New Junipers for great (?) price?

[Just Rosie]

Hey all. Still very new to bonsai, but I stopped by a nursery and fell in love with some grey owl junipers. And I feel like they were a super good bargain?! (Under 20$ each)

Tell me what you think? Good for bonsai? Bad? What I should start with? I know they’re not in like great condition but I feel like they have some potential.

I dug away to expose the Nebari and roots - didn’t want to uproot until I have a better potting mix. (Side question, what’s a cheap potting mix for bonsai/prebonsai?)
Sorry the pics suck, but give me comments and ideas are super appreciative. I’m still lost in the way of shaping.

First Tree:








Second Tree:

 

[M. Frary]

Good price.
I've never worked with grey owl before but others here do have them.
I use Diatomaceous Earth for my main ingredient in substrate with lava mixed in.
You can get D E. from Napa auto parts.
They sell it as floor dry.
Make sure you get part no.8822.
Under $10.00 a bag and can be used straight too with nothing mixed in.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

For less than 20 each, I'd take them!

 

[Tbrshou]

If you don't mind me asking where did you get them from?

 

[sorce]

The first looks like you can lean it left, use the skinny thing for a tail, and make a dragon. Cuz...it's a dragon.

The second .....I'd try separating the 3.

Sorce

 

[Just Rosie]

Thank you all for the replies
I might even be able to get D E from my feed store
I actually got them at a local nursery near me. They also had 2y Magnolia Grandiflora for 25$!!! Not bonsai related but I love trees lmao

 

[Captain.Bonsai]

Your questions and commentary make it seem like you have a lot of learning and practice to do...?

You may consider joining a local club or finding private workshops so that you can learn while caring for these. Bring them to the applicable meetings or events for direct guidance.

I think that would be better that deciphering potentially conflicting or confusing information here.

...Or abandon you family and spend sleepless weeks and months researching online and reading books in a deep bonsai obsession, all while hacking away at your newly discovered nursery bargain.

Either way works.