fine collection. Where are the pines ?

 

[Potawatomi13]

Nice you enjoyed your long walk . Seconded where are pines?

 

[Carol 83]

Fine collection. Where are the pines ?

I didn't really notice any in the more finished tree area, but there may have been. I didn't make it to the nursery stock area, it was HOT!!!

 

[Carol 83]

Good on you, Carol!What species are these? Are their pots standing into water?

Bald Cypress, I think.

 

[substratum]

I fully understand the pain of exploring a nursery in the Florida summer, even under the partial shade of oaks, like at Schley. My wife and I grew up in Florida (Central & North FL, respectively), and we've reached the point we don't do anything outdoorsy during the summer for more than a few minutes, other than get in the pool in the evenings, and even the pool gets lukewarm in July and August. I have an AC'd workshop where I can do some things that would otherwise have been outdoors, which is nice.

 

[eb84327]

i like schley. he has some nice willow leaf ficus. one of my favorite trees.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Just one little BRT. I told my husband we couldn't wander around there for an hour and not buy anything! Going to sneak it home in my carry on.

I hate going home empty handed.

 

[Carol 83]

I hate going home empty handed.

I figured if he didn't mind going there, he wouldn't mind me buying a little something. But I'm not stupid, I picked a cheap one, so as not to be questioned about how much my other ones cost