I got one, but I can't upload it from mobile for whatever reason. I'll upload it shortly when I can.

Samantha wrote:

virginia junipers... um what did you call them, "red cedars", yes i think they can really do great, but then, I have yet to prove that. Join me in this quest... Let us prove to the the world, that America's favorite juniper, can hold it's own... even in the bonsai world.

Oh, I've joined that quest!! A different thread though. More to come in spring.

And I agree with Enaisio and everyone about the big box store trees. I used them as a beginner and got experience working with cheap material. As I've matured (some ) over the years, I've become more choosy. I go to my local nurseries, and I hardly give a glance at the hardware store. I have a better eye for what will or will not be suitable for bonsai. Additionally, local nursery stock is usually in better health, there is more variety of species, and you can generally count on the staff knowledge about the trees.

That said, a close bonsai friend is a nursery manager for Lowes. He gets dibs on incoming material, and has some lovely bonsai.

Is this tool kit OK? Click me

thebonsaiguy wrote:

Is this tool kit OK? Click me

That's cheap. Cheaper than pruning shear and wire cutter I bought recently. What I bought is sufficient - as I will not be using them very often - but it's not the highest quality.

I'd say that kit is too cheap. The quality may be not good enough.

However:
You're trying to run before you can walk. You don't need all this at this moment. Just a good pruning shear should be sufficient for now.

On the other hand:
It's not like you're going to prune a price-winning Yamadori with it... it'll probably do, for now. Just remember it is not quality material.

OK, thanks. I know I probably don't need all those tools, but I'll have them if I need them.

Alright, here's the tree. Oh goodness I hope its bonsai suitable but I have a good feeling.

thebonsaiguy wrote:

Alright, here's the tree. Oh goodness I hope its bonsai suitable but I have a good feeling.

Yes, it should be suitable, but it is very young and will need a couple of years of growth.

Wow! Even at 3' tall? Alright. Well, maybe I shoild have gotten the 5-6 footer.

thebonsaiguy wrote:

Wow! Even at 3' tall? Alright. Well, maybe I shoild have gotten the 5-6 footer.

Are you seriously considering buying that bonsai set for this plant?

I was even trying to not discourage you. It'll take decades to make a good bonsai out of this - if that's your goal.
Bonsai typically are not created by growing young plants into bonsai, but by reducing large plants.
If your goal is a non-sai, that can be done quickly:

No non-sai are hideous. Ok, so after 2ish years, what should I do?