A few of the nurseries around here have been neglecting their bonsai trees, because they are apparently the responsibility of some third party. (Not that I buy pre-worked trees any more, but I do always look) Several times I have had to go to the manager and complain that the "poor little trees" needed a drink of water or to be moved from the direct afternoon sun. If I had time (I run two companies and have two kids) I would volunteer at these places to make sure that the trees were taken care of, in exchange for nursery stock. They would take up the offer in a hot minute....

Oh well, can't do everything!

But it's risky taking trees that are dying, you're lucky that the ones your mom picked up are living! Hope they were free or very inexpensive! Your mom must have a very good eye....

Joanie, who curses under her breath at the incapability of management sometimes...

Note:

It's the time of year that the nurseries start having reduced pricing. Time to shop!


Will

Here's some stuff I recently obtained. Clearly on the market for bonsai material. The bougainvillea stump is huge and hollow. At least a foot across. Lots of work to make the branch structure, but the roots are tailor made for a bonsai pot. This is the kind of stuff I like for bonsai. It makes for unique trees and is close to being yamadori in a lot of respects.

The retusa was a bargain ($70). I'm keeping how much the bougie was a secret, but I am definitely NOT complaining. First pic of the bougie won't enlarge, so I've attached another with the initial wiring done.

John

Attached Images

	retusa pre small.JPG (30.2 KB, 58 views)
	bougainvilleasmall2.jpg (5.5 KB, 131 views)
	bougie initial small.JPG (29.8 KB, 71 views)

Nice finds. Made a good trip eh?

70 bucks! Where do you live to pay a price like that? and to have it look like that? I must be spoiled here in southern california. I need to see what others pay for plants out of this area. Nice looking plants though. I need to get out of my bubble.

Peace
Bob

Bob,

Okay, I'm curious. What would you have paid in S. California?

I'm near Charlotte, NC (Did you know that Charlotte was in North Carolina? They say that's how you know when a city is well-known. When you don't have to say the State.)

John

John,

The size and quality of this bougie stump is a steal at $70--I'd wager even in Ca. You can't get someone to dig this kind of thing up, much less established in a container for less. I wouldn't dig it up for less than $50...more if no beer is involved.

Nice find. Well worth the price (Bob, ever checked on pricing for this size material?)

Anyone that's ever watched Andy Griffith knows Charlotte's in N.C...It's near Mt. Pilot

rockm,

Glad we're known for something!!! And no, I don't look like Barney (maybe I act like him though). I carry a LOT more ammo too.

I'm glad that the bougie would be a bargain at $70, but it was the retusa I paid that amount on. The bougie was more, but I'm very satisifed with the material.



I posted that in such a manner that I can understand the confusion. Sorry about that. But what do you expect from a redneck?

Take care ya'll,

John

Oops, sorry. Thought it was the bougie--you made it pretty clear. I don't know which part of "The retusa was a bargain ($70)" wasn't clear enough for me to grasp. Them para, paren--- parentheses thingies musta threw me...

Anyway, Ficus is worth considerably more than $70 too. As bonsai stock I would expect something like that to go for at least $200...Seen worse stock go for alot more.

rockm,

I am checking on this site as I go about my duties at work, in between phone calls and the like.

It's very hard to maintain a professional image when I'm giggling like a little school girl!!!!

Stop it!!!!

John