Hello, I'm a newbie and I'm looking for a few good books to read. I currently have "the bonsai workshop" by Herb Gustafson and "bonsai techniques I" by John Naka. I read them a quite a few years ago so I'll review them both but I've been searching through the forum and I've read a few times that some books are geared toward the specific climates of the authors. I live in the northeast, specifically in CT. If any one has any suggestions for some good books either for my climate or just for good information I'd really appreciate it, thanks.
Looking for good books
- Thread starter gar732
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bonsairxmd
Shohin
Check out Bonsai Survival Manual. Bonsai today Juniper and Pine. Bonsai with Japanese Maples by Adams.
grouper52
Masterpiece
gjantzer
Yamadori
Check out this website:
http://www.bonsai4me.com
There is a series of books from the creator of the site. Books 2 and 3 show pictures of progression work on the authors trees. Pretty good visual progression for those that are visual learners.
http://b4mepublishing.com
http://www.bonsai4me.com
There is a series of books from the creator of the site. Books 2 and 3 show pictures of progression work on the authors trees. Pretty good visual progression for those that are visual learners.
http://b4mepublishing.com
jk_lewis
Masterpiece
For your area, "Bonsai from the Wild" by Nick Lenz.
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
Deborah R. Koreshoff's "Bonsai" lots of good- how to -in there...
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
I agree Judy...she takes it to another level.
Bunjeh
Chumono
www.bonsai4me.com
Harry Harrington has a couple of books that are good for beginners and masters.
Harry Harrington has a couple of books that are good for beginners and masters.
klosi
Shohin
Is there a way to get this book in pdf, or any other digital format? I can't get it to my place (except few exceptions that would cost me with shipping crazy amount of money).
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
I just picked these up at MABS. Like what I see in them so far.
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, I'll work on getting them all. I want to have a good knowledge base before I start working on anything. So far I've only picked up a few trees (saplings really) in hopes that I'll have something to work with when I figure things out a bit better. I also plan to try growing some sango kaku (one of my favorite maples) from cuttings. I'll post on my progress in that venture when I see some progress. Thanks again.
jk_lewis
Masterpiece
Very doubtful.
whfarro
Chumono
Read whatever you can, the books suggested here are all great sources of knowledge and inspiration, but don't hesitate to get on with it. Practice, mistakes, successes, seeking guidance on actual next steps is far more valuable to your progress.
Your post says you are in CT. (update your profile for future reference so folks here can better respond). Not sure what part of the state you are in. Yama Ki Bonsai Society is a good club in the Greenwich area. You can also get some decent pre-bonsai material at a reasonable price from Mark Comstock (aka pre-bonsai Mark). You can find him on Facebook and PM him. New England Bonsai is also nearby in Mass.
Your post says you are in CT. (update your profile for future reference so folks here can better respond). Not sure what part of the state you are in. Yama Ki Bonsai Society is a good club in the Greenwich area. You can also get some decent pre-bonsai material at a reasonable price from Mark Comstock (aka pre-bonsai Mark). You can find him on Facebook and PM him. New England Bonsai is also nearby in Mass.
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jeanluc83
Omono
I have a couple of books that I'll take a look as every once an a while but most of my reading occurs online. The problem with books is they are static so the information can get out dated. The problem with online is everyone has a voice so you need to learn how to wade though the crap.
Its worth taking a look at YouTube. There are some good demonstrations worth taking a look at to get you inspired. The three people I would recommend are Gramm Potter, Ryan Neil and Walter Pall. It is a good way to waste a couple of evenings.
Its worth taking a look at YouTube. There are some good demonstrations worth taking a look at to get you inspired. The three people I would recommend are Gramm Potter, Ryan Neil and Walter Pall. It is a good way to waste a couple of evenings.
Bunjeh
Chumono
Amen. Reading is nowhere near as productive as doing.
jk_lewis
Masterpiece
This scarcely matters with bonsai. Bonsai is an art form, not leading edge science that is continuously undergoing change. There is much very misleading info online where ANYbody can (and many do) pass themselves off as an expert.
jeanluc83
Omono
True we are not necessarily cutting edge but misinformation can be perpetuated in books as well. How many books out there still recommend pinching for junipers? How many books recommend using sharp sand in your mix because it encourages roots to divide? How many times have you read not to remove major branches from maples in the spring because they will bleed to death?
There are also many things that you will not find in books. In the section on repotting you will likely find a list of suitable aggregates but what if you want very specific information. What if you want to know more about pumice? What is the effect of pumice size on water retention or what is a good source for pumice in the Atlanta area? Books only have a finite amount of space and are generic so that they can serve a wide audience.
My intent is not to knock books but to point out that there are limitations.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
I have a bunch of different books from basic to more advanced and some on specific species. I periodically re-read all or parts of them to refresh and reinforce my learning. I do this alot particularly in the winter when we cant work on trees much. So, IMHO, a good library of bonsai books is good to have.
thumblessprimate1
Masterpiece
My Bonsai Survival Manual just arrived. I got it used through Amzon for a buck and a half plus shipping. It's a used copy but good condition. Nice little guide to have.
grouper52
Masterpiece
I partly agree: bonsai is an art form, but operates at the intersection of art and horticulture, which does have a need for sound science. The problem lies in the number of variables involved, and to really prove anything about bonsai scientifically - as anyone in a scientific field knows - is overwhelmingly difficult. Let's say you want to prove that "Watering in the morning is best for pre-bonsai seedlings." You need a big enough "N", or number of test plants. The larger the N, the more valid your results. Let's say you decide to use an N of 100. Let's just say. So you get 300 JBP seedlings, all three years old, all the same genetic stock, all the same height, from local nursery X. They all come to you planted in the same commercial soil, in identical 3" round plastic pots made from the same batch of plastic from a local factory. You put them all together, spaced three inches apart on all sides in a rectangle in a field on your property, noting your latitude, your elevation, your microclimate, the local flora and fauna nearby, etc. You put a clear roof - made of a specified material that blocks out only certain known amounts of light of specific wavelengths - over the field, so rain will not interfere with the watering schedule. To test your variable - watering in the morning - you set up a controlled watering system using local water, and you use a specific brand of commercial fertilizer, and one third get watered at 8AM, one third at noon, and another third at 4PM, all at a specified quality of watering. You hire people to check the growth in height monthly over the next three years. You hire statisticians to analyze your results. The plants watered at 8AM did indeed grow 1.56 cm taller than the noon group, and 2.07 cm taller than the 4PM group. You think you have proved something. You publish your findings in the main journal in these matters, Bonsai Science.
Scientifically then, what have you really proved? This and only this: During (only) the three years of your study, with your exact set up and your exact beginning stock, in their exact pots and soil, at your exact location and elevation, using your exact watering amount and schedule and local water and fertilizer, you got the growth differences mentioned above. That's it. That's all you have proved. With a true science, other researchers would have to then see if they could replicate your results, but they would have to do so at your site, with your stock, with your set-up, etc: otherwise those variables will change, and they will have proved only something based on their set up, stock, etc. Fights will rage in Bonsai Science for years, and at great expense, and nothing of any importance will ever be concluded scientifically about the "best watering schedule for pre-bonsai seedlings," let alone the huge questions about large trees actually placed in small pots - what we call bonsai. You simply can't get a large enough, pure enough N with actual bonsai.
Most science is like this, and the conclusions are constantly changing with more research. I have recently heard it said that about the only scientific fact that has been truly proven to date is the elements of the periodic table. There is no "settled science" other than that! And there may never be.
As for what we know in bonsai and how we learn, I'm reminded of the poem by Theodore Roethke, The Waking. I learn by going where I have to go. Some info I learned from books and online, and some from Dan Robinson, but mostly over the years, and more and more, I learn from my trees; and that is often slow and painful and expensive learning, but it is the best. I watch them, I "listen" to them if you will, and they teach me what it takes to make them healthy and beautiful in my eyes. But that's an art, not a science, and I think that's what it's all about.
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