treebeard55

A little over a week ago, I wandered into our local Lowe's to see what I might find. There was one nice candidate mugo pine in the garden center, with a good start on base and trunk, and healthy as all get-out.

The pot was broken, with the plastic torn down from the top about 4 inches. I asked a manager if she might give me a discount because of the broken pot. Somewhat to my surprise, she said yes, adding that plants in broken pots are hard to keep properly watered, and so she tries to move them out. She gave me 50% off.

My hand is holding the break open in the first picture. I think this will be my demo tree for next year's Cherry Blossom Festival in Fort Wayne.

Then, a couple of hours ago I stopped at one of my favorite general-purpose nurseries after an errand to the bank. In their set-back area was a Colorado spruce (Picea pungens) that had been there for over a year, recovering from some damage. It looks healthy now, tho it's not going to appeal to the average homeowner for landscaping.

I asked how much they wanted for it, and when the answer was "$5", I grabbed! This is a tree that deserves a chance to be a bonsai. It stands about 3-1/2 feet tall (a little over a meter.)

I'm actually not sure I'll keep it: since we moved, my growing space is limited. But even if I don't, I'm sure I can sell it next weekend at the Ft. Wayne club's annual picnic-and-auction.

So, when you're shopping, look for broken pots, and check out the set-back area.

Attached Images

	Broken nursery pot.jpg (97.4 KB, 35 views)
	Bunjin spruce.jpg (82.9 KB, 36 views)

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Treebeard 55

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

Michel

Hi,

Nice catch ,
and if I were You, I'd keep the spruce and
get the literati it advertises right out of it:

You won't need that big a pot for it anyway,
and while having its head in the sun it can
provide a bit of dappled shade for its surrounding
lil' colleagues, if placed strategically.

Just a thought.

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Greetz,

Michel

Mattbonsai

HIya, Good deals, I have to agree with Michel, I'd keep the Spruce, there's a literati in there screaming to get out!

-Matt-

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treebeard55

Thanks, guys. The more I look at the spruce, the more inclined I am to keep it. I may have to sell something else to make room, but where else will I get a tree with that much potential already present, for such a price?

I love pines. Spruce are closely related. Maybe it's time to expand my horizons a notch.

__________________
Treebeard 55

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

treebeard55

Here's are better pictures of this spruce, from two slightly different angles. Right now I am inclined to go with front #2, because of how the nebari looks from that angle. (Sorry, my pics of the nebari didn't turn out very well.)

But I'm still studying and cogitating about this tree. Opinions and suggestions are hereby solicited.

Attached Images

	Colorado spruce, possible front 1.jpg (95.0 KB, 6 views)
	Colorado spruce, possible front 2.jpg (24.0 KB, 9 views)

__________________
Treebeard 55

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.