Starting with a Bonsai!

[kdodds]

West is okay, north is bad.

There are no Ficus growing outdoors in NYC that would be suitable for bonsai indoors. In fact, the only Ficus I have ever seen in NY growing up were F. carica growing in backyards. Even these need sheltering in the winter.

[Revenantwing]

so ill get them from https://www.wigertsbonsai.com/
whats a pre-bonsai?

would this be good for me?
https://wigertsbonsai.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=246

[kdodds]

You don't necessarily need to buy from them. I offered their site because you'll get the most bang for your buck in terms of pre-bonsai material. Okay, now that you know what a pre-bonsai looks like, check out some other sites. You'll see images of little whips, barely seedlings, with no real pre-bonsai styling sold as "finished" bonsai for $30 or $40 or more. I would not necessarily go with that particular species as a first tree because they're slower growing than most other ficus (like F. benjamina and its cultivars). Shop around, just don't jump in and buy something because someone recommeded it. Read. THEN, make an educated choice. The trees in the 8" pots you see on Wigert's contain trees that, depotted, pruned, and repotted into 6" pots will look like some very, very well matured bonsai right off the bat. Also check e-bay, there are quite a few sellers there as well. I can tell you for sure, from looking last night that anything matured as well is going for $50+, many over $100. HOWEVER, many, many, first time bonsai enthusiasts DO go with commercial "bonsai". It's not that it's a truly horrible route to go. You CAN get a "bonsai" from, say, a home superstore for $20 or $30, already in cheap bonsai pots. And, this may work for you if you don't mind a tree that's not really been styled, or, at most, chopped off at the knees last year and allowed to sprout before sale, or one that is more of an artificially twisted I-don't-know-what than a bonsai in any traditional style. Just don't buy anything that's got rocks glued on top of the soil, nor anything that isn't already growing well. I have to also stress, again, that all you need to know about bonsai isn't going to be learned in this thread. Your first step, pre-purchase of a tree, should be a decent book.

[Revenantwing]

Getting the complete guide to bonsai then.

[linlaoboo]

u ever make it out to Ikea of Elizabeth, there are ficus and Fukien Teas thre. Check out their pricing and avail at https://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=bonsai

They bought me a Fukien Tea aka Carmona which I didn't take because I have killed 2 of them already.

Ever make it out to Exton, PA a place called Waterloo Gardens has a good selection of mature and starter bonsais for a good price. I've bought 4" starters from them 2 years ago and all are living without problems.

[kdodds]

Are you in Manhattan? I've been racking my brains trying to remember if there are any actual bonsai shops in the city. I know there are a few out on Long Island and I think there's MAYBE one just below mid-town, in the 20's. I think I remember there being one there. Living Sculpture, something like that. I have no idea what they have or how much they charge, tho.

[Revenantwing]

Nope I'm in queens and I don't see flower shops in my area. The one right next door to me has pretty much a stand with a bunch of flowers and plants.

[Revenantwing]

I'm just looking at my options.
Would these be okay indoors?
https://www.amazon.com/Brussels-Golden-Gate-Ficus-Bonsai/dp/B0000DGF9V/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1304652414&sr=1-3

if not then ill probably get the microcarpa

[kdodds]

There was ONE nursey in Queens I found, but that was 20 years ago, and they still only had the generic stuff you'd be getting from Amazon. Yes, Golden Gate is a fine beginner's indoor tree.

[linlaoboo]

Try google up Jackie's bonsai in flushing on College Point Blvd.

In Central Jersey ther's a good Bonsai Nursery near the corner of Rt 27 and CR529

[linlaoboo]

Price is a little steep but you pay for the convenience of shipping to your door I guess. Seller is Amazon so you have the extra protection of their return policy. Might wanna find out if it comes with real bonsai pot as pictured.

I was at the Brooklyn Bontanical Garden last weekend for the Cherry Blossom Festival and saw a few similar ficuses along with Junipers on the shelf in their garden shop with no price tags. Just FYI.

Btw, not sure if you know that place has a room with a good collection of developed bonsais of all kinds on display.

I'm just looking at my options.
Would these be okay indoors?
https://www.amazon.com/Brussels-Golden-Gate-Ficus-Bonsai/dp/B0000DGF9V/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1304652414&sr=1-3

if not then ill probably get the microcarpa

[Revenantwing]

https://wigertsbonsai.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=248

is that a good bonsai?

[kdodds]

Yup, and you won't find better developed tree at that price anywhere. You'll need a pot, but I prefer to know the tree first anyway before potting it.