My new bonsai family! (ficus & juniper)

Spencer

Wow, now that's a wealth of help! Thanks everyone!

Some overall info:

-my zone was guestimated at from the US zone sheet (hence the question mark). it wasn't very clear, so it was tough to tell. Temperatures range from 5'C to 25'C from winter to summer, with extremes rarely dipping below freezing and rarely cresting 30'C (90'F).

-We get a lot of rain here, but a fair amount of sun from April - October.

-the juniper is outside on a north-facing ledge that I built outside my kitchen window.

-the rocks on the juniper are NOT glued down... I *lightly* sprinkled them there for style, but I'm thinking of removing them now as I'm more concerned with growing the tree than how it looks at the moment.

-the heater under the ficus is always kept off, I have others in the house that I turn on from time to time.

*****

Joanie - thanks for your thoughts and encouragement. I selected Lucy from about 20 green island ficus in a local bonsai nursery... I chose her because she just jumped out at me - I think it was partly her branch structure and partly the thickness in her trunk. My tentative plan is to grow her a bit, and trim as necessary, and maybe by this time next year a good pruning will be in order?

Aaron K - your concern is much appreciated! the juniper was kept in a well ventilated (read: partially open greenhouse), and is now outside. The temperature is currently ranging from 5 to 10'C outside, so it should be ok I'm hoping. I've been doing tons of reading on my trees and bonsai in general, but I'm always looking to learn more.

palmetto park - I can certainly appreciate the honesty in your opinion. I thought about spending more money on more potential bonsai, but 1) I don't have much money (I'm only 24 and just moved out), and 2) after reading lots on the subject, the general agreement seemed to be that it's more pleasing in the long run to grow your bonsai from the start (ie. seeds or seedlings). That is why I bought the babies, and also why I bought Lucy (so that I could have a little more "immediate" gratification... though I realize the "immediate" will still take some years, *lol*).

kestutisg - thanks for the tip on the zone, hopefully I can figure it out. I'm planning on buying Lesniewicz's book "Indoor Bonsai", so that should help. I bought the pots from the "used/damaged" pile, and they only cost me about $2-$3 each. Yes, I love deals!

I'm going to be taking a class or two in the Spring, and I'm looking forward to it. Thank you all for your help and ideas, and I look forward to any more info anyone wants to send my way!

Cheers!
Spencer

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I love trees. Growing them, climbing them, admiring them...

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Joanie

Excellent response, Spencer! You've shown that you're on the ball!!

You'll do very well if you keep reading and learning.

And yes, Lucy has nice potential, you have a good eye. Buy the Jerry Meislik book on ficus.

Bravo!

Joanie

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