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Hi all.
I posted a while ago with regards to a few questions, if you are reading this after answering my questions there please don't feel I'm ignoring you, more questions and more info please.

I've been trying to educate myself as much as poss, but I'm a bit lost on just where I should begin.

I have purchased some basic tools and kit, and picked up 3 cheap 'indoor' bonsai from a garden centre on sale. A sweet plum, Fukien tea and Chinese elm. See photo.

In south facing window sill, I've been concentrating on getting the watering levels right, and misting. All trees are budding and looking, to me at least, reasonably healthy (better than when purchased anyway!)

I am concerned the soil is basically just potting compost and too dense. I also gather I'll be lucky if the Carmona survives as is not a beginner tree.

Funds are tight for me now until the spring when my work season really picks up. So can't justify much spending.

Should I leave all three trees and just let them grow, maintaining water and fertilising?
Should I repot in some proper bonsai mix (I have some in the post, as well as some slightly larger pots cheap) and then leave to settle and grow.
Should I have a play at pruning and shaping as we come into early spring?

Or other?

Many thanks in advance

For beginners with first trees the recomendations is allways to learn the tree by keeping it alive for a year. Just leave them to grow wilde and learn about the species and their demands. Good time to study bonsai and your tree.

I forsee in the future two dead trees and a struggeling chinese elm. If you take the decition to move the elm outside in the spring and leave it there for the rest of its life, you might end up with a beautiful tree in the future. Elms are really good choice for beginners, but dont like our living room conditions.

Thankyou. Just the response I was looking for.

Yes I think from previous post, I accepted the elm will move outside once the weather improves.

Ill accept the other two will be a a good test to see how long I can keep themalive. It's all learning.

Come April I will be happy to possibly make another purchase. Would there be any other recommendations for a beginner tree? Another elm?

Perhaps I should be asking which species might be best suited for the climate in which I live and my lack of experience? I'm in North Devon UK, we have a lot of a rain throughout the year except at peak of summer, summers arnt as hot, winters arnt as cold as rest of UK.
I have south facing garden with a central spot receiving full sun for 6+ hours in summer, and good part shade areas.

Just go into the forest and see which trees live there. That are species suitable for you

Lucr nailed it! Local species is the best bet. And off cource, keep your eyes open for garden restorations. Sometimes it is possible to find excellent materials for free when people rebuild their gardens. Anything that thrives in your climate is a good choise. Anything but oak maybe.

Thankyou both. Realising my general horticultural knowledge is seriously lacking. Maybe my attention this spring is better focused on learning some basics.
I already have plenty of potted plants already in garden, many of which are in need of some TLC.....

Sounds like a good plan. Step one is to make the tree survive after that make it very strong and healthy. First after the two are in place the fun starts, styling, wiering etc.

Very good: horticulture before everything else. Without a healthy plant you can’t do anything .
And remember bonsais a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time , nothing that needs to be done “now”

So, not to flog a dead horse here..... But....

I appreciate the likelihood of the sweet plum and Carmona I have surviving are slim. Poor soil, poor conditions, and newbie me.... but in an effort to do my best....

The elm I will move outside in a month or two where it will live. However I think it is too cold here to leave the other two outside for any more than the warmest months.

Currently they are on south facing window sill above a radiator upstairs. Would conservatory be preferable? (Photo) South facing also. Plastic roof not glass.