Frequently asked questions

Saikei Zen is a New Zealand online store for bonsai trees, tools, pottery, care supplies and plant art. We enjoy helping people find well-made pieces and practical advice for their bonsai journey. Get to know us or contact us.

Our nursery is not open to the public. Please shop online, and contact us before ordering if you need to discuss delivery or another arrangement. Send us an enquiry.

Yes. We source quality bonsai tools and supplies directly from Japan, including products trusted by bonsai artists there. We choose them for their craftsmanship and practical purpose, so you can enjoy dependable equipment as your skills develop. Explore our Japanese bonsai tools.

Our range includes Japanese tools and pottery, alongside pieces from other traditions, such as Yixing pottery from China. Please check the individual product description for its stated maker, origin, material and specifications, or ask us about a particular item.

Of course. Tell us about your experience, where you plan to keep your tree and what you would like to achieve. We can help you consider a suitable tree, pot and essential tools without feeling you must buy everything at once. Ask for guidance.

Browse our full product range and check each listing for available options and stock status. If something you want is unavailable, please contact us; we can discuss possible alternatives without promising a restock date.

We ship bonsai tools, pots and supplies throughout New Zealand. Living bonsai are delivered personally, so please confirm delivery availability for your area before ordering a tree.

Our living bonsai are delivered personally rather than sent through the regular courier service. Please get in touch before ordering to discuss your location and a suitable delivery arrangement. Browse our bonsai trees.

Please check the delivery options and charges shown at checkout for your order and address. For living bonsai or an arrangement that needs confirming, contact us before placing your order.

We normally dispatch regular orders within one to two business days. Dispatch time is separate from the time a carrier takes to deliver your parcel. Personal delivery of living bonsai is arranged separately. Please contact us if you need an item for a particular date.

Our website is focused on customers in New Zealand. Please ask us before ordering from overseas so we can confirm whether an order is possible and what arrangements would be needed.

Please contact us as soon as possible with your order number and the change you need. We will check what is possible at that stage; an order that has already been processed or dispatched may be more difficult to change. See our Terms & Conditions.

Check any delivery information supplied with your order, then contact us with your order number if you need help. For personally delivered bonsai, please refer to the delivery arrangement agreed with us.

The payment methods available for your order are shown at checkout. Please select the option that suits you and check any provider-specific terms before confirming payment.

Afterpay is available where it is offered at checkout and your purchase meets the provider’s eligibility requirements. Please review Afterpay’s terms and repayment information before choosing it.

Please contact us promptly with your order number, a description of the problem and clear photos where possible. Keep the packaging while we help you work through the next steps. Read our Shipping & Returns information and Refund policy.

Please contact us before sending anything back, with your order number and the reason for your request. Eligibility and the next steps depend on the item and circumstances. Our Shipping & Returns page and Refund policy contain more information; if you are unsure which terms apply to your order, please ask us to clarify.

Living plants and special orders need individual consideration. Please contact us about the specific item and issue before arranging a return. Our Shipping & Returns page and Refund policy explain the relevant conditions.

Consider the tree’s root space and drainage needs first, then its size, style and the colour and shape of the pot. We have a detailed guide, What pot goes with my bonsai?, to help you compare choices. You are also welcome to send us a photo and measurements.

Seto Yaki is pottery associated with Seto in Japan, a long-established ceramic centre known for its varied forms and glazes. To learn about its history and what to consider when choosing a bonsai pot, read our Seto Yaki pottery article or browse our Seto Yaki pots.

Yixing pottery comes from Yixing in China and has a strong tradition of clay craftsmanship. When choosing a bonsai pot, consider the individual piece’s dimensions, drainage and suitability for your tree. You can explore our pottery through the bonsai pots page.

Please read the individual listing to see what is included and whether the photograph represents the exact item or the product style. Handmade pottery and living trees can have natural variation, and screen colours can differ. Ask us to confirm any detail that matters to you before ordering.

Start with the work your tree actually needs, rather than a large set of tools. A suitable pair of bonsai scissors is often a useful first purchase; other tools depend on whether you will be wiring, pruning branches or repotting. Browse our tools or ask us for a practical starting point.

The suitable thickness depends on the branch and the amount of support it needs. Avoid choosing by the tree’s overall size alone. Browse our bonsai wire, or send us a photo and branch measurements if you would like help choosing.

Cut paste is used to cover pruning wounds as part of bonsai care. Choose a product suited to the tree and the task, and follow its instructions. Our bonsai care range includes wound-care products; please ask if you are unsure which is appropriate.

Your choice depends on the tree, season, growing conditions and the product’s directions. Browse our bonsai fertilisers and read our bonsai fertiliser guide for more context.

That depends on the species. Many familiar bonsai trees need outdoor conditions, so please identify your tree before choosing its position. Our beginner bonsai care guide is a useful starting point, and we are happy to discuss your tree and growing space.

There is no single watering timetable that suits every bonsai. The tree, potting mix, weather and position all affect how quickly it dries. Read our beginner care guide and ask us if you need help understanding your particular tree.

You are welcome to contact us with clear photos, the species if known, and details of its position, watering and recent changes. That information helps us offer more useful guidance. Send an enquiry or consider a bonsai lesson for more focused help.

Suiseki is the Japanese appreciation and display of naturally formed stones whose shapes suggest landscapes or other evocative forms. It is a related art of observation and display, rather than a living bonsai. Please ask us about available stones if you would like to explore it.

Yes. Our range also includes plant art such as air plant displays and mounted staghorn ferns. Check the current collections for availability and read the care information for the particular plant.

Yes. We offer one-to-one and small-group lessons for beginners and intermediate enthusiasts. Guidance is tailored to your experience, questions and trees. See our Bonsai Lessons page for details and enquiries.

No previous experience is needed to begin. Bring your curiosity, and discuss the lesson arrangements with us when booking. We can confirm what is appropriate to bring for your session. Learn about our lessons.

Lessons take place at a suitable third-party location arranged during booking. Small-group lessons and lessons as gifts are options too. Please contact us to discuss the participants, location, availability and current rates through our lessons page.

Visit the Saikei Zen Bonsai Blog for articles about bonsai care, fertiliser, pottery and plant art. You can also follow Saikei Zen on Instagram for our latest posts.

Our Terms & Conditions explain the terms for using the store, and our Privacy policy explains how personal information is handled. Please contact us if you have a question about either.

Please use our contact form or email info@saikeizen.co.nz. For an order enquiry, include your order number; for help with a tree or pot, photos and measurements are often useful.