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I stop reading if they recommend to submerge the entire pot in water or to use sand in the substrate. What other bad buzz phrases makes you stop reading an article......? And also, where are places you like to visit for sound advice based on what has been learned up until now?

....and one more thing. I've been reading a lot about this "American Bonsai" sentiment that the next generation here is trying to get in front of and lay claim to. I hate to tell you, there is already a God father to that and his name is Vaughn Banting. He lived it and everyone should pay...

There's a big difference between going through the learning curve as I was and am (we all are in a sense) and promoting instant gratification as an authority on the matter. Negligence vs. intent. I didn't know better vs. they do. It sends a bad message. At the heart of this hobby should...

I've been wondering about something. I've always thought we were supposed to do things in steps. Like repot, come back next season style with wire, prune, wait a year, take off branches..... Everywhere I look there are demos of people hacking the hell out of trees and bending massive...

This hobby is not for the faint of heart. The amount of stick-tuitiveness and patience required has helped me in so many other aspects of my life. So, here's where I'm at. Played with twigs in pots starting at age 12 Watched trees fade away slowly in my 20's Experienced my first real Bonsai...

Bonsai Nut articulates the best advice so well. Leave it alone for a year. Don't mess with it other than to learn how to water it and understand how it cycles through the seasons. Interesting thing about a Shimpaku is that you can kill it yet think its still alive for quite a while.......ask...

I also wanted to add that I don't think there is any such thing as a bad Shimpaku. I can't say the same for other plants. They have a mystical quality about them that I really like. Could just do the easiest thing.....nothing at all. The shimp will love you for it too. Maybe get to know it...

Well, it's beanpole straight. I do believe it is a Shimpaku. I see the direction you are going with it, but I would do something different. To make it more interesting, you could do a chop above the first branch and then Jin part of the remainder. The branch shooting to the left and up would...

I don't want to misrepresent my experience. I have only been actively involved in Bonsai for a couple years. I love Junipers and I have a few. I had many when first starting and I thought pinching was the right way to go. I wanted to be involved and felt that it gave me something to do and...

I understand the helpful sentiment, but relax. I appreciate your concern for my wallet. It cost me $50 and was a first JBP that is now living in my garden; no worse for wear nor better off from where it was. I realize money buys time and I will pay the dough to get the material that is...

This leaves me one conclusion God D%$( Geesus Mother %($*@ Son of *$(#@ !!!! I'm going to plant this one in the garden and head back to the Bonsai Farm to get a fat trunk JBP. I'm at my limit for trees, so hopefully I can pull this off and she won't ask questions. If she does, I will say...

Your problem is my dream. Sounds like a JBP wonderland. What's your secret?

I like this. That is getting filed in the back of mind. Very good, thanks

Funny enough, yesterday I did some top pruning. This is a pic I found that I want to emulate. And here is my tree as it stands today. I'm ok with the trunk size. I read Brian's article on his Pine. That was fantastic and really broke things down step by step. I won't wire it for a long...

I sure could use some direction for this JBP. I bought it about a year ago and reduced the height, trimmed branches not needed, and repotted. I'd like to say it is doing well, but it is looking, well, weak and lanky. I just don't know. I have been contemplating putting in the ground...

That's way more than I have invested. I can't think of anything analogous to taking care of something for an unspecified period of time, never really sure if it's coming back or not. Really wierd and a chop is quite a gamble.

^I did not know that and will keep it in mind. Thanks

Thanks for the comments. I live in Pennsylvania. I spent some time with the Mugo yesterday. I thinned some branches and it will stay like this (in the container) for a year and a half before a repot. What do you think? Good job, bad job, branches I should have kept? Before: After...

Amazing stuff and something for me to aspire to. I also like your benches. It has the wheels turning. How long have you been doing Bonsai?

I have been on here for a short while. I wanted to show my humble collection. A picture is worth a thousand words, so here goes: This is my Chinese Elm--Secretly my favorite. I have had him for a year and he has come a long way in development from the scraggly little guy he was when...

This far? Not far enough!!! I have much work to do.....muahahahahaha

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING IS A BEGINNER QUESTION When wiring branches and creating movement in them, is the purpose also to compact the tree as well--- putting in bends to shorten the branches from their original straight long look?

Lovely tree Judy. I really like it. It looks powerful, even with the softness of a JWP. I think that you did a good job. As far as styling, I like the idea of shaping a tree similar to a spiral stair case. This way, sunlight hits all branches and you get a balance at all viewing angles. I...

You are right Bill. I really didn't have much experience with a chop--the when, why, aftercare. I had no business cutting down a large beautiful Shimp in the way that I did. For my level of skill (Let's be honest, or lack thereof) I will work to keep and use what's there, only removing a...

Keeping the handle, but changed the location to D--E--D= Ded Silver lining: room for one more and the significant other gives the A Ok. Decisions, decisions...... *Disclaimer-- I am limited to 7