AusBonsai

Tonight I went along to my first Bonsai Society of Southern Tasmania meeting, and came home with another bonsai to add to my collection!

I'm so excited about it that I'm going to upload some photos here (below) that I took with my iPhone as soon as I got home. They're a bit rubbish though, so I'll take some better ones tomorrow, but I'm too excited tonight to not tell you guys and post some pics

nice mate, this one is good, can i ask how much???

it has good main trunk movement, i like the slender appereance with gentle taper of the tree, it mimics the Japanese. maple well.
this will be a good tree in not to long when you develop your ramification on it and refine it a bit.

good choice, good eye, well done

Thanks, Jamie! It caught my eye instantly. I expected it to cost much more than the $80 that was on the price tag, so after a quick SMS to the Minister for War and Finance, it was mine

Japh wrote:Thanks, Jamie! It caught my eye instantly. I expected it to cost much more than the $80 that was on the price tag, so after a quick SMS to the Minister for War and Finance, it was mine

its good when ya get the paperwork through with the all clear isnt it

good price too, did you get any details on the tree? like how long its been in training for etc?
and sizes on this one? pics can be deceiving

To show size a little better, using a standard Red Head matchbox for comparison (was the closest thing I could find that most people would know the size of!)
I didn't really get any details... I know it's about 20 years old, but that's about all. To be honest, I'm not even sure WHAT details I should ask for. Any tips? I'll ask about it at the next meeting

Japh wrote:Thanks, Jamie! It caught my eye instantly. I expected it to cost much more than the $80 that was on the price tag, so after a quick SMS to the Minister for War and Finance, it was mine

Japh, you got yourself a good tree there. For starters, a maple over 20 years old in Sydney, you would be looking at over twice as much. Of course theres also potential for the tree to be worth much much more in a few years time, after you do it up.

Hi Japh.

That is a very nice looking Japanese Maple. $80 ? What a bargin!!
Cheers
Mick

sweet tree japh

will you take it to one of thier weekend workshops

this tree has a bunch of potential

Thanks everyone! I feel even better about my purchase now! Admiring the tree again this morning.

Aaron, I imagine I probably will take it along to the next weekend workshop. I think there's a dig on this Saturday, but unfortunately I can't make it. I also hear that you might be having a go at one of the other member's trees to make a shohin soon? Make sure you come down here to do it so we can also see what you do

I forgot to mention that part of the price for this specimen was due to the fact it's in a Japanese imported pot.

Some better photos, as promised:

a great little tree with potential, enjoy it!

a few questions when ya purchase should be-


how long has it been in training for?
how long has it been under your care and what sort of care was you giving it, details on feed etc.?
when was it last repotted,potted?
how much sun and what sort of position did you have the tree in before i take it home?

anything else anyone could add to this for japh?

these are basic questions for some obvious reasons. moving a tree from one location to another can cause some form of shock sometimes. like going for 5-6 hours of sun to 8-9 could cause issues with delicate leaf species ( where i am any way, not sure of what the spring and summers are like down in tas.)
position wise thinking if it was sheltered from wind rain etc.
if the tree has been recently repotted you should watch the feed as it can burn new roots.
the general care the previous owner has given it so you can follow that or adjust it to suit your area and the way you do things.

hope this helps mate!

ps. that is a nice pot mate, it goes well with the tree.

Thanks, Jamie! A great list, I'll be sure to ask more of those basic questions next time

Apparently the previous owner keeps her Japanese Maples in the shade of her other trees generally to prevent leaf burn. I said the position it would be in with me will likely get full sun in the morning, and then be in shade from a wall after that. They seemed to think that would be fine. I'll be keeping a close eye out too. The soil appears to have some slow-release feed on it, so hopefully that'll suffice til I can ask more questions at the next meeting.

Japh wrote:Thanks, Jamie! A great list, I'll be sure to ask more of those basic questions next time

Apparently the previous owner keeps her Japanese Maples in the shade of her other trees generally to prevent leaf burn. I said the position it would be in with me will likely get full sun in the morning, and then be in shade from a wall after that. They seemed to think that would be fine. I'll be keeping a close eye out too. The soil appears to have some slow-release feed on it, so hopefully that'll suffice til I can ask more questions at the next meeting.

mate you got your head screwed on straight, sound like you will be fine!
enjoy it, you've done your research and everyone learns in this hobby no matter how long they have been at it!! thats what i have found anyways!

Here I go putting my foot in it. It is not Bonsai it is Penjing lose the mudmen and it is Bonsai.

Unfortunatly that pot is not one of the best to come of the assembly line.

I am sorry to be blunt are we not here to teach. Telling some one this is that, when it is not does not help.
At $ 80-00 you have a good buy the tree is worth that, the pot is only $10-00 part of the deal.
As I said foot in mouth JMHO Pup