Sean Lowe wrote in message ...

"Iris Cohen" wrote in message
...
I think it is better to be mean to newbies before they get hopelessly
addicted.

snip

Thanks for your (and all others') reply, but I have one question about one
of your comments.
That is not the way to go. You need to grow them in the ground for a few
years
first.
snip
It's that comment...won't they grow too large and have far too many roots
if
they are grown in the ground "for a few years"? Or, once removed from the
ground, will I be pruning the living bejeezus out of them to make them
suitable?

The idea is to get them to grow large, at least in the trunk area. 'In the
ground' is really unrivalled for increasing trunk girth (and thust the
impression of age). Yes you may have to do some initial large trunk/branch
chops, but a combination of the tree's ability to grow back and your rubbing
out of any shoots that are _too_ unsuitable should minimise that problem.
As to the root situation, a few carefull jabs with a *sharp* spade once a
year and an impermeable barrier (metal, stone, hard plastic) under the tree
should help there.

The reason I am not buying nursery plants or ready-made bonsai is the cost.
I'm not exactly rich and can't see paying money to murder poor innocent
plants to get good at this. I've got a fairly decent track record with
vegetable gardening and indoor plants where, while not exactly along the
same science of Bonsai, at least I have had a little luck with
horticulture.
And I have plenty of patience.

I hear you there! However if you purchase some hardy type plants that strike
easily from cuttings you can get several trees for the price of one. In my
own area (Perth, Western Australia) that would be Ficus sp. and Chinese
Elms.

Join your local club. The are an invaluable source of local knowledge,
cuttings, books (club library) and demonstrations.

Cheers,
Heidi Aussie


Again, thanks for your reply!

Sean.