Hi. My name is Eric. I've been lurking here for a little while. I'm in
zone 4...South Dakota. I've already looked and there isn't a bonsai club
close by.

My bonsai collection to date consists of maple seeds that I'm stratifying in
my refrigerator...won't be ready to germinate until late January. In other
words, I'm treeless. I'm planning on stopping by my local tree nursery in
late winter to see what stock they have that looks promising for bonsai.

In the meantime, I'm reading a few bonsai books and lurking here, hoping to
learn something.

Here's a web page that I was looking at that contains tool recommendations:

http://www.bonsaiweb.com/guide/

What's the difference between concave and spherical knob cutters? Would
there be times that I would *not* want one with a spherical head?

I did a google search and found some recommendations for Joshua Roth tools.
Are these good value for the money? I don't mind spending a little more now
to have a quality tool that will last. But I don't want to spend extra if I
don't have to. I'd rather buy more trees than waste money on fancy tools.


Thanks for any advice!


Eric

Hi Eric,

Welcome to the list! Glad you came out of "stealth" mode.

January? - Isn't that still a little chilly?

For tools I recommend Brent's site at:
http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/

"concave" cutters - are a must in your tool bag.
"spherical" or "knob" cutters - You will find necessary as you progress, but
not necessary at the beginning.

The difference between the two are the type of cuts they make. Concave make
a more pointed angled cut, "knob" cutters make a circular deeper cut and are
most often used to cleanup branches you remove leaving a hole that heals
easier.

I've been happy with my Joshua Roth - but buy from the intermediate or
advanced sets and Do not spend the money on "stainless" steel.

Keep reading and studying and find something to start with. Much more fun
then waiting on those little seeds to grow.

--
Denise Hurd Central CA - Sunset Zone 8-USDA Zone 9

"The Bride"

snipped

Seeds are great and everyone should have a go, but you'll need a lot of
patience - you are looking at 5 to 10 years min before you get anything
interesting, and a lot longer for a real bonsai. Chances are you are going
to want to fiddle around long before that.
For a beginner, I'd recommend buying a good basic 'how to' book and get a
few cheap trees in gallon pots from a local nursery. Junipers are ever
popular, pretty indestructable and great for hacking around. Hack and wire
away and you will be amazed at what fun you can have. You may even end up
with something halfway decent in a few years.

Also now is a great time to ask friends and neighbours if they have any
shrubs or trees they want clearing from their yards. Your book should tell
you how to lift them look after them.

For tools I'd wait for six months or so to make sure you are really hooked
before splashing out on anything expensive (ie from a bonsai dealer), all
you really need to get going are a good strong & sharp pair of scissors, a
pair of pliers, a sharp knife and some pruning shears. You will also need to
get a few rolls of aluminum wire of various grades and a pair of wire snips.
Also, don't be in a hurry to get your trees into those pretty little pots,
most training work is much better done in a plastic bucket.

When you have mastered the basics, and are pretty sure you can keep a tree
alive in a pot, then is the time to splash out on a nice little tree or two,
and at that point you can also get a few of the more specialised tools.
Again your book will advise.

Sean. UK.

"Shelly Hurd" wrote in message
...
Hi Eric,

Welcome to the list! Glad you came out of "stealth" mode.

January? - Isn't that still a little chilly?

For tools I recommend Brent's site at:
http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/

"concave" cutters - are a must in your tool bag.
"spherical" or "knob" cutters - You will find necessary as you progress,
but
not necessary at the beginning.

The difference between the two are the type of cuts they make. Concave
make
a more pointed angled cut, "knob" cutters make a circular deeper cut and
are
most often used to cleanup branches you remove leaving a hole that heals
easier.

I've been happy with my Joshua Roth - but buy from the intermediate or
advanced sets and Do not spend the money on "stainless" steel.

Keep reading and studying and find something to start with. Much more fun
then waiting on those little seeds to grow.

--
Denise Hurd Central CA - Sunset Zone 8-USDA Zone 9

"The Bride"

snipped

"Shelly Hurd" wrote:

January? - Isn't that still a little chilly?

Yes. Will start them indoors, under lights until it's warm enough outside.
Figure they need as much of a head start as possible.

The difference between the two are the type of cuts they make. Concave make
a more pointed angled cut, "knob" cutters make a circular deeper cut and are
most often used to cleanup branches you remove leaving a hole that heals
easier.

When would I use the concave? I thought they were used for removing
branches, too. That's what confused me...I saw references to both being
used for removing branches.

Keep reading and studying and find something to start with. Much more fun
then waiting on those little seeds to grow.

Yeah. When I found out that I wouldn't do much to them for the first couple
years of their life, I realized I need to start off with something bigger
that I can work with while waiting for the seedlings to mature.


Eric

"Sean Hayes" wrote:

For tools I'd wait for six months or so to make sure you are really hooked
before splashing out on anything expensive

Well, I'm looking for tools before next spring mainly because my wife just
asked for ideas on what I'd like for Christmas.

Fair enough - but I still stand by what I said - get a bunch of trees to
play with and some basic tools. It's not much fun having a shiny new branch
cutter and no branches to cut :-)

For what its worth, I have a good quality Japanese curved side branch cutter
(a fabulous tool, and also a Christmas present!), and a flat bladed end on
cutter. But I still don't have a knob cutter. I can usually get a flat
enough cut to heal over with the tools I have, especially with a little
extra help from a penknife. For jin's I use pruners and crush and tear back
with the pliers - gives a nice natural effect. Typically if I want a hole
(uro), I cut flattish with the side cutters and then gouge it out with a
small chisel and maybe put in a little wet earth to let it rot back
natuarally (on deciduous).

If you are looking after a nursery full of trees then a knob cutter is
probably worth it, if you have less than 20 trees (which is about the number
I can give sufficient attention to) I think your (wife's) money might be
better spent elsewhere.

One thing you might ask for is a large (10 Gallon+) chinese water basin and
a high quality watering can. Catch rainwater in the basin - much better for
the trees than tap water and it looks good in the garden too, and having a
good can makes your daily watering a pleasure rather than a burden.

Cheers,
Sean.

wrote in message
...
"Sean Hayes" wrote:

For tools I'd wait for six months or so to make sure you are really
hooked
before splashing out on anything expensive

Well, I'm looking for tools before next spring mainly because my wife just
asked for ideas on what I'd like for Christmas.

Sean:

Thanks for the advice. Where would I find a chinese water basin? I did an
online search but didn't come up with anything. That's a good idea about a
watering can, too.


Eric

I suppose the glib answer would be China :-) The truthful answer is I don't
know where you would get one in the US, they are available here in Bonsai
nurseries and garden centers. I'll be passing by one later this month and I
usually drop in to see what they have, I'll ask where they get them from.

wrote in message
...
Sean:

Thanks for the advice. Where would I find a chinese water basin? I did
an
online search but didn't come up with anything. That's a good idea about
a
watering can, too.


Eric