HOW TO BUY BONSAI!   (III)

Discussing "bonsai quality"

David W. Fukumoto

President & founder

Fuku-Bonsai Inc.

      For some people,  it does not make any difference whether they are given a cheap low-quality bonsai or a special high-quality specimen.  Some people just couldn't care less and if given a bonsai,  they wouldn't bother to water it and it would be dead in a few months or less.  So if you're planning to purchase a bonsai as a gift, first try to understand the personality of the projected recipient of the bonsai, because for some people quality doesn't matter. Bonsai are not good gifts for everyone!

       A bonsai gift should be a personal gift that will be a new and special new relationship that will endure and become more valuable and personal with each additional year.  While bonsai can become very valuable,  it's true priceless value is the relationship between the plant and its owner-trainer!

     The left tree is young with no training yet while the right tree is 4-5 years in training.

     Even an expert would not be able to do much with the young seedling while even a novice can do a lot with the high potential bonsai stock on the right!

       Another:  "To create a masterpiece bonsai, simply start with extraordinary prepared bonsai stock with the potential to be a masterpiece and train with an exceptional exciting idea or strategy!"

        There are very few secrets remaining in bonsai. The best bonsai in the world were trained in extremely harsh environments by Nature over many years.  A very tiny few were developed from standard nursery stock.  If not collected, the odds are that the original prepared bonsai stock began in a high-quality bonsai nursery and this become clear once you understand how bonsai develop.

        Start by evaluating the bottom 1" of trunk where it enters the potting media and the surface roots.  This part of the tree is almost impossible to train once the tree is older, so you need to have a lot of promise in this area.  Compare the two trees in the photos.  The one on the left is just a few months old and never trained while the right tree is 4-5 years in training. It has been pruned dramatically and early to create a stout trunk with strong low branches that are already also developing additional growth points.  It's been rock-planted and roots are growing over the rock into the potting media.  It promises to be an interesting bonsai!

        The greatest amount of skill is required when the tree is very young as this produces the character on the trunk base and surface roots.  Skill is required to force low branches and create lower trunk character and training then becomes easier.  Once there are at least three good lower branches facing different directions it becomes easier and easier.  Semi-trained trees with an overall character and good branches move into maturity with careful attention and good care to keep the plant healthy. But the level of skill required is much lower.

          At Fuku-Bonsai,  we grow both gift bonsai and prepared bonsai stock for bonsai hobbyists.  Our lava plantings are the most popular gifts as they are very easy care, grow slowly, and more durable because the roots are well protected by the rock. 

         We recommend our potted bonsai for those who want trees in semi-trained stages that already have good potential.  Our website, written materials, and our workshop handbook explain how the tree was trained and if the hobbyist becomes excited about learning the art and culture of bonsai, we offer complete workshop packages that feature high potential prepared bonsai stock and all needed components.  These are very high success packages.

      But age alone does not automatically increase the quality although it will increase the price.  Old low-quality trees can be very expensive and poor values as it is much more difficult to improve character and interest of older trees that are less vigorous and less able to throw out new branches where they are needed. 

      Bonsai pricing is very straight forward if you're dealing directly with a highly reputable professional bonsai grower who  is willing and able to allow direct contact and who will provide assistance when necessary.  If this professional is efficient and has a large inventory to achieve economies of scale,  it is likely that trees are grouped into "model standards" with each model having a written and photo standard with all plants in that model priced the same.

       Trees would carry a satisfaction and safe arrival guarantee allowing return within a limited number of days.  This protects the buyer against shipping damage or plants falling below published standards.  Fuku-Bonsai adheres to these professional standards. We generally post photos when a new model is introduced and that introductory photo sets the standard.  But a few years later,  actual plants being shipped may greatly surpass the standard!

       Generally,  it's better to purchase a younger high-potential tree instead of an old poor-quality tree.  You get the best value if you also make known that you plant to transplant into a larger container and request "older plants ready to pot up into larger containers."  Most of Fuku-Bonsai's repeat customers understand and make these requests when they purchase plants with larger conversion kits.  Some are now purchasing bulk media and specialty supplies such as repackaged Nutrient Granules.

       At Fuku-Bonsai the most costly plants are our older, larger Custom Collection.  These are our highest quality as only select superior plants are moved into Custom Collection training.  Plants in this category are individually priced with a written description, measurements, and a photo that includes a specific assigned identification number. 

       While the most expensive,  Custom Collection are also our best values that are not sold to beginners.  Most go to our repeat customers who have already mastered how to grow and train our plants.

       Don't purchase from a source that will not be willing and able to assist you if you have problems.  If you're purchasing locally,  is it from a reputable dealer with a known address and phone number?   If you purchase strictly based on lowest price,  there's little or no room to assist you and you take your chances. 

       Increasingly bonsai are being purchased on the Internet directly from the grower.  These professionals have created sufficient inventory to have economies of scale.  You can get a good feel for each seller by sending them an exploratory email on any topic. 

        Most of our customers were introduced to us when they purchase one of our  pre-packaged certified rock plantings at a Fuku-Bonsai Authorized Retailer a while on a Hawaii vacation.  Our products include contact information and our website so most get to know a lot about us even before first contact.   But true trust only develops after transactions or a personal visit to Fuku-Bonsai! 

     In bonsai, you get what you pay for.