2 comments about Cultivating Bonsai.

1. My book arrived 5 minutes ago. I have 7 books of bonsai. If I know exist this book before I buy the other, now a only keep 3. his is a very good book about bonsai, the explain, picture is great. Is very usefull, You only need this book. Sorry My English. Alejandro



2. This is the only bonsai book I have read so far, but it makes me scared to read another if it is like this. This severly disorganized in a manner that makes it seem like a bunch of pieces one cannot inherently put back together. I believe for a more advanced bonsai'er with some previous knowledge and experience, then the book might be "ok." But for us first timers, I need something a little more "reader friendly."

1 comments about Wildflower Gardens: 60 Spectacular Plants and How to Grow Them in Your Garden (21st-Century Gardening Series).

1. Disappointed with this purchase. It is a boring, humdrum tome, not at all what I expected. Reads more like a novel for an English class instead of an informative, pictorial as I imagined. May try to resell on Amazon.com marketplace.

1 comments about Beginning Bonsai: The Gentle Art of Miniature Tree Growing.

1. A good book for someone with no bonsai experience. The authors keep the basics of bonsai simple and point the novice in the right direction. Although it would be a good reference to have handy while attempting that first Juniper, the beginner would do well to read other books before going further.

4 comments about Totally Bonsai: A Guide to Growing, Shaping, and Caring for Miniature Trees and Shrubs.

1. What is vastly different about this book and most other Bonsai books is one simple premise. It is this. When you start Bonsai you are afraid that growing such a plant will take many years. Most folk can be put off by the fact that they believe they will need 30 years to produce a Bonsai that looks old. Craig Coussins new book explodes that myth.

   In his first book, Bonsai for Beginners, Craig Coussins covered a vast range of subjects up to intermediate but in Totally Bonsai, the title used in North America, ('Growing Bonsai' elsewhere)he uses Bonsai throughout the book that are rarely over five years old. But what Bonsai. Some of these trees are wonderful and extremely beautiful. Gone are the seedlings in a plastic pot, Craig Coussins really shows you what you are capable of. This shows the newcomer exactly how much they can achieve in a short period of time. Many of the trees are also shown in winter so that you can really see the branch structure and shape under the leaves. Most of the trees are easily available as shrubs or garden centre material which makes life a lot simpler for the complete novice.

   The unique section written by his friend Salvatore Liporace and his student Luigi Maggione, highly respected Bonsai Masters from Italy, also shows how you can, within Craig's five year period, take basic raw material and turn it into a masterpiece when you have understood the basics and focussed on the techniques.

   This well liked Bonsai International Teacher has kept to his remit in writing a book that is truly for the beginner and it is recommended as a very good read. A great present for a friend just starting out.

   One interesting thing is also his sensitive dedication to his mentor, John Yoshio Naka, the respected American Bonsai Master and one of the top five Bonsai Masters in the world.




2. "What else would I need than this book when learning about Bonsai? I recommend it fully and suggest that it should be on everyone's bookshelf, or at least in his or her hands"

   When you start growing Bonsai, it is hard to work your way through all the titles available. I first bought a book called Bonsai for Beginners by the same author and while this was a very nice book, it was not only geared to beginners but also to more advanced growers. This new book is a revelation. Beautifully laid out, the practical guide to Growing Bonsai is the first book I have read that truly spells it out. It is lavishly illustrated and very well written that it is more than a reference book. It has become a `read'.
   The Practical Guide is just that. It covers all the basic information that you, as a Bonsai Grower in the early stages of this wonderful hobby, need to learn to understand what is to be done. A real beginners book but written by someone who understands what a real teacher needs to speak about when speaking to a newcomer. Craig Coussins writes in a very one to one style and I really felt that he was with me every step of 'his' way. This is a great book!
   Clear instructions filled with some gorgeous photographs looks at all the techniques that I need to know. Charts explain the right times of the year to do the work and completed by a species list of all the most popular Bonsai that beginners should try.
   Therefore, what else would I need than this book when learning about Bonsai? I recommend it fully and suggest that it should be on everyone's bookshelf, or at least in his or her hands.




3. This book provides excellent background and general information for someone starting out in bonsai. The photos are excellent and a wide variety of types are shown. However, I was expecting more of a guide on how to actually start growing a bonsai. There are a lot of references to finding "a local club" which would of course be helpful, but if you're just starting out (like me) and don't have a nearby bonsai club, you'll probably want additional books to guide you through getting started.



4. This is a good beginners book with information about all phases of the art and some of the science. It is accessable to anyone. I would recommend it to serious beginners.

3 comments about Indoor Bonsai: A Beginner's Step-By-Step Guide (Crowood Gardening Guides).

1. "Forming the shape of a bonsai can be a very individual subject and therefore it is very difficult for me to convey my ideas to you."

   While the author is undoubtedly a talented bonsai gardener, and may well be a good teacher 'at the elbow', his informal jargon may leave the reader puzzled, and his concept of 'dimensional drawings' for tree planning is still unclear, despite numerous example drawings.




2. Photos are uninspiring, if not misleading. All the trees pictured resemble twigs thrown between undefined rocks with no thought to shape, movement, intent or design.

   Content wise, misdirection and vagueness are the only quality offered. The reader will learn very little, and what they may learn isn't correct.

   You will find much better, thorough, and true information online visiting Bonsai Forums.

   Walk away from the monitor. Do NOT buy this book.




3. I expected much more out of this book. I bought '101 Essential Tips: Bonsai' at Border's for $5 and got much more pertinent information for my Juniper.

5 comments about Bonsai (A Care Manual).

1. 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



2. 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 informative and gets one off to a good start. It has an index of many common trees used for bonsai and rates them according to difficulty, hardiness and sun/shade preference. It's weakness is an abundance of technical printing errors (goofed up captions, mostly), but in spite of this I heartily recommend it to the beginner for use as "A [Basic] Care Manual" and say it's well worth its price.



3. 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!



4. 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.



5. 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!!!

3 comments about The Bonsai Handbook.

1. David Prescott's treatment of bonsai is highly recommended. The Bonsai Handbook is a fine example of how bonsai should be presented. It depicts both young trees and fine specimens. It makes bonsai approachable to the beginner as well as creates intrigue for the advanced collector. The plates are clear and finely photographed. Illustrations are well executed and helpful. The text is well written, although, at times, a bit complex. The author thoroughly descibes the art, science, and technique. He includes excellent information concerning tools, pots and general horticultural practices. As a bonsai artist and horticultural botanist, I find this book to be a great value and superior to many bonsai books presently in-print.

   I question only minor elements: the use of cut-paste on pruning wounds. One photograph (p.104)is mislabeled (Larix larcina should be Thuja occidentalis).




2. * Un libro excelente finamente ilustrado, recomendable para todos aquellos que comienzan en el arte del Bonsai o para aquellos que desean deleitarse con magníficas fotografías de Bonsai.
   * An excellent and finely illustrated book, a must for those who are starting in the art of Bonsai or for those who want to enjoy Bonsai magnific pictures.



3. I actually bought this book as a gift along with the various items needed in the growning of a bonsai. The book was amazing with beautiful pictures and detailed instructions for growing a bonsai from the underground - up. Great deal for the money. Enjoy!!

3 comments about Bonsai: Grow Your Own Bonsai from Cuttings, Seeds, and Saplings.

1. This is an excellent -- and useful -- book for those who wish to use native trees for their bonsai. However, to get the best benefit from it, you need to live in Europe, since the 'natives' are from that continent.



2. I think this book is excellent. Although the trees are native to Europe, most of the advice applies perfectly to people in temperate North America. Scots Pine, yew, spindle, beech, hawthorn, apple, willow etc... all species are covered in detail with info on training, pests, propagation, etc.... Definitely not just for Europeans, anyone in the Eastern U.S. and most of Canada will find this very useful. Great photos, too!
   -j



3. This is a great book--lots of valuable information, pictures, and info and different species of bonsai. Practical.

5 comments about Mini Bonsai Kit.

1. My son bought this from a Scool book club. It was perfectly sealed,but was missing the Peat Pellet needed for fermintation.
   A couple of kids in his class bought it. The 6.00 I paid for kit will now become 10.00 when I buy the missing part.



2. While the kit came with several seeds, none of mine sprouted, and one of them came broken.

   It wasn't really worth it in my opinion.




3. I also purchased this when it caught my eye at a bookstore.
   
   I cold stratified the seeds for 1 week, planted them on 9/12/04, and 2 weeks later, I have yet to see any results.
   
   It would have been nice if the book would have given a hint about how long I should wait to see sprouts. All that's in the book is "when the plants have grown".
   
   Maybe some companies just make their money on impulse shoppers. After one product is sold, they move on to the next one.



4. These kits are a waste of time and money. Please don't be tricked by the charlatan peddlers of these "bonsai" kits. If you want to start with bonsai, buy a beginning bonsai insruction book, such as harry tomlinson's, and then purchase some potted shrubs from your local nursery.



5. What you should know before buying this kit is that no one experienced with bonsai trees seems to be growing Jack Pine Trees. So, it can be difficult to find supplementary information. Also, I planted all six seeds and only got one to sprout. Now that I've done more research, I am a little surprised that I got even one. Most trees that need cold stratified stay in the refrigerator for 90 days, not one week.
   
   However, I did get my one tree from this kit, and he seems relatively happy. He's nothing like a tree yet even though he's more than a year old. He looks more like a pom-pom on a little twig and doesn't have any real branches yet. This leads me to think that this is not the best species of tree for a beginner. There are so many things that can go wrong, and having a tree that takes forever to mature makes it even more stressful.
   
   This book tries to make the process sound easy and short when it's actually a fairly long process. Some of the shortcuts in its directions probably greatly reduce your chances of getting a good tree established.
   
   A better place to start would be: http://seedrack.com/bonsai.html. All of their seed packs cost less than $5 and come with ten to fifty seeds and documentation specific to the kind of seeds with step by step directions. You'll be just as good starting there if you want to start growing a bonsai tree from a seed.

5 comments about Bonsai (Gardening & Landscaping).

1. A very good book, talks in easy words about how to do, how care, how choose. Give to you nice reading moments!

   Enjoy it!




2. Contains clear, easy to follow guidelines. Great pictures of trees, styles, tools, etc. Recommend for beginners or anyone wanting to know if they want to do bonsai.



3. I have read this book and have looked at the pictures many times.I use it as a picture reference as to how my creations should look more so than as how to do it.I have a web site that goes more in depth in this subject...



4. I highly recomend this book to any one who wants to become serious about bonsai. Great photos and explanitions.



5. Very nice photographs. Good intro to the craft...but lacking a bit. (There is no mention on `stump chopping' at all.) Has a good tree reference/care at the end. It was my first bonsai book...It's a keeper.