prebonsai recommendations

sweetgum_master

Hi all,
I'm planning on starting a prebonsai nursery here in NC and i would like to know what I should grow as I'm not sure what will grow and sell here. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks very much,
Eric

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Staselwood

Put some Ficus in the ground... hehehehehe....

Only Kidding!

I sell alot of pre-bonsai and the most are Shimp's and Serissa's Women love the flowers! oh yea.. and kingsvilles are on the rise too...

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Jeffery Carr

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Mcspeed

Hey everyone sweetgum master has 2 million dollars he doesn't want , bet you know that joke already though.

Thats a toughy Eric, depends a lot on whats "hot" in the market like anything else, and then it's not like what you put in now is for this next season, so you have to forecast down the road a few years.

I'd have to say though stick with the biggies then add in what is being asked for by customers over the next few years, JBP, Junis(variety), Elms, BC's, hawthorn, Azelea's, hornbeams. If nothing else look around at the local non bonsai places and monkey see monkey do, they already know what grows, and what goes for landscape stock, the landscape stock could be the differance between making a go of it, or going hungry.

Don't laugh Jeff with the zone changes he might get away with some ficus', and minimal protection. It was funny though.

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sweetgum_master

JBP(japanese black pine), Junis(variety)(what do you mean by variety?), Elms, BC's(what is bc), hawthorn, Azelea's, hornbeams, are these the biggies(the types that sell good)? Thanks I really think that these plants might be a good should start with here until I get enough word out and sales to chose other plants. On a side note, I wonder if going to be one of the youngest owners of a prebonsai nursery I'm one the youngest members in the 2 and soon to be 3 bonsai clubs I belong to(I'm only 18 :-) long ways to go huh). as far as puting ficus in the ground were I live in I think zone 8 I can grow them in the ground for all of the year exept about 1-1.5 months out the year, the fig tree the one that produces the figs you eat grow in the wild.

Mcspeed

Junipers - Shimpaku, Procumbens & Procumbens nana, fomina, etc.

Forgot about Mugho 's, and Japanese Maples.

BC = Bald Cypress

or plain stick to something you like a lot, and specialize, hope this a long range plan for you, if not ask about the joke.

You would most likely be the youngest, especially if you do it as a legit bussiness, ie licenses, store front, and taxes.

__________________
If at first you don't succeed -- skydiving is not for you.


Always remember that you're unique -- just like everyone else

Enjoy this day.
Bill

BONSAI_OUTLAW

And don't quit your day job.

sweetgum_master

I don't have a job:-p. I don't know how I did'nt figure out bc was BALD CYPRESS duh. Oh btw this would probably be great thread for anyone else interested in entering the pre-bonsai market, would need more pre-bonsai nurseries :-D.

P.S. the name is "Seidai Bonsai Garden"

rockm

Entering the prebonsai market is easy. Actually selling decent prebonsai is the problem. We need more prebonsai nurseries, but we need good prebonsai nurseries.

Growing prebonsai (that is really pre-bonsai and not just seedlings) isn't as easy as just plunking seeds or saplings in the ground and waiting. Prebonsai are usually pruned top and bottom over the years with an eye to producing the basic trunk needed for a bonsai. That pruning requires some knowledge of bonsai to produce.

The problem is that potential bonsai pruned incorrectly or inadequately as saplings grow into trees that aren't really great for bonsai. The mistakes at the beginning can follow the tree all the way through its life and your mistakes will take a toll on the money you hope to make.

People willing to make the investment in usually more expensive "prebonsai" stock are knowledgeable enough to know what they're looking at. They can usually tell what's worth the money.

It's a cold hard fact that current sellers know well, which is why there aren't many people selling quality prebonsai material.

Before you start a prebonsai nursery, you're going to have to get some experience growing and caring for actual bonsai, I'm afraid.

Bill Valavanis at International Bonsai Arboretum is an excellent example of a notable prebonsai stock seller.

http://www.internationalbonsai.com/...g/bareroot.html