Anyone have experience with bonsai trees?

I've been looking into them the past few days, and I think I want to get one. I've never had a bonsai tree, but have experience with growing flowers, and yes, there not the same thing.

I don't want to start one from seeds. I want a tree now, not in four years. Does anyone have a specific tree, or company?

I've been looking on www.joebonsai.com and they have a good selection.

I'm not looking to spend more than $100 most likely. Maybe $125.

I welcome any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

yes, but it didn't work out.. I killed the tree and had a dried specimen of a bonsai around collecting dust, until my husband finally tossed it.

Don't you have a local shop you can get your bonsai from? Probably better than internet, because then you can get hands on advice on the proper care and pruning methods.

reply to post by worldwatcher

Sort of. Theres one place I know of around here, and it aint that close. It's an oriental shop, they have incense and such, (this is where I get my incense) and I think theres a rack with bonsai trees on, but I'm not sure.

I live in the sticks, so I sort of have to rely on the internet.

I have a friend who was into bonsai, I asked him about it and he said that most shops that sell fully grown bonsai are not really bonsai but cuttings that tend to die after a few seasons, so make sure you get one thats been grown from a seedling.

If you want the foliage to be thick, you've gotta pinch the shoots, not cut it. Not sure why it works that way. My grandma turned a bougainvillea bush into a bonsai, and another one into a huge tree