What do you think?
Rate this book
BONSAI BASICS
Practical advice on choosing and caring for bonsai trees
Bonsai Basics, provides the reader with step-by-step advice on pruning, pinching, potting and wiring as well as creative ideas for shaping and styling.
Bonsai Basics, provides the reader with step-by-step advice on pruning, pinching, potting and wiring as well as creative ideas for shaping and styling.
80 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2002
9 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Colin Lewis
38 books2 followersColin Lewis has been growing bonsai for almost 30 years and has gained an international reputation as an artist and author.
He teaches regularly throughout the UK, Europe and the United States and in 2001 was awarded second prize in the Japan Airlines World Bonsai Contest for his work with Scots pine.
He teaches regularly throughout the UK, Europe and the United States and in 2001 was awarded second prize in the Japan Airlines World Bonsai Contest for his work with Scots pine.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 15, 2024
Excellent introduction into a fascinating subject. One would be reasonably well equipped to enter into the hobby after reading. Some complex ideas do not have accompanying diagrams - additional reference material would have to be sought.
---
Read a later edition for consolidation of knowledge and to compare. Later version had much less diagrams but much more photos and had a species guide at the end instead of some basic information.
After reading several beginner books on the subject, this one is the best.
---
Read a later edition for consolidation of knowledge and to compare. Later version had much less diagrams but much more photos and had a species guide at the end instead of some basic information.
After reading several beginner books on the subject, this one is the best.
January 4, 2018
Easy to read book, light tone which was great general introduction to caring for a beginner like me. I appreciate that it covers how trees work to help you understand why the processes in caring for bonsais is done relating to the biology of the actual tree.
I really liked the tree directory at the back, it gives an overview of what the tree as a bonsai needs and how it’ll grow and that’s something that was really helpful.
Also lots of pretty pictures which is always nice to look at and makes you feel inspired. The introduction to the history and tradition of bonsai was kind of wishy washy so if you want more information on that this isn’t the book for you.
I really liked the tree directory at the back, it gives an overview of what the tree as a bonsai needs and how it’ll grow and that’s something that was really helpful.
Also lots of pretty pictures which is always nice to look at and makes you feel inspired. The introduction to the history and tradition of bonsai was kind of wishy washy so if you want more information on that this isn’t the book for you.
April 26, 2019
A good introduction for the craft of Bonsai. Read for personal research. Lots of photos are included with informative captions.
I found this work of immense interest and a good supplement for my other books.
Its contents were helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast.
I found this work of immense interest and a good supplement for my other books.
Its contents were helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast.
January 26, 2021
A decent book about everything you want to know about Bonsai.
Writer provided good insight of Bonsai history , its origination, watering technique, pruning, fertilizers, potting , trimming and its maintenance. Book also talks about the lifecycle of a tree, how it takes nutrients from water, types of soil and photosynthesis.
Last section of the book covers various famous Bonsai plants along with their maintenance plan. Mine was Chinese Elm and I got to know so much about it.
Writer provided good insight of Bonsai history , its origination, watering technique, pruning, fertilizers, potting , trimming and its maintenance. Book also talks about the lifecycle of a tree, how it takes nutrients from water, types of soil and photosynthesis.
Last section of the book covers various famous Bonsai plants along with their maintenance plan. Mine was Chinese Elm and I got to know so much about it.
February 4, 2022
I found this book in a charity shop and it immediately caught my attention. I had become fascinated with bonsai trees since seeing some at Kew Botanical Gardens earlier this year!
This book is incredibly well written with lots of useful information for the novice bonsai enthusiast; it has truly inspired me and given me the confidence to get a bonsai tree of my own!
This book is incredibly well written with lots of useful information for the novice bonsai enthusiast; it has truly inspired me and given me the confidence to get a bonsai tree of my own!
June 13, 2021
It is a nice and pleasant reading about bonsai with lovely pictures that explain some of the techniques applied. Nevertheless I've found it too basic, I would have expected more details, more guidance for a beginner like me. More pictures with detailed explanations would have been beneficial.
December 8, 2020
Excellent and surprisingly detailed introduction to the art of Bonsai. Covers the many different types of tree as well as some great details of cultivating and caring for them.
May 13, 2021
Perfect for those looking to learn about the art of bonsai. It has all the necessary features information for a beginner.
November 5, 2024
Informative and detailed if that is what you are seeking.
January 7, 2014
Although it's named "Bonsai basics", it is not only a cursory introduction to bonsai. Instead it is a detailed cover of the fundamentals of bonsai.
The first half of the book describes, on a more scientific, biological level, how a tree works and its living requirements. This leads to an understanding of why certain bonsai-specific things are done and why it is done that way (like pruning, bending branches with wires etc). I think this is great and not often found in bonsai books.
The other half is a plant registry of some of the most common species. This part of the book is on a more basic level (pun intended).
Overall, I think this book is great and I will often come back to it for reference. Anyone starting bonsai should read this, but if you already are an experienced bonsai artist, this book might help explain why you are doing things right. (:
The first half of the book describes, on a more scientific, biological level, how a tree works and its living requirements. This leads to an understanding of why certain bonsai-specific things are done and why it is done that way (like pruning, bending branches with wires etc). I think this is great and not often found in bonsai books.
The other half is a plant registry of some of the most common species. This part of the book is on a more basic level (pun intended).
Overall, I think this book is great and I will often come back to it for reference. Anyone starting bonsai should read this, but if you already are an experienced bonsai artist, this book might help explain why you are doing things right. (:
May 19, 2013
As a bonsai basics book this delivers pretty much spot on, it covers pruning, watering, wiring, repotting and has a section on the different tree species available. Oh and lots of pretty mini tree pictures.
If like me you got a discount mass grown Chinese bonsai from the local supermarket, this book will tell what they did and will give you ideas on how you can try and fix it if possible. Mine was basically lopped off at the top to force a mass of shoots to grow so probably no hope for it (it's called hard pruning in the book).
If you need more info on bonsai than this book then I'd suggest you don't get one that has the word basic in the title.
If like me you got a discount mass grown Chinese bonsai from the local supermarket, this book will tell what they did and will give you ideas on how you can try and fix it if possible. Mine was basically lopped off at the top to force a mass of shoots to grow so probably no hope for it (it's called hard pruning in the book).
If you need more info on bonsai than this book then I'd suggest you don't get one that has the word basic in the title.
November 11, 2013
Such an arrogant and misinformed person. I didn't get past the introduction. He doesn't have proper facts, but claims to be the best. If you are not sure whether bonsai might come from China or Japan then don't write a book.
July 8, 2010
This is a very nice book! conclusive, detailed, simple, well-written and rich with cultural aspects and spiritual roots of the Bonsai tree.
July 28, 2013
Very useful for taking care of my bonsai. It's not very long but I think that it has all the necessary details for a beginner :)
January 28, 2015
one of the more helpful bonsai books I've read so far. great tips on how to care for specific varieties.
May 9, 2016
Very informative book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews