Glued-on gravel over bonsai
Catherine Sears
shaped little Japanese Boxwood bonsai. However, when I picked it up there
was a layer of gravel glued all over the top of the pot. Is there any way
to remove this gravel without killing the tree? I'd like to go back and
buy it if there's any way it can be saved.
Thanks,
Cathy
Cathy Sears
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
cj...@post.queensu.ca
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james stone
probably die anyway... Best bet is to walk 20' farther into the gardening
section and buy a 1 quart boxwood. Pick up one of the Brussels' bonsai pots
they probably sell there. For $10-12 you have one that will probably
live...
>From: Catherine Sears <cj...@POST.QUEENSU.CA>
>Reply-To: Catherine Sears <cj...@POST.QUEENSU.CA>
>To: BON...@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
>Subject: Glued-on gravel over bonsai
>Date: Fri, 5 Nov 1999 22:54:49 -0500
>
>I was at the local Home Depot today, and saw a healthy-looking nicely
>shaped little Japanese Boxwood bonsai. However, when I picked it up there
>was a layer of gravel glued all over the top of the pot. Is there any way
>to remove this gravel without killing the tree? I'd like to go back and
>buy it if there's any way it can be saved.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Cathy
>Cathy Sears
>Kingston, Ontario, Canada
>cj...@post.queensu.ca
Jim Stone, Galveston, TX
Stone Bonsai-En
Propogation forum moderator at Totalbonsai.com
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Chas Nsx
cj...@POST.QUEENSU.CA writes:
<< I was at the local Home Depot today, and saw a healthy-looking nicely
shaped little Japanese Boxwood bonsai. However, when I picked it up there
was a layer of gravel glued all over the top of the pot. Is there any way
to remove this gravel without killing the tree? I'd like to go back and
buy it if there's any way it can be saved. >>
Yes, the glue is usually water soluble, so you can work it off with water, or
if the layer is not too thick, just scrape it off the top of the roots and
then replace with loose coarse sand/fine gravel.
Regards, Charles
Daniel Avrin
cj...@POST.QUEENSU.CA writes:
<< However, when I picked it up there
was a layer of gravel glued all over the top of the pot. >>
This is one of the great atrocities of the bonsai world. Soak the plant and
then the glue/rock layer should be soft enough to pull off. Do this at once
after purchase. Many a mallsai has succumbed to this layer since newbies
don't know it shouldn't be there. They water and water only to have the tree
die of thirst since the water just runs off the surface. I hate this
practice. I do, I do, I do. Really. Truly.
Good luck,
Daniel Avrin
Slouching towards Gomorra
Catherine Sears
from shipping, improper care at the store etc. Is it ever a good idea to
buy one of these "baby bonsai"?
Thanks,
Cathy
At 08:20 PM 1999-11-05 PST, james stone wrote:
>You should proably be able to pick it up in one piece. The tree will
>probably die anyway...
>
Cathy Sears
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
cj...@post.queensu.ca
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Bob Snap
Catherine Sears wrote:
>
> I'm curious - why will the tree probably die? My guesses would be stress
> from shipping, improper care at the store etc.
All the above.
PS. I don't believe it will probably die.
Most trees are stronger than that.
They can re-bound from lot of abuse, given proper treatment.
Poo Poo on all ye nay sayers.
>Is it ever a good idea to buy one of these "baby bonsai"?
Yes, if that's what it takes to get people interested in bonsai. :)
>
> Thanks,
>
> Cathy
Bob S.
Toledo, OH
Dale Cochoy
> Catherine Sears wrote:
> >
> > I'm curious - why will the tree probably die? My guesses would be
stress
> > from shipping, improper care at the store etc.
>
> All the above.
> PS. I don't believe it will probably die.
> Most trees are stronger than that.
> They can re-bound from lot of abuse, given proper treatment.
> Poo Poo on all ye nay sayers.
>
> >Is it ever a good idea to buy one of these "baby bonsai"?
>
> Yes, if that's what it takes to get people interested in bonsai. :)
>
> Bob S.
> Toledo, OH
Sorry Bob,
I must disagree with your accessment of the problem. Don't buy bonsai at a
home center, grocery store or pharmacy....and don't even think of picking up
anything with glued on rocks!
Hint on places not-to-buy bonsai...If you can also get a loaf of bread,
six-pack of beer and pound of hamburger there....pass on the bonsai!!!
Dale Cochoy
Daniel Avrin
cj...@POST.QUEENSU.CA writes:
<< I'm curious - why will the tree probably die? My guesses would be stress
from shipping, improper care at the store etc. Is it ever a good idea to
buy one of these "baby bonsai"? >>
Your guesses are correct, but not all Mallsai are destined for an early
death. Many of the juniper mallsai seem to be poorly rooted cuttings,
though. The real reason is that the glued on rocks have often prevented them
from being properly watered for some time. That, and that they are usually
purchased by novices without a clue. ;-)
Regards,
Daniel Avrin
"If I knew that the end of the world would be here tomorrow, I would go
outside and plant my little apple tree today." - Martin Luther
Rob Lacombe
I'm no expert but I did buy a similar tree at Reno Depot(Quebec version) and the
glued rocks are gone and the tree is showing alot of new growth(although it is a
very slow gower) and is as healthy as any of my other trees. It's been with us for
four months and if it was going to die I think it would of done so by now.
My 2 cents
Rob
Catherine Sears wrote:
> I was at the local Home Depot today, and saw a healthy-looking nicely
> shaped little Japanese Boxwood bonsai. However, when I picked it up there
> was a layer of gravel glued all over the top of the pot. Is there any way
> to remove this gravel without killing the tree? I'd like to go back and
> buy it if there's any way it can be saved.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Cathy
> Cathy Sears
> Kingston, Ontario, Canada
> cj...@post.queensu.ca
>
Allan
local grower (which is a class act in Littleton, MA) does it for them.
It's gross. Another thing they do is use plastic oriental shaped pots
for those varieties. Watch out! All that crap will kill the tree.
-Allan
Dave&Connie Norton
procumbens nana
is healthy and thriving . I have been lurking in the
shadows now for a couple of months,but would
like to say thanks to the group. I have learned
a great deal since I found you all.
--
David & Connie
cno...@usit.net
Bob Snap <bob....@SYLVANIA.SEV.ORG> wrote in message
news:38243A...@sylvania.sev.org...
> Catherine Sears wrote:
>
> >
> > I'm curious - why will the tree probably die? My guesses would be
stress
> > from shipping, improper care at the store etc.
>
> PS. I don't believe it will probably die.
> Most trees are stronger than that.
> They can re-bound from lot of abuse, given proper treatment.
> Poo Poo on all ye nay sayers.
>
>
>
> >
> >
> > Cathy
>
> Bob S.
> Toledo, OH
>
>
Ron Martin
1. The plant , usually a juniper, is cheap. They can be gotten by the
thousands at almost any liner farm for .50 to .75 cents a piece. Different
species of trees jiggle the price of them a little but not much. Junipers
are use mostly because they take the longest to turn brown ( about 6 weeks)
2. The most expensive plastic "bonsai" pot I have ever seen wholesale was $2
.
3. A little potting soil ( usually Pro Mix) is thrown in the pot then the
"tree' is jammed in and rocks glued on. The whole process takes less than a
minute.
The glued on rocks serve three purposes.
1. They hold the mess together. making shipping easier.
2. The will hold water in the pot for 5 to 7 days. Especially if
there are drainage
holes in the pot
3. The rocks are cute making the thing more appealing to the buying
public.
So taking the high side the cute little "bonsai " sold at these places cost
about $4 to make ( including labor and materials). The finished product
sells for any where from 10 to 30 dollars.
Most of those that buy them think that they have done something to kill
them so there are very few complaints. And a good profit was made by all but
the customer.
Ron
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Dale Cochoy
From: Ron Martin <rma...@INTERNETX.NET>
Subject: Re: Glued-on gravel over bonsai
> Most of those that buy them think that they have done something to kill
> them so there are very few complaints. And a good profit was made by all
but
> the customer.
> Ron
And here lies the problem Ron....hence....my stand on this junk!
They "Turn off" more than they "Turn on", people just think, "Man, I can't
do this!, it's to tricky for me"
Dale
Ron Martin
>They "Turn off" more than they "Turn on", people just think, "Man, I can't
>do this!, it's to tricky for me"
>Dale
Could not agree with you more Dale. I was just explaining the why of it.
Pity this hobby, as in all things , has the quick buck artist. They prey on
a lack of knowledge and mostly the quick buck artist wins. Not pretty but
true.
Ron
james stone
recognize it as such- shari, extensive jin, cascade style and a real pot. I
brought it to a club workshop yesterday and Sensei didn't think it was too
bad. Offered a few changes which I did last night.
But his is the exception to the rule. Here you may be buying a cutting
glued in to a pot... Bottom line is why would you want to?
From an economic standppoint it is far cheaper to buy a j. procumbens for $2
and put it into $6 bonsai pot. Voila! Mallsai that lives.
>From: Bob Snap <bob....@SYLVANIA.SEV.ORG>
>
>Catherine Sears wrote:
>
>Catherine Sears wrote:
> >
> > I'm curious - why will the tree probably die? My guesses would be
>stress
> > from shipping, improper care at the store etc.
>
>All the above.
>PS. I don't believe it will probably die.
>Most trees are stronger than that.
>They can re-bound from lot of abuse, given proper treatment.
>Poo Poo on all ye nay sayers.
>
> >Is it ever a good idea to buy one of these "baby bonsai"?
>
>Yes, if that's what it takes to get people interested in bonsai. :)
>
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Cathy
>
>Bob S.
>Toledo, OH
>
Jim Stone, Galveston, TX
Stone Bonsai-En
Propogation forum moderator at Totalbonsai.com
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