Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

KEEPING YOUR BONSAI ALIVE AND WELL
Keeping Your Bonsai Alive and Well, is a great book for both beginners and intermediate hobbyists alike.Not only does it cover the basics of feeding, watering, and repotting but it serves as a guide to plant diseases and harmful insects.The part I enjoyed the most was the season by season guide for year round care.It assisted me in knowing what my bonsai needed every season.

I initially checked this book out at my local library and decided I needed a copy to add to my reference library.It would be a good choice for a person ready to take the next step in bonsai care.

A lot of useful information in a small package
This is a very useful book that gives you wonderful guidelines as to when it is time to repot, shape, water, fertilize, etc... It also gives you an idea of what a lot of different species of trees need and prefer. Wonderful book. I am very glad that I bought it.

Fantastic starter book
This book was fantastic.It gave me the tips I needed to get started in this hobby with regard to watering, tree placement, general growing tips.Definitely the best of the many books I've read with regards to care tips.

Beyond the basics
Most books on Bonsai give you the basics of every aspect of raising your Bonsai.This book goes into much more detail on watering and preventative maintenance.Did you know that watering is a 3 step process? ... Read more

Product Description
Adapts the basic principles and techniques of the Japanese art of dwarfing trees to soil types, weather conditions, fertilizers, and native species found in the United States. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not specific to American Trees
This book is fine, for a bonsai book, but does not have very
much information specific to american trees.I was hoping for
more specific info about native american trees that make good
bonsai plus info on how to use them as bonsai, where to find
collect or purchase them and how to care for them.

Great reference
I have finally decided to buy myself a bonsai. After years of fruitless hints to my family, I realized that I would have to get it myself, so I sought out a good, easily-understood reference book.

In addition to good information, the photos in this book are lovely and gave me some good ideas of what to look for.

The most helpful chapter to me was the first one, "Bonsai for Beginners". The different bonsai styles are the straight trunk, the slanting trunk, the twin trunk, the triple trunk, the sinuous root, the raft, the twisted trunk,cascading, patterned, and rock-grown. I had no idea that there were so many styles!

As with most plants, sunlight, soil, and water are the most important elements for bonsai. The author suggests watering at night by sprinkling the foliage so as not to wash away the topsoil, which is minimal for these plants. Bonsai are grown in very small pots which hold little soil.

Diseases are briefly mentioned, as well as insecticides to use and how to check the tree for pests and diseases.

The merits of porcelain, china, and earthenware pots are discussed as well as shape, color, and size. I learned that one never plants a bonsai in the middle of a pot but the formula was confusing to me....so I am glad I will be buying one that is already potted!

The chapter on repotting was informative since bonsai outgrow their containers more quickly than other plants. The author tells of the signs to watch for that will indicate that a bonsai needs to be repotted. The process of repotting seems a bit tricky so I would probably elect to return my tree to the nursery where I bought it (to have it repotted).

The chapter on fertilizers - the types to use and how to apply them--was very helpful.

At the end, the author discusses decorating with bonsai and talks about the importance of the stand on which the tree is placed - its size and the height at which the tree should be placed in a room. I had not even thought that far ahead and am glad he mentioned it.

Illustrated Bonsai
The author has made this book easy for the beginner and experienced groweralike. Clear instructions with great pictoral directions in sequence. Agood reference book on growing bonsai, bonsai styles, pruning, tools andsoils. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellant book for the serious bonsaist.
This is an excellant book for people familiar with the basics andwishing to move beyond "a shrub in a pot."Adams is a world class teacher of the art and science of bonsai, but his books are hard to get. They are worth the effort.

Wonderful drawings and his usual concise text.
As always, Peter has managed to say some new words about his first love which is bonsai.There are many helpful guidelines in this book that we can all use when designing our trees.Peter is a real genius at this task. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (11)

almost an encyclopedia..........
I may be a bit biased because I got it for $15.00....it has 288 pages of info.Made extremely well with glossy pages and hardback.Covers the most popular species,and a nice section on building artificial rock landscapes.
Not the only book you will want but will be a great addition to your bonsai library.

Just a great read.
To read this book was an interesting journey through the authors many years of bonsai. It is very well set out and is more interesting to read than most of the others books (more like instruction manuals)on bonsai. Covers so many different bases.
Has given me lots of inspiration and lots of 'oh, why didn't i try that' to use in the future.
Was sad to read that the author Dave Joyce past away not so long after the completion of this book. I hope he was happy with the end product because everyone who i meet from now on who has even a little interest in bonsai will be recommended this book as a top pick!

Great book for bonsai beginners
Very good book.Shows through case studies how to create natural looking bonsai from seedlings to nursery stock or plants collected in the wild.All of the plants shown are from his own collection and he shows the progression on each over many years, from rough plant to styled bonsai.

For the Basic Bonsai Library
This is a great basic or beginner's book that is rich in understandable, approachable, usable information. I particularly like the many projects shown over time in pictures with descriptions of what was done and why. Clearly, it was a work done out of love for the art and experience that is bonsai.

Wonderful resource for a beginner
David Joyce's "The Art of Natural Bonsai: Replicating Nature's Beauty" is the most practical and clear-written of 4 bonsai books that this bonsai beginner has read.The author is clearly experienced in his avocation; the citations include decades of work on his bonsai stock.

The late David Joyce is extremely descriptive in showing how to carry out each task necessary to create a vigorous and healthy tree.He is not preachy in adherence to his methods, either, he simply states what he has done and not done, whether or not such practices were successful, and whether he has seen evidence to support differing methods.

A beginner in the bonsia hobby would do well to read this book before any other! ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Japan's delicate, miniature bonsai are instantly recognizable and enjoyed by people the world over. But true understanding of bonsai, and the ability to master the art of displaying them so that their beauty is maximized, takes dedication and time. The Beauty of Bonsai teaches readers to fully appreciate the essence and aesthetics of these amazing trees.This is not a practical, how-to gardening guide.Rather, the book concentrates on heightening our awareness of what we see and feel when we view bonsai.

The first chapter opens with an in-depth discussion of bonsai, likening them to landscape painting, and explaining the role of perspective in creating the most pleasing arrangements. The second chapter focuses on two traditional composite displays, known as tokonoma and machiai, and imparts valuable tips to the reader on how best to achieve these classic formations. Chapter Three explores themes of bonsai settings, and gives advice on displays based on a particular chosen theme (for example, a mountain or a forest). The bonsai are adorned with ornaments and displayed in pots designed by famous artisans. In Chapter Four, renowned bonsai creator Masahiko Kimura demonstrates the process of creating a professional bonsai display.Accompanied by many photographs, the text outlines the artist's creative process, offering readers unique insights. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
The Japanese art of bonsai is practiced worldwide, but while basic techniques have been more or less effectively taught, many of the more intriguing ones, as well as recently invented ones, have not. THE SECRET TECHNIQUES OF BONSAI remedies this oversight with the thoughtful instruction of second and third generation experts.

SECRET TEACHINGS is by the author of the groundbreaking BONSAI WITH AMERICAN TREES, one of the first books to unveil the secrets of the trade. This time, Masakuni Kawasumi II teams up with his son, Masakuni III, to offer not only the basics for creating perfect bonsai but secret techniques he has developed over years of careful work and observation. Masakuni III, the first qualified tree doctor for bonsai in Japan, adds his unique insights. Between them they offer over eighty years of experience.

The techniques are simple and intuitive, yet have been developed only after decades of practice and perfection. Detailed information is provided to start, nurture, and shape bonsai. A number of secret techniques are introduced for beginners and experienced enthusiasts alike. The father-and-son team also delves into bonsai tool usage, another area of their expertise, giving the reader a clear sense of how to use specialized tools—or how to better use the garden and workshop tools they have at home. All these make this an invaluable book for beginners and experienced enthusiasts alike.

*Growing bonsai from seedlings or cuttings
*Secret techniques and new shortcuts to better bonsai
*Techniques for shaping, pruning, training, grafting, and repotting
*Step-by-step photos
*Expert advice from Japan's first bonsai tree doctor
*Detailed advice for using numerous bonsai tools to perfect bonsai work ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Thorough
I bought this book at the same time as Bonsai (101 Essential Tips) by Harry Tomlinson and am very impressed. It gives lots of detail on how to do different techniques. Everything i need to know to get my Bonsai's going. I already have a Fig and am planning to start a Crepe Myrtle from a cutting (since they are running rampant at my house). I also want to do a Murraya, my Murraya cutting is growing well. I feel that this book will give me the knowledge i need to make great Bonsai.

care and love for bonsai
I raise Japanese Maples, many in containers, but not really bonsai. I found it such a loving presentation and writing about bonsai that a had to read the whole book. I liked the information too.

Serhat
Actually it was my first book about Bonsai. As I have some background with plant propagation I was very interested in the methods the book advises with very nice pictures and step by step growing etc.
But I believe, it not the perfect one for a beginner as it gives some supplementary information about bonsai on top of some basic knowledge. I could not find explanation about some basics like some more simple technics for growing, pruning and taking care.

Bonsai Secrets
The book was everything and more.Because of the book I bought Bonsai tools and am looking forward to starting my own plants.

Advanced
I do not recommendthis book to the beginner who is just getting into Bonsai care-taking. This is more of a comprehensive book explaining how to create, shape, and nurture Bonsai trees. This book is very well written for and advanced level Bonsai owner. It goes into detail about how to start Bonsai trees, wire them, how to pick out the right environment, etc.
So if you're beginning, I think you should pass this book by at first. If, however, you have been into Bonsai trees for a while, this is the book to go with. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
PREFACE

The art of bonsai, together with that of ikebana or Japanese flower-arrangement, originated in Japan and is now admired throughout the world. Among the lovers and admirers of bonsai are many who find infinite pleasure in growing their own bonsai? The satisfaction of creating with their own hands the beauty of nature in miniature. Although there are several publications on bonsai, very few books have been published for beginners.

This book is designed to equip those who wish to embark upon growing their own bonsai with the knowledge and skills to do so. To this end, we have included as many photographs and illustrations as possible in the hope of giving the reader a complete and comprehensive explanation of the pleasurable and rewarding art of bonsai growing.

You will find outlined in this book every step, from the basics of how to choose a tree, what fertilizer to use and when to water, to the more skilled techniques such as wiring the branches of your tree into the desired shape. This book will be a practical help and welcome companion to all those who desire to grow bonsai, emphasizing both the growing techniques and the pleasures to be gained from viewing your plant as a work of art.

Bonsai changes with the seasons, so will give the grower enjoyment throughout the year-a pleasure that cannot be obtained from growing flowers in the garden. And, as it grows older, the more your bonsai will come to exhibit the beauty of its full-sized counterpart in nature. This is the pleasure that the authors wish to share with as many people as possible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Translated from Japanese
This book has been translated from Japanese.There are some really great tips, but it is very hard to follow.The text does not appear to line up with the pictures in some cases and most of the book is in black and white.It also does not seem to be sequenced well. It jumps from one topic to the next and then back again.

An Excellent Introduction To Growth And Care Of Bonsai Trees
I recently bought a Juniper bonsai and have become very interested in these exquisite miniature plants. Bonsai is the reproduction of natural tree forms in miniature which increase in beauty and value as they mature over the years. I am now thinking about purchasing another and want to learn as much as possible about the growth and proper care for these Japanese-style miniature plantings. I browsed through bookstores and also asked a friend, who has numerous healthy bonsais, for some book suggestions. I finally purchased "Bonsai: Nature in Miniature." A few people recommended it as a bonsai book that is especially designed for beginners. It is also an excellent book to accompany a bonsai given as a present.

Kyuzo Murata and Isamu Murata have created a book filled with beautiful color photographs and drawings which provides specific, step-by-step instructions for: how to select a tree; what fertilizer to use; lighting; watering; trimming; wiring branches to form tree into desired shape, etc.. The text also emphasizes the pleasures of viewing the trees as works of art.

The selection of subjects, photography, illustrations, the writing style, all present the subject - an introduction to bonsai - in a clear and interesting fashion. Highly recommended.
JANA ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Learn from mistakes
A Best bonsai book.
A Must read for anyone on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stage of learning.
The author not only teaches by his mistakes but explains them.

THE ART OF BONSAI DESIGN
THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD AND TELL A DIFFERENT STORY FORM ALL THE BONSAI BOOKS

The Art of Bonsai Design
Beginning with Peter Adams, the United Kingdom has since the early 1960s produced a steady stream of notable bonsai artists and authors. To this collection of talent one must surely include Colin Lewis, author of nine books on the subject of bonsai, The Art of Bonsai Design being his most recent and most enjoyable effort.

Of the books in English that purport to be comprehensive tomes on the subject of bonsai, scant few are actually worthy of that label. Realistically, no single book could ever cover every aspect of such a complex art. Rather than fall short of that impossible task, the author instead addresses four of the most popular temperate climate species used in bonsai--elm, juniper, pine, and larch. Each of these species is discussed from the general to the specific, always using the author's trees as visual case histories showing the entire refinement process. Included are numerous sidebars discussing peripheral topics related to the species at hand. Framing these chapters are essays on bonsai as an art form in the West and other tangential subjects; information Mr. Lewis has gleaned during his decades of experience. For our benefit and without guile, Mr. Lewis has written a highly informative, entertaining and valuable book.

What makes this book unique is the author's unflinching-some might say even cheerful-examination of his mistakes and misfortunes as he describes the theory and practice of bonsai refinement, using his own trees as visual examples. It is really quite heartening to see how time, careful attention, and of course the artist's eye can raise the level of quality in the trees pictured from their humble beginnings as mere average quality cuttings and collected stock to such high levels of refinement and understated beauty. Herein lies the charm of Mr. Lewis' book: Almost without exception the trees are his from inception to present. Of course, when the author gets his hands on more highly refined trees and stock, the results are equally pleasing.

Throughout the book Mr. Lewis drops amusing anecdotes, hints and insights, and perceptive observations about his travails as a bonsai beginner, his techniques to speed the refinement process, and bonsai's unique position straddling horticulture and art. His grasp of bonsai as expressed through the vernacular of Western art makes for clear, easy to understand instructions and advice. Mr. Lewis has what this reviewer would label an `international' design style that transcends the classical Japanese mode in favor of respecting a bonsai's origin and potential for refinement. Overall, this reviewer found him to be self-effacing yet eminently qualified to share his wealth of information on the subject of bonsai.

The Art of Bonsai Design is probably not the best book for a rank beginner, as the most basic information is absent in favor of more advanced styling ideas, projects, and techniques. For those bonsai enthusiasts with a good working knowledge of the fundamentals of bonsai, The Art of Bonsai Design will prove to be a valuable and oft-referenced addition to their libraries.

One of the best books
great case study with a lot of suggestions and helping tips.

The Art of Bonsai Design by Colin Lewis
Excellent Book for the more advanced Bonsai enthusiast.

As opposed to many entry-level books describing Bonsai species and their care, this book is organized around case studies.
The author expects the reader to know the basics of Bonsai and takes you from there...

I particularly liked the case study based on an Elm stump collected in the wild.

Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
Information in this file was originally published under the title Growing Bonsai by the United States Department of
Agriculture, Home and Garden Bulletin No. 206, issued August 1973 by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402, Stock No. 0100-02772. ... Read more

Product Description
Tailored to meet the needs of the first time bonsai owner. * Clear, authoritative text makes creating and caring for your bonsai straightforward. * The use of step-by-step illustrations and photographs ensure the techniques are easy to follow. * Easy-to-use care symbols. * Illustrated with over 120 specially commissioned photographs and illustrations. * Directory of both indoor and outdoor trees and their charactersitics ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Simply the best
I was able to compare this book to two other books (including the ever-popular Bonsai: 101 essentials).this book does such a great job in explaining every aspect of the basics of Bonsai whereas most other books just give you a brief description and very little information about how to take care of your Bonsai.

If you are begining bonsai, or are just interested in the art itself, this is the one ESSENTIAL book you need to read!Other books can help give another perspective on how to do something, but this book is the foundation for all you need to know!I still refer to it at times!!!

Pretty good first book
This was my very first bonsai book.It helped inspire me into the hobby, and the book is great for a beginner, but I thought it was just a bit short.Says 128 pages, but feels more like 50.Overall its okay.

Excellent pictures. Very good text. Helpfull tips.
Very good book with excellent photographs. Good advices for those who want to buy, create or simply take good care of bonsai trees. The author explains very well how to do almost everything with these wonderful trees. If you're intention is to buy only one book of bonsai you should buy this one. It's my favourite!

an excellent beginner's book with beautiful illustrations
This is a very visually-appealing book with creative photography and excellent color pictures on almost every page.It is targeted to the beginner, and (though a beginner myself) I think it is quite informativeand gets one off to a good start.It has an index of many common treesused for bonsai and rates them according to difficulty, hardiness andsun/shade preference.It's weakness is an abundance of technical printingerrors (goofed up captions, mostly), but in spite of this I heartilyrecommend it to the beginner for use as "A [Basic] Care Manual"and say it's well worth its price.

Very Good
This is a very good book for the beginer bonsai enthusiast.The species guide is an excellent way to decide what kind of bonsai is right for you or how to better care for the bonsai you already own ... Read more

Product Description
Discover How To Create Masterful Bonsai Trees Using The Secrets Of Bonsai Master Growers…

Learn how to start and grow your own bonsai without spending hours perfecting your craft using simple, proven strategies and secrets…

Are you ready to find out how to grow bonsai quickly and easily, without spending hours struggling over concepts?

Are you even aware of the health benefits bonsai have to offer? Here is a fact…

For centuries, royalty and members of exclusive organizations have cultivated bonsai to bring joy, prosperity and luck into their lives. These ancient secrets are now available for all to enjoy…

Each year thousands of people adore the beauty of bonsai trees. Most however, fail to pursue their desires for growing bonsai, because they fear the work involved may not be easy.

Truthfully, once you discover the secrets of bonsai, growing aesthetically appealing bonsai trees is easy. You can learn how to grow and cultivate your bonsai in less than one day!

Join the ranks of bonsai masters… simply and easily!

Discover The Secrets Of Bonsai Experts And Build Your Bonsai Garden One Tree At A Time

There is a myth going around suggesting bonsai is a complicated craft only a “master” gardeners or horticulturists can master.

Let me let you in on a little secret. Anyone can grow bonsai. You do not have to be a master bonsai artist… you just have to know a few tricks and secrets of the “bonsai masters”.

You deserve to be a bonsai master in your own right. So find out how, in less than two minutes.

Anyone, even someone without a green thumb, can find a species of bonsai that will work well with their personality, skill level and ability.

Are you interested in growing bonsai, but short on talent and time?

No worries!

You are about to discover the secrets of bonsai, a sequential tutorial that will show you how to grow dozens of different species of bonsai simply and easily.

Create a professional bonsai garden without paying professional prices.

Interested in advancing landscaping to the next level? Then why not give The Beginner’s Guide To Bonsai a try?

In just thirty minutes (depending on how fast you read a book), you can learn everything you need to start growing your first bonsai tree. You can download your copy in just two minutes.

There is tons of information on bonsai gardening on the Net. However, much of it is confusing for the novice bonsai artist.

If you are someone that wants to create beautiful bonsai, but are skeptical of your ability, fear no more. The answer is but a click away!

Here is a small sample of what you will learn when you enjoy this enlightening guide…

* * What a “bonsai” tree really means and how easy it is to create bonsai from the trees living in your backyard…

* * The #1 species of tree suited to beginning bonsai masters… a species so hardy, you are guaranteed bonsai mastery…

* * How to feed, water, prune and repot almost any species of bonsai with care and ease, so you and your bonsai can live together in peace…

* * What terms like defoliation, pruning, and finger pruning mean, and how you can put them to work for you…

* * How to choose the best bonsai tree for your home or garden, one that will thrive no matter the climate you live in…

* * How to grow a bonsai from scratch or buy a small bonsai and keep it hardy, and hand it down from generation to generation…

* * And MUCH MUCH MORE!

Join the exclusive ranks of “bonsai masters” without spending years learning how to perfect your art. ... Read more

Product Description
This text offers a range of shortcuts, new ideas, handy hints, and time saving techniques for bonsai growing. The book gives advice on choosing the appropriate pot and how to select a plant that suits one's climate, schedule, and personality. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Concise and informative
This book is a useful guide to making the art of Bonsai a little easier for those of us with busy lives. It is full of useful information and good clear pictures. My only critisim is its bias towards USA conditions.Otherwise a good and useful book. ... Read more