Dr. Bonsai,

I bought a bonsai starter kit at the mall a few days ago and I don't know exactly where to start. The kit I bought included a tree, I was told that it is a Chinese miniture juniper about 5 years old and 5" tall, a bottle of liquid fertilizer (it's blue and is only labeled "bonsai food" with instructions to use 1 tsp monthly May-Nov.), wire, a bag of extra soil and a bag fine gravel for repotting, an extra plactic rectangluar pot, and lastly a 20 pg instruction booklet called "Introducting Bonsai".

I live in southern Canada. I am currently keeping it inside by a south facing window, I live in an old house so my room is not insulated and therefore rather chilly (I have an uninsulated aluminum-sided barn that I could put it in). I am planning on picking up a spray bottle from the dollar store for watering because I understand it is easier to kill a bonsai by! over-watering than under.

Now that you know my situation this is what I'd like to know: 1st-regular care, my first priority is keeping it alive, 2nd-shaping, when to start, what to start with (pruning,wiring ect.), how much to do at a time, 3rd- if you can think of any books to recommend for a beginner in my situation your advice would be appreciated.

Thank you ever so much for your time and effort.

~Glorenfinel~

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