[.ca] 101 Essential Tips: Bonsai (ISBN 0789410753)

Okay:
This book is small and really just a good overview of what Bonsai's are like. This is sort of a starter guide, explaining the ins and outs of Bonsai. If you're just beginning raising the trees, this is a good book to add to your collection. If you, however, already have a knowledge base about raising and caring for Bonsai, you can move along to a more comprehensive book.

Much To Small:
This book does have some wonderful information about Bonsai. However, the author of this book clearly chose quality over quantity. It is so thin, that it can easily fit into a small pocket or get lost. The section in this book that tells about different types of trees that are commonly bonsai, is very thin. It does not even mention Juniper, which is a very common type of Bonsai.I do recommend this book, but buy it used if you can. Better yet, buy a larger book with more information. There is not enough information in it to be worth five dollars.

Item Never Came:
Not that I'm out a whole lot of money or anything but the book never showed up. This was one of many that I ordered but the only part of the order that never showed. Not too sure what happened or if it was lost in transit possibly?

A small but informative guide on mastering an art form.:
101 Essential tips for Bonsai may be short on pages but it's big on information. Beautifully rendered pictures and step-by-step details will help make you an expert in the art of Bonsai. The book is very easy to follow and breaks down this miniature realm into subjects with easy-to-grasp tips and quick answers to a myriad of questions. The book has 10 chapters beginning with: Starting a Bonsai. In this first chapter it will teach you what to look for when buying a ready made tree, collecting from the wild, or growing from a seed. The next chapter is design principals. Here is where we learn about balancing the tree, the trunk, the branches, the root spread, and what to avoid. Next is style. In this chapter many different styles are outlined with breathtaking photos to help you decide how to grow your tree. Once the style is chosen, we learn about keeping the tree's color bright year round with seasonal tips. Next is the tools you'll need to properly care for your Bonsai. Once we have the tools, we learn some advanced techniques in sculpting the tree. Next is probably the most important chapter...here we learn the proper way to care for the tree...when and how to water, feeding, trimming, soil mixture and repotting. The next chapter is propagating your Bonsai...here is where you learn how to grow trees from your cuttings. Finally we end with a gallery of beautifully grown trees...where you'll get an advanced look at the fruits of your labor. 101 Bonsai is a small but essential guide that will answer all those questions you have about this art form and will inspire you to reach levels you might not have imagined.

A Wonderful Summary For Growing Bonsai:
This book is the perfect starting point for any one who is interested in the art of bonsai. With its 101 steps it depicts the whole process of bonsai making, however the book does not go in to greater detail. I had to turn to additional literature to successfully complete the processes that are described in it. But if I had not had this book I would really not know where to start. In addition to the useful tips, the book includes beautiful pictures and clear illustrations that help with the understanding of the art. I use this book all the time to catch up on some of the techniques I need to use when dealing with my lovely plants.