While I’m about to sow a bonsai from the absolute beginning, I’ve decided that I’m going to buy a tree to help learn as much as I can about technique in the mean time. I have two questions for you guys...

1) What type of tree should I get to help me learn? A pre-bonsai? A regular bonsai? I’d like something small enough that I can have it on my desktop.

2) Can you recommend a good online site to buy from? I’d like to spend no more than $50, if that’s feasible.

If you want a plant on your desk, I would recommend not getting a bonsai. They really should be outside to stay healthy in the long run.

Ok, I’ll eventually move it outside.

Any advice on what type and where to buy?

Not really. I would recommend not buying online. As we do not know whhere in the world you are we cannot recommend dealers. In nl i like deshime.

For 50 you will of course not get bonsai but starterplants. Get something local to your climate.

Hey leatherback,

This topic is indeed one that would help me as well. Can you please provide us some websites of the European nurseries or bonsai stores that you personally like? I have tried to search for good material for two weeks now but only found very few trees in Germany for a price of 500 euro +. Other than that i am struggling in even finding good material no matter the price.

Thanks in advance!

Røng wrote: Can you please provide us some websites of the European nurseries or bonsai stores that you personally like?

www.lagas-bonsai.nl/de/index.php

Mostly starter materials, from reasonably priced basic material to great yamadori (that will not be cheap). You will need to bring more than 50 euro though if you want to find something decent.

bonsaischule.de/de/shop.html

Is a very good place also - good prices on wires and accesories aswell compared to danish prices atleast:)

Thanks for the website Auk, unfortunately I don't think they have an online store. My problem would be that there are few bonsai shops that are posting photos of each and every tree they have. Even harder is to find someone that will actually ship the material from Western Europe to Romania.

I will personally visit these nurseries as I travel for 3-4 times a year to the Netherlands, the downside is that Dutch people tend to be over pricey when it comes to Asian products (specially Japanese). On the other hand, Germany seems to be more price friendly and have good products but at the moment can't seem to find any good tree on their market for the right price. I would have no problem paying 300-500 euro for the tree but only if is worth it

Røng wrote: Thanks for the website Auk, unfortunately I don't think they have an online store.

You asked for websites, not stores, and as LB said: "I would recommend not buying online"

Røng wrote: I will personally visit these nurseries as I travel for 3-4 times a year to the Netherlands, the downside is that Dutch people tend to be over pricey when it comes to Asian products (specially Japanese).

By the way: what do you mean with 'Asian products'? I don't think any of my trees are 'Asian products'.