Buying bonsai materials in the Philippines has been an interesting experience. Sometimes when purchasing general plants I encounter the same things, but Bonsai buying is by far the most perilous experience to undertake.
You may ask, what perils exist? Well that list is a lenghty one indeed.
“HUNTERS” in the Philippines. Mostly located in the Luzon or Mindanao regions are people on Facebook that advertise “materials” for sale to other facebook users. For the most part they are supposed to be licensed and have permits to collect these tree materials. They travel into the remote areas to search for trees they can harvest and then sell through Facebook. Some may have clientelle that they have provided for in the past and maybe they also provide materials directly after “hunting” and collecting the specimens.
This plant above was offered as Teak. Honestly there is not a way I can tell if that is Teak at this stage. It is just wood without a single leaf and so into the pot it goes. Add substrate and care for it until such a time as you can see it begin to grow.
Some months later and this is the result. According to Google Lens it can be many things, but not once does it come up as Teak. So, this will probably get some space in the garden area and I will see how it grows. Teak, nope.
Selling plants that don’t grow in this climate?
So getting materials that are not as advertised is not really a shocker. The other day a “Hunter” was selling Silver Birch that they say they harvested in the Philippines. Unfortunately the Silver Birch only grows in climates that have a deep winter. I feel sorry for the people that were misled and bought something that is just not what was advertised. I spoke with the seller and asked if it was the Himbabao which is sometimes referred to as a birch. Poor man went crazy and said I dont know anything about bonsai. The attack is more telling than anything. He sent me a picture that shows a bonsai he says is Silver Birch, problem is it is a doctored photo and still doesnt explain how the Silver Birch grows in his part of the tropics.
“The Silver Birch; Betula pendula, is not native to the Philippines, as it is a temperate species originating from Europe and Asia. While young potted trees are sold for ornamental purposes, they require specific, cooler conditions to thrive. In contrast, the Philippine “local birch” is the Himbabao or Alukon (Broussonetia luzonica), a native tree with edible flowers, particularly in the Ilocos region.”
Coincidentally, he comes from the Ilocos region. Strange?
Shipping takes a toll.
Another common occurance when ordering plants here is that sometimes the materials are old and already drying up. The seller doesn’t really care, just ship it to someone and it becomes their issue if they are unable to receive and grow the dieing stick. This happens more often than I care to count.
Sometimes plants go into shock when shipped. It happens. Some plants are difficult to recover from shipping. Yes, all of these statements are also true and so maybe a plant just dies as a natural part of the plant experience.
I got two Bucida in a shipment, this one went brown and has but one greenish leaf. Its brother plant lost a lot of leaves but seems it will make it. Again, stuff happens.
Not all doom and gloom.
To close, it should also be said that there are some reputable Hunters and plant sellers here. When you find them their prices might be a bit higher and they may not have every plant type that you are looking for. Wait. Ask then if they can get it, yes, they will want a fee as they are probably buying the plant from someone else and then making sure it is good, then shipping it on to you. They have more expenses and will need to make some money for their time and efforts. I recommend finding them and buying from them whenever you can.
Finally, it is still a hobby, losses along the way can be expected and you should approach the buying with fore knowledge that you can live with. It is still a journey.