This month saw in one of our most successful surveys yet. Out of the 189 visitors who answered this survey in June '99, the most popular collection method was to buy potensai from nurseries. This received almost 40% of all votes and was due to ease of collection, being convenient, quick, reasonably cheap and allowed beginners to get their 'hands dirty' as fast as possible. Another popular method of collection was to collect potential bonsai (or yamidori) from forests - receiving over 20% of votes. This was favored due to being able to find plants native to their area, many trees already exhibit bonsai-like characteristics, the trees are usually already quite mature and (most of all for many people) are free.

Other common methods of obtaining bonsai material were growing from seed - where time was not a factor and people enjoyed being able to create a bonsai from the very start, and also by cuttings, grafting or layering.

Opinions :

Mark Cooper from Washington, US, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 5 years.

COLLECT FROM FOREST. I prefer this method (with a proper permit of course) to collect potensai. If done correctly, where all measures are taken to ensure that the plant sustains the least shock possible during transportation, you skip many of the arduous steps usually necessary in bonsai. It is great because it allows you to collect plants native to the area, which are already established, and have signs of becomming good bonsai

John Symes from Auckland, New Zealand, says :

Beginner at bonsai.

BUY POTENSAI FROM NURSERIES. This way I can find cheap plants to work on and turn into bonsai and not be afraid of messing them up, as I am only a beginner. I have made quite a few good bonsai using this method.

Khaimraj Seepersad from San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 15 years.

SEED, ROOT CUTTINGS, CUTTINGS. I practice Clip and Grow (no wire), seedlings of fast growing trees give better proportion. Rooted cuttings have more trunk/root personality. Cuttings are also of fast growing trees. It is very important to me to obtain very good root placement and trunk attitude, which the above methods allow.

Viet Nguyen from Adelaide, Australia, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 5 years.

BUY POTENSAI FROM NURSERIES. Being a full time student, I don't have the time to propagate my own material, so I take myself down to all the little nurseries and look for trees I can use.

Nick Lenz from the US, says :

Webpage: Practicing bonsai for over 40 years.

COLLECT FROM FORESTS. Quality and age factor.

Svein Christian Engvoldsen from Vraadal, Norway, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 2 years.

COLLECT FROM FORESTS. 1. Cold climate, relatively new to the game.
2. Low cost
3. Gives the tree a head start
4. My relative lack of patience

Jerry Saville from zone 7, Bethany, Oklahoma, US, says :

Beginner at bonsai.

BUY POTENSAI FROM NURSERIES. Although I collect some of my material from the wild, and buy ready-made bonsai, searching plant nurseries gives me a sense of pride when I find something that has potential.

Allan from New Zealand, says :

COLLECT BY OTHER MEANS - unwanted garden shrubs trees etc. Firstly they are free, permission is always granted, usually digs are quite local, plenty of time and preparation can usually allowed, good trunk size is nearly always available and most exotic species are offered. The only down fall is that the majority of this material was sourced from garden centres and planted by well meaning souls for garden form and colour, no thought was given or needed with respect to the root binding that occured in the plastic containers at the garden centre. Good opportunities are provided with home develpoment and commercial construction. I also have a good relationship with the gardening dept of my local council, however tree survival is less likely with this sourceas I can only get to go through their refuse and can't be part of the actual dig.

David Nassar from zone 10, Melbourne, Australia, says :

Beginner at bonsai.

BUY POTENSAI FROM NURSERIES. Quick, and can get your hands dirty and try things out quickily. I also grow from seeds but this is always long term. Nursery potensai is quick to achieve results.

Madhukar Nath from zone 10, India, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 15 years.

BUY POTENSAI FROM NURSERIES. I usually buy plants from nurseries because it is the most convenient way of finding healthy material. Every bonsai grower however, should keep their eyes open for good potential bonsai material in any place.

Paul LeBlanc from Boreal Forest, Prince Albert, Canada, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 2 years.

COLLECT FROM FORESTS. Collecting trees from the forest provides a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and forms. I usually collect potential trees from areas where the tree growth is stunted naturally from extremely poor soils, wet sites and dry sites. Occasionally, I will be fortunate enough to find a specimen that exhibites characteristics of a bonsai style, such as the literati Pinus banksiana I am doing further styling on.

Meritt from zone 7b, Raleigh NC, US, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 2 years.

PROPAGATE BY CUTTINGS, GRAFTING. I have been into Bonsai for about 3 years. At first, I collected from the wild and bought nursery stock from greenhouses, Lowe's etc. I began experimenting with cuttings 2 years ago, for the experience and to see if I could do it! I have a few azalea, Chinese Elm, and Trident Maple cuttings doing well so far! I can take cuttings from existing plants with desirable attributes, like autumn color and smaller leaves, and "create" genetically identical plants!

John Lukies from Melbourne, Australia, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 5 years.

BUY POTENSAI FROM NURSERIES. It's more economical than buying ready-made bonsai, it's easier than propagating trees and it's less time consuming than collecting trees or raising them from seed.

Len Geiger from zone 7, Atlanta, US, says :

Beginner at bonsai.

BUY POTENSAI FROM NURSERIES. I prefer to buy stock at nurseries due to the older plants and larger selection. However, I also do some collecting and cuttings.

Deon Arangies from zone 9-10, Stellenbosch, Republic of South Africa, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 10 years.

BUY POTENSAI FROM NURSERIES. Best possible source of potensai without having to go through all the dread and frustration to get permission to collect Yamadori.

Ralph E Heasty from zone 4, Oshkosh, Wi., US, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 2 years.

COLLECT BY OTHER. During the course of my Job, I have access to many construction sites etc. This allows me access to a multitude of both native and established species which would otherwise be destroyed.

Jean from (near) Nashville, US, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 10 years.

BUY POTENSAI FROM NURSERIES. The best part is the pruning and styling for me. I can make into any style I feel like. I take a bush and stare at it till I get some inspiration and then go at it. And be looking at instant bonsai in no time. I have never not liked what I come up with, though sometimes I have to put it up for a year or so till I get a good style. The price is right too. I once bought a "ready made bonsai" - it was beautiful, but I didn't get as much enjoyment from it. there are no bonsai nurseries around here to get starter stock so I go to the garden centers. I know some folks might look down their noses at this, but I like it. I also do collect, but usually very young trees.

Roy from zone 3-4, Sellersville, US, says :

Beginner at bonsai.

COLLECT FROM FORESTS. It's the easiest. You don't have to wait around for them to grow for 5 to 10 years, plus you can take in all of the other natural beauty of the woods.

Robb Oliver from Raleigh, North Carolina, US, says :

Beginner at bonsai.

COLLECT BY OTHER. My yard has a lot of young trees growing in it and some are naturally dwarfed, so I get them because they are there... they are free too!

Frank Smith from Kingsley, WA, Australia, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 10 years.

GROW FROM SEED. Growing from seed has many advantages over other methods. The greatest being the root selection available, and the timing of that selection that can be achieved only with seedling. Once this is accomplished, building up can begin in earnest.

Andres from Osorno, Chile, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 5 years.

COLLECT FROM FORESTS. It is easy and fast. You can pick up those trees that are big enough to be transformed into a bonsai. Native trees from Chile are very good for bonsai (Nothofagus betuloides and N. obliqua). You can find them near the forests and itīs for free! I also propagate some trees (mostly Acer palmatum).

Lyn Smith from Sydney, Australia, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 5 years.

COLLECT FROM FORESTS. I use to buy potensai early on, but have found I am able to get more mature trees by collecting.

Remi Lagace from zone 4, Buckingham, Canada, says :

Beginner at bonsai.

BUY POTENSAI fROM NURSERIES. It is the easiest way I find to get a got potensai with no hard labor. For new people to bonsai it is the easiest way to get good starting material...

 

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