I don't have any bonsai to trade but out of curiosity what types do you grow that you consider non-traditional. I want to try and start something from seed that would be unique. My hubby wants one, so why not try and grow one. Haha. I was thinking of trying Mimosa.

Thanks. :)

I am growing some dwarf schefflera and dwarf fig from seed, but they apparently take (IIRC) approximately 40 days to germinate. Fig can grow pretty fast I think, but could take years to thicken to a bonsai-like trunk, which is why I want to buy a $40-50 established plant.

I have a 2-3ft jade "bonsai" as well as a dwarf jade (Crosby Compact) that is taking nice form. I put bonsai in quotes because I'm not trained in those techniques and its not a traditional plant. I think mimosa is used for bonsai sometimes, right? I just look for plants that will survive indoor in Pittsburgh ;)

I also am picking up my PVN dwarf schefflera soon. I think its 9 years old and only about 1 foot tall.

Something like Ficus Benjamina is more traditional, or elm. I've thought about a Benjamina: probably cheap and easy relatively.