So.. With the negative feelings around I thought perhaps it would be better to start a positive tone here. I am looking for your trees with the most simple of beginnings.. Let's create a thread that follows these trees through time and shows how a simpleplant can become a nice tree.

In 2012 I bought a binch of Malus seedlings (see www.bonsaiempire.nl/forum/koop-en-verkoo...is-starters?start=10). This is what started with then:


I have let it grow out for a few years, then cut the main trunk, layered a section of trunk and created a cascade with the first branch. That was 2 years ago. This is what I now have sitting in my garden:


As the plant is now about 7 years old, I hope to get flowers within the next 3 years. A =t that time I hope to get some ramnificatioon n the cascading branch.

Here is another one.

Garden centre olive (www.bonsaiempire.com/forum/progressions/...ive-that-got-smaller?)

June 2013:


And last summer:

leatherback wrote:

Here is another one. Garden centre olive

How old is it? Congrats for the patience. I' trying with seeds myself, knowing it's going to be a long way.

N idea. I have had it since 2012, been working toward bonsai since 2013.

You have some projects to share?

leatherback wrote:

You have some projects to share?

Nothing exciting at the moment, Leatherback; I'd rather wait for spring (September here).

I like this post. I'm always on the lookout when i'm visiting a gardencenter. In the netherland a good time to look for a bargain is when start building the christmas market.
Pinus mugo, karsten winter gold €10,- The only thing i have done with this tree,make it smaller after a growing season to stimulate backbudding. Every year a bit smaller. first pic 14-03-2014 last pic 29-05-2017

Great transformation there Orlandoo!

Thanks.you did a great job yourself

Great demo of how a bonsai is made from a bigger tree
Very good how you managed to develop foliage low and close to the trunk!

Very nice work everyone I'm envious! I don't really have a time line to show but I did start a maple seedling this year, added some movement to the trunk and that's about it so far. Thanks for the great inspiration.