Supplies for Beginner, American Persimmon

[FrozenTrout]

Hi everyone! My girlfriend is looking to getting into bonsai trees, and wants some supplies for Christmas. I know it’s a bit late, but want to at least get things ordered, even if they don’t arrive on time.

For some background, we live in Griffin, which is about 45 minutes south of Atlanta; I believe it’s USDA zone 8a. We got a house a few years ago and she’s been really into planting native plants in the yard. Over the summer we were in Asheville and visited the North Carolina Arboretum. She was fascinated by the bonsai exhibit they have, and learning that bonsai isn’t limited to a few specific species. We have some American persimmon trees in our backyard, and she’s thinking of digging up a baby tree and potting it.

I’ve been trying to do some research, but have to admit it’s a bit overwhelming. I know nothing about plants in general. From what I can gather, it seems the best time for her to actually pot the tree would be in late summer, and keeping it outside. What I’m not sure is what size/kind of pot would be best for this, and what other supplies (and books) would be helpful.

Can you offer any guidance or recommendations? Thank you!

 

[Michael P]

The best time for your girlfriend to collect (dig) the tree would be late winter or very early spring as the buds begin to swell but before the new leaves open. Try to collect several if possible because not all will survive. For this, she probably has all the tools she needs: a sharp shovel, a nursery pot, and some reasonably good potting soil. The first step is getting the tree into a generously sized pot and keeping it alive.

Good luck! There is a very active bonsai community in Atlanta maybe someone from that area will respond. Or post a new thread along the lines of "Getting started with bonsai near Atlanta?"

 

[rockm]

Hi everyone! My girlfriend is looking to getting into bonsai trees, and wants some supplies for Christmas. I know it’s a bit late, but want to at least get things ordered, even if they don’t arrive on time.

For some background, we live in Griffin, which is about 45 minutes south of Atlanta; I believe it’s USDA zone 8a. We got a house a few years ago and she’s been really into planting native plants in the yard. Over the summer we were in Asheville and visited the North Carolina Arboretum. She was fascinated by the bonsai exhibit they have, and learning that bonsai isn’t limited to a few specific species. We have some American persimmon trees in our backyard, and she’s thinking of digging up a baby tree and potting it.

I’ve been trying to do some research, but have to admit it’s a bit overwhelming. I know nothing about plants in general. From what I can gather, it seems the best time for her to actually pot the tree would be in late summer, and keeping it outside. What I’m not sure is what size/kind of pot would be best for this, and what other supplies (and books) would be helpful.

Can you offer any guidance or recommendations? Thank you!

Collecting a first bonsai with a marginal rare species sets you up for failure. Forget the persimmon. For now it can be used but collecting is a separate set of skills for bonsai. To be successful leave collecting alone until you learn what trees require. You can’t do the bonsai part while ignorant of the horticulture part

Start with a ln already containerized elm or maple in the spring

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Can you offer any guidance or recommendations? Thank you!

Let me answer in two parts - first, the question you asked, and then the answer you didn't ask for
(1) American persimmon is a relatively challenging species to work with for your first species. First, it has relatively large leaves, so to be convincing as a "tree in miniature" you would probably want to work with a larger scale tree. Second, it is a dioecious species (having two sexes) so only females fruit, and they occur much less frequently in the wild than the males. Unless you have seen fruit on your tree, there is a good chance it might be a male, and you might dig it up, care for it, and wonder why it flowers but never fruits. So you might be happier if you started with something a little easier for your first project.
(2) If you think she would really get into bonsai, I would approach it by getting her a simple "project" tree that is easy to care for - like a Chinese elm or a Shimpaku juniper - that she can keep outside all year long, work with, practice on, etc. Then I would consider joining the Atlanta Bonsai Society and accompanying her to a meeting where she will meet a bunch of friendly people who will fall all over themselves offering friendly advice and suggestions local to your area. They will offer beginner workshops as well as have knowledge about the best local nurseries, where to go for supplies, etc. If you are looking for something to put under the tree in addition to, or instead of a tree, you might consider a some nice Wazakura bonsai tools. (Full disclosure, if you buy through a link on this site, we get a referral fee). The first tool anyone should probably buy is a pair of bonsai scissors.

Oh, and whatever you do, plan on getting back up to the NC Arboretum in June of next year for the big American Bonsai Society show.