Frequently Asked Questions
Info about your store/warehouse.
Q. I am in Tyler, TX. I like to see the trees I buy
before I buy them. How do you guys showcase your trees?
A. We really only have a very
few specimen Bonsai trees.
We are into Bonsai supplies, tools, potting soil, containers
now and not into Bonsai trees.
Q. Will I be able to come up and walk through and look
at some pots and supplies if I am sure I will buy some
pots and supplies?
A. Yes and No.
You basically need to know what you
want. We have stacks and stacks of pots in boxes with
absolutely no markings or pricing.
We have organized our warehouse for mail order fulfillment
and not as a normal retail store. That being said, If
you know what you need,
you will save 33 to 50% or more by buying from us instead
of a retail store.
Q. Hello. I am coming to Dallas for the
home and garden expo and I was wondering if you had a
store we can visit
and maybe get some supplies
A. Yes, we do. Please look at the link on the front
page of our website: http://dallasbonsai.com/misc.htm This will give you directions and general information
to assist you.
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Q. I have recently purchased your 'Novice Tool Kit -
Plus - 9 Piece'...
I absolutely love them. I have a question for your regarding the care of them.
Will it harm them to oil / clean them with WD40 or should I use a
different product?
A. Yes, you can use WD40. You can use
any oil type product that is easy to use.
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About returning items that just don’t
fit your needs.
Q. This is not a complaint by any means; just a request.
I frequently buy products from your online store and
I love the service you provide! Your wide range of
selection makes your site a must for the Bonsai enthusiast.
I recently ordered several pots but they were not what
I had expected. Would it be possible to return part
of my order to you in exchange for another order? (I
will of course pay for shipping and the difference
can be billed to me.) If so; what do I need to do?
Should I re-order online and process my return as a
return only (not request re-order with return) or should
I return my current order with a written replacement
request? Thank you for your help!
A. Sorry the pots didn't fit your needs!
Yes, you can send them back and we will credit your card
for whatever the pots cost (less shipping and a restocking
charge). All we ask of you is to send any product back
-packed very carefully - to the address that is shown
on the shipping label that was on the box your merchandise
came in. We ask that the merchandise be still new, unused
and resalable. Please send a copy of the order to facilitate
you receiving credit. As to which way you want to do
it, order first, send first, It really
doesn't make any difference to us. Do whatever is easier
for you. We will process the transactions separately.
FYI: The restocking
charge is a $10.00 restocking fee.
Q. I received my order, but need to return it because
the person I purchased it for already has the things
I ordered. What is your return procedure? Do
you offer gift cards? Please let me know.
A. Please send the merchandise to our warehouse address:
4460 West Walnut Street
Suite 218
Garland, TX 75042
We will refund the money on the items (less all shipping charges) if:
They are new and have not been used and are resalable. We do charge a
restocking
fee of $10.00. You must pay the shipping back to us. Please send a copy
of the invoice in the box to make it easier to send you the credit.
Yes, we do offer Gift Certificates in any denomination.
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Q. Hi,
I am a very much a beginning bonsai buyer, which book
do you think I should buy first?
Thank you.
A. As a beginner I would buy the Bonsai Basics by Pessy
and Samson. It's an all color book and should get you
started. From there you can add a book or two as you
gain experience and need more help.
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Q. I need Help regarding fertilizer application.
Please advise how to apply fertilizer I purchased from
you recently.
When I water, I submerge my bonsai. Should I add the
fertilizer to the water? If so, how much per gallon?
I ordered:
F88 Super Bloom Liquid Organic Fertilizer, and
F80 Green King Organic pellet Fertilizer.
Thanks for your help from a novice bonsai enthusiast.
A.Yes, you can add the Super Bloom to the water. Read
the instructions on how much. Remember that you will
have to discard the leftover fertilized water. It can
get rancid an smelly after a few days. At first you will
waste some this way until you get accustomed to how much
you will need each day.
The Green King Pellet is placed on the surface, pressed
into the soil or used with the fertilizer covers we sell.
Please read the instructions provided as to the exact
amount you need to use.
Q. Thanks for all the great info on fertilizing. I went
to your site where you
are selling the fertilizer, but don't know which I should
order. Do you have
anything written down as to what to use with deciduous
and evergreens. I'm
a beginner with a lot to learn!!!
A. Thank you for your feedback and compliment!
I would start with the Fujiyama combo and go from there.
You need to
consider organic vs inorganic. Liquid vs pellet.
But at this stage just
get a good start with the liquid. It's good for all types
of Bonsai.
Q. I received the Fujiyama combo yesterday and would
like to apply soon. I
read the directions stating 1 capfull per 2 qts of water. Do I cut that in
1/2 if I will be fertilzing every week? Also, do I put BOTH the vitamin
and fertilizer in the 2 qts or vitamin in 2 qts and fertilizer in 2 qts (2
separate operations)? Thanks.
A.Yes cut the Fujiyama combo in half
if your going to be fertilizing every week. Either way
on the vitamin. You can mix them because they do not
cause nutrient lock-up when used together.
Q. I’m in San Antonio and it is just as hot as
Dallas, we have had tons of rain though.
Question is I have recently repotted some juniper Bonsai
and want to keep them alive.
How do I balance the fertilizer aspect since they are
still in intensive care? I want to ensure they make it
through the summer but don’t want to shut down
the roots. I don’t see any new growth yet and it’s
been about 3 weeks. Can I use a really diluted fertilizer?
A. Yes, by all means do fertilize,
but at a greatly reduced rate – meaning use 25%
strength weekly. Shower your Bonsai with this fertilizer
too as it does
assimilate about 10% of its nutrients through its needles.
Shower it in the early morning or late evening when it
will be utilized more effectively by the plant. You should
also use a root stimulator like our Bonsai Vitamin or
the Japanese product Menedael. The root hormones in these
products will spur on new root growth.
Top Q. The seeds I got from you will
not grow and I planted them a week ago and no sprouts
are up and I look at the seeds and they look no different
than when I planted them.
I do not know what to do. I have eight containers with
one seed in every container and I move 4 outside and
4 inside and nothing
is happening. What should I do? And when
they grow can I keep them inside?
because were I live it rains a lot.
and I want to keep them inside. but I do not know where
and the soil I used - I do not know
if it is good because it has in it perlite and bone meal
and same soil called seed starter. - and I do not no
how deep to put the seeds. and the seeds I
got are Japanese
five needle pine.
A. It takes much longer than a week usually for the seed
to germinate. These are outside tree seeds. you can bring
them inside for a time, but having fresh, moving air
should help them. Be patient. If you have good drainage,
rain shouldn't be a problem. The soil sounds good, as
long as it's sterile. Basically, you just need to cover
the seed with soil, don't let it dry out and in two to
three months you will have your babies up.
Q. Concerning the seeds I have - Do I plant them with
a plastic bag over the top or just in a pot? How do
I plant the seeds – upright?
or on their sides or it doesn't matter? And what soil
and fertilizer do I use? And can I put the moss on
when I plant the seeds? Do I have to use the moss
when the trunk comes up? and can I plant them inside?
and how long it will take them to grow? You
are a big help to me THANKS!!!
A. You can use a plastic bag around your pot to increase
the humidity for the first few days of their emergence
from the seed caupsule. It doesn't matter what side
you plant them on. Just cover them with peat moss or
sand. Gravity will make the seed send it's roots down.
The best fertilizer is our liquid bonsai fertilizer.
Use it at half strength while they are young. The moss
is used to keep the soil moist and inhibit fungus attacking
the seeds. Once germinated, you need to put them outside
in the shade and over a few days, gradually introduce
them into the sun.
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Tool Sets
Q. Could you please explain the difference between the
5S1 five-piece black
metal tool set and the 5S5 five-piece tool set from Japan?
Both sets
look the same and have similar descriptions on the website.
Same
question with respect to 6S1 vs. 6S5. Thank you.
A. The difference in the 5 piece sets are the rake.....T60
and T61. Some people
like the longer rake so I let them choose.
The 6 piece is the difference in the wire cutter and
rake.......BM26 and
BM33 - T60 & T61. The BM26 is known more here in
the USA because it is illustrated more in the Bonsai
Books in English so I show it on
one and the BM33 on the other.
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Tool Selection.
Q. Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you from Bangalore, India. I am interested
in buying some
tools from your site.
I basically need:
1. A Wire Cutter - to cut off the wires wound around
branches etc.
2. Concave Cutter - to prune branches, which leaves a
concave wound,
enabling
the wound to heal leaving a less prominent mark.
3. A pair of Shears - to be used across all my plants
and bonsais. I have tropical trees like the Ficus benjamina
etc. Currently I have a small
collection of about 10 bonsais, but I plan to grow this
collection over the
years. A relative of mine is going to visit us from NY.
I will be requesting
her to pick up this stuff from your site, so that she
can get it delivered within the
US, and then she can carry it to India for me. I need
your guidance on which tool model I should pick up. Since
you have a large variety, it is
difficult for me to take a decision over the internet. I would also like to know which material is most durable.
Since we live in a
humid climate - the tools shouldn't rust. Awaiting your response on the same.
A. If you worry about rusting then you should choose
the stainless steel
tools...The SS36 for a wire cutter.......The SS10 is
the standard concave.
The SS01 or SS02 for scissors. However, stainless steel
tools can be above some people’s budget – they
can be double or triple the cost of the traditional black
metal Bonsai tools. If that’s your case then by
all means pick the BM33 for a wire cutter, the BM10 for
a concave cutter and the BM01 or BM02 as your scissor.
The plated ones will slow down the rust problem, but
you should be able to control it on the black metal tools
by just oiling them as you should anyway.
Top Q. I live in Shreveport, LA. My daughter
was in Boston in April and purchased a Bonsai which she
gave to me
for Mother's Day. It looked a little sad when I got it,
but I put it on the patio and watered it twice a week
as instructed and fertilized it. A few new leaves and
one of two shoots came out. The leaves were oval shaped
and dark green. My daughter said there were tiny white
blossoms on it when she purchased it. Then one day I
came home and the leaves and new branches were wilted.
It has since turned totally brown and looks very dead.
I I am still watering and fertilizing it. Should I give
up and start over or is there any chance it will come
back?
A. I feel saddened to be the bearer
of such an unhappy answer. I think it’s probably
dead. However, let’s
try a few diagnostic tests to see if there is some life
left in the Bonsai. First, try the fingernail test. Does
the bark scratch green? If yes, then there is some life
left in the main trunk and branch areas. This test doesn’t
work well with junipers – sorry. I would water
it and give it - say a liquid fertilizer in the range
of 25% strength and some root hormones to hopefully stimulate
it root growth – this is our Bonsai Vitamin or
the Japanese product – Menedael. If after three
or four months of steadfastly watering and there is no
appearance of any new growth, then your Bonsai has passed
on to Bonsai heaven….sorry. If your daughter purchased
a Snow Rose or Serissa for you. These are very nice Bonsai
plants for indoor. However, some varieties just can’t
take our hot weather. I can remember years ago when we
brought them in from Shanghai, China, I would go out
every morning and see one, two, three or more dead out
of 500 we purchased. There was not disease above or below
ground. They just couldn’t take our heat here in
Dallas, Texas. From your description of the way you took
care of it I would say that you did not water it enough.
Normally, when a plant wilts it’s because it’s
drying out. The day you came home and noticed the new
branches and leaves wilting is probably the day after
you forgot to water it. Twice a week watering is just
not enough. It may be enough in Boston, but not enough
in Shreveport or Dallas where we are much hotter and
therefore the soil dries out quicker. Don’t give
up on Bonsai. Try again. You’ve learned a lot from
this experience and will enjoy another one.
Q. I have a bonsai tree that look like palm trees, the
leaves are turning brown yet the tree itself is still
growing. How do I trim the brown leaves and not kill
the tree itself?
A. I hate to diagnose a problem without
actually knowing who the patient really is. Please
call us from 2 to 5
PM Central time at 972 487 0130 and I will be happy to
discuss this with you. As to what kind of Bonsai you
have – palm tree – probably not. Desert Rose
(Portulacaria afra) possibly. Schefflera – Umbrella
Tree possibly. First – the plant …The desert
rose is a succulent type plant – meaning – treat
it like a succulent plant. A little water in the summer
and hardly no water in the winter. The schefflera is
a tropical foliage type of plant that requires the environment
of tropical foliage – which is a humid atmosphere
and moist conditions. What did I just say? You had better
find out just what kind of plant you have before you
start taking care of it. The plant culture of each one
of these is world’s apart. If I were guessing ……….
And that’s all I can do…….you have
the desert rose. Go to the local public library and look
at some plant picture books. That should get you on the
right track. As to the leaves turning brown, yet the
tree itself is still growing…….. It’s
a normal growth pattern to have the lower leaves of a
plant to die, turn brown and slough off. If it’s
the upper leaves – you’ve got a problem.
As to trimming the brown leaves. If they are completely
brown they are just waiting for you to trim them off.
This will not kill the tree..they’re dead already.
You’re just making the plant esthetically pleasing.
If the brown is on the tips or edges of the leaves you
can cut that portion of the leaf off, but you will still
have a brown edge from your scissor cutting visible – it
may not be as objectionable as large areas, but it will
be there.
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Q. Did you once sell hi-yeld , maneb
,9 oz.?? This was for root rot problems in bonsai plants.
Finally found some locally but I do not remimber the
amount per gal of water.
A. Sorry, we don’t sell any pesticides
or fungicides. They are normally regulated by the states
and it’s
difficult to try to adhere to all the different rules
by different states. Just too much.
As to the dilution rate for Bonsai. It would be the same
as for any plant listed. Remember – just get the
understanding down to the plant level. Your Bonsai is
a plant. Read the instructions for that type of plant....Juniper,
pine, whatever. Don’t try to dilute it more than
what the instructions call for. It won’t be effective.
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The Credit
Card Processing in our Dallas Bonsai Garden software.
Q. My order # xxxx
I had attempted a few times to place an order on
http://www.dallasbonsai.com/ but
I would get a page that said there was an
error that the address doesn’t match the card.
I had only intended to make 1 order but I see 3 charges
of $48.55 to the
card I entered. Order #xxxx is the only one that went
through when I was trying to order.
I received an e-mail that my order has shipped - tracking #
1Z75640E03xxxxxxxx.. Please cancel any other orders you have for me.
A. Firstly, thank you for your order!
We only processed one order.
Let me explain how this credit card software works.
The credit card processor is one of the largest in the
world. We get
approval to use their software/link on our pages. They
control all of the
processing. I don't get an order until they have approved
the credit card.
I don't even see the order/orders that are not approved.
(I can go to their
website and log on and see all that stuff, but I don't
go there unless I
feel I have a problem with something.) What will happen
is that the two other
charges will fade away in a few days. It's basically
a hold on that amount
of money on your credit card - but I only get the money
from the approved
orders. We set this process up with the credit card processor
to make it faster to get your orders out. I used to
get finger cramps punching in 35 digits of your card
number (15 or 16)/expiration date (4)/address (1 to 5)/zip
code (5)/and finally the amount in 4 to 5 digits. This
system has sped up the process and is certainly a lot
more accurate than my finger punching.
If you have any problems with this please contact us
and we will get it
cleared up immediately.
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Pruning
Compounds
Q:
Please tell me your thoughts on pruning compounds....what
do you recommend if buying....some texts say is not even
needed....i've done it both ways....suggestions
A:
Yes, I’ve heard all the theories about doing it
and not doing it. I think it’s a extremely good
product to protect your Bonsai and here are the reasons:
1. Protects your Bonsai from Decay. Of course you think
of your Bonsai as a tree in miniature. And, yes, it is.
You’ve seen larger trees or larger tree branches,
especially fast growing ones, that have been brought
down by wind storms or rain storms. Check out the interior
of the tree and quite often you will see dead or decayed
interiors. The tree has rotted out from the inside and
with the stress of strong winds has just broken apart
like a wishbone. Had some type of protection been given
this tree when the decay had started it would still be
up and growing.
2. Protects your Bonsai from Insects. You and I live
in quite a sanitized environment. But your Bonsai’s
environment is much more natural – which means
it does live around insects. These insects can eat your
tree, hibernate within nooks and crannies and lay their
eggs there. If you use a pruning compound you will at
least lower the chances of insects using your Bonsai
as a home.
3. Fungi. This stuff is all around us and we can’t
see it. An open wound is a perfect place for fungi to
attach and grow. Cover up the wound and you Bonsai should
be able to fend off any infections from this.
4. All these products contain antiseptic ingredients.
Now after all this – Just which
one should you purchase?
We have 4 major products from which to choose.
First let’s separate them by consistency:
1. Toothpaste consistency. These 2 are Calusmate and
Kiyonal. Because of their fluidity they are easier to
use.
2. Cutpaste – Green Cap and White Cap. The products
are the same except for the color of the product. The
Green Cap is to be used with evergreens and the White
Cap is to be used for deciduous (lose their leaves in
winter) Bonsai. The consistency of this product is similar
to spackling compound. It is more difficult to use, but
it will be there forever. When we have imported Bonsai
from Japan that had voids in the bark this product was
always used.
Which ones do we sell most? Kiyonal….and
then purchases of both of the Cutpaste to have just
the right
color.
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Spray Nozzles
Q:
Please explain to my simple mind how your spray nozzles
(SN75-77), attach and work
A:
Here is one of those good and bad news answers:
The Good News: These spray nozzles have an extremely
fine spray head for watering and showering your Bonsai.
The holes on the spray head are so tiny that you cannot
use a regular straight pin to penetrate one of them.
The hole size is more like a very fine sewing needle
or acupuncture needle.
The Bad News: There is no garden hose thread fitting
at the base of the spray nozzle to attach it to your
garden hose.
Now don’t shake your head in disbelief. Let’s
try to understand just why the spray nozzles are the
way they are. Many places in Japan have their water tanks
on the roof of their homes. You can imagine how much
pressure that gives them. Their hose bibs are smooth,
meaning that they don’t have the garden hose threads
that we have here in the USA. Their water hoses are more
like a piece of tubing just pushed onto the hose bib
and the spray nozzle pushed into the opposite end of
the tubing. With such low water pressure there is no
fear of the tubing separating from the spray nozzle or
hose bib. We normally have 45 pounds of water pressure
here in the USA. If we used this form of attaching we
would get a shower every time we turned on the water
because the tubing just wouldn’t stay put on the
hose bib.
What’s the answer? Well, we don’t have anything
that even comes close to this product here in the USA.
That means we really don’t have any substitute
for this Japanese Spray Nozzle. So, we need to go to
the closest big box hardware store and get you a stainless
steel clamp. Then most of us have old and leaky water
hoses around. Cut off one of the female garden hose thread
fittings and about 2” of hose. Stuff the spray
nozzle into the water hose and clamp it down with the
stainless steel clamp. You’ve been a good boy/girl
scout and now have a very excellent way of watering you
Bonsai.
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Faux/Fake Bonsai Tree
Q: Faux/Fake Bonsai Tree.
We need a large ( if it was real it would cost from 2
to 5 k ) style
tree for office space. or can we commission it ?
A:
Yes, they are available. We have seen some extremely
beautiful ones in the southern part of Japan. In Japan
they are used in restaurants and entry areas of large
buildings. The ones that look really real are the ones
that are dead Bonsai that have had all their needles
replaced. Just imagine a truly beautiful Bonsai that
is dead with its few remaining needles falling off.
These dead Bonsai are cleaned up and repotted into
a fine pot. Then this sweet lady of 70 or so years
puts on plastic needles one by one by hand. The cost
is equal or more than the cost of a live Bonsai. We’ve
seen cheap imitations from China and they look like
cheap imitations. If you want a fake one you need to
think of prices equal to or higher than a live one.
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Miscellaneous
Q:
I tried calling, it must have been too late in the evening.
I am putting
together a 7-tree pine forest in a size E oval pot and
am looking for
soil recommendations as well as quantity needed. Also
overwintering info
for my trees. I have a large (24" tall) Japanese
Maple and an 18"
Juniper, I live in Minneapolis, MN. (It gets pretty cold).
I have been
overwintering them in a nursery, but that's no longer
an option.
A:
1. Soil Recommendations- For pines the best soil we have
is Akadama. This is a volcanic soil from Japan. Excellent
drainage which pines need. The downside to this is
of course that you do have to water more often.
2. 2. Quantity needed. We sell our soils by volume
not by weight. Think of a 1 quart milk carton and you
have
the 1 quart size. The 5 quart size – think of a
1 gallon mike carton plus some for your 5 quart size.
3. Overwintering in cold areas. We had a booth in the
International Bazaar of the Minnesota State Fair for
about 10 years during the 90’s. We did (and still
do) intently listen to our customers and their comments
on their way of doing things. Of course, one of the most
important items we discussed in Minnesota was what to
do with your Bonsai during the winter. The most successful
methods was a coldframe or an unheated room for this
stressful period. Even in the neighboring state of Wisconsin
didn’t have the extremes of temperatures that the
hobbyists endured in Minnesota. (We did the Wisconsin
State Fair during that period also). The problem with
healing in Bonsai outside – A. the pot would break
and the roots would dry out. B. Varmints would eat the
branches and roots for their food source. C. The cold
was just too much for the Bonsai to endure. The most
successful method of caring for your Bonsai is an unheated
room – which means temperatures will stay slightly
above freezing. Deciduous Bonsai require little light
during this period. Evergreen Bonsai will require some
light either natural or by plant lights hung to within
one foot of the Bonsai.
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