My bonsai reality

[Cajunrider]

At my current pace, I will need a 12 ft Uhaul trailer just for my trees alone when moving to Philadelphia. In just the past 2 weeks, I made 3 big forests that I intend to keep.

 

[Cajunrider]

Bahaha...
I just read my own thread and see what a pickle I am in. Just in the last two months, I've collected 7 big BCs, created 3 bonsai forests, and collected 24 good size Mayhaws simply because I could not pass up the opportunity. Particularly with the Mayhaws, I am asked to thin out a 20+ year old grove and take as many trees as I like. So far I have chopped down a few dozens and collected 2 dozen more. At this rate, I will need some acreage outside of Philadelphia when I move.
One more thing, when it's all said and done, I will be pretty knowledgeable about Crataegus aestivalis. I will have them in various bonsai styles and will have gone through all the phases of development. I will also find out how hard or easy it is to do hard wood cuttings and how well it heals scar. If all goes well with the hardwood cutting and scar healing, I pretty much can become a grower of really good Mayhaw bonsai. Come to think of it, what's not to like about this species? Good bark, pretty and small leaves, beautiful flowers and fruit, easy development, fast root growth etc..

 

[Cajunrider]

*Happy dance
I will have a small sun room to store my tropicals in the winter.

 

[Cajunrider]

Now that I have unloaded 1/3 of my BCs. Things are looking better on the BC front. The interesting part is that, aside from a few trees like Batman and Franco, the trees that I actually sold away were my better ones! I just can't help but recommending the better trees.
Onward!

 

[milehigh_7]

Now that I have unloaded 1/3 of my BCs. Things are looking better on the BC front. The interesting part is that, aside from a few trees like Batman and Franco, the trees that I actually sold away were my better ones! I just can't help but recommending the better trees.
Onward!

I understand my friend! When we left Vegas in 2018 I sold about 95% of my collection. I'm just now getting back into it. I can't "make a mess" in my yard like I have in the past so it's going to be hard. Hang in there my friend!

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

Good luck with the move! I’m sure you’ll find ways to stay connected to nature there as well. Somehow I feel you’ll find another “swamp” to play in just the same

 

[BonsaiDTLA]

I understand my friend! When we left Vegas in 2018 I sold about 95% of my collection. I'm just now getting back into it. I can't "make a mess" in my yard like I have in the past so it's going to be hard. Hang in there my friend!

My mess was cleaned up when I was slammed with cases and filings at work last year.

Lost a grip of trees from fungal issues and extreme heat. Missed a second watering when it was 100+ F here one day and lost a killer Juniper and some really nice JBPs.

Now I'm back to slowly building up my trees again, but I'm searching for true quality and special characteristics.

 

[BonsaiDTLA]

Now that I have unloaded 1/3 of my BCs. Things are looking better on the BC front. The interesting part is that, aside from a few trees like Batman and Franco, the trees that I actually sold away were my better ones! I just can't help but recommending the better trees.
Onward!

You're a cool dude Mr. Cajunrider. Hope your upcoming move goes as smoothly as possible.

Just finished moving myself, now I'm doing a big ol remodel. It has been NUTS!

 

[HENDO]

@Cajunrider I totally get it! Just moved back to Calgary, Canada, after 4 years of bonsai in Houston. It's bittersweet leaving a collection (or part of one) behind - will never mess with huge tropicals or BC again, but get to be exposed to totally new plants and start fresh in a way.

Have a smooth move dood!!!

 

[Cajunrider]

I am now more than 1 year out for my move which will be the spring of 2025. We are remodeling a house up there and timing got changed somewhat. I am still planning to take a bunch of BCs and Mayhaws to PA. The trees will be in a bit more advanced stage by then. I am very pleased with the development of my BCs. Some of them are definite keepers. It appears my days of selling raw collected BCs are about over. I will have some BCs in development for sale to reduce my collection but digging raw ones will be limited in 2024.

 

[roberthu]

I rented a 20' Uhaul to move just my trees. Loading took almost a day due to the Florida heat. But unloading took about an hour with 2 friends and 30F lower temp...

 

[Cajunrider]

My sickness bout gave me lots of time to think about my bonsai. The current plan is to move in 2025. Most of my BCs and Mayhaws will be moved up there along with a handful of tropicals with sentimental values. Once I get situated up there, I will begin with maples and JBPs. Once I learn to take better care for them, I am going to buy bigger specimen instead of growing them from seedlings.

 

[Maiden69]

JBPs. Once I learn to take better care for them, I am going to buy bigger specimen instead of growing them from seedlings.

You can start with JBP's right now, they will develop faster where you are vs PA... They LOVE the heat and humidity. JMs will do fine if you place them under 50% shade as soon as the sun gets a little hot in Louisiana, but those will definitely thrive in PA.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Bigger specimens you say? Not sure where in PA you will be, but Nature's Way is in Harrisburg and is a nice nursery to stroll through. I was there last week and they had some monstrous yamadori.

I've always found big JBPs hard to come by. Telperion was the go to source for big trunked JBP but they are no longer in biz. I'm sure Socal has them but most won't ship and if they did it would be a fortune.

 

[Cajunrider]

You probably can tell that I am starting to lower my inventory of trees to prepare for the move. I have a dozen or so of Mayhaw to sell but don't quite know how to price them.

 

[dbonsaiw]

I have a dozen or so of Mayhaw to sell but don't quite know how to price them.

Please hit me up on the Mayhaw. I would be interested in something with some size.

 

[pandacular]

I’m also interested in mayhaw, but would like a small one.. though i guess that include a chopped one!

 

[namnhi]

First in line for the Mayhaw but I don't think you will get your top dollar for it. Our first anniversary is coming Uncle. LOL

 

[milehigh_7]

I might be interested. I’d at least like to take a look. My tree budget is pretty much shot atm though lol.

 

[dbonsaiw]

My tree budget is pretty much shot atm though lol.

Same, but my logic is that by the time the tree is more developed I would have paid off the credit card.