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Stewartia Bonsai

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Curtis
Billy M. Rhodes
Russell Coker
rck89
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Post  rck89 Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:18 pm

Any good sources for Stewartia bonsai trees here in the US? I would like to buy a specimen tree. Suggestions, please.
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Post  Russell Coker Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:00 pm



I don't know what the restrictions on importing Stewartia are, and I doubt they are being grown commercially for bonsai like, say, trident maples. I bought 3 nice starters a few years ago from an ebay seller in Oregon. One collapsed last year, one is going well and the other is struggling. They all did well at first, and all were potted the same and receive the same care. Brussel's in Olive Branch, MS, may be a source but I wouldn't spend a lot of money on a nice tree until you know what you're doing. Stewartias can be picky.
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Post  rck89 Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:04 pm

Thanks, Russ!
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Post  Russell Coker Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:00 am


I don't mean to discourage you, it's just that Stewartias aren't your average duck. Also, I'm at the very end of their southern range so you may not have the difficulties that I have. I just don't want to see you spend a lot of money on a tree that needs more experience than you may have. Your attraction is certainly understandable, a good Stewartia is truly a site to behold.

I know nothing about this seller, but this is the species you want...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TALL-STEWARTIA-MONADELPHA-FOR-BONSAI-OR-LANDSCAPE-3-FT-BRANCHED-TREE-SEEDLING-/170807671813?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c4ee3c05

Good luck!
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Post  Billy M. Rhodes Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:31 am

I looked at that E Bay offer. One point important to me. The seller shows a photo of a "finished" tree, but that is NOT what he is selling. I think this is dishonest.
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Post  Curtis Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:43 am

Sorry Billy but if you read the description it says that the picture is not what he is selling. Very Happy
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Post  Russell Coker Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:04 am

Curtis wrote:Sorry Billy but if you read the description it says that the picture is not what he is selling. Very Happy


True, and most of the sellers listing bonsai material do the same thing, even when they are selling seeds. I actually bought mine from 'oregongrownnursery', or something like that.
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Post  Billy M. Rhodes Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:42 pm

Curtis wrote:Sorry Billy but if you read the description it says that the picture is not what he is selling. Very Happy

Right, and all the beginners read all of the ad and don't just look at the picture and the price!!!

If he is honest, why not post a photo of what he is selling?
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Post  Russell Coker Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:07 pm


Probably to make you stop and look. Unless you actually know what this material is, why not show what a 3 foot branched whip in a 4 inch pot can do? I'm more offended at the price, but I guess it's supply and demand.

I'd check out Forestfarm too.
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Post  ChrisA Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:37 pm

If your ever in CT, I found a local nursery that has about twenty five 6 footers that have many low branches and 3-4 inch trunks. I'm gong to experiment with one this weekend.
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Post  rck89 Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:47 pm

Interesting discussion, but I'm still looking for a good specimen tree to buy or good pre-bonsai stock. Ideas, please.
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Post  coh Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:42 pm

Russell Coker wrote:
Probably to make you stop and look. Unless you actually know what this material is, why not show what a 3 foot branched whip in a 4 inch pot can do? I'm more offended at the price, but I guess it's supply and demand.

I'd check out Forestfarm too.
Interesting that they don't mention that it will take 100 years to produce the bonsai that is shown from the 3 foot whip...and that's if you do everything right and are lucky in addition.

The price does seem high, especially since shipping is extra.

I don't have any suggestions on where to obtain stewartia pre-bonsai...I know plenty of places to get seedlings but can't remember seeing much (if any) larger stock advertised. They are beautiful trees. I've had a couple of stewartia monadelpha seedlings that I was going to grow out, but neither made it...they do seem touchy. Stewartia pseudocamellia seems tougher but of course is a larger, coarser plant. We have a couple of them as yard trees.
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Post  Russell Coker Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:04 pm

ChrisA wrote:If your ever in CT, I found a local nursery that has about twenty five 6 footers that have many low branches and 3-4 inch trunks. I'm gong to experiment with one this weekend.


Damn, that's just mean!

Just for kicks, what does nursery stock like that cost?
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Post  Russell Coker Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:16 pm

rck89 wrote:Interesting discussion, but I'm still looking for a good specimen tree to buy or good pre-bonsai stock. Ideas, please.

I don't mean this quite as pissy as it's going to sound... but weren't you all over the place last summer wondering what was going on with something as easy as bald cypress - bugs, virus, fungus - when it seems that what it needed was more water???? Are you sure you're ready to spend a buttload of money on something as iffy as a good Stewartia? Seems like you'd be money ahead by buying the sapling off ebay and practicing on it first.

Just thinking out loud...

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Post  Sakaki Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:55 pm

Dear rck89,

I have a Stewartia pre-bonsai tree (not bonsai yet).
If you cannot find that tree in anyway, I can send you some seeds or cuts in this autumn. Free of charge of course Smile
Just let me know.

Taner
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Post  bucknbonsai Fri Apr 27, 2012 12:32 am

ive heard they have a tendency to drop lower branches. Ive had finicky ones as well, thats when I switched to crepe myrtle as what I was attracted to the most about the stewartia was the bark which I feel is similar. they are much easier as long as you have good winter storage in Chicago. I think the fact they are so hard to find as garden plants, much less as a bonsai is a sign that they have a tendency to die.
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Post  rck89 Fri Apr 27, 2012 3:28 pm

Russ - Good memory! My Bald Cypresses (sp?) seemed to have recovered all are doing nicely so far this Spring. I don't think watering was the problem, since most of the time I left them in standing water! I treated them over the winter with fungicide and that seemed to do the trick. Finally, I love the Stewartia so I'm willing to try my hand at them. So whatelse to with hard earned money...buy a sports car?
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Post  Russell Coker Fri Apr 27, 2012 6:30 pm



Haha, that's probably what it will take. Seriously, try someone who imports like Brussel Martin or Mike Hansen (MBP) in Austin. You may also want to get Bill V's thoughts on this. Maybe he can hook you up.
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Post  ChrisA Fri Apr 27, 2012 9:38 pm

This is the Stewartia that I picked up from a local nursery in Northwest CT. The nursery had a $200 price tag on it, but sold it to me for $40. I'm going to leave the tree alone and wait to chop off the large right branch. Not sure what kind of Stewartia it is, but hopefully I'll be able to ID it when it blooms.


[img]Stewartia Bonsai 7119477673_25b173f4d9 Untitled by Suckerpunching, on Flickr[/img]

[img]Stewartia Bonsai 7119478425_a56804f70a Untitled by Suckerpunching, on Flickr[/img]
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Post  rck89 Fri Apr 27, 2012 9:51 pm

ChristA - Good looking tree! But think seriously about losing the right branch. If for no other reason, the trunk needs fattening. And the right might be a "sacrific" some years down the road.
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