In many countries, bonsai is sold in specialized stores or periodically held exhibitions. In Georgia, bonsai can be purchased in garden stores. These are mostly small-sized ficuses or Chinese elms, commercially produced in Europe. These species are suitable only for indoor bonsai. In most cases, except for very rare exceptions, these plants are of little value to a true bonsai connoisseur (due to improper shaping). If you search online for plants for sale, you will see that this trend is not unique to Georgia. Similar things happen in various countries around the world. However, buying such a plant also has an advantage: a hobbyist who is well-versed in shaping techniques can create quite a beautiful bonsai from such a tree in 1-2 years.
When buying, make sure to carefully examine the bonsai. Very often, due to incorrect placement and care in the store, the plant is quite weakened. First, pay attention to the leaves; a large number of yellowed or fallen leaves already indicates plant weakness. Newly emerging shoots should not be unnaturally long, and the distance between the nodes should be even throughout. The plant should not have dried branches. If the plant is coniferous, brown needles already indicate that the plant has certain problems. The store may provide incorrect information about the plant’s care. Therefore, it is better to clarify the plant's species and Latin name, then, based on various sources, determine what conditions are needed for the specific variety to develop normally.
It is less risky if you decide to buy the bonsai from a specialist who works on creating miniature trees. Such a person will provide you with all the necessary care information in detail.
What is a bonsai worth? Answering this question is quite difficult because the evaluation is highly subjective. Bonsais offered for sale in stores are relatively inexpensive. However, a bonsai that is truly valuable is very rare in Georgia. A specialist who decides to sell their work typically asks for a significant amount of money. The reason for this is the great time spent on creating the bonsai. If you search online, the price of beautiful bonsai specimens for sale ranges from 1,000 to 15,000 US dollars. However, Japanese collectors typically pay much higher amounts for traditional, unique bonsais.
The most expensive bonsai, a Japanese white pine, was sold for 100,000,000 Japanese yen (approximately 1,300,000 dollars) at a bonsai exhibition held in Japan from November 18-21, 2011.
It is said to be 300 years old. No one would pay such a large amount for a tree of the same age in nature.
A bonsai is never valued solely by its age . This tree is a masterpiece in the bonsai culture, practically an ideal work of art. It meets all the classical bonsai requirements.
When you decide to buy a bonsai, you must be sure that you can create the proper conditions for its normal development. You should also know if you are ready to give the small plant the attention it needs and take care of it properly.
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