How to enjoy bonsai - and not make it a chore

[Srt8madness]

I also agree with @Brian Van Fleet about just keeping what grows well in your area. I stop trying to grow Japanese maples. They never came out of dormancy for me. And, honestly, I am not going to go out of my way in my winter set up. I much rather grow trees that survive my winters. Less stress and also cheaper.

"Never came out of dormancy" I like that a lot better than "they died on me"