Who gets credit for a bonsai tree - the growers?

[bonsaiwood]

For whatever it may be worth, tree farmers who field grow for bonsai purposes do not seem to get enough praise in the bonsai community. It takes tremendous skill and guts to care for thousands of trees with limited resources, not to mention dealing with the crisis of the day. Interested to hear others thought on this.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I moved this post and created a new thread... because I think this is an interesting topic to explore further. Perhaps because I know so many growers, nursery owners, etc, and I have stated on this site that I will not sell trees because I am here to try to help them versus compete with them.

It is not an easy road and fraught with not only the standard risks of horticulture, but multiplied by risks associated with the bonsai community. I was discussing this topic with my wife at lunch a couple of days ago... and we got into a big discussion about what happens to pre-bonsai growers when the economy tanks...

 

[bonsaiwood]

Ah that explains it, for second there I thought my post had been deleted by the hand of admin

 

[bonsaiwood]

I moved this post and created a new thread... because I think this is an interesting topic to explore further. Perhaps because I know so many growers, nursery owners, etc, and I have stated on this site that I will not sell trees because I am here to try to help them versus compete with them.

It is not an easy road and fraught with not only the standard risks of horticulture, but multiplied by risks associated with the bonsai community. I was discussing this topic with my wife at lunch a couple of days ago... and we got into a big discussion about what happens to pre-bonsai growers when the economy tanks...

It is times like these that make me wonder the same – and wish more growers would chime in with their unique perspectives on growing and managing everchanging demands for specialty trees. I have never worked in the nursery trade but my many years of farming wine grapes has me wondering how tree growers navigate those challenges and manage to stay solvent in the process. Maybe we need a longer time scale and larger sample size to see the trends? How long has growing specialty trees been a thing in the US?

 

[Gabler]

I've been planting seeds and striking cuttings every year with the humble goal of eventually selling acceptable pre-bonsai to local club members, etc. My goal is merely to offset the cost of the hobby. I don't think I could ever bear the risk of growing full time, at least not until I have enough savings to retire, at which point it's a full-time hobby, not a job.

I certainly lack the expertise for it at the moment.

 

[BrianBay9]

I've had professionals tell me that they can't afford to develop stock. The economics don't work if they have to start from scratch. They often depend on growers, or even persistent amateurs that don't have to make money off of early material. They just work it for years because they love it, or want to learn. The professionals are often taking the "last" steps - design - because they can turn trees around in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

In my opninion growers get a lot of praise in the community.
There are so many podcasts in which they appear, they're mentioned basically every styling I watch on youtube.
In regards of community love, I think the community is doing alright.

 

[Rivian]

Isnt there a large supply coming from Japan at reasonable prices? Or what is missing?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Isnt there a large supply coming from Japan at reasonable prices? Or what is missing?

You are extremely limited in not only what Japan can supply, but also what the USDA will allow into the country. By the time you work your way through the numerous regulatory requirements, prep the trees for shipping, bring them in, have them inspected, provide the necessary aftercare, and in some cases even provide several years quarantine, the price rises a lot. Even one dead tree can cut into your profit margins significantly. There is a pretty decent market in the US for trees that are $200 or less... or perhaps even $500. Once you start getting to $1000, the market shrinks to a fraction of buyers.

And then again - that is for Japanese trees. If you want a US native it has to come from here... and has to be collected or raised by someone.

I am going to be over working trees at a bonsai retailer today (as a friend). I asked him if he wanted any of my princess persimmon seeds. He said "no" - he wanted them when they were 6 years old, sexed, and had already had root work done Then he can wire them, pot them up, and sell them for $$$.