by Christine Rojas

This article first appeared in the World Tropical Bonsai Forum in 1991. When you are out looking for bonsai for yourself or as a Christmas present for someone else, you might want to think about these ideas for both tropical and temperate plants. - ED

Bonsai is everywhere these days; supermarkets, malls, florists, retail garden centers and nurseries, even flea markets. Where at one time, first time bonsai buyers acquired their first tree at a bonsai specialty shop with the aid and advice of an experienced bonsai grower, many uninitiated buyers are purchasing their first trees without the guidance of bonsai professionals, and have little or no idea what to look for in terms of quality, health, or compatibility with the buyer's circumstances.

It is a pity that so many novices lose their first trees for lack of selection skills and proper assistance, for it is the first experience that usually determines whether or not one's interest in bonsai will continue.

When it comes to shopping for bonsai, even experienced bonsai people often forget some basic principles of selection, and miss out on better bonsai values.

Here are some tips for both the beginner and the experienced.

Know Your Dealer

Bonsai dealers with stable bonsai specialty shops are probably the most reliable sources of bonsai and knowledgeable assistance.

Any other bonsai source should have a bonsai knowledgeable person available to answer (and ask) questions, and assist in the selection of a tree that is most likely to result in a rewarding first experience. If there is no such person available, look elsewhere.

Ideally, the buyer should be able to contact the seller for advice, supplies, and reference books that will surely be needed as time goes on.

Local bonsai clubs usually know who the reputable dealers are, and can offer aid and/or sympathy to novice buyers who bought wrong the first time.

What about mall bonsai, flea market bonsai, and other "temporary" bonsai sources? Like everything else, there are good ones and bad ones. Many mall bonsai kiosks and other " temporaries" are outlets for businesses that mass produce "bonsai." Quality of trees is often questionable, and these kiosks or booths are usually manned by inexperienced, unknowledgeable sales people. If the buyer is told that junipers, and other evergreens will thrive on the coffee table, and should be watered everyday, he should find another source.

On the other hand, some stable bonsai retailers or bonsai clubs will set up temporary shop in malls to bring the art to a broader segment of the local population. These folks usually come prepared with reference materials, supplies, and a wealth of information about themselves and the bonsai they are selling.

No matter what the source, however, first time success with bonsai depends largely on the buyer. So before you buy...

Ask Yourself This

Is your lifestyle able to accommodate a plant that needs daily attention?

Are you planning to maintain your bonsai indoors or outdoors?

Is the bonsai you have your eye on compatible with the indoor or outdoor growing situation in which you plan to maintain it?

Are you used to working with plants, or should you start with a plant that is hard to kill?

If you are purchasing a bonsai as a gift, how and where will the recipient most likely want to or be able to maintain it?

Is the routine of watering, fertilizing, pinching and pruning a pleasurable pastime, or a chore you often neglect?

Ask to be shown the selection of bonsai trained from plant materials that suit your needs, growing abilities, and circumstances.

Once you have made a tentative selection, ask how much light, water, warmth, and fertilizer the tree requires or tolerates for optimum health and growth.

How is this particular tree pinched or pruned to maintain its shape?

When will it need to be rootpruned?

Will the dealer do this when the time comes, and what is the fee?

If the bonsai is to be maintained indoors, HAS IT BEEN PREACCLIMATED TO LOW LIGHT? If it has been growing outdoors in full sun, and is moved directly to shade or low light indoors, it may lose leaves.

What insects is the tree prone to, and what is the best but least toxic remedy? How and how often should it be applied?

Is It Healthy?

The buyer can do a lot of his own detective work here.

Is the tree stable in its container?

If the tree wobbles, especially at the juncture of the trunk and soil surface when the container is moved, the rootage may not be well established.

Is the foliage a fresh healthy green, showing no signs of wilt?

Pale, dull, wilted, or discolored foliage, especially on new tip growth is a warning sign of many problems.

Some evergreens and leafy trees may have some old, dead foliage on the innermost areas of branches and twigs, particularly in the late spring, when new growth pushes off older inside leaves or needles. This old growth, however, should have been removed as part of the tree's grooming.

Do you detect any sign of insect infestation?

Check the undersides of leaves and new tip growth for aphids or scale. If there are ants running around on the tree or in the pot, aphids are likely to be present, as well.

Hold your hand under a branch and gently brush the foliage. Any dirt specks running around are mites.

The appearance of fine sawdust on any woody parts of the tree or on the soil surface is an indication of boring worms.

Is it root bound?

If the entire root/soil mass looks as though it is rising up out of the container in one solid block, or if the surface of the soil shows more very dense fine roots than soil, the tree is probably root bound, and needs to be repotted. A few large surface roots radiating out from the trunk base are desirable characteristics in bonsai.

Check drainage holes in the bonsai container.

All bonsai need drainage, and all bonsai containers have holes in the bottom for this purpose. If the container has no holes, trouble is on the way, usually in the form of root rot.

If the holes are plugged by roots or hardened soil, the tree is most likely root bound, or the soil mix is a poorly draining one, and the roots have made a bee line to the holes for a breath of air.

These simple points can save a lot of grief from the outset. Alert the seller if you spot any of these problems. If you don't find evidence of these problems, you can probably assume you are starting with a healthy tree.

About Value

A healthy, well designed bonsai in a size that is easily manageable for the owner is ultimately the best buy. Age and size are of secondary concern.

Many large bonsai do not possess the refinement of smaller trees. The matter of age is probably irrelevant, also. Bonsai may be said to have two ages; the actual age of the plant material, and the length of time it has been in training as bonsai. Some naturally old trees may not end up as well styled bonsai.

The most highly prized characteristics in a bonsai are visible or interesting surface roots, a tapering trunk, proportionate leaf and flower size, and well balanced branch arrangement.