Just bought a couple new trees from nursery

Drathone

Let me start by saying that I am a complete beginner.
I just bought a couple trees from a nursery and wanted some feedback on what I will need to do to start down the road of developing them into bonsai.

Royal Frost Birch
Magnolia Wilsonii

Should I just let these grow in the pot for a year or so, or is there something I can do now to start training them.

Any advice or direction would be appreciated.

Also, what is a good bonsai book for me to buy as a beginner?

Thanks,
Peter

Attached Images

	4_20_08 Royal Frost Birch From Nursery_compressed.jpg (38.4 KB, 40 views)
	4_20_08 Magnolia Wilsonii from Nursery.jpg (33.1 KB, 47 views)

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eeiko321

well welcome to the world of bonsai

it looks like you have a front or backyard at where you are.

the most effective way would be planting it into the soil for a few years to thicken it up. otherwise its going to stay as a twig for a very very long time.
or if you dont like the idea, put it into a grow pot, it will take a bit longer though,

the bonsai you see at nurseries, can take many many years to grow into them, some of them are over 30 years old.

about books, you will find every one will flood you with different examples of thier favourite beginners books.

ive read quite a few books now, and the most effective book that i have is the "Bonsai Survival Guide by Colin Lewis"

it has the 50 common trees used as bonsais, pictures for maintanence and problem solving

JohnGr

Ok, here's part of the flood...

"Bonsai" by Harry Tomlinson - there's a few versions of this book, a cut down small one, a paper-back around 200 pages, and a big picture version. I got the mid sized from Amazon for about $15. Lots of good beginners' advice & pictures and it takes you through care/styling/repotting & just keeping your trees alive. Just one thing - don't get hung up on what one book tells you to do, read all you can.

Good Luck