The most current, useful information on growing Bonsai. Â Fresh, practical, definitive, comprehensive reference guide to the finest art of horticulture: growing miniature trees. Common sense bonsai answers separating myth from fact with depth and detail. Appropriate for both bonsai hobbyists and experienced practitioners. Featuring Walter Pall Bonsai.
Contents:
Foreword, by Walter Pall 7
Acknowledgements 9
Introduction: From the Plant’s Point of View 11
Soil and Substrate Questions
Out of Sight Is Not Out of Mind 17
Organic and Inorganic Materials 20
Physical Properties 26
Chemical Properties 32
Biological Properties 35
Understanding Fertilizers
Essential Elements 38
Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers 40
Fertilize Flawlessly 43
Feeding 101 47
Fast or Slow 49
Liquid or Granular 52
Spring or Fall 54
By the Numbers 55
Fertilizers Are Supplements 62
Can’t Always Blame Fertilizers 64
Understanding Biostimulants and Other Such Chemicals 635
Growing Superb Roots
The Perfect Tree 73
Growing Superb Roots 73
Sink Your Roots 75
How Roots Respond 81
Root Pruning 86
The Root Collar 90
Getting Back to Roots 92
Keeping Branches Happy
Branch Parts 97
Keeping Branches Happy 97
Switching Systems 101
Branch Responses 104
The Form of Trees 106
Branching Out 112
Pruning and Manipulating Stems
What Is Pruning? 117
Responses to Branch Pruning 117
Before Making the Cut 119
That Was a Kind Cut 123
Prune Like a Pro 127
Wiring, Major Bending and Minor
Tree Surgery 135
Tools of the Trade 139
Treat My Cuts 139
Keeping Foliage Happy
Solar Power 144
How Foliage Responds 146
Budding Bonsai 151
Leave Our Leaves 152
They Shrunk My Leaves 157
Leaves a’ Blazing 158
Responding to Potting
Plants Grow in a Tightly Connected Systems 162
Why and When to Repot 162
Before Potting or Transplanting 166
During Potting 167
After Potting 170
Water, Light, and Temperature
Water Wisely 175
Lighten Up 182
This Cold, Cold Pot 185
Extreme Heat 188
Bonsai Challenges
Content with Our Natural Beauty 192
Why We Are So Small 192
How We Adapt 194
Looking Good 197
Pestering Pathogens 200
Good and Bad 202
Crawling Critters 203
Time to Recover 204
Walter Pall Gallery 209
Index 335
About the Author: Larry Morton, BS Ornamental Horticulture, is the former owner of Landscape Consultants, Inc, and Preferred Trees Nursery. He provides seasoned, proven, professional advice on how you can care for your miniature trees.
