The Little Book of Bonsai: An Easy Guide to Caring for Your Bonsai Tree

by Jonas Dupuich

This charming, beautifully photographed beginner's guide from a trusted bonsai expert covers all the basics to keep your bonsai alive and happy.

Jonas Dupuich, founder of the #1 bonsai blog in the U.S., shares his passion and expert advice with anyone looking to learn more about bonsai in this modern, entry-level guide to an ancient art.

Filled with photos of stunning, inspiring trees, The Little Book of Bonsai provides simple, clear, effective guidance on bonsai care, including wiring, watering, pruning, pests, disease, tools, repotting, fertilizing, and more. Dupuich covers indoor and outdoor bonsai care, selecting the right container, displaying your bonsai, and choosing different species with clear, step-by-step photos to help you cultivate your trees with confidence.

With its stylish, full-color design and fresh take on a captivating pastime, The Little Book of Bonsai makes a gorgeous gift for oneself or for others.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Gardening, Nature, Reference, Japan, How To

112 pages, Hardcover

Published January 28, 2020

Reviews

[Ben]

This is a nice introductory book on bonsai for a beginner, mainly because, like Jonas Dupuich's blog Bonsai Tonight, it's brief and to the point, maybe only a 1 to 2 hour read. If someone didn't know a thing about bonsai, this would be a great first book. The kindle version only being $2 is also a plus.

[Sirah]

This book set out to be the most concise and easy to follow guide to caring for bonsai, and it has succeeded. While there are a few areas that need more detail, this book has given me the courage to get started.

[Connor]

A very effective introduction to bonsai. For a novice like me, this was just what I was looking for. It is easy to read and not overwhelming. The pictures that are included are great as well, and I spent a while flipping between pages admiring them.
"The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time is now."

[orange]

Very helpful, concise and aesthetically appealing! Of course, it doesn't cover everything in excruciating detail, so I'd recommend complementing the information provided in the book with information regarding specific care for specific species, which can easily be found online. As an introductory guide though, it's everything I wanted and more.

[Roger Jimenez]

Una guía para principiantes muy bien ilustrada, con hermosos ejemplares y excelentes consejos, además como extra un valioso listado de enlaces a herramientas muy útiles.

[Michael Shaw]

The perfect beginner book for bonsai, informative and in depth enough to get you started but not too much info that a beginner becomes overwhelmed

Plus the photos are incredible and represent truly great trees and their styles

[Johann]

I’ve been eyeing this book for a few years now. Since picking up my own first baby juniper bonsai from the OC Pet & Reptile Expo last week, I decided to finally bite the bullet and buy myself a used copy. Full of beautiful pictures and introductory material, I’m learning that bonsai really is an art form. And, like any art, it takes time, experience, and training to really do it well. We’ll see how long I can keep this one alive, but this might be a better hobby for retirement.

[Andrew]

The book features beautiful bonsai images and presents information in an easy-to-read format. It would be ideal for someone who has received a bonsai tree and needs straightforward tips on its care. Unfortunately, I was looking for guidance on caring for a bonsai that I am raising from seed. The book only briefly addressed this topic, providing a link at the very end to the author's blog for more information.

[Misha Gericke]

A beautiful book that serves as an easy-to-follow guide for the beginner. The only thing that annoyed me a bit is that the book referred to the time to do certain activities by month, which doesn't work for me because I'm in the Southern Hemisphere. So I would need to calculate what season that would be in the US and then try to work back to seasons in South Africa.

[Ololol]

Read this as I was thinking of giving it to my students. I have over 20 years of experience in bonsai but have never got round to writing my own book. This is great for beginners, the information is accurate and beautifully illustrated. Not loads of information about styling and some of the more advanced aspects of growing bonsai, but definitely a good place to start.

[Rich Farrell]

This is a little guide that delivered what it promised. It goes step-by-step on how to choose and style bonsai trees in easy to digest parts. I’ve been toying with the idea of trying it one day, but in the meantime I’ve enjoyed learning more about styles so I can better appreciate them at the botanic garden.

[Adam]

I got my first Bonsai after going a class through work. Was looking for some introductory material to read on how better to look after and maintain it, as well as learn a bit of general knowledge about them. This book was perfect for that, and even pointed me towards some further material, and exhibits to visit.

[Alexander Pyles]

This was a brief, but informative overview that gave step-by-step directions on how to care for your bonsai. For everything from pruning to repotting, it was great to have simple diagrams for these steps, since out of the various books I have looked at thus far tend to only glaze over these.

[Michael]

A foundation book. Extremely simply written - like it was aimed for an English-as-second-language audience. Clarity, simplicity, and to the point. Beautifully illustrated and presented. There's no history here, just the straight goods on care. It may just be the thing for me, for now.

[Vfields Don't touch my happy!]

I found this one in the library. I was wondering about fertilizer and Bonsai. My plan was to read only that section but I ended up reading the entire book. It was incredibly informative and interesting. Nope, don’t want one but I learned some helpful tips for my larger philodendrons.

[Brooke Davis]

This delightful guide is full of pictures and step-by-step directions for cultivating your own bonsai. Now I want to try my hand and growing my own! Lots of great resources and suggestions for beginners.

[Ray Savarda]

Nice overview of Bonsai, up to date.

[Donatas]

Nice overview of what it takes to look after a bonsai. Mostly explains practical tips on growing a bonsai tree. Expected more on history of bonsai.

[Tom]

Useful little book with really cool photi

[Stoyan Minchev]

Concise.

I like it
Concise. All you need to know. Nice pictures and examples.No redundant content. I chose.this one, because the names of the trees are not in Japanese. :)

[Ryan Marsh]

Pretty solid introduction to Bonsai. Should help any new owner keep them alive for longer!

[Landon Coleman]

Great little book. Beautiful and informative. Not a lot of information about specific types of trees, but wonderful information about the process of Keri g bonsai trees from selection to display.

[Sam Cullen]

Really good for its size with plenty of pictures and examples

[Jeff Ammons]

Solid beginner book on Bonsai with great pictures.

[Matthew Leeman]

Easy to understand

Informative and easy to read. Nicely put together! Perfect for a beginner with bonsai and teachers the basic terms and techniques. Pair this up with the information and videos ok YouTube and you'll have a better understanding of the Bonsai world.

[Jaynie]

Bravo Mr. Dupuich. Just when I had decided not to read another bonsai book by an author that didn't have an Asian-ish name, I found you and you were great. Thank you!

[Alejandra Rodriguez]

Really great beginner book! Awesome pictures with great descriptions. Definitely gives you the basics to start the bonsai journey.

[Ben Nash]

Great intro book for bonsai. Beautiful bonsai examples/photos. Helpful and good length. Anyone getting into bonsai should start with this book.

[Julie]

Concise and easy-to-follow information for a beginner.

[S Jee]

Beautiful photos. Good for beginners. Doesn’t provide a how-to component.