The Art and Cultivation of Bonsai: A Comprehensive Guide to Growing and Maintaining Your Bonsai

Jody: I have used and bought numerous copies of this book for friends and family.
Beyond “Bonsai”…. This book at a full listing of trees and types with zone tolerance, propagation, trimming and other care for instructions. This covers thousands of trees and shrubs which is applicable to those in your yard as well.

Great book all around from beginner to experts.

United States on Aug 02, 2023

nicky: Great service

United Kingdom on Mar 15, 2023

Dennis Lynn: The photos are stunning and the book is a mine of information.

United Kingdom on Oct 19, 2021

Ray: Good read. Very informative about the art of bonsai. Some basics are given but still leaves something to be desired. Meaning I dont feel its a one all be all if you want to do bonsai. Many types of bonsai are included with detailed info but many of the ones I like I cant really grow because of my climate zone. Would recommend to supplement with other books if you want to learn the training aspects. I do also think this is not a read it one time kind of book. My need multiple reads to get full value out of it.

United States on Aug 15, 2020

eleshazar: I've wanted to get into bonsai for many years now, but was always afraid by how daunting it seemed. I finally decided 2020 was the perfect year for it and after looking around figured this would be a good starting book.

I've now read this book cover to cover and think it is a great guide that covers any topic you could think of! It touches on the horticultural aspects as well as the artistic styling of bonsai. The many illustrations and pictures helped me understand exactly what the author was talking about. There's even a pretty extensive species guide that helps you pick the right bonsai species for you.

I'd highly recommend this book for both beginners and advanced bonsai enthusiasts!

United States on Aug 13, 2020

Amazon Customer: This book was a Christmas gift for my son. He was over the moon when he looked through it. He has been wanting to start several Bonsai trees, and know he has the perfect to show him how.

Canada on Jan 07, 2019

Charles Lynch: This book has almost everything from beginner to advanced bonsai techniques but it was written in the seventies and has not been updated since. Western Bonsai practitioners back in the 70s and early 80s really did not have any idea as to what the best soil substrate mixture for rhizome or root development and many of the trees pictured in this book use non porous stone mixed with topsoil and not once in the book does it mention using a all or mostly grit substrate such as Boons mix (akadama, lava stone, and pumice).

While it is lacking in certain areas, what it does lack stems from the fact that Western knowledge on the art of bonsai has developed much further then when this book was last updated.

That being said I do not regret purchasing this book and would suggest it for any beginners 2 Intermediate area practitioners but fall time practitioners and experts may not gain very much other than possibly to be reminded of things they have forgotten here and there.

United States on Aug 18, 2018

Steven Magdic: This is a great book for bonsai trees. Unfortunately my tree didn't make it but that isn't the books fault. This book has many different types of trees and everything you need to know on how to form and shape your tree to giving each type it's specific good to survive. Great book.

Canada on Oct 19, 2015

H.S.P: This book does what it say in the title. As a novice it explains the different types of trees and how to look after them.
It shows how to maintain existing trees. It also explains how to start with an untouched tree and what to do to turn it into a good looking bonsai.
The delivery was quick and it was well packaged.
H.S. P.

United Kingdom on Mar 18, 2014

Marc L: I'm new to the bonsai world, and had read some material online for a quick introduction. Now I was ready for more details, which is why I ordered this book.

It is an excellent book, with step-by-step descriptions and accompanying pictures, which are large and high-resolution. The book is great for education as well as inspiration. It covers everything from the history, to starting your own bonsai from scratch, to maintaining it. It also has an extensive compendium of trees and shrubs.

The only reason I gave it 4 out of 5 stars was that there were a couple of (what I thought were basic) things I was looking for that didn't appear in the book, i.e. information I came across online that I was hoping to get more detailed information and pictures on. I would give it a 4.5 if I could, because it's still a great book.

TIP: If you buy this book, don't buy  Bonsai (101 Essential Tips) . I bought both, and was disappointed to see they are the same book, only  Bonsai (101 Essential Tips)

is an abridged version of this book. They are published in the US by Abbeville Press and in London by DK.

United States on Apr 26, 2007