51cg

Hello 51cg.?
I'm brand new to the Bonsaiworld and have some questions:

I have seen some cool photos of BonsaiAvocado trees and decided to attempt one of my own.?
I started a seed using the toothpick and water method and now several months later the seedling has grown to near 7 inches tall and with five 2" long leaves at the top of the stem. There are 9 little leaf buds scattered along the stem from seed to canopy.
?
My goal is to create a very small Bonsaiwith an overall height of about 8 inches and canopy width of about 14."?
?
I am wondering how I can stop the plant from growing in height and force it to start expanding horizontally??
Do I need to transfer the plant into a pot of soil first before doing anything?
While the plant is young, is it too young to begin shaping the trunk?
Is it still too young to do any pinching back??

I live in Iowa with no space to plant this outside. It has spent its short life on the sill of a south facing window where it seems to be very happy.?
It seems to be growing fast, and I don't want it to become a four-foot-tall skinny stick with huge leaves on it. I want to create a curved fat trunk with a wide canopy.

I appreciate all your guidance.?
Thank you,
Harkbon

Avokado trees have huge leafs not suitable for small bonsai.

The focus on young seedling should be trunk thickening, for that you need to grow it wild.