Bonsai nurseries in Massachusetts

Min_Rizor

I know of three within my state, but each are about an hour or more away, and I'm rather dependent upon others taking me places... I know of one nursery that USED to exist on Cape Cod (aptly named Cape Cod Bonsai), but it closed down last year for reasons unknown to me, unfortunately.

Today I happened to find a place selling bonsai (not quite the standard mallsai, but they were definitely shipped there, as they had printed tags on the branches. The junipers looked rather like they weren't doing too well being confined to a warm greenhouse in early early autumn. The rest were tropical and seemingly healthy) and some very basic supplies like annealed copper wire in a couple gauges and small bonsai pots and humidity trays right in my hometown of Plymouth (Morrison's Home and Garden off of exit 5 on Route 3, after Shops at 5. Looked like they had very small shrubs outside on display that looked trainable, as well) while looking for a decent fertilizer. The lady who took care of the bonsai there ended up talking me into Osmocote Indoor and Outdoor, used at 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended strength, which I'm still skeptical of for autumn fertilization... but I'm glad I discovered a place that's much closer than Stoughton, Littleton or Bellingham.

With that said, I'm just wondering in a roundabout way if there are any lesser nurseries (not found on the internet) that grow bonsai on-location and/or sell basic supplies. [Northern] Rhode Island is a possibility for me as well, but the South Shore of MA is preferrable.

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Jonny

There are 2 bonsai nurseries in your area, both are excellent.


New England Bonsai, http://www.nebonsai.com

Bonsai West, http://www.bonsaiwest.com

Jonny

Min_Rizor

I mentioned both in my post but not by name, just by town (those two being in Bellingham which is two hours west by highway, and Littleton, which is a little less time northwest). I guess I should have. I specifically asked for smaller ones that were even more local to my town of Plymouth, preferrably of Plymouth, Barnstable, Suffolk or Bristol counties or in Rhode Island. Most likely places that do NOT have a website. Even places that don't have bonsai or even QUALITY bonsai are suitable places for now, as I only need supplies, like the eventual purchase of precision pruning shears for if and when I want to grow any larger bonsai. Already found a place for annealed copper wire and small bonsai-ish pots, though (I think they had some Japanese soils mixed solely for bonsai as well).

As I stated before, I depend upon others to bring me places, but I also I have limited funds right now (which isn't too bad, as I'm just starting out and don't intend to expand my newfound hobby into a collection just yet... although I did carefully uproot a 2-3 inch eastern red cedar sapling just yesterday and overpotted it in a mix of sand and detritus from the compost heap [made sure it had no bugs in it... I only found pillbugs in there anyways]. Man did it have a taproot [probably due to our sandy soil at the coast]... about 3-5 times the size of the sapling. I 'm pretty sure I did, but I still hope I got it all. Sorry... just had to share), so I can't even convince others to take me that far with gas money unless if they were going that far themselves, especially at its present prices, and still have enough for some small items I may need in the relatively near future.

Also, I'd like to find out if anybody knows why Cape Cod Bonsai closed down last year, and if they could share, it would be appreciated.

Dav4

The two nurseries mentioned previously, along with Royal Bonsai Garden, Inc., in Stoughton, MA., are the only bonsai nursery/supply sources located in MA or RI as far as I know. All three are great places to visit and worth the travel time.


Dave

ChrisM

with limited funds and a dependency on others for transportation, i would shop the local box stores (home depot, lowes, etc.). once in a while there is a diamond in the rough there. also, in your area there are a few landscape supply style nurseries that i have passed by (don't know names) that you may look into as well. thrift stores such as salvation army sometimes have bonsai pots/trays, i found a great one there once, and a few suitable ones as well. don't be afraid to go collecting in your area either. i got permission at myles standish to take 4-6 small trees last year, just present yourself to the ranger in a polite fashion.

chris

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