waltr

Hi all, interesting thread.
One thing I have not seen mentioned is the definition of "beginner". I have been thinking on this and came up with three levels, none who have had experience with Bonsai:
1) successful growing a wide verity of plants, scrubs and trees. Growing from seed, transplanting, potting and pruning, etc.
2) successful growing some houseplants, flower bed and/or vegetable gardens but no experience with trees.
3) never grew or kept alive any plant.

These are not by any means perfect category's but I think reflects the different experience many of the people coming into Bonsai have. The reason for categories is for example:
Someone in cat 3 needs a tree that is very easy to take care of so it doesn't die before he/she learns some of the technique of bonsai. Whereas someone in cat 1 could be taking on trees that are more picky (like pines) and concentrate on the techniques and art of bonsai rather than on just keeping the tree alive.

I hope I expressed this well enough.

walt