lol, don't worry, as I said, try to put on any rough sand you find, no need for especific soil, and just let it be...
They are right, you'll probably loose it, just a few species root from bare cuttings, even fewer on water... But well, we don't know the species, and You didn't know that, now you know...
So consider that an experience gained, if you are really into bonsai, do some research, about suitable species, native from where you live, almost any tree species around you can be trained into bonsai, so you don't need a cutting from a Bonsai tree, you can make them out of seeds/cuttings/seedlings from trees around you, or even find a nursery near you and buy a pre-bonsai...
However, the best time for all this would be spring...