Yesterday I went by a garden house that also has a specialized bonsai section, with guys who regularly come in for a bonsai club that take care of it. I bought a "starter" bonsai, an oriental ficus that I would guess to be maybe 10 inches tall. It's really healthy, excellent branch distribution... from the research I've done, it should be a good tree for bonsai once it's grown some more. The pot it is in is a pretty regular pot, but it's been growing in bonsai style soil in it for a while and is doing great.

I'll have to cut off four lower branches - at least this is what a knowlegable lady commented to me, so that they aren't draining resources for growing from the top branches. The top branches are all sprouting new green growth, and the roots are already kind of wild looking, which seems to be pretty common in ficus (which is a reason why I chose a ficus.)

I've read it's pretty easy to take cuttings from a ficus and plant them, and they'll grow into whole new trees? If I wanted to do this with the four branches I need to remove, should I put them into little pots with bonsai soil right from the start? The branches are probably all at least 3 inches long and have actual woody stems, not new green growth.

Also, is anyone familiar with a "snow rose" tree for bonsai? I nearly bought it as well, but figured I ought to stick with my ficus and see if I can keep it alive first. The snow rose costs 7 bucks, whereas my ficus was 9 bucks... they sell "finished" bonsai in bonsai pots that are old, and range from 20-200 bucks, so I think it's a store that cares about bonsai a lot... otherwise, none of their bonsai would live to be so old.

I also liked a fukien tea tree I saw, but I know nothing about it, so that will have to come later.

But any advice is appreciated. For now, I'm going to read the bonsai book the lady tossed in for free. Thanks!