Questions about bonsai in Santa Cruz, CA

[BrianBay9]

I'm looking at the possibility of a new job in Santa Cruz, CA. It's probably premature to be thinking about since I'm just going out for the interview in the middle of June. Still it's fun to consider the possibilities. So I have a few questions for you all on the central Cali coast.

1. I've got a pretty good feel for what species will do well there, but I wonder specifically about crabapple. Do they thrive on the central coast? I've long ago given up on trying to keep species that will only limp along.

2. I know Santa Cruz has a club. Others in the area? How active are they?

3. Any good nurseries nearby? Bonsai or otherwise? More to the point, where do you get most of your stock material?

Thanks
Brian

 

[Smoke]

I used to do a yearly demo/wokshop there. Many good west coast people in the Santa Cruz club. Monterey has a good club as well as Santa Cruz, Salinas and Watsonville. Crabapples do very well on the central coast.

Material is hit and miss but conventions and yearly fund raising for the collections means lots of material. Bonsai nurseries are pretty much gone from that area now. Lots of live oak to dig? Hook up with Garreth Shepard for digging. Not too far to come to the yearly Fresno swap meet! You wouldn't be disappointed.

 

[BrianBay9]

I used to do a yearly demo/wokshop there. Many good west coast people in the Santa Cruz club. Monterey has a good club as well as Santa Cruz, Salinas and Watsonville. Crabapples do very well on the central coast.

Material is hit and miss but conventions and yearly fund raising for the collections means lots of material. Bonsai nurseries are pretty much gone from that area now. Lots of live oak to dig? Hook up with Garreth Shepard for digging. Not too far to come to the yearly Fresno swap meet! You wouldn't be disappointed.

If this works out I'll be looking forward to the Fresno swap meet, and the shohin convention. Thanks Al.

Brian