Camocarmen: You can certainly grow bonsai from seeds. Indeed,
many good bonsaiists do this. However, even those who do will
tell you that most of their bonsai start their training beyond
the seedling stage.
There are many trees in Louisiana which are suitable for
bonsai. Included among these a
Azalea, Rhododendron (many varieties)
American Elm, Ulmus americana
Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum*
Boxwood, Buxus microphylla
Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica*
Chinese Elm, Ulmus parvifolia (also Catlin elm)
Cedar Elm, Ulmus crassifolia*
Hophornbeam or Ironwood, Ostrya virginiana*
Hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana*
Juniper, Juniperus (many varieties)
Japanese Black Pine, Pinus thunbergii
Maples, Acer (Japanese, trident, red swamp*)
River Birch, Betula nigra*
Spruce Pine, Pinus glabra*
Sweet Gum, Liquidambar styraciflua*
Tupelo Gum, Nyssa aquatica*
Water Elm, Planera aquatica*
Yaupon Holly, Ilex vomitoria*
*Native tree to Louisiana
You do not have to learn bonsai in isolation. There are
many people who enjoy bonsai in Louisiana. If you are 80 miles
NW of New Orleans, then you are probably near Baton Rouge which
has the Louisiana Bonsai Society, the oldest in the state. You
can find them through their web site at:
http://www.vrtx1.com/bonsai/lbs.html
A few miles east, in Covington, is the newly formed
Northshore Bonsai Society which is still in its organizational
stage. It will meet at Guy Guidry's Bonsai Northshore. You can
track it down at: http://bonsainorthshore.com
Another commercial resource in Houma (in case you are
west of the Mississippi River) is Living Arts Bonsai run by Dave
& Elaine Lapeyrouse. They have a web site at:
http://www.livingartbonsai.com
Welcome to bonsai. Hope to see you around.
Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org


-----Original Message-----
From: camocarmen

I got interested in bonsai when I lived in Houston. I have a few
"beginner"
ones ( Ficus, Juniper, Fukien, Bougainvillea, Jade) that are
doing well.
But, unfortunately, the only bonsais around here come from
Lowe's.
Which seeds are easiest to grow in Louisiana (80 miles NW of New
Orleans)? I believe that I'm in zone 8/9. I was thinking of
ordering them online. Any reliable websites would be greatly
appreciated.

Many thanks for your help,
camocarmen

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