[Polling] What is bonsai in your financial life?

[Faisal Ahmad]

Dear Nutter

Currently, Bonsai's growth thrives globally, with vibrant communities. In Indonesia, there are currently 500 bonsai community groups. The estimated number of members is almost 1 million. 80 % of member Indonesia have the view that bonsai is a source of income either as a make it for living or for investment.
For Myself, Bonsai is one of my future investments. I have 60 trees with total value $3750 and I have successfully sold 2 trees with a net profit of almost 400 %.


The purpose of this thread is, I want to know Nutter's views on bonsai from a financial perspective.
there is 3 option in Polling

1. For Living
Your Primary source income for make living is from bonsai (Pottery, Tools, consultant, Tree)

2. For Investment

Your bonsai as an Investment in the future.

3. For Hobby
You just like bonsai. There is no obligation to sell the bonsai in the future.

If possible, please provide reasons for your choice, Thank you nutter

 

[Dav4]

There's a saying I've heard many times through the years concerning making $$ in bonsai... "If you want to make a million dollars in bonsai, start with two million dollars" , or something along those lines. I've been in this hobby for half my life- more then a quarter century- and even though I have several very good trees that I've made better, and I've sold many trees, some of which I've collected or started from seed, there is no way I'll come out ahead financially... not even close, and I'm perfectly ok with that. There's another saying I've heard a long the way... "Nothing ruins a hobby faster than turning it into a business". As retirement gets a bit closer for me, my wife and others have often asked me if I might begin a mini-second career teaching or working with others on their trees, and the answer is always the same- There's no way I want to ruin this so I won't.

 

[Colorado]

Interesting discussion, Faisal!

For me, bonsai is a hobby. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those that pursue bonsai as a profession, I.e., their primary source of income.

But I am just a guy doing bonsai in my backyard. I have sold a few trees here and there, but I don’t expect to make a significant amount of money from it. I really enjoy being able to do bonsai for fun, a retreat from the everyday grind.

 

[19Mateo83]

Interesting discussion, Faisal!

For me, bonsai is a hobby. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those that pursue bonsai as a profession, I.e., their primary source of income.

But I am just a guy doing bonsai in my backyard. I have sold a few trees here and there, but I don’t expect to make a significant amount of money from it. I really enjoy being able to do bonsai for fun, a retreat from the everyday grind.

I second this

 

[Faisal Ahmad]

Interesting discussion, Faisal!

For me, bonsai is a hobby. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those that pursue bonsai as a profession, I.e., their primary source of income.

But I am just a guy doing bonsai in my backyard. I have sold a few trees here and there, but I don’t expect to make a significant amount of money from it. I really enjoy being able to do bonsai for fun, a retreat from the everyday grind.

'a retreat from the everyday grind' yap I m very agree about this one. Seeing plants when we water them every day makes the mind fresh again

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Its not my only hobby but its a hobby. If I make a buck, whatever.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

For me it is my primary hobby - and has been for decades. However I have never thought of it as something I do for financial gain - I had a career for that. Bonsai is something that allowed me to get away (mentally) from my career.

Additionally, I created this site to bring people together through their love of bonsai - and to support the bonsai retailers and professionals who do rely on it to make a living. It would not make sense for me to say I support bonsai retailers - and then go into competition with them

 

[penumbra]

Primarily a hobby. However, it is out of control and many of the plants I have in pre-bonsai stage will be sold. Also, I sell a good number of bonsai pots from my studio.

 

[vp999]

100% hobby but recently I sold a bunch of less desirable trees to get the fund to acquire better trees....And also to make room...There's only so much full sun spots in my yard.

 

[Kievnstavick]

Hobby with ambitions for a little side hustle. Mostly to increase supply of pre-bonsai stock and give me a little extra cash to funnel back into my hobby.

Really only expecting slightly over a net zero if anything.

 

[defra]

Pure hobby for me.
I do sometimes sell a tree but for normal prices not to make big profit.
The money that comes from a sold tree gets invested in soil, tools, new material.
I have gave it tought in the past but i just enjoy my trees in my garden and thats enough for me!