I think you would have much better success if you started with nursery stock. It's very easy to buy inexpensive small pine trees and rose bushes at any garden center. Beginners Guides to Bonsai will give you the instructions that you need to turn these two plants, in time, to a nice Bonsai.

Good Luck.

Frank

Thanks. I probably will buy a few store-bought juniper bonsai to practice on.

I am hoping to "clone" some outdoor plants that were planted by family years and years ago.

Is it very unlikely to be able to "clone" (well, grow from trimmings) then bonsai somewhat old rose bushes and pine trees? I'm really more into the sentiment of using the plants than just having any old rose bonsai.

You certainly CAN propagated the rose. It's done all the time...but, usually roses are grafted onto a different under-stock that is either more vigorous, hardy, or better adapted to specific growing conditions. Any good book, or even web-sites about growing roses will give you all the information that you need.

The heirloom Pine is a different story. Seeds from the pine cones will give you small plants. I hope you are very young...you'll have a long wait.

Good luck

Frank

I didn't have much luck finding rose bonsai info online, but I haven't yet looked in the library/bookstore.

I tried growing these roses from trimmings. I think I've got one sprouting up now.

I like to think I'm young. How long are we talking? :D I'm hoping to make a few "mini trees" from it and let it grow over the years indoors.

Pines grow pretty slowly, and don't take well to cuttings. So, you'd be looking at 10 years at least before you start to work on the trees. As to growing them indoors, you wouldn't be able to. Pine trees will die indoors.