FredL

Ron, Your points are well taken and well stated. But, you know what: over the last 18 months that I have restarted my Bonsai hobby, I collected alot of seedlings as well as "cats and dogs" at Walmart and a couple of other local nurseries. I just wanted to have lots of material to work with quickly, regardless of quality. I also collected a few more mature starters from the woods around here. This Spring, I will be looking for better material in smaller amounts. Heck of a way to get restarted, I suppose, but, know what? I really love the material I've started working with.

With me, I'm not sure sometimes how much I love the art of Bonsai and how much I just love trees and working with them. It doesn't bother me at all that I'm spending (some would say wasting) my time with a 2 year old seedling or nursing a sick or damaged tree back to health rather than completing a really promising specimen, I just love the processes involved in working with little trees in pots.

Perhaps as I work with my forest of little trees, my interests will change and I will become much more selective. But, right now, I'm learning so much with material that many would turn up their noses at, and have so much affection for the trees I'm working with that I'd recommend enthusiasticall to anybody starting out, get yourself as many trees as you can manage. Don't worry about whether everyone of them is perfect for developing Bonsai with. Have fun! Try things! Learn by doing! Don't pay any attention to thoise who would criticize and embarass you! They learned by experience, too! Little trees are wonderful examples of God's creation and you will find them enjoyable in their own rights, whether they conform to good Bonsai practice or not!

Best regards, Fred