Out of the 189 visitors who answered this survey in June '99, the most popular collection method was to buy potensai from nurseries . Other common methods of obtaining bonsai material were growing from seed - where time was not a factor and people enjoyed being able to create a bonsai from the very start, and also by cuttings, grafting or layering . If done correctly, where all measures are taken to ensure that the plant sustains the least shock possible during transportation, you skip many of the arduous steps usually necessary in bonsai. This way I can find cheap plants to work on and turn into bonsai and not be afraid of messing them up, as I am only a beginner. I have made quite a few good bonsai using this method.
Cuttings are also of fast growing trees.
It is very important to me to obtain very good root placement and trunk attitude, which the above methods allow. Being a full time student, I don't have the time to propagate my own material, so I take myself down to all the little nurseries and look for trees I can use. Quality and age factor. Cold climate, relatively new to the game. Low cost 3.