Bonsai: The Complete Guide to Art and Technique

by Paul Lesniewicz

Surveys the various styles of bonsai and explains how to use the methods of bonsai to grow miniature versions of trees

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Plants

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Petra X · 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A good plant-rearing guide, like this one, is never truly outdated.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.