Growing area

[Greth]

I would swear that many of the Bunnings starters are 2 year trees, completely unstyled and in $4 pots, at $40, but in no way do I regard that as a reasonable yardstick of pricing! Wonder who it is that produces those and whether he/she sleeps at night. But probably they are more like $20 wholesale, which is approaching reasonable, especially for the rarer trees.
Many of my two year olives are far more promising than the stuff I see there, and I don't consider them anywhere near saleable yet.
Will see if the manager will let me take charge of his orchard idea, could have a lot of fun with it one way or another.

[Scott Roxburgh]

Field growing as a hobby would be great but to make a profit is a different story.

Orchards etc will have a large amount of capex before maturity and a few hectares won't be profitable html unless it's irrigated vegies etc.

Go the raised grow beds (as Ken said) and supply SA to make bonsai in Aus better!

[Greth]

If there is going to be much cap exp, it won't be me paying, just on account of I don't have it to spend on a venture. If I could get together some cash, I would be growing frankincense trees, but they are $1 a seed, min 100 order, and not actually guaranteed to be very viable. That would be for my own place, we have low rainfall and frankincense is a desert tree.. With luck if I could get a few from seed I could propagate from cutting to my heart's content. A bit steep for a risky try on a long term venture for the moment, need a lottery win or a happy day for that one.
Locating some good conifer seedlings at a reasonable price is more possible for now, especially if I can buy a few at a time as I can afford them. I could do olives, but personally I think of them as a weed, and I think they are a bit overdone for bonsai in this state. I play with them because I am a learner, and want to practice on something I don't mind killing, not because I really adore them. (Speaking as another feral weed goes brown in the shadehouse not three metres away from where I sit, HA I killed it, and what is more it died slowly and painfully)
I certainly wouldn't spend much on one, considering how easy they are to collect for free. I would spend money on a JBP or good starter conifer, and would rather grow those kinds of trees for Bonsai.

[MattA]

I *might* be able to get hold of a couple of hectares of prime inner Adelaide hills land to plant trees or whatever I want, irrigated. And be able to visit regularly to fertilize, maintain said trees etc.
Just looking for some Ausbonsai feedback on what to do with such a space. It is somewhat secluded, so no invasion of public.
Brilliant fertile land, could be mine to use for years if wanted.
So what would you do?

What would I do??? What wouldnt I.. huge ponds, arboretum, lots of growing fields

A mix of orchard & stock trees with a bit of vege/herbs as my initial plant, then add more species to my stock each year. Alot grows from cuttings etc and the rest from seed. Planting batches of 10-20 trees in clumps and then thin as needed taking a couple each year from each clump. Pruning as & when needed, this will vary greatly depending on species & eventual size wanted, from a few times a year to not at all for 5-10yrs (or more) I would also leave plenty of room for replanting bigger collected trees to re-establish them for a few years (up to 10).

Greth you know my advice is.. follow your own vision... what an opportunity, land & water & climate.. so what the hell are you waiting for & asking us about.. get planting is what I say.. everything ! The sky is the limit .. its the sort of thing i would jump at in a heart beat... even better when you have a cooptable workforce .. All the best for getting it off the ground if anyone can its you

[MattA]

If there is going to be much cap exp, it won't be me paying, just on account of I don't have it to spend on a venture. If I could get together some cash, I would be growing frankincense trees, but they are $1 a seed, min 100 order, and not actually guaranteed to be very viable. That would be for my own place, we have low rainfall and frankincense is a desert tree.. With luck if I could get a few from seed I could propagate from cutting to my heart's content. A bit steep for a risky try on a long term venture for the moment, need a lottery win or a happy day for that one.
Locating some good conifer seedlings at a reasonable price is more possible for now, especially if I can buy a few at a time as I can afford them. I could do olives, but personally I think of them as a weed, and I think they are a bit overdone for bonsai in this state. I play with them because I am a learner, and want to practice on something I don't mind killing, not because I really adore them. (Speaking as another feral weed goes brown in the shadehouse not three metres away from where I sit, HA I killed it, and what is more it died slowly and painfully)
I certainly wouldn't spend much on one, considering how easy they are to collect for free. I would spend money on a JBP or good starter conifer, and would rather grow those kinds of trees for Bonsai.

MMMMMMM Frankincense.....

Grow deciduous species (tridents etc) as quick cash crops, many would only need a year or 2 in ground to make decent starters, way better than b*&#s or elsewhere offers. Bonus you get a hell of a lot of prunings after a years growth in the ground to keep building stocks so you dont just grow starters but keep a few to really develop into somthing more substantial.

Conifers & rarer stuff I would look at the longer term and build for the future of bonsai & yourself.. spend the 5, 10 yrs or more to grow decent stock.

[Greth]

Ozzy sent me seed of trident and Japanese maple, I followed all the rules but don't have any sprouting after six months, beginning to lose hope on the first batch, but leaving the seed pots and caring for them daily just in case.. I still have seed left, will try starting another batch soon, nothing to lose by trying.
The Chinese elm seeds he sent me did do pretty well, and I have a set of about 8 potted up and looking very happy, but still a long way from being useful.
I can wait. I have patience, and it is a useful weapon, one that many people either do not have or do not employ.

[Guy]

get an agreement in writing ---in case hubby has a career move