Customer Reviews

The Complete Book of Bonsai

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I became intersted in bonsai several years ago and have read and purchased numerous books on the subject. "The Complete Book of Bonsai" by Harry Tomlinson is absolutely the very best on the subject I have ever come across.

What makes this book so outstanding is the lavish photographs of every imaginable bonsai species. The photography is so impressive, I had this book displayed on my coffee table for a number of years! When guests came over and looked through my book, they were always amazed at the beauty that well trained bonsai possess. Included in the section on bonsai species are impressive examples of English Elm, English Oak, European White Birch and many others. Many of the specimen pictured are 30 or more years old and beautiful examples of what bonsai can be.

Also included are numerous pictures of bonsai "forests" containing multiple plantings and plantings using the root-over-rock style. Detailed instruction for creating such plantings are included, as well as instructions for creating jins (which are carved or torn branches) to give the appearance of age.

More importantly though is the detailed, illustrated instructions on creating a basic bonsai, which I followed to the letter to create a charming wired juniper from a purchased garden center plant in just a few hours time. Instruction is so detailed and well presented that even a beginner, which I was at the time, could have really awesome results on their first attempt.

Also included in the book are chapters entitled "The Art of Bonsai", "Routine Maintenance" and "Propogation Techniques". This book is really extensive and covers everything you need to know. Once you see it, read it, and follow the simple instructions to create your very own bonsai... you'll be hooked for life!

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in bonsai, trees or gardening... it is well worth every dime!!!

The book has LOVELY pictures and explains some tecniques but I wish tha he would have gone a little more in depth and been more specfic... the "instructions" were overly generalized.

I still recomend it though.

This was a very helpful introduction and has motivated me to jump in and try it. The book is British, and a number of the species suggested are similar to but not exactly the same as the ones I see in northeast US. So, you might want to get a second opinion on species. The other question I asked myself was what I need to do for harsh winters. I've had trouble with potted trees that I've left outside and above ground (even though they were within the correct zone), and I'd expect bonsai to be vulnerable, too.

I recently grew an iterest in bonsai and decided to do some research before I killed any trees. I work in a library and found nearly a dozen bonsai titles that I poured myself into. Overall, I found this one to be the best single title one would want to buy to get started in the art. Overall, the book is very helpful in showing you step by step photos and diagrams for every aspect of creating and maintaining a tree. My favorite part about this book is the species guide. There are many, many species, each with one or two full pages dedicated to it, each listing watering, feeding, soil composition, etc... along with a very beautiful specimine to inspire you.

I am a novice Bonsai enthusiast with little prior horticultural experience. Harry Tomlinson's book is an excellent starting point for practicing the art of Bonsai. There are numerous illustrative photographs throughout the text displaying the basic techniques of tree maintenance. In addition to instruction in the basic skills necessary for successful cultivation there are also in depth descriptions on each of the suitable species delineating appropriate styling, pruning, potting, watering, and propagation methods for each. Overall, a comprehensive first source.

This book was very helpful to the beginner. It shows quality photographs and had very informative explanations about the different aspects of caring for Bonsai trees. It took the doubt out of my mind about wheather I could raise and properly care for a Bonsai tree I could be proud of. Great book!

If you own a Bonsai, or are thinking about getting one you shoudl have MORE than one Bonsai book. No Bonsai book is perfect, but this one has great information and pictures that help illustrate what the Bonsai is supposed to look like and what you shoudl be doing. Save your Bonsai and get this book! :)

This is a great intro book! It will also serve as a reference, for it includes a compendium of tree species and facts/ figures. Worth the money!

This is my fourth Bonsai book and the best one I have found so far. I had never ordered it online, because it seemed to be one more of those books with fancy pictures and poor information.

Then one day I found it in a local bookstore and what a surprise! This book is perfect because it has plenty of quality pictures AND detailed information.

If you have an interest for tree seeds, this book is very useful because it has lots of pictures of the most common trees as Bonsai. It will certainly make your life a lot easier the next time you have to choose seeds online or through a catalog.

Also, it has detailed information and pictures about how to germinate your seeds and "species" by "species" tips for growing, manteinance and reproduction. There is also rich information about all the aspects of bonsai: the seasons, cuttings, reproduction, styles, vases, etc...

The most common Bonsai trees are covered and I liked especially the small chapters about Maples and Cedars. There are excellent pictures of those trees and I couldn't believe when I finally found a full-page picture of a Sequoia as Bonsai, with some rare information about it.

As someone said before, if you are interested in Bonsai and can buy only one book, this is the book to buy. I know I may sound a bit too excited, but after being at the bookstore and browsing through more than ten books, I must say this book really deserves all this praising.

It has all the basic information you need to get started and the 150 or more color pictures are simply stunning. Just take my word and choose this book. I am almost totally sure that you won't regret it!

The book is a clear and precise aide to the facts which will help you to start and then to expand your bonsai skills.It is very informative and is the ulitmate reference guide to any enthusiast. I was attending a 'lilac masterclass', instructed by harry at his nursery when I first picked up the book, and I have found that it has become 'my bible' to keeping bonsai.You simply must get it!!!