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welcome to the forum 2long,
You should know right up front that most of us killed more trees than we like to think about when we were just starting out. There are a lot of vendors selling "mallsai" out there, who know nothing about bonsai, they didn't grow the things they are selling and they don't care about the things they are selling you, as long as it lives long enough for them to sell it to some sucker.

Most of us have been where you are, at one time. Please join a club if there is one nearby. It makes a world of difference. Armed with some basic knowledge, you will be able to go to the local nursery or big box store garden center, and recognize plants with good potential. Plants that you can turn into a bonsai 100 times better than any mallsai and probably for less money.

If no club is nearby, a good book and this forum can be very helpful. There are also workshops that you could travel to attend. Bonsai is not hard. There is a lot to learn but it's not rocket science.
good luck with your future bonsai......

for now, to check on the health of your current tree, scratch the bark of the trunk or some of the branches with your fingernail or something sharp. If it scratches green, the tree is not dead yet. If it scratches brown or any other color but green, it's dead, even if the needles still look green. Junipers are notorious for this. If it is dead, save the pot. You will find use for it again.
best wishes and hang in there.

1 Week Ago	#9
susieq Intermediate Join Date: Jun-2002 Location: Hudson, FL Country: USA Posts: 401	welcome to the forum 2long, You should know right up front that most of us killed more trees than we like to think about when we were just starting out. There are a lot of vendors selling "mallsai" out there, who know nothing about bonsai, they didn't grow the things they are selling and they don't care about the things they are selling you, as long as it lives long enough for them to sell it to some sucker. Most of us have been where you are, at one time. Please join a club if there is one nearby. It makes a world of difference. Armed with some basic knowledge, you will be able to go to the local nursery or big box store garden center, and recognize plants with good potential. Plants that you can turn into a bonsai 100 times better than any mallsai and probably for less money. If no club is nearby, a good book and this forum can be very helpful. There are also workshops that you could travel to attend. Bonsai is not hard. There is a lot to learn but it's not rocket science. good luck with your future bonsai...... for now, to check on the health of your current tree, scratch the bark of the trunk or some of the branches with your fingernail or something sharp. If it scratches green, the tree is not dead yet. If it scratches brown or any other color but green, it's dead, even if the needles still look green. Junipers are notorious for this. If it is dead, save the pot. You will find use for it again. best wishes and hang in there.