Most expensive Bonsai trees on the net?

bulaste

Tai, yes, I know, that's why the price is so high.

Joanie, for you? Sure, but only because I like your avatar, is it one of these?

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rockm

For the life of me, I can't figure out why anyone would want to buy an imported Japanese bonsai "masterpiece." You won't be getting your money's worth--if the plant makes it undamaged through quarantine. You are not making an "investment," since no one is going to purchase the plant from you once it's imported for the money it took to get it here. You would have to export it back to Japan to even begin to get a return on your "investment" and even then, the plant won't bring what you paid for it as it will might have a stigma attached to it.

All you will have is a $15,000 (or more) plant you can brag about as being a "masterpiece"--which it probably isn't. The Japanese are going to think two or three times before letting true "masterpiece" material get outside the country and into someone's hands who may kill it or maim it. Most of the stock that's exported from Japan is stuff they don't want, can't use, or think is second, or third, or fourth rate. They hang onto the stock that's truly worthwhile. Take a very close look at the high priced imported stock at U.S. bonsai nurseries. It has some glaring, uncorrectable flaws. Some of it is downright ugly.

Then take a look at stock developed here from native or from near-native plants. Jim Smith's site is a good example, as is the stuff at Miami Tropical, as is Bonsai Northshore (once Guy Guidry is back in business).

There is masterpiece stock ALREADY in the U.S. and it's not of Japanese origin. It's collected. Some of the native collected stock in the U.S. is VASTLY superior to anything in Japan. No, Kimura hasn't styled it, but it's of quality he would kill for. It's also about 1/10 of the price.

If you HAVE to have a tree "deisgned by Kimura," for Heaven's sake, enroll in one of the workshops he does in the states at local bonsai clubs. He does them. Watch for his name.

JohnQuinn

When Kobayashi's trees first appeared on the j.bonsai site there were some prices listed...in the 50,000 USD range.

I heard from a typically reliable source on one of my Kokufu trips that Kobayashi funded his addition, which houses his museum area, with the sale of a single tree. We're talking 7 figures...

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Vonsgardens

Tai,
Go on one of the tours. I know Valvanis' (with Kora?) go to Kimura's garden. He travels quite a bit. If you can't get get in with Kimura- Get in to see Marc Noelanders- the problem with all of these wandering masters is the quality of the tree they get to work on and how much time they havein the tree. I know Marc can see a tree in any woody plant (sometimes requires that additional grow on time), and the trees in his garden are supposed to be marvelous according to those wh have seen them. John

greerhw

I would love to have a chance to purchase some material like this. Harry

http://www.stevetolleybonsai.com/index.htm

jzak

Most of the stock that's exported from Japan is stuff they don't want, can't use, or think is second, or third, or fourth rate. They hang onto the stock that's truly worthwhile. Take a very close look at the high priced imported stock at U.S. bonsai nurseries. It has some glaring, uncorrectable flaws. Some of it is downright ugly.

The last time i dealt with Miami Tropical, i sent back 19 of the 23 trees they 'hand selected' --at their expense and after contacting my bank to contest the payment.

My last experience buying from Brussels was 3 very ugly trees, gashed, deep wire cuts---- that Dana had again "hand selected". His reply was "what did you expect for $300?"

I'm not out to run anyone down. Just sharing my experiences as a small nursery owner trying to find good stock for my customers. My dealings with Jim Smith and Alan Carver at Juniper have always been excelled, many purchases sight unseen. Caveat Emptor. John

Vonsgardens

Well,
I hear that Brussel's will have some of the European Masters in for Rendevous next May. Grapevine has it that Noelanders, Pall and Tolley will be on the Docket- I might be wrong, but Marc said he was going to be there. John

rockm

"The last time i dealt with Miami Tropical, i sent back 19 of the 23 trees they 'hand selected' --at their expense and after contacting my bank to contest the payment.

My last experience buying from Brussels was 3 very ugly trees, gashed, deep wire cuts---- that Dana had again "hand selected". His reply was "what did you expect for $300?"

Well, were those Brussels trees imported? If they were, I can rest my case.

As for the Miami Tropical trees, I have seen some very nice stock from there. It was very expensive, but not "import expensive." it wasn't hand selected. It was chosen via digital photo over the net.

Caveat emptor is good advice. Even better advice if you're dealing with imports. Returning an imported tree to Japan for your money back is infinitely more problematic than dealing with someone in your own country.

bulaste