Newbie ready to learn the hard way - apartment living

[ConfusedWoodElf]

I would just check your local nursery for any first.

But if you want to order it, I wouldnt worry about it unless you wont be at home to receive it immediately. Like I said, they are very hardy and a few days in a box shouldn't be too bad.

I did check some (granted, not all) local nurseries the other day and didn't find any, and there also aren't any *bonsai nurseries* in Minnesota, at least not that google wants to tell me about, but I happen to be going on a day trip today and it occurred to me I could check some of the slightly fancier places along the way. We'll see if anything turns up

Everyone here has given great advice and I'd just like to second the suggestion of a growlight. Mine has worked wonders on my indoor tropical bonsais.

I would recommend researching them first if you do decide to go supplemental lighting route. Not all are created equal, and Amazon is flooded with a bunch of barely functioning ones!

I do have a pretty cheap one already, but while I'm out I'll check for something better. I have a few recommendations from across the internet saved so I'll see what I can find that's within my budget.

 

[BrianBay9]

One point against the Portucularia afra. Very little that you learn about its care can be translated to other woody bonsai species. It's a succulent and doesn't behave the same way as a woody trunked tree. If you are planning on pursuing bonsai on a broader scale, just keep that in mind.