Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
LadyRider told me that instead of being a Kung Foo, I am now a Bonsai Foo. Perhaps I can change my nickname to thatAn annual profit. You, my friend, are a bonsai tycoon.
Cost/Price of a bonsai
- Thread starter Cajunrider
- Start date
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
I am eyeing a few very large 33” oval pots for my forests. My expenses are still trending up
namnhi
Masterpiece
Looks like you are working on bonsai that once created will pretty much stay where it is. If you move those to PA then you may have to add another cost to your list.... a new hvac (mostly heating) for them.I am eyeing a few very large 33” oval pots for my forests. My expenses are still trending up
While we on this topic... just last couple weeks I probably already spent around 2k on soil, pots and a few more olive stumps. Many hours out in the garden which can add up significantly.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
BCs and Mayhaw can live in PA that is for sure. No heating needed. I will mulch them in for winter that is all. The tamarind, royal poinciana, plumeria, and rainbow eucalyptus will be the only trees I have to bring inside. Other trees such as guavas and mango will be given to my brothers in Florida.
I have zero interest in attempting to turn bonsai into a business, so I never broke down true costs in detail. I know this isn't exactly responsive to your question, but as this is a hobby I am less concerned with stretching my dollar as far as I can and more concerned with buying wisely. I'd rather buy good tools and buy once. I now know that I'd rather buy something a little more developed rather than sticks in the dirt. Decisions on soil are driven by how I think my trees will develop (right or wrong) and not whether I can cut costs by improvising on substrates.
That said, the essential large costs are the trees themselves and the soil. I have some of my trees in 14X14X5" boxes filled with Bonsai Jack. Bought in bulk, it comes out to $10/gallon. The box will hold about 5 gallons, so it gets pricey (cheaper if you leave lots of roots, lol). Box is about $20 to make (cost of an unessential nice pot is the same as how long is a string?). I will go through any number of those little Bonsai Pro fertilizers in a season. Cost of water is probably significant. Sun is free.
Unless one is selling bonsai, it's hard/impractical to break down a number for labor. This is our enjoyment, not labor. That's what we are paying for.
That said, the essential large costs are the trees themselves and the soil. I have some of my trees in 14X14X5" boxes filled with Bonsai Jack. Bought in bulk, it comes out to $10/gallon. The box will hold about 5 gallons, so it gets pricey (cheaper if you leave lots of roots, lol). Box is about $20 to make (cost of an unessential nice pot is the same as how long is a string?). I will go through any number of those little Bonsai Pro fertilizers in a season. Cost of water is probably significant. Sun is free.
Unless one is selling bonsai, it's hard/impractical to break down a number for labor. This is our enjoyment, not labor. That's what we are paying for.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
So I sold a few BCs and placed my orders for pots, tags, & grow bags plus soil for BC seedlings to be replanted in the woods. Net loss of $200 is a win in my bookI am eyeing a few very large 33” oval pots for my forests. My expenses are still trending up
Interesting. You have some nice trees, so I'm surprised. I'm interested in the mayhaw, hawthorne and really any deciduous that will grow here in NY when they're ready.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
The expense is the fun part
The tree sales actually are insignificant to me. Yet I get giddy when I sell one. Then I turn around and buy bonsai stuff that well exceed the money I get.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
been there, done that.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
You had your fun. Now it is my turn.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
ohw.. but I am not done yet wasting my money!
Ininaatigoons
Shohin
And what of maintenance? Watering alone at $20... LOL No laughing matter since I gotta train the neighbor kid and pay him when I go on vacation.So I started to add up my cost for collecting trees.
Avg 50 miles driving per tree $.60/mile
Pot & soil $10 per tree for small $20+ large
2 hr of my time per small tree 3 hr for large
Even at the cheapest handy man labor of $20/hr I am at $80-100 per tree I collect before it even shows a bud.
My accountant told me there is a definite uptick in my expenses since April 2022. To that I said: “Yes ma’am!”
So what do your numbers look like?
No wonder bonsai peeps don’t tell their real cost to their family hahaha.
vp999
Masterpiece
Talk about boating expenses...My SeaRay Amberjack 290 is getting a new block for one of its engine which will cost $10k, got a text from my marine mechanic yesterday and he said both transom assemblies is rusting and leaking badly so another 10K for both..and by the time its done fishing season here in MD will almost be over. I've been going to the Keys and fish and it's so much more enjoyable then fishing here in the Chesapeake Bay. I think im selling the boat after its fixed and keep going to the Keys..It's actually cheaper for me to that every month than owning a boat here.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
B.O.A.T.
Bring Out Another Thousand
Bring Out Another Thousand
IzzyG
Shohin
The two happiest days in a boat owners life is the day you buy it and the day you sell it”
vp999
Masterpiece
U aint lying bro ..but this is my 3rd boat in 10 years lol.The two happiest days in a boat owners life is the day you buy it and the day you sell it”
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
So you have had six happy days.
Srt8madness
Omono
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
True but 6 is inevitable because 7 is around the sand bar.5...#6 is under consideration
namnhi
Masterpiece
All I can say is WOW! Still the same wife? What your secret?
Similar threads
