Azalea Book Recommendations

[ECMist]

Any suggestions for good books on azaleas, or any other really good books to get? I only have one book that was recommended to me, “Bonsai Workshop” by Herb Gustafson. I’m really starting to get into azaleas so I’d like some more advanced books, more specifically on azaleas.

 

[Paradox]

Any suggestions for good books on azaleas, or any other really good books to get? I only have one book that was recommended to me, “Bonsai Workshop” by Herb Gustafson. I’m really starting to get into azaleas so I’d like some more advanced books, more specifically on azaleas.

Thread 'New Book - Satsuki Azalea Bonsai by Rick Garcia'

Jul 18, 2022

Rick Garcia’s long awaited book, “Satsuki Azalea Bonsai” is open for pre orders today at Suiko Press !

Rick has been studying satsuki for many years. He is a Satsuki instructor certified by Mr Tatamori Gondo at the El Dorado Bonsai School in the 1990’s. Then went on to study with the President of the Japanese Satsuki Association, Mr Suisho Nakayama. Rick has spent many years working on this book and it is filling a much needed space in the Satsuki literature.

Cheers!
DSD sends
PS Thanks for the assist @rockm !

• Deep Sea Diver
• azalea books north american satsuki bonsai center rick garcia satsuki
• Replies: 67
• Forum: Books, magazines, and videos (incl video streams)

• 

 

[ECMist]

Thread 'New Book - Satsuki Azalea Bonsai by Rick Garcia'

Jul 18, 2022

Rick Garcia’s long awaited book, “Satsuki Azalea Bonsai” is open for pre orders today at Suiko Press !

Rick has been studying satsuki for many years. He is a Satsuki instructor certified by Mr Tatamori Gondo at the El Dorado Bonsai School in the 1990’s. Then went on to study with the President of the Japanese Satsuki Association, Mr Suisho Nakayama. Rick has spent many years working on this book and it is filling a much needed space in the Satsuki literature.

Cheers!
DSD sends
PS Thanks for the assist @rockm !

• Deep Sea Diver
• azalea books north american satsuki bonsai center rick garcia satsuki
• Replies: 67
• Forum: Books, magazines, and videos (incl video streams)

• 

I can’t seem to really find it anywhere except as an e-book… do you know where I could find it?

 

[PA_Penjing]

Rick's book is incredible. It's one of the most well constructed bonsai books I've ever read. I put it up there with Merrigiolis Maple and Zhao's literati book. You can get it at https://nasbc.com/collections/books

 

[ECMist]

Does it matter which edition? Is the special edition worth it/better than the softcover edition?

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Both editions are the same.

Having worked with 100’s of satsuki over the years-in all phases from propagation to styling larger satsuki here is my recommendations

Likely for starters Alexandar Kennedy Floral Treasures of Japan would be better. Second Janine Droste Satsuki Azalea next.

Having gone through most of the literature articles, magazines and books on azaleas and specifically satsuki azalea would say R. Garcia’s book is the best book for winter preparation. Droste for all around, Kennedy for folks getting started

Imho no books extant are on the order of Merrigiolis or Zhao

All books have some deficits major ones are post flowering pruning, styling, propagation.

Check in the BN resource section. There are at least two resources there that will help you.

The very best most comprehensive shohin starter resource In have ever found can be purchased from Amazon Japan ( go to Amazon, switch countries to Japan and select English). Sign in.

If one can still get it the magazine looks/is like this. It was available just a moment ago….



Cheers
DSD sends

 

[ECMist]

Wow, lots of resources. Thanks especially for that magazine on Shohin, I’ve always wanted to try to start working on one…

 

[Paradox]

I can’t seem to really find it anywhere except as an e-book… do you know where I could find it?

Link is in the post I linked. Reposted here:

Discover more information about our book - Suiko Press

A brand new book offering comprehensive guidance on satsuki bonsai, written for the English-speaking audience. Find little-known tips and techniques.

suikopress.com

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

This magazine will apply to all sizes of azalea. There are some atonal mods as the trees get much larger.

… for bigger trees its all about applying these techniques on a larger scale with more volume and considerations towards style applying to different styles.

Cheers
DSD sends

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[ECMist]

Even better!

 

[RaginCajun]

I also have Rick Garcia’s book. It is excellent! A-Z.

 

[Tomfenlon]

This magazine will apply to all sizes of azalea. There are some atonal mods as the trees get much larger.

… for bigger trees its all about applying these techniques on a larger scale with more volume and considerations towards style applying to different styles.

Cheers
DSD sends

Cheers
DSD sends

I’m trying to access the book on winterizing azaleas … nothing is responding.

 

[Glaucus]

This is the kindle version of that Japanese magazine:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/%E9%83%A1%E5%A2%83%E4%BB%8B-ebook/dp/B0CVMTW4HJ/

It almost exclusively has drawings. Which help clarity.

I assume with Kindle, you can easily translate the Japanese text with https://www.deepl.com/? Just a copy & paste?
I have the paper version, so I would have to scan, which sucks. But that one seems to no longer be for sale.

The Rick Garcia one is here

Featured Products

The best satsuki azaleas and satsuki-related products in North America. We offer high-quality satsuki bonsai at reasonable prices.

nasbc.com

and here

Satsuki Azalea Bonsai - Rick A. Garcia - Greenwood Bonsai Studio

Satsuki Azalea Bonsai - Rick A. Garcia

www.bonsai.co.uk

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

I’m trying to access the book on winterizing azaleas … nothing is responding.

Hmm… It was downloaded successfully a couple minutes ago. Hit the orange download button and wait. Takes awhile on a phone. About 4 minutes. Shows up on my iPhone in Files…

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Gamera78]

Hi, sorry for the late reply but I subscribed to this Forum just a few minutes ago!

I'm into Satsuki bonsai, I confirm that Rick Garcia's one is really excellent, while I find Droste's is not particulary detail, but I can recommend some more books:

- the French translation of Kyosuke Gun book on Satsuki bonsai (it speaks particularly of shohin-size plants but you can find advice on satsuki in general) https://www.maillot-bonsai.com/boutique/11_librairie/3217_mini-bonsai-n-3-azalee-satsuki-kyosuke-gun

- this book by Shogo Watanabe translated into English https://store.bonsaitonight.com/products/japanese-satsuki-bonsai

- this book that I purchased from Japan, it's in Japanese but it contains A LOT of self-explicatory drawings on satsuki styling, really an excellent source of inspiration: https://www.ebay.it/itm/33554115648...nb2ojfWTGTFa9EpBCDzfys8pvA==|tkp:BFBM8KzThdRk

Finally, it exists a magazine in Japanese called Satsuki Research that is totally devoted to satsuki bonsai https://www.ebay.it/itm/29628745088...jHOnL3KSC9gVstm1to8+8ZddhfI=|tkp:BFBMqvnghdRk

Enjoy!

 

[Gamera78]

Hi, sorry for the late reply but I subscribed to this Forum just a few minutes ago!

I'm into Satsuki bonsai, I confirm that Rick Garcia's one is really excellent, while I find Droste's is not particulary detail, but I can recommend some more books:

- the French translation of Kyosuke Gun book on Satsuki bonsai (it speaks particularly of shohin-size plants but you can find advice on satsuki in general) https://www.maillot-bonsai.com/boutique/11_librairie/3217_mini-bonsai-n-3-azalee-satsuki-kyosuke-gun

- this book by Shogo Watanabe translated into English https://store.bonsaitonight.com/products/japanese-satsuki-bonsai

- this book that I purchased from Japan, it's in Japanese but it contains A LOT of self-explicatory drawings on satsuki styling, really an excellent source of inspiration: https://www.ebay.it/itm/335541156484?_skw=satsuki+bonsai+tree-making&itmmeta=01JAG5MTSJ2JJ2BCFFTQC7T0GB&hash=item4e1fcfba84:g:saoAAOSwe5peAbiW&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx+KZ9MfhVJKlrpSxCi8Qj84oucSxui8dNU1+P83zEVHig3A+/Brw0FVad+2hWf+u5lkeR1RRjhBGczR8NLb0f8Ws3b0w76A1EPLJmN2cDUOHOsIk0O8fUPbyixE0gKmtzgOU6tYqEqjicOEsAZMncZbjc5JhlTUqqKwiUlDF6yAHhuaIf+zw5ExtWF4Vt6yvQzSNh7hBf4G1StGHRw9B0JKerzp9m6WIUoLISxUF6u6fy8BiSoMY4Msz4Drw40ZHlzQgVpel1CIiyDEJm8BttP6HnDZJrnb2ojfWTGTFa9EpBCDzfys8pvA==|tkp:BFBM8KzThdRk

Finally, it exists a magazine in Japanese called Satsuki Research that is totally devoted to satsuki bonsai https://www.ebay.it/itm/296287450880?_skw=satsuki+bonsai+magazine+japanese&itmmeta=01JAG5R7JE7WEK2D2ZR3DP8J1K&hash=item44fc1bb700:g:SSwAAOSwcfFl8IsS&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAABAHoV3kP08IDx+KZ9MfhVJKn/6O8LmPnvhIj0Ciw6g7izCgkkUufeg5SpU/V32qzzSFJrwLJRjKy7czpWhdKi2JetqwAlhTjnmTNJ5NIQGzzH9ofw9MnEHwa2ZShjlXEGgBHu7x+cOTS8P2AsVH5xQASLMo4n7aom3rh6+Tr23qWUy1UKWT7mYVV0Kr8vhnAHfxSzD3crT6wQm6+olCyNuWfIGe3ZQHF9l+tDtmn66euVmmFprUmserUqm8+zEO0ZxlXthQxuSms2akygsof3jPK2N8u2cCDsEpvK7/CQQiEB8JXY45q3olnN/zwmjHOnL3KSC9gVstm1to8+8ZddhfI=|tkp:BFBMqvnghdRk

Enjoy!

Any suggestions for good books on azaleas, or any other really good books to get? I only have one book that was recommended to me, “Bonsai Workshop” by Herb Gustafson. I’m really starting to get into azaleas so I’d like some more advanced books, more specifically on azaleas.

 

[ECMist]

Thanks for the additional resources, I'll definitely look into them!

 

[stewarjm192]

I will add another vote in the column for Rick garcias book. It’s fantastic with detailed seasonal chapters as well as in-depth care guides

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Thank you for adding several new resources! I checked into availability of these new resources

- the French translation of Kyosuke Gun book on Satsuki bonsai (it speaks particularly of shohin-size plants but you can find advice on satsuki in general)

Was excited to get this book! Regretfully they want 45 Euros to ship this 24 Euro 145 page book. Likely a really good resource for folks in the EU. Couldn’t locate on Amazon.jp. Can you help?

- this book by Shogo Watanabe translated into English

In USA Watanabe’s Satsuki Bonsai has been unavailable for a number of months. Hoping Jonas can get others.

…- this book that I purchased from Japan, it's in Japanese but it contains A LOT of self-explicatory drawings on satsuki styling, really an excellent source of inspiration:

Seems really great! Was still available on EBay

Finally, it exists a magazine in Japanese called Satsuki Research that is totally devoted to satsuki bonsai.

These are great magazines! Like all periodical magazines their articles are about popular topics tailored to the satsuki audience. So limited, yet if one gets a number of these, one can get a complete picture of horticulture and some styling.

The very biggest plus imho is the photos showing various trees and variety of styles. Rarely shows the smallest satsuki, but often shows images of medium and large sized bonsai in each issue. Cost varies shipping usually not too bad. Would get some of the core resources before working on getting a lot of these.

Regretfully the magazine went bankrupt about six months ago. Hopefully someone will pick it up. They also produced the much sought after Satsuki “Dictionary”. However Amazon.jp often shows a number of back issues.

Maybe @Glaucus has an update?

Finally Here’s one more resource I personally highly recommend to new and intermediate azalea/satsuki hobbyists It’s the comprehensive satsuki etc dictionary of horticultural, basic styling and technique. Inexpensive compared to its worth. Available today.



Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Oh yes @Gamera78 I forgot….

A hearty Welcome Aboard Bonsai Nut! We all are looking forward to seeing many posts by you in the future.

Really looking forward to seeing a thread by you on your Satsuki’s. I’m very interested in seeing which cultivars and techniques are practiced in your neck of the woods.

Cheers
DSD sends