New Here, be gentle lol

Techn1um · White Belt Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 14

Many years ago when I was very young I decided I had to have a bonsai and with my first Months wage packet I went and purchased 6 or 7 bonsai trees and after a few weeks there was nothing left. I was young and had no idea and now I'm old and have no idea but want to try to get into keeping bonsai now that I'm alot more responsible and the first thing to do is find a decent forum so I can discuss issues, questions, problems with people who know what I'm talking about.

Is it best to buy some seeds and start from scratch, or should I purchase nursery trees that are apparently 8 years old? Ive heard Elm is the best for beginners, is this correct, should that be my choice?

I'm in the UK down south coast if that makes any difference to my choices.

Thanks for looking and remember everyone has to start somewhere.

cheers

T

John P · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 12:55 pm Post subject: Re: New Here, be gentle lol

You've certainly come to the right place. Everyone will give you a big welcome.
Chinese Elm is a very easy tree to keep, but would be best suited to an outdoor environment.
I wouldn't bother with seeds if you really are old.. You can pick up a Chinese elm very reasonably anyway. Nursery trees are a lot of fun, so it is always worth looking for interesting small leaved varieties, such as cotoneaster, lonicera and other to numerous to mention. junipers, pines and larch are always good too.
Most importantly of all, buy what you like the look of because it's you who has to live with it.
It is nice to know you.
John.

Dick · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 1:06 pm Post subject: Re: New Here, be gentle lol

Welcome to the forum T! You have found the best place to be with bonsai questions. All of your questions no matter when they are posed or how many times asked, get answers.

John's advice is very good. To it I would only add that you might do a little reading about bonsai care. There are several choice and many public libraries have books readily available. Also, there is quite a bit of information on this forum about many different kinds of trees. If you send some time looking at previous postings you will learn a great deal of information.

So welcome. Hope you get a tree soon and continue to join us on the web.

Techn1um · White Belt Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 14

Thank you both for your replies.

When I say old I mean 32 as before I was only 14 so now alot more wiser (I hope).

I still have my bonsai stuff in the loft my pots and a few books so will try and look them out.

Around here theres not much in the way of bonsai trees etc apart from the odd few at Safeway or Tescos which too be honest look rough and expensive for what they are. Does anyone know of a good place online in the UK which would be ideal to buy from, ie cheap but still good quality?

Ive also seen a few sellers on ebay selling trees, how about something like this -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3983691351&am p;rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I really am looking for something to be kept indoors, outside my place it could be stolen or attacked by seagulls and cats so would rather it be an indoor type so any pointers on that appreciated.

Anyway let me know what you think of the link.

And please, call me Colin

Cheers

Colin

jimothy · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 2:24 pm Post subject: Re: New Here, be gentle lol

Hi colin

where abouts on the south coast are you (just curious as I'm a southerner too)?

Good luck finding a suitable tree. I wouldn't bother with things like those you pointed at on ebay - those are basically just cuttings stuck in bonsai pots - you'd do much better to use either a reputable bonsai dealer or look for unstyled stock at your local garden centre that's where the majority of my trees come from originally. Just look for something with a decent trunk and roots, everything else can come much quicker.

Techn1um · White Belt Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 14

Hi Jimothy

I'm in Portland in Dorset originally from Oxford. Not much around here regards bonsai and anything that is will be well over priced.

As your from UK do you know any decent sights where I might be able to find what I'm looking for or even if there's any users here that sell the odd tree for beginners. I'm not looking to spend a fortune as obviously I need to learn how to keep it alive first and the wife would kill me Smile

I wont bother with eBay then, but there's not much about in garden centers here.

cheers

Colin

GioGio · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:26 pm Post subject: Re: New Here, be gentle lol

Hi Colin and welcome to the forum, anything you need to know, just ask. I believe there are a few good bonsai dealers down south, so let us know where you are and perhaps we will be able to point you out a few.

Ciao,
Giogio

Techn1um · White Belt Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 14

StaceyR · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: New Here, be gentle lol

Wecome to BonsaiHelp T. This by far is the best forum I have found. Right now it is also the busiest on the net(that I know of). Good luck with whatever choice you make in trees.

jimothy · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 6:20 pm Post subject: Re: New Here, be gentle lol