Calgary Bonsai Society

I'll take my own advice posted in the forum suggestions and start a topic on helpful literature. This may not be the right place for the thread, but I wasn't able to start one on the previous level - I'll leave it to Eric to fix this!

I'm pretty new to the hobby, but I've spent a few hours researching my research material (kinda sad...) I've found a few books that come highly recommended from several sources, so I thought I'd pass them along for others to comment on. Keeping in mind I haven't gone out to purchase these books yet, I am relying on the opinions of others to pass along these recommendations. I've provided links the best I can, but I've copped out on effort and used Amazon.

Special thanks goes out to fellow member Jeremy for providing some more insight and further recommendations

1. Bonsai Techniques I - John Naka


http://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Techniques-John-Yoshio-Naka/dp/B0006XEC1E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237733929&sr=1-3

From what I've read this book is a very helpful resource, many say the best beginner's guide, but that some information on soil mixing techniques are a little out of date and somewhat complicated. An excellent starting point for the beginner and you'll find new information every time you read it. Indispensable.

2. Bonsai Techniques II - John Naka


http://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Techniques-John-Yoshio-Naka/dp/0930422333

When you write one good book, why not write two? From what I've read, most people buy this second book immediately after finishing the first.

3. Bonsai - Its art, Science, History and Philosophy - Deb Koreshoff


http://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Its-Science-History-Philosophy/dp/0881923893/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237734259&sr=1-1

Touted as a very comprehensive guide. I'm under the impression that this went out of print but has been brought back from the archives for another round.


In the interest of keeping my post a reasonable length, I'll just jot down a few authors I've also run across. They each have a few books, and I just haven't taken the time to figure out what they've written and which are recommended as their best work for beginners/intermediate/advanced growers.

Colin Lewis


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Colin%20Lewis

Since I like the quote from Jeremy, I'll throw it in directly. "Colin Lewis's books are usually very informative and have a good pedagogical feel to them. You feel like someone is helping you on your way. I like his books."

Craig Coussins


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Craig%20Coussins

Bonsai Masterclass has been identified in particular as a resource worth reading, however some have suggested that more detailed information in the text would be appreciated.

Peter Adams


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Peter%20D.%20Adams

Adams has some great books on Maples in particular, and has great insight into the artistic realm of shaping trees. Two books of note are Bonsai with Japanese Maples, good for a high level explanation, and Shaping Maples, which provides more in-depth techniques.

Nick Lenz


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Nick%20Lenz

Bonsai from the Wild is a book that covers collecting species from the wild indigenous to North America. Many of the species are not local to the Calgary area, and similar information is available online, which will likely lead you to choose to spend your money elsewhere.

Walter Pall's article on collecting wild species http://www.bonsai4me.com under Advanced Techniques

Herb Gustafson


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Herb%20Gustafson

Peter Chan


I won't provide Chan's link in Amazon since you tend to get additional authors bearing the same name. Bonsai Secrets has been identified as a good book for the beginner hobbyist.

Harry Tomlinson


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Harry%20Tomlinson

Tomlinson has been downgraded in this list but not removed entirely. I'd recommend trying some of the other books in this guide before venturing out to gather some of the linked resources.

Always looking for suggestions or opinions, so feel free to comment on, or add to, this list.

edit: March 29, 2009 - Added comments from Jeremy

You've got a good list there Chad.

Naka I & II are both indispensable -- get them if you can (I got mine off of Ebay). I am reading the Koreshoff book right now and so far I find it very informative.

The Tomlinson books are ok but there is nothing in them that separate them from the herd of beginner bonsai how-to guides. I found the Gustafson books to be more informative for the same "intro to bonsai" purpose.

The Coussins books have some great looking trees (particularly "Bonsai Master Class") and the information is solid throughout (although sometimes not terribly detailed).

Colin Lewis's books are usually very informative and have a good pedagogical feel to them. You feel like someone is helping you on your way. I like his books.

Other books worth mentioning would be:

Peter Adam's books on Maples (he's got three that I'm aware of: 1.Bonsai with Japanese Maples
2. Shaping Maples 3. Bonsai Design: Japanese Maples)

Peter's training as a art designer and instructor comes to the fore in his analysis of trees, their faults, virtues, opportunities for improvement. His descriptions are sometimes very difficult to follow, but he supplements them with beautiful handdrawn pictures. His soil mix for Maples is unusual in that he recommends the use of decomposed leaf litter and peat. Good books on the subject. Bonsai with Japanese Maples is more high level and Shaping maples is a little more nuts and bolts, Bonsai Design: Japanese Maples, is more or less retread in Shaping Maples (so either will do).

Nick Lenz: Bonsai from the Wild

This book covers collecting a number of indigenous species from North American wilds. Rocky Mountain Juniper, Larch, Pine are some of the local Calgary varieties featured. Unfortunately, many of the species featured are not readily available in the Calgary area. Some good information here but to be honest their is equally viable information online (Walter Pall has a great article here: http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATcoll ... 20Pall.htm)

Peter Chan's Bonsai Secrets: Another solid intro to bonsai book. Lots of good information. Quite basic but useful to a beginner.

Truthfully every bonsai book I read I learn something new. Read all of them. Then re-read them (I've found I get more out of my books after I've had some time to test things out on my trees).

Once you've done that, then start researching more generallized fields like botany and art design (at least that's what I'm trying to do).

Thanks for the input Jeremy - you're definately ahead of my in studying. I'll update my post to include some of the information you've provided on the texts. If you have anything more specific to say about the first 3 books, I'd prefer to have more detail than, "I read these were good on the internet". I'll be hunting for my copies sometime in April.

Also, since you seem to be well read on the topic, if you have any other threads you think are worth starting, I'd say this is a good chance to get some more information up in this forum. Soil mixes, tree specifics, anything really.

I'd prefer to have more detail than, "I read these were good on the internet".

I don't think I said what you've quoted, perhaps you are referring to a hypothetical poster. Also I'm not sure which books you're referring to -- my recommendations or yours?

I have read the books I have commented on and I can recommend them based on experience.

What are you trying to determine through my comments?

Do you want a synopsis of each book? I probably can provide this information but I am a little pressed for time at the moment.


Regarding your specific questions...

My soil mix is:

- 1 part River Sand (Aquarium Mix - Stay away from ocean sand...too much salt - look for shells in the bag and stay clear - Source: Petland)

- 1 part Number 3* chicken grit and screen out grains larger than 1/4" (Source: UFA).

- 1 part Schultz Aquatic (sometimes at pet stores or Green Gate) or other diatomaceous earth (Oil Cleanup available at Walmart). I have used Flourite in the past (available at pet stores), but it's messy, it holds liquid 4-ever and tends to decompose and splinter like shale (the one plus side is it's a calcined clay that is loaded with Iron -- you don't have to worry about adding Iron chelate to your ferts). Schultz aquatic is the best I've found simply because it's Arcilite (sp?), a high fired calcined clay that does not break down -- FYI: Arcilite is the white rocky bits in the Schultz Orchid Mix. From what I have read Arcilite is about as close to hard akadama you can get in terms of water-to-air retention -- or cation exchange capacity, as people who know what their talking about (not me), call it - and it doesn't break down in two years like akadama. Allegedly, akadama is the "perfect" CEC substance -- don't know, don't care, can't afford it.

- 3 parts Schultz Orchid Mix (Walmart) or just Fir Bark (Garden Retreat). I screen out grains larger than 1/4" and smaller than 1/16". If you are using Schultz Orchid Mix there is already horticultural charcoal inside. If not, then add 1 part hort-charcoal.

The end result of this standard mix works out to (3:3). 3 parts organic to 3 parts inorganic.

* For shohin (trees less than 24 inches) I use Number 2 grit (screen out grains smaller than 1/16'') and aim for a grain size of 1/8" in all soil components.

When I am potting Pines I will reduce the organic component to 2:3 and 1:3 for Junipers. When potting moisture loving plants like Maples I use a 2 parts organic to 1 part inorganic and tend to use smaller grains (1/8").

I am looking for a source of lava rock and pumice in a 1/8"-1/4" size. When I find it I will try switching to Boon's pure inorganic mix and see how it fairs.

As for tree specifics, I really don't know that much but if you have a question I can take a shot at it. I know a bit about Maples, and Chinese Elms. Less about Junipers and less still about Pines.

Thanks,

- Jeremy

There is an auction right now for NAKA I&II on ebay. Looks like a good deal right now.

For more information on soil components please review this article from one of the great educators in bonsai, Colin Lewis:
http://www.shadysidebonsai.com/bonsaiva ... ticulture/

Jeremy wrote:I don't think I said what you've quoted, perhaps you are referring to a hypothetical poster. Also I'm not sure which books you're referring to -- my recommendations or yours?

Sorry for the confusion. I was actually making reference to my own review, not your comment. As it stands right now, my review basically says, "I've read that these are good books." Since you actually own the Bonsai Techniques books, I was wondering if you'd be able to put a few more words down about them and I'd update my post with a more in-depth review. So yes, a brief synopsis when you had some time would be very much appreciated. Hope that clears things up.

Thanks for the soil suggestions. I'll try to start a few threads in this forum sometime tomorrow to give each topic a place to live.