Recommended bonsai books for reading.

[bushida]

Hi,
i just thought i<d introduce myself seeing as i 'm new this forum.
I've recently developed an interest in bonsai , and i was wondering if there is any recomended reading on bonsai ?.
actually i live in japan , so I'm pretty fortunate in the fact I'm surouded by bonsai , but my japanese isn't up to reading standards yet , so i was just curious to see if anybody has any recomended reading for the boansai novice.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
thanks .. the newbie.

[ynot]

Bushida,

Sure, Good questions ,

[Actually I need to check something first...I am trying to save myself some work here...lol]

Gnome please check your pms

ynot

Sorry I was still typing it

[Gnome]

Bushida,

Hi, welcome to the forum. You certainly are lucky in that you are in Japan. What are you doing talking to us? Go out and learn something first hand.

As to your question, 'Bonsai Masterclass' by Peter Chan has been helpful. I own several volumes by Herb Gustafson. If you are interested in Pines then the book 'Pines-Growing and styling Pine bonsai' from Stone Lantern Publishing is a good choice. Indoors I suggest 'Bonsai in your home' by Paul Lesniewicz it covers most of the popular species, if a bit briefly. I wonder how available western books are going to be for you though.

Perhaps, if you are so inclined, you can post some pictures in the gallery.

Norm


EDIT: Ynot, I don't seem to have anything at the moment.

[Bonsaimatt]

hey bushida, I always recommend "101 bonsai basics". It's a small book with loads of newbi answers. Also "the living art of bonsai" by Amy Liang is great. Lots of color photos of sweet bonsai.

And I agree with Gnome...Go get some first hand training!
admiring bonsai requires no language. peace!

[Sharp]

I really enjoy this book:

Growing Bonsai: A Practical Encyclopedia : The essential practical guide to a classic art with techniques, step-by-step projects and over 600 photogra


http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Bonsai-En ... F8&s=books

[bushida]

Hi Folks , it's me again.
Just a quick word thanking everyone for their suggestions on recomended reading for bonsai,,
thanks again.
bushida..
ps don't i'll be asking asking my japanese friends for tips to..

[ynot]

Also "the living art of bonsai" by Amy Liang is great. Lots of color photos of sweet bonsai.

This is an excellent Book IMO {With a strong Chinese perspective}, Lots of good info wrt to root work and branching as well as the pics.
More than pictures here.
The ISBN# is 1402719019 For that one btw.

Here are a few more:

Even better IMO 'Bonsai: It's Art, Science, History, and Philosophy' - By Deborah Koreshoff ISBN 0881923893.

Bonsai techniques Vol I & Vol II by John Yoshio Naka
ISBN 0930422317 & ISBN 093042233
These two books are often referred to [in America] as the 'Bonsai Bibles'.

A few more books and authors you may want to consider checking out:

Be aware of their initial publishing date as often they are reprinted [but not updated] Opinions on {IE} soil components [As well as their availability]
have changed considerably over the past decade and a half or so.

Bonsai in your Home by Paul Lesniewicz - ISBN 0806907819

Grow your own Bonsai by Colin Lewis & Neil Sutherland - ISBN 1402713584

Complete book of Bonsai by Harry Tomlinson - ISBN 1558591184

Bonsai 101 essential tips by Harry Tomlinson - ISBN 0789410753

Pocket Bonsai by David Prescott - ISBN 1843305860

Bonsai a Care Manual by Colin Lewis - ISBN 157145988X

The Art of Bonsai by Colin Lewis - ISBN 1402700709

Bonsai survival manual by Collin Lewis - ISBN 0882668536

Bonsai Ortho Books - ISBN 0897214986

Beautiful Bonsai by Bruno Delmer - ISBN 1402714335

Bonsai by Susan Lang - ISBN 0376030461

Creating Bonsai Landscapes by Su Chin Ee - ISBN 1580174841

Mountains in the sea by Phan Van Lit - ISBN 0881925152

Bonsai Landscapes by Peter Adams - ISBN 0706377672

Totally Bonsai by Craig Coussins - ISBN 0804834202

Bonsai School by Craig Coussins - ISBN1402703686


Learn about the profound difference between the Chinese, Penjing, approach to bonsai, and that of the Japanese.
These two books are by a curator of the Shanghai Botanical Garden:

CHINESE PENJING, Miniature Trees and Landscapes
Hu Yunhua, Text translator: Karin Albert-Shue
1987, Timber Press, Portland, Or; $39.95
Intermediate [No ISBN sorry]

Penjing, The Chinese Art of Miniature Gardens
Hu Yunhua ISBN 0917304705
1982, Timber Press / Am Horticultural Soc.
Beginner

Your library or a quick search on Amazon or Alibris will find more I am sure.

Please Pm me if you want a link to reviews on bonsai books.

Thanks to Hinoki for assembling the bulk of this list.

ynot

[ynot]

Bushida,

I hope you have taken the time to go to Omiya!



ynot

[Gnome]

Ynot,

Thanks for taking the time to assemble that extensive reading list. there is certainly a lot of reading there. Some of those books I have never heard of and I've got 18 volumes, not including Bonsai Today magazines.

Norm

[ynot]

Gnome,

Thank you but I did not do all the work to accumulate a list like this. It is condensed down from a list compiled by Hinoki elsewhere
and posted with his permission.

Anyone: Please Pm me if you want the entire work as it a contains brief synopsis of quite a few of these books.

I do not own all of these, I have maybe 12 or 15 books [Only have three unpacked since I moved actually.]

Koreshoff & Liang are my faves... I don't even actually own the Nakas' yet.

[I have no good excuse for that really...lol]

Obviously there is a lot of repetition wrt to content but sometimes there is a nugget of info that makes the entire book worthwhile...IMO

ynot

[Bonsaimatt]

Gnome,

Obviously there is a lot of repetition wrt to content but sometimes there is a nugget of info that makes the entire book worthwhile...IMO

Yes, I've noticed that myself.

[tarian]

i find colin lewis's books good and books by peter chan
try ebay they do really cheap boooks in good conditon