Hi I'm Frank. Been trying grow, well anything, and failing horribly. I'm hoping to gain some knowledge and skills from you.

Regular potting soil holds too much water for succulents and bonsai. Look for mixes with perlite, pumice, or grit — or ask us in the shop, we mix our own.

A well-draining pot with a drainage hole, a moisture meter (skip the guesswork), a small pair of pruning shears, and well-draining soil (cactus/succulent mix, not regular potting soil).

Prune to maintain shape, not just size. Cut just above a leaf node, and never remove more than 1/3 of the foliage at once — over-pruning stresses the tree.

Unlike succulents, bonsai need consistent moisture — they're in shallow pots with little soil to hold water. Check daily by pressing a finger into the soil; water when the top layer feels dry.