You can make a bonsai out of just about anything with a woody trunk (theoretically). I would let it grow for another couple of years, but I guess you could shorten it if you wanted, to encourage more and smaller branches, but I wouldn't do it below where there is any sign of buds or branching, only because I don't know if that tree will bud below that line (some do, some don't). If there is one (or more) 'lowest' branch, leave it to fatten the trunk over time (years), even if you eventually get rid of it as not fitting in with the eventual final design.

Hi, Kizzyseeds, I would love to have one fruit. What are you looking for? I have --Sweet Alyssium, very fragrant flower. seeds --Scented 4 O'clock. seeds --Ornamental pepper. seeds --Various Veggie seeds --Orchid cactus cutting, large and fragrant flower.I attached a picture of it. --Night bloom Jasmine Cutting, fragrant flower in the evening --AngleWing Begonia cuttings, blooms all year long --Brugmansia, Angle Trumpet cuttings... white, yellow, or pink. Very nice evening fragrance --Walking Iris small plant, small fragrant flowers --Star Jasmine cutting. Vine in warmer zone. Nice sweet fragrant flowers --Stephanotis, Bridal Jasmine cutting. Very nice fragrance hope we can make some trade. I also looking for fragrant annual flower seeds such as high fragrant sweet pea, evening stock, old Iowa vining petunia, etc.

These BSFs are amazing! Can't believe I never encountered this subject before. BSFs actually [i]DO[/i] what vermiculturists dream that their worms could...directly get rid of the garbage. I just had another gross, scary use for BSFL... they might be medical applications for them in the selective removal of necrotic tissue in humans. When I was young, I heard wounded soldiers in the American war on Vietnam would let maggots of some flies stay in their necrotic wounds till they could be evacuated to a real hospital. The maggots only ate the necrotic tissue, not the fresh flesh. They produced chemicals that killed narcotizing bacteria thus preventing gangrene from spreading. The maggots also prevented other more dangerous flesh eating fly larvae from infesting the wound. I wonder, could these flies from the American war on Vietnam were be soldier flies? I wonder...is this why we call them 'soldier' flies? Here is a link that might be useful: Black Soldier Fly and Red Worm Bioconversion

Brutuses, I like your counter and agree with your reason for choosing it. I still have the Formica "butcher block" counters that my kitchen has had since 1978. They are in very good condition and blend well with my kitchen. They certainly aren't up-to-date, and eventually we will change them out....but not until there is truly a need. And, the photos below show just where my practical (stubbornly so? ;) streak began. This is the house where I grew up, and my father still lives there. These photos were taken just a few Christmases ago. Yes, those are the *original* coppertone appliances, Formica counters, and a faux brick backsplash in their kitchen. In that second photo of their living room, the wool carpet and drapes are also original to the house (1965), and still look nice and timeless. Can you tell that they loved and were influenced by their visits to Williamsburg? :) My parents have always taken good care of their things (that carpet is spotless), and remembered the lessons from the Great Depression. They didn't see a need to replace something until it was required (and neither did most of their friends)...my mother said that those coppertone appliances would outlive her, and sadly they have. They didn't criticize if others liked to keep up with the "latest and greatest", they just didn't feel that need themselves. She and my father enjoyed their "antiquing" trips and found lots of goodies (almost always at a bargain price) on their jaunts, went out a lot with family and friends, and my mother enjoyed hosting events for her various ladies' clubs, so they did have some fun with a little of their money. They just didn't replace things just to replace them. That house may be full of older (working) appliances and some out-of-date finishes, but somehow it still "works". It is a warm home full of laughter and fun, and everyone always feels welcome there. I hope that my kids will remember my home the same way, regardless of the finish. :)