I've always thought that if I really got into Bonsai, I would get the end of season trees and shrubs from garden centers or even Lowes and Home Depot -- not so much Walmart. You know, when they sell them off for 50~75% off because they're trying to get rid of them?
In my area, those sales happen around late Oct when all the garden departments COMPLETELY switchover to Chrismas decorations and eventually trees, and then I wouldn't be able to prune until late winter/early spring -- probably late Feb/early March. So it's a long time to keep them alive over harsh winter and to wait. But your best pruning time is probably around Jan or something and, for I know, the Garden departments are still active in your area.
Have you seen some of the instructions and videos that abound -- there are links in the Bonsai Library -- for chopping down those trees sold for landscaping and foundation planting? Really drastic and kind of scary, but it would definitely be interesting....
As it is, I'm just saving volunteer tree seedlings I find around my garden -- so far I have wild cherries, Callery pears, plums, mulberries, elms, crab apples, willow oak ( not sure if this is a good candidate. There are red oak growing around here too....), junipers and barberry, rose of sharons, even a Japanese maple. I'm also growing pomegranates from seed for fun that might eventually become bonsai....
I think I would go to nearby public gardens and arboretums that have bonsai in their collection for inspiration rather than buying one.... until I've saved up to afford a REALLY good specimen and am confident in my ability to keep it alive, first, then to keep it in good form? style? (what is the proper terminology here?)
sorry 'bout that zone thing don't no what i was thinking.looked at a zone map for florida it said 1&2 and my common sence didnt kick in.
Sorry that I ask too much.
