cobra 198 wrote:Hey guys,
Just found this site, and have learned bunch of great stuff allready!
Welcome Cobra,
I am glad to hear you have been checking out some info on your new buddy

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It is a Juniperus Procumbens nana, A healthy one at that

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As I bet you have discovered during your research this is a tree that lives outdoors all year long. [url=https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Juniperus.html]Here[/url]is some basic info on your species.
And [url=https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics.html]here[/url]and [url=https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles.htm]here[/url] are two pages FULL of articles about different aspects of bonsai and their care.
I suggest checking out the ones on soil and watering on the bonsai4me site as they are especially relevant at the moment, All of each site is worth reading [and re-reading] though.
What a great recource. Anyhoo, a while back I casually mentioned that bonsai growing seems pretty cool. Much to my suprise I received my first "bonsai" as a birthday gift yesterday!
Belated Happy Birthday to you

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Bonsai can be an excellent gift [To someone that is interested and willing to learn a bit about their care, NOT so great otherwise..] But they are a bit like keeping a pet in their maintenance [Care is not
required everyday- But you do need to
check them every day.
You will come to know them after a while and understand their needs.]
Since then I have been doing some research on growing/watering techniques etc. In looking around the net, I found out that what I have isnt really considered a bonsai by enthusiasts, but more of "a small clipping that was glued into a pot and sold."
True enough that what you have is considered
*'malsai' but there is nothing intrinsically wrong with that.
It might be more accurate to say there is much much more to bonsai than malsai.
The problem is that since the publics exposure tends to be limited to seeing these varieties/styles/sizes of trees at the stores I mentioned, It then becomes
those types of trees that people think of when they think of bonsai.
This erroneous & narrow
public definition of bonsai is frustrating as
so much more is possible, [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3343]Look here to see what I mean.[/url]
Malsai are still a good way to practice your horticultural care while you research more and see if you would like to continue.
Soon, You will be 'building your own bonsai'

.. [The learning is endless if you wish to pursue it. Do you have a green thumb already?]
*[Malsai = A term used broadly to apply to these types of trees that are mass marketed and sold at Wal-Low-Depot type places]
Despite reading this, im still pretty excited to give it a try and transform it (hopefully with out killing it) into a true bonsai. I believe the tree is a juniper, and it seems to be pretty healthy (new growth is evident).
Looks healthy indeed

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I allready removed the rocks that were glued on the top, "pinched" off some of the shoots that were growing downwards, and realize I need to replace the soil cause this stuff is probably pretty bad.
Alright:
Rocks gone: √
Downward vertical growth removed: √
Researching new soil: √
I must say, You are way ahead of the curve so far..
I read on another post that a good soil for juniper is this stuff:
[url]https://www.hollowcreekbonsai.com/item103798.ctlg[/url]
I also realize that soil is a very touchy subject and almost everyone will probably have a different opinion. I just thought I would get your guys opinion. (I live in Northern Ca by the way). Should I just go with this, something else, or should I check a local nursery? Once I get the soil im going to change it, and examine the roots and trim if needed.
Soil is not 'touchy'... Soil is FIGHTING WORDS...

... Well, almost
You might have already been there but see these two threads [And the links in them] For some more info on soil and the repotting process:
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3422
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3423
As it is mentioned in one of the stickeys: Soil is easily the MOST debated topic in bonsai and something that IMO is often needlessly complicated which makes it even more difficult to grasp.
Wrt the HCB soil, I have never used it as I mix my own soil. I have heard good things about it from people I trust.
As I understand it; This soil still requires sieving to eliminate the finely sized particles. I sincerely doubt you would find better soil at a standard nursery [I presume you do not mean a bonsai nursery.]
Anyways, just thought I would get your input! So far I really am enjoying checking out a bunch of info on growing bonsai trees. I think this will be a great way to get me into the hobby/art of growing bonsai trees. Thanks!
Be careful... You might get addicted

.. It happened to me..And I am not the only one

..
I would like to thank YOU for bringing some info with you to the forum. It's obvious that you have done some googling and web surfing to gain some understanding/knowledge and that
action speaks loudly about your interest. Surprisingly few people do that to any great degree... So Thank You

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ynot