With investors increasingly joining home gardeners in their quest for bonsai, there are literally hundreds of varieties including bonsai ginseng which have seen a recent renaissance. Here in this blog we will cover some basic tips on buying a healthy bonsai.

Now available in department stores, nurseries and increasingly online, ficus ginseng bonsai can now be purchased just about everywhere and as with most things these days even China is now mass producing bonsai.

When looking to purchase a bonsai you must first decide if you are buying your bonsai as an investment or simply to revel in its craftsmanship and character. The two are distinctly different and involve a different degree of careful decision making.

Given my recent blog post regarding Bonsai Ginseng As An Investment I will discuss purchasing a bonsai as an alternative investment.

Bonsai Buying Tips

This particular post won’t specifically focus on ficus ginseng, but rather bonsai buying tips in general, however there are some things which you should look for regardless of the reason for the purchase.

• First and foremost, don’t buy the first bonsai you see, look at many different varieties, speak with experts and do some research. Online is a great start, have a look here at this specialist bonsai store, Bonsai Boy of New York , it will give a good idea as to what is available on line.
• Another important factor is the health of the bonsai, be sure to check the plant for damage including previous damage to the branches. You should also look for root rot and there is an easy test which involves pushing your finger into the soil, if it is quite slimy this may mean the plant has some root rot.
• Finally, the craftsmanship of the bonsai is everything and as such the value of the plant is dependent entirely on its perceived value and at the end of the day who’s bidding for it.

For more information on ficus ginseng, or any bonsai,  check out some these great books

101 Essential Tips on Bonsai by Harry Tomlinson

Indoor Bonsai for beginners – Selection, Care & Training by Werner M Busch

Bonsai Basics – Christian Pessey and Remy Samson