I reckon anything nonrovia, nonmon, a black pot regularis from home Depot or Walmart is always a better bonsai deal than anything at Lowes, especially Monrovia, even in the bargain bin!
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That may total a couple bucks more actually, but the value of a busted black pot regularis is best for bonsai.
Busted Monrovia plants are akin to regular black pot plants and those are one in a thousand.
There's some good updates on a bunch of bird's nests' here....
I picked up these two pieces of birds nest spruce stock to train as shohin. Last year during summer dormancy, I gave them both their first stylings. They were healthy going into the fall, and still looked green and healthy coming out of winter storage. Once I put them out on the benches to...
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I think these are slightly more difficult because of the growth habit. You have to account for removing about 30% more to actually leave it with a good branch structure.
You can and I reckon should identify the most useless parts of it and remove them now for a good view to ponder. As long as you don't remove more than half you'll be fine.
Useless parts are straight, thick, high stuff with the most vigour. It's good to remove the most vigour now to make it change it's mind.
What's the trunk like? Trunks?
Them Cornrovia plants tend to have multiple thin stems, gives em some of that meh quality.
That'll tell what can safely come off.
Sorce