bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Is Bonsai on a Budget Possible?

As a beginner, I just don't want to spend several hundred dollars on a tree just to have it die or ruin it with my lack of expertise. Maybe in a couple of years it might be good to have some nice "starter stock", but what I am learning in potted tree care in the meantime with my seedlings and crappy bare-root stock is invaluable, in my eyes.

Also, if I am going to learn, why not learn to create my own stock from seedlings? I think it's good to have plants in all development phases, and I know 5 to 10 years down the road (which we all say is nothing in bonsai years) I am really going to appreciate the seedlings I have been growing.

I don't think people should discount bonsai stock, but I know I am not ready to buy it right now, and I do feel like growing your own stock seems to get the short end of the stick sometimes

Basically, I am not going to try and save up for something I am probably going to ruin or kill anyways. It's all about baby steps!

1-May-2007	#6
knitfreak bonsaiTALK Journeyman Join Date: Apr-2007 Location: Massachusetts Country: USA USDA Zone: 6a AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 17	As a beginner, I just don't want to spend several hundred dollars on a tree just to have it die or ruin it with my lack of expertise. Maybe in a couple of years it might be good to have some nice "starter stock", but what I am learning in potted tree care in the meantime with my seedlings and crappy bare-root stock is invaluable, in my eyes. Also, if I am going to learn, why not learn to create my own stock from seedlings? I think it's good to have plants in all development phases, and I know 5 to 10 years down the road (which we all say is nothing in bonsai years) I am really going to appreciate the seedlings I have been growing. I don't think people should discount bonsai stock, but I know I am not ready to buy it right now, and I do feel like growing your own stock seems to get the short end of the stick sometimes Basically, I am not going to try and save up for something I am probably going to ruin or kill anyways. It's all about baby steps!