Well, on July 15, Mum and Nan brought me home a bonsai.

Time will tell if I'm a good gardener I guess...

It's pretty...

That was a long time ago and sadly to report. Edward the Shefflera is no more.

*moment of silence*

I can tell you now, too much water is a baaaaad thing.

Okay, let me tell the highlights...

Edward was what the big bonsai people call a mallsai... he was from Home Depot...

Don't ask me why I chose to name him Edward, perhaps just the horror of that name finished him.

We were working... I was too busy... *sniff* so I'd pop in everyday and water Edward.

Of course I didn't know what I know now, that bonsai need drainage
especially bonsai that are being overwatered. *sigh*

One day I noticed the leaves were looking funny...

A while later all the leaves and the bark fell off... *sob*

I buried it...

Then my bonsai guru ;> that I should have consulted a long time before this told me
there might be a way to save Edward... but it was too late... maybe...
I'm still waiting for Spring.

But in the meantime, mum got me another mallsai.

After we got the growlight and a nice tray... Mum bought an outdoor bonsai.

I've christened him Hideki. A much nicer name for a bonsai, don't you think? :)

Hideki has been much safer away from me... and the internet Bonsai club...
they're scary... :)

Anyhoo... what I have learned is this:

• They need light and enough water to keep the soil damp. Not floating the
  little plastic guy.

• If you've got a mallsai, take those darn glued together rocks and either
  break them up or get rid of them!

• And no matter what... If you really need to take advice from someone...
  listen to someone that can keep a Gardenia alive and NOT ten people
  that end up killing the Gardenia.