From Joshua:

Hello. I'm new to bonsai and I'm sure I started with the
wrong tree, but I
live in Washington State and we have a ton of wild madronas
here and they
are so pretty. So, I went out and found a small one to try
to adopt as a
bonsai. What few books I've managed to find and read said
that is a viable
way to start a bonsai. SNIP --

Joshua,

I am in Oregon so I know how you feel about these
trees - and they are so tempting. But, after numerous tries,
even twice thinking I was going to make a success of it, I
have decided the time is best spent on collecting something
with more promise. We have so many choices in the NW. I
have heard claims of successes, but I don't know how long a
time that success is actually measured over. I have some
doubts. I am now inclined to spend more time looking for
larch, pine, and hemlock - all of which give me very good
responses. I think that vine maple which is collectible and
plentiful, too, is a better subject than madrona. In fact,
it is possible to find a vine maple almost naturally styled as
a literati, put it in a pot and enjoy it from the start.
Mainly I would say to collect something else at the same
time so your time will give you something to keep you company
while the madrona drives you crazy
Lynn
Lynn Boyd, Oregon, USA

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