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?
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Info about your store/warehouse. 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.
 Top 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?
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.
Top 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. Top 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. Top 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.
Top 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.
Top 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. Top
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: Now after all this – Just which one should you purchase? We have 4 major products from which to choose. Which ones do we sell most? Kiyonal….and
then purchases of both of the Cutpaste to have just
the right
color. 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: 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. Q: Faux/Fake Bonsai Tree.
We need a large ( if it was real it would cost from 2
to 5 k ) style 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. Miscellaneous 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.
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