Daniel

Here is an organized list of my questions/concerns

1) The main concern is my choice for the new leader. You can see the highest point of the tree, that tallest, skinniest branch. I need to have a LOT of thickness and to become trunk-like. Is it possible?

2) What do you think of the pot size/shape? Is it appropriate? Should I have a rectangle pot? Is the size good to get the kind of growth I want?

3) What about the wiring job? It's my first try and I don't really know what I'm doing..


4) The second branch, the one going out to the right, is it possible to have it going 90 degrees perpendicular to the trunk? I think so, thats what I will work towards. I want a standard looking bonsai. I think its called formal-upright?

5) I kept this tree outside for 3 days. The summers here are very humid. Theres lots of rain, but the sun is blistering hot. After 3 days outside the top of the branches started to turn brown. Not the green turning brown. But the branch itself, turning from a normal dark brown like the trunk, to a very light golden brown, like copper.. Is this a problem? I thought it was sunburn and I took it back inside tonight.

6)Outside the tree also got a couple bugs. Small black bugs, long like tiny worms. They crawl along the branch in a crawling motion. Moving up, and down, up and down. If you put your hand flat on your desk and lift one of your finger knuckes. That is - lift your finger but keep the finger tip flat on the desk, you'll see what i mean. They make a letter 'n' shape when they move. What are they? I got scared and moved it inside.. One of them was floating in the air on some sort of web.

Okay, please share your knowledge or just comment. I really just want some interaction, to know someone is looking at my first tree. It will go a long way towards me falling in love with this art. Especially in a country surrounded by people who speak my language only as a second language..

Spill your guts.. Thanks guys, hope to get to know you all soon..