The Bonsai Handbook

Bonsai is all about growing miniature trees and shrubs in the form of full-size mature trees, using the same species and varieties. This ancient tradition originated in China and was developed as a fine art form by the Japanese. This informative introduction to bonsai will show you how to look after a ready-grown bonsai, as well as encouraging you to develop your own specimen from a young plant or cutting. The book begins with the history of bonsai and explores the best trees and shrubs to use to achieve the best sizes, proportions and aesthetics. This is followed by expert tips on buying a ready-grown bonsai and a photographic gallery of more than 40 mature bonsai specimens, with details of their size and age, and the pots they are grown in. Practical guidance on tools and equipment, how to collect plants from the garden, propagating, shaping and pruning is given in an informative techniques section. Then the more advanced skills of jin and sharimiki are described. Seasonal changes in bonsai are captured in The Bonsai Year, which outlines how to care for your plants all year round.
A useful A-Z directory of plants provides horticultural information on a variety of popular species for both indoors and outside, and a chapter on care and maintenance gives advice on watering and feeding, as well as how to cope with common pests an diseases. Written by a bonsai specialist, this book is beautifully illustrated with over 500 specially commissioned photographs. It is an ideal introduction for any aspiring bonsai collector.