I am not very experienced with bonsai so I have decided to buy some material from my local garden centre to practice on. There is no local nursery that supplies bonsai trained material so it will have to be general garden centre stock.

Can you give me your opinions of what type of material I should get?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Hi there!

Perhaps some Juniper material? Otherwise, just have a look around and try to select stock that features great trunk shape/tapering and structure of branches.

Feel free to add some pictures here if you're getting ready to start shaping your tree!

Hello to all!
Only to add, that the species should be compatible with the climate of your locality of preference.
kind regards

Hey fM,
Absolutely right!

howdy all,
i'm not sure were you are from but there are a ton of nurseries online that ship stuff everywere.my sugestion would be a ficus as your first,they grow indoors and most species are tolerant to almost anything you could throw at them if you know basic plant care it will give you a chance to practice pruning and wiring, and they grow fast enough to overcome any mistakes you'll make you can barely see em on mine anymore
best of luck

That's a good shout; but I think I will get both a Juniper and a Ficus.

My only concern is I don't have very good light levels indoors for the Ficus and I live in the North East of England so not the warmest of places.

I like the idea of fast growing because my enthusiasm is what is killing my tree's; I need to learn to leave them alone until the time is right. At least if they are fast growing a will need to give it more attention.

all you would need is a clipon desk lamp and a cfl bulb and as long as its indoors and above 60F youl be good;) heres a little idea of how mine has been


june 2010


september 2010 first wire



december 2010 wires off 1 week



trimmed and wired

it taught me alot ...the only solution for the enthusiasm i found is more trees

manofthetrees wrote: ...the only solution for the enthusiasm i found is more trees

I agree...

Nice tree by the way...

Junipers are fast growing and they need a lot of care and they are hard to kill. If you want a bonsai where you can do lots of caring then you can get a juniper or taxus.

And of course they're beautiful and they're good for most of the styles

I got this little Juniper to practice on, only cost £3.99...

Not sure how to develop the canopy, any tips would be welcome...