Bonsai Basics: A Pyramid Paperback

Having tried and miserably failed to grow any bonsai many years ago, I had thought that would be it - a bonsai free household. Taking courage on both hands, I decided to try again, but this time with a tree that would not need specialist management that as a complete amateur I would clearly not have, as well as with a tree that was already growing well and established. Next notion was to find a guide book for someone like me, a novice to the craft but someone who likes to think they're not utterly moronic and can understand if given the necessary information. A book that would give me sufficient information to keep me interested - I like and perhaps need to know the 'why' of something, the underlying reason and explanation, in order to then maybe fulfil the instruction more fully... This little gem of a book was discovered at a super bargain price, and is clear enough using pictures to show techniques as well as narrative and technical info to keep both the utter newbie and the slightly more advanced beginner engaged. This is a Book of Basics, a starting point from which a person may proceed further if they wish in due course, but it is a Basic book. It shows and tells how to look after an already growing tree, what equipment you will require, and also gives a section on the different trees that can be bought along with how tricky they may be to keep well and healthy. It does not include anything about how to grow from scratch - I might imagine the time required to nurture a tree from a seed could well turn off a beginner and perhaps might involved technical that are rather more in the realm of advanced practitioners... A good starter book with enough detail to keep a novice referring back time and again. Thank you.

Found this a very easy read. Good illustrations and informative.

This is a excellent book for any newcomer to the world of bonsai. As many others, I received a little tree as a Christmas gift and was determined to give it a good life! The book excels in describing how trees work, thrive and wither, which is useful background to growing a miniature tree. Some important areas (e.g. pruning and pinching) are well explained, but somewhat ambiguous at times for the complete novice. The bonsai directory at the back is invaluable, the book is worth buying just for that bit. Overall, if you have been entrusted with the care of a bonsai but don't know how and where to start, this book is an excellent guide.

Bought as a present, very informative, lots of useful information.

Being new to having a Bonsai tree, I found that this book is very helpful and informative.

This book is built on the assumption that you begin bonsai with a shop-bought specimen, and the instructional aspect of the book is completely focused on routine care and maintenance of such a tree. Similarly the tree-directory, which forms the bulk of the book, focuses almost solely on the species that are commonly used to make bonsai for sale. Within these limits, the book covers the basic procedures thoroughly, with excellent illustrations and very clear text, and with detailed instructions for each species covered. There is an above-average level of explanation, with a very good chapter on how a tree works, and relating maintenance procedures to explanations of how growth occurs and how the tree responds to pruning, etc. But for someone who is interested in creating their own bonsai, either from their own seedling or from a container plant from a garden centre, or from a wild-growing tree, there is no help at all. Similarly, for anyone who has or wishes to create a bonsai from a European species, there is no direct help, only the possibility of adapting, for example, what is said about chinese junipers to european junipers. The lack of anything on how to create bonsai from collected trees is particularly striking given that some of the book's most impressive illustrations are of just such bonsai.

I found this to b.e a great little book on Bonsai basics. There is a really good section at the front that goes into detail of how to prune, shape etc and at the back there is a tree directory which gives more specific information about individual trees with helpful guidance on exactly how to look after them. If you are looking to buy a tree I think you should get this book first and then you can do your research and work out exactly what tree best suits you.

Cant fault it for the price

nice book

A good primer / introduction to Bonsai. I read this after reading Bonsai 101 Essential Tips. It expands upon all the key parts of getting into bonsai with some nice pictures. After reading this, you should be able to start doing some of the things discussed in the book.

Excellent book for beginner or intermediate bonsai enthusiasts. Detailed information without being overwhelming. Definitely a must for your library if you're interested in learning about or growing bonsai trees.

As a beginner to Bonsai, this is the perfect book to have in your library Also provides a list of suppliers you can order from online.

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