5 comments about Bonsai Life Histories: The Lives of over 50 Bonsai Trees in Photos and Words.

1. I needed something to give me inspiration and confidence to renew my interest and enthusiasm for my bonsai collection. This book has provided me with both - and much more besides - and made me realize that I can improve and enhance my trees by following what the author has achieved. I am sure I will read the book over and over again whenever my enthusiasm is waning.

   I disagree with the review below - Douglas Ross - the large number of case histories are all unique and packed full of incredibly useful information, including techniques that I've never seen detailed anywhere! The origin of the bonsai histories is really varied, including seed, cuttings, air-layers, trees collected from the wild and gardens, nursery stock and old specimen trees - grown in a variety of styles. Only a handful of these have been grown in the ground - and I found this method of speeding up development fascinating. Afterall, this is what they do in Japan, except they don't record the histories in such vivid detail! I will certainly be doing this in the future, and hopefully save myself years.

   Thank you Martin Treasure for persuading me that I can do it - and I will!!




2. The way in which the author has produced exceptional bonsai from material that is easily obtainable by us all, made for captivating reading. Very helpful too, is the way in which the author has made the book easy to read and understand.

   I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in bonsai, whether their collection is large or small, and they are novices or experienced enthusiasts.




3. If you are a student of bonsai and looking for basing information, then this is not a book for beginners. However, if you want to see how bonsai trees are styled and develop over time, then this will provide you with a lot of information. The pictures of the trees in development over the years are worth the price of the book.



4. I just read Bonsai Life Histories and it is the answer to every bonsai enthusiasts dreams. It is truly exceptional. I have been looking for a book to span most of the bonsai experience spectrum and this fits the bill - and so so much more.
   
   I own and operate a small bonsai retail store/nursery/studio and I teach classes for novices and more experienced growers here at the studio and am often asked for book recommendations. This one is at the top of the list. Even with my 14 years experience in bonsai, I found it very refreshing, as it teaches by example, rather than just instructing.
   
   The author is both a skilled bonsai practitioner and an astute writer. Most books are blessed with one or the other (and a few have neither!). I appreciate this book and thoroughly recommend it.



5. This is possibly the best and most inspiring bonsai book that I've ever had the pleasure of reading - and I've seen plenty!

   It is an instruction book which shows in great detail by example how superb bonsai specimens are acheivable, with just a little patience. My trees are already looking better as a result of reading this!

   Loads of great chapters complete this book, together with some really super colour pictures.

1 comments about Bonsai Masterclass/All You Need to Know About Creating Bonsai from One of the World's Top Experts.

1. Peter Chan provides a means of getting the results of hundreds of years of growth through the recycling of older plant materials. His concepts work, I have spent the past years working the ideas in this book.

No comments about Choosing and Growing Bonsai.

No comments about Beautiful Bonsai.

No comments about The Bonsai Specialist: The Essential Guide to Buying, Planting, Displaying, Improving and Caring for Bonsai (Specialist Series).

1 comments about Satsuki.

1. Alexander Kennedy knows his Satsuki!

   These Japanese azaleas are wonderful as either bonsai or additions to any garden, as they extend the blooming season into May! Satsuki azaleas can have many different colors and patterns on just one plant!

   Kennedy does a great job giving the Western reader an introduction to their cultivation and enjoyment. Topics include how to properly take cuttings of satsuki in order to ensure proper flower color, how to train young plants for future bonsai, and where to find the plants. Anyone interested in starting a collection would benefit from this book.

3 comments about The Art of Flowering Bonsai.

1. I highly recommend this book to other bonsai-ists. It's worth the price for the illustratons.



2. I have read many books on Bonsai from various sources. This one gave me very detailed explanations on specific trees/plants. Lot of details and pictures. This is not one of those books with a bunch of good pictures and little details. Well worth the purchase.



3. Put this one in the category of a good 'hands-on' guide to bonsai, almost like having a master looking over your shoulder. The book offeres specific advice on care & pitfalls of ten popular species -- which is great -- but the part I value the most is the author's use of examples in showing how to create and re-design bonsai specimens.

   He often begins either with carefully-selected nursery trees or with commercially produced pre-bonsai trees. This way, he tends to start with mature trunks and roots, and some branching. This is probably the best way to go when seeking to create a truly good bonsai specimen within a few years.

   If you like this book, you'll probably also like Gustafson's "Bonsai Workshop," which has been particularly helpful to me with conifers, and which uses a similar project-related approach.

   I'd put this book on my short list for any bonsai library, and would have given it five stars had it been longer and more detailed with general bonsai information. But fortunately, the information not found in "The Art of Flowering Bonsai" can easily be found elsewhere.

1 comments about Bonsai: The Complete Guide to Art & Technique.

1. I have the 1985 hard back edition of this book. It is one of the mainstays in my library. I have been doing bonsai for about 15 years and refer to this book often. The apendices are extremely helpful. They list a large number of trees and shrubs and tell when each should be repotted, wired, fed, pruned, etc. This is a must for anyone who has a variety of different specimens. You just can't remember it all. The pictures are beautiful and helpful for ideas on how to do your bonsai. I'm ordering this copy for my son-in-law who wants to begin the art of bonsai.

2 comments about Bonsai: Its Art, Science, History and Philosophy.

1. With few color photographs but many excellent line drawings and lucid writing, the author covers all the essentials. The techniques presented are both practical and innovative. The chapters on shaping, soil, and styling are exceptional. Only Naka's two volume set rivals this publication.



2. This text was the one i'd been searching for so long. I've purchased a dozen bonsai books over the years and finally found Koreshoff's book. It's straight foreward, simple, and explains so many things i'd been confused about that other bonsai books don't touch on like the philosophical purpose of the shapes of trees. Bottom line is this: you can get many bonsai books and get close to what Koreshoff has done, or you can purchase hers and be done. You won't regret it.

No comments about Bonsai: Step By Step to Growing Success (Crowood Gardening Guides).