Five Things to Know When Buying Bonsai Trees for Sale

Bonsai trees for sale are among the bestselling decor plants because they exude luxury, class, pristine beauty and freshness that will match all architectures and landscapes of any establishments. In Asia, these trees are said to bring good luck and longevity, represented by their ability to stay sturdy for centuries. For some people, they are pure elegance and status symbol.

Often passed down to generations as heirloom, bonsai trees are great centerpieces. Despite their relatively high prices in the market, many people still prefer them because they are not only decorations but guaranteed investments. Just like antique items, their prices also soar higher the older they get.

Being able to afford bonsai trees is not everything when it comes to buying. There are lots of crucial factors to be considered to make the cultivation successful. Check the things you should know before making a purchase.

1. Species

Buying according to mere aesthetic brilliance or specific style you deem best for your home is not a wise thing to do. Bonsai trees for sale usually change appearance when bought due to the change of caring techniques, maintenance and environment. Unfortunately, not all species of bonsai trees require the same method of maintenance because they differ in natural adaptability  biological mechanisms and environmental needs. Not knowing the perfect species for your place, type of weather and available space may just lead to withering.

The three most common species of bonsai trees are deciduous tree species, pines and coniferous tree species, and tropical and subtropical bonsai tree species. Out of the three, the latter is the most marketable, probably because of the authentic Japanese (where tree dwarfing originated) ambiance it brings.

The deciduous tree species includes magnolia, oak and boxwood bonsais. This is best for places with very mild weather conditions and controllable environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, water, wind and sunlight. Most flower bearing bonsai trees of sale belong to this species.

The Coniferous species includes pine, juniper, cedar, spruce, and other varieties with needle-like leaves and foliage. This is best for cold environment, high and moist places. Among the most popular bonsai species, this requires less maintenance but is still able to provide that ornamental vibe to the place it stands on. Coniferous species is very exacting. Therefore, it is only advisable for professional growers and not amateurs.

The tropical and subtropical tree species are the most favored varieties, commercially speaking. They are more adoptable to different styles. As the names imply, these species of bonsai trees for sale are most suitable for warm places. However, it is important to keep in mind that these are susceptible to extreme temperatures. Lastly, these species are only advisable for indoor placement.

2. Environment

Before deciding on the species to buy, check out your place first where you will put the tree. Does it have controllable climate and temperature? Is the tree for indoors or outdoors? Are the environmental conditions, including sunlight, wind and pest control, tolerable or bordering to extreme?

3. Pot

The pot is very important when looking for bonsai trees for sale because the very nature of the plant mostly relies on it. The style and material of the pot are secondary considerations. What you really need to do is to closely examine the pot’s condition before buying. The puny size of the plant is attributed to the pot and growing method. Buying a bonsai tree with dented pot will result to excessive growing in a matter of time because the roots can grow normally, free of restrictions. Should you mistakenly purchase a defected plant base, repotting can be done, but that is very risky. Just one wrong move in the process will cause the bonsai tree to return to its natural proportions.

Only earth-based materials are recommended for bonsai trees. Ceramic products are the best choice for coniferous and deciduous tree species (ceramics can be too cold for tropical species).

4. Style

With no doubt, Japanese and zen (combination of two opposing elements) styles are the bestsellers among the bunch. They give authentic bonsai backdrop to any garden, home, office and store. For the plant and place to complement each other, it is important that they have the same style.

5. Maintenance

Bonsai trees for sale are high-maintenance plants that require specialized garden equipment. Wanting to have bonsai trees comes in a package deal—buy the bonsai trees and the maintenance materials at the same time.

Looking at prices of bonsai trees might be tricky because it doesn’t give accurate cost. Materials for maintenance, such as humidity tray, bonsai wire for growth restriction, extra pot and fertilizer, should also be purchased.