Cheap Bonsai (UK)

CERBERUS2005 · White Belt Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Somerset

Hi, I've just been given a Lidl`s flyer from a guy at work, and on the back seems to be a Chinese elm in a ceramic pot for £3.99 each.
Prob in dodgy soil etc, but with a bit of TLC may prove to be a bargain.

I got some Cacti from the same sort of offer last year, although they were in poor pots and soil, they have done really well and looking very healthy this year.

May be worth a look for anyone who fancies taking a chance,il go down and have a look myself when they go on sale- apparently from Thursday the 17th April (Next Thursday)

Mat

Crazeegang · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: Cheap Bonsai (UK)

Might be worth a look but do you know that B and Q do Chinese Elms from 4.99? I have a few and they are all doing fine.

Regards

Toni

CERBERUS2005 · White Belt Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Somerset

No, i didn't, but thanks, i might pop down for a wander tomorrow and see if they have anything that takes my fancy.

Mat

Crazeegang · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject: Re: Cheap Bonsai (UK)

Hope you find some bargains.

Toni

SteveS · Yellow Belt Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 75

i jsu Had a look on their website and not found anything

TimO · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:59 pm Post subject: Re: Cheap Bonsai (UK)

you are best going into your local store to have a look. I doubt they will be listed on their website.

My local b & q usually has many Chinese elms but not sure I have seen any that cheap.

Crazeegang · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject: Re: Cheap Bonsai (UK)

Yep they have small broom style elms at a fiver and bigger broom style at £10 then sometimes have shaped ones. I picked up another type the other week, a Carmona? possibly. They are not labeled with their species.

I was very lucky the day I went in as they had an unopened box of bonsai so I got my pick.

Regards

Toni

CERBERUS2005 · White Belt Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Somerset

Ive suddenly developed a mild toothache, that i can definitely feel is going to peak around 8.30-9.00 a.m. on Thursday Morning, so I'm going to have to be a tiny bit late for work Wink

So il pop into my local Lidl first thing, have an advanced scout of what they have in stock, and post as soon as i get to work, the special offers they advertise in their magazines are normally good deals, as i said Ive had plenty of plants from their before, and the odd tool (non Bonsai related) so keep an eye out if anyone is interested, I'm going to pop to B & Q today if i get the chance before i play rugby this afternoon to see whats on offer.

On a side note, i work in an office for a Air-con, Electrical, Refrigeration company, and having mysterious "superthrive" a grow lamp, and various soils etc delivered there, has now convinced my colleagues that i have a Marijuana growing factory in my spare room, i had to take the precaution of taking a few Pictures on my phone to show people to ease their suspicions!!!!!! Embarassed

Crazeegang · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:55 am Post subject: Re: Cheap Bonsai (UK)

Let us know how you got on at B and Q.

Can just imagine your poor work mates faces Laughing

I have had my family in stitches this week coz I got all excited about getting a new shed. Well I needed somewhere for all my bonsai pots and soils didn't I?

Toni

timvasvi · White Belt Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 2

Just another lot of "deals" to be had. Ikea usually has a bunch of mixed tree's in for £4.99. So far I have picked up a Fukien Tea, Serissa and a Ficus from there.

CERBERUS2005 · White Belt Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Somerset

I try to avoid Ikea, as if i go there with my Girlfriend it tends to cost me alot of cash!!!
Will have to pop and have a look though, at least itl keep me interested when were meant to be looking at lamps, or duvet covers!!!

I managed to get a couple of ficus from Lidls, they are now potted up and doing quite well.

I went to homebase the other day to get some bits, and saw a sad little Chinese elm, who looked to all intents and purposes dead, but he did have a few little buds, i spoke to the assistant, who promptly wrote it off and gave it to me for free, a good pot up, some superthrive and a week or so under my grow lamp has done the world of good, now covered in buds and the first few tiny leaves have opened.

This is tempered by the fact that my pepper tree still isn't looking too good at all, has now lost all leaves, have scratched the bark and still looks alive underneath, but I'm not holding out much hope!!!

Must say it was depressing to look at the bonsai in Homebase, all stuck under a shelf, very leggy looking, in poor soil and bone dry, very sad indeed.

timvasvi · White Belt Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 2

I have a similar tree which I found looking pretty dead in B&Q. Took my mum to get some stuff for her garden (she uses me for my car) and we saw it on the reduced table. She took it to the checkout and they gave it to her for £2.

I was hoping it would have perked up by now, but I did re-pot it so I suppose it would need to establish new roots first. Most of its secondary branches started dying so I have cut it back to its primary branches and hoping that helps it out a little.

I have it outside because it looks quite a hardy tree, probably some sort of elm.

keithmart · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:14 am Post subject: Re: Cheap Bonsai (UK)

Hi

Remember chinese elms are outdoor trees, and will not thrive indoors.