Maple bonsai decision.

[Ashleypaine90]

Hey guys,
I've recently got a juniper Squamata that I'm working on but as warned by others I'm am finding myself becoming addicted so to add fuel to the fire I thought I'd get a second bonsai to work on, I see it as more learning and I've always loved Japanese maples (was in Japan last year) does anyone have any advice on a good species to look for? What I should be looking for, as I'm still learning I don't want to spend a fortune on a bonsai that's established that my skills aren't honed enough to care for. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks


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[Kevin]

Hello Ashley,

Sorry, not much help on the Maples, but:
IMHO, for learning purposes, fast growth and fun you cannot go past the Chinese Elms, Port Jackson Ficus, Lilly Pilly (Acmena) or any of your local native plants.
Whack them into a large container or the ground and enjoy how fast they will grow.

Kevin

[Jdceng]

Hi Ashley
Go for a Trident Maple.
JC

[Ashleypaine90]

Thanks for your advice guys, I do love native trees Kevin but I'm pretty set on having a maple, I'm a patient person so I'm not expecting miracles within weeks I'd love a bonsai that I can care for for years. Are trident maples expensive JC? Thanks


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[Bougy Fan]

I think the Trident will do better in your location - I have given up on Japanese Maples in Brissy as they always look sick and straggly. I feel it's a combination of too hot and not a proper dormancy. Tridents seem to be much better suited to a warmer climate. It is difficult to find Tridents in QLD - and larger ones are like rocking horse poo.

[Ashleypaine90]

Thanks bougy, ok well I'll keep an eye out for a trident then, by the sounds of it if I find one it'll be expensive? Any other Japanese species you'd recommend? I would like a Japanese species thanks


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[Beano]

Steve at Australian Bonsai Growers usually has them for sale. Variety of sizes, obviously the bigger ones cost more.

[Ashleypaine90]

Thanks Beano, where about is that? Near Brisbane?


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[Jarad]

I would recommend buying more than one (of anything). They will be cheaper and better quality than the mallsai you get from bunnings.

[Ashleypaine90]

Thanks jarad, my juniper is from Bunnings but was bought as a present so I'll do as much as I can with it, my next tree will be from a bonsai nursery, when you mean more than one your saying to buy a couple or few of the same species? Whys that? Thanks


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[Jarad]

Definitely keep the one you have, you never know it might end up being your longest surviving. My first tree was from bunnings, it was a little azalea... One windy day I came home to an empty pot and a trail of dirt to the edge of the balcony...

The more the merrier I say

And yeah, buy multiple trees of multiple species. Once I got bitten by the bug I couldn't stop buying trees. It will save you trips to the nursery when you decide you want more.

I would also recommend grabbing a Swamp Cypress.

[kcpoole]

buy a couple or few of the same species? Whys that? Thanks

because you can work on one and learn on it, whiel the other one is growing on and gaining size, that will teach how to grow trees for the future, as well as now

Ken

[Beano]

Yeah it's at Park Ridge which I think is near Logan. Warning, you'll buy trees if you go there, he's got a pretty large nursery of stock trees.

http://www.australianbonsaigrower.com

[Beano]

Yes to swamp cypress too, Australian bonsai grower has hundreds of those too, varying development, some very advanced large specimens too.

[Ashleypaine90]

Oww that's sad to hear jarad, thank you everyone for your advice, I'm heading down to the Gold Coast this weekend so I might go to Logan on the way through, I'll update you no doubt with all my new additions thanks again


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