Also, if anyone has suggestions for other bonsai forums which are both knowledgeable and active, I would be very glad to hear suggestions :)

Thanks again!
-Woody

First, "sand" in a lot of bonsai books originating in the east actually means 'river sand', which is very small pebbles like you'd get in a river bed, but don't rush out looking for them over here as they don't equate to what's over there. Sand as we know it, however, is definitely not a good idea for various reasons. Secondly, instead of pumice, I'd add some organics, bits of pine bark mulch of 1/8-1/16" size, but not acquired 'wild', better to go with some from a nursery or even a bagged Orchid Mix (tho' you'd have to break up those soft wood pieces). Instead of Akadama, which is expensive, you can use Turface, more readily available and cheaper.

Unfortunately, Chicago is too cold to just leave blk pines out all year, so they weren't a great choice, but there are various options you might look into for winter protection in future (don't even think about putting them out this yr). I say all this because you may not realize that no pines will survive any length of time indoors (except, hopefully, your seedlings, til late spring) and must live outdoors for life. Pines of any kind are definitely not beginner material anyway, so good luck with the future of them, Your best bet for 'potting' would be a training box - simulates in-ground growing better than any pot but is still portable, though it's too soon to even put them in one of those. What is really important now is to keep them in a cool, very airy place with lots of humidity - not sprayed on but either on stones in a wide tray of water that never, ever touches the pot bottom, or even a cool mist humidifier. They won't be ready for 'bonsai' training for 3-5 years at least, so you'll have to do what you can to keep them alive that long. Go to www.evergreengardenworks.com for very good advice about other aspects of keeping and training them.

Thanks for all of the great advice, larke! I'm definitely taking notes on all of this. I bookmarked Evergreen Garden Works for now, and I'll be sure to read it over in depth when I get the chance.

Hey 'swoody_gardener'.
I was thinking, to help your Black Pine survive, why don't you put it in a green house to keep a suitable temperature for your Pine. If you don't own one just put a Plastic bag over it with some holes. This allows it to get full sun outside without freezing to death.
Hope it helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Guide-For-Tending-Black-Pine-Bonsai&id=3517257

I realize that this post is old, but I'm having trouble finding specific answers to my questions, so thanks for humoring me. I received a "Bonsai Starter Kit" (I know...total newb) that included Japanese Black Pine seeds. I sprouted the seeds, which look lovely, but I have no idea what to do with them now. Do I repot them individually? They are currently about 1 week to 1 1/2 weeks past sprouting. They are reaching about 2-3 inches tall. 1 or 2 of them have shed their seeds and opened their needles. What now? Please help. I need specific instructions or direction to where I can find specific instructions for a beginner. I have come to understand (since undertaking this effort) that this may not have been the best variety for a beginner, but I am good at following direction, and I am completely open to instruction. Thanks for any and all advice. I'm really looking forward to getting these seeds off to the right start, and I can't wait to see what they become.

Yes, repot them individually. I suggest, however, that you look at various sites and books re what to pot them into, and where to locate them afterward. You haven't posted your growing zone, so it's hard to advise about various aspects. Go to -

http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/f7-bonsai-questions

for the best advice online and get a consensus of different answers before rushing off to do anything.