Sources of Bonsai Material Whether you plan to grow just one or
two trees, or to cultivate a collection of bonsai, there are
various ways of acquiring your plants. Each method has
advantages and disadvantages, and each requires a different
amount of effort and commitment. Buying a Bonsai The quickest
method of obtaining a bonsai is simply to buy one from a bonsai
nursery, a garden center or a botanical garden. The main
advantage is that you will instantly own a "ready-made" bonsai;
however, the specimens may be very expensive, of poor quality,
or not in top-notch condition. Many bonsai trees sold in
countries outside Asia have been imported from Japan, so their
price includes transport and handling costs. In some areas,
there are few bonsai outlets, and you may need to travel some
distance to find one. Some plants sold as bonsai are not true
bonsai, but merely young trees growing in pots. Trees From the
Wild There is no advantage in collecting seedlings or saplings
from the wild, but often mature trees become