Bonsai: The Complete Guide to Art & Technique

by Paul Lesniewicz

"This authoritative work covers the techniques and art forms of bonsai. Most medium and large-sized libraries should consider for purchase."-- Library Journal . "A book as elegant and precise as its subject....Lush color...itself a work of art"-- Publishers Weekly .

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Plants

Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Petra watched Buddhist nuns learn dancing today · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Japanese seem to be fascinated with miniaturisation whether it is foot-binding, miniscule slide-in hotel rooms or ever more tiny electronics and nature hasn't escaped this national obsession either. I love the idea of taking a forest tree, not a special house-plant variety, and by restricting and directing its growth produce a fully-grown tree that would not be out of place in Lilliput and is a work of art itself. This book is a work of art too - the photographs of the little trees makes it a coffee-table joy whether or not you are interested in perhaps trying the technique of miniaturisation yourself.

I was interested and got a Running Press bonsai kit. It didn't work though. Perhaps because Running Press isn't exactly serious gardening material or perhaps because I live in a rain forest and trying to restrict the growth of anything is a joke. However, I did find a rather old potato busting out at the bottom of my fridge and placing it upright on a jam jar I successfully trimmed it with manicure scissors into the vegetable version of bonsai. It was quite...interesting-looking...while it lasted.

[Aleina · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, for a bonsai book, this is good. I really didn't know what I was getting into and this book was actually intimidating with all it's big words and stuff, but if you pay attention and you're sincere, it'll help. I think it's best to have the book on hand since it has a handy set of tables about the different kinds of bonsai trees and preferrable stuff to go with it and all, so I hope to soon be good at Bonsai care. :)

[Alissa Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great reference book about bonsai. It is very no frills and informative.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good plant-rearing guide, like this one, is never truly outdated. Although I do feel a bit daunted by the care and grave wabi-sabi discipline required to successfully train and sustain bonsai.

[Jonathan McWilliams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn't say this is the last bonsai book you need to pick up ever but it does a fine job introducing and covering the basics.