The Bonsai Workshop (Our Garden Variety) [Paperback]

Herb Gustafson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Our Garden Variety | Publication Date: June 30, 1996

“For the beginning to intermediate bonsai enthusiast, outlining in straightforward fashion the essentials of the care, creation, and display of these lovely miniature trees...this book should be the only one you need.”—Booklist.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gustafson has designed his book for the beginning to intermediate bonsai enthusiast, outlining in straightforward fashion the essentials of the care, creation, and display of these lovely miniature trees. Basic bonsai care changes considerably throughout the four seasons, the author notes, and he offers the necessary seasonal advice by regions. Gustafson stresses the importance of learning how to merely keep a tree alive, no easy task for the beginner. He supplies answers to what he calls 100 basic questions concerning bonsai culture in this book, which contains 402 color and 68 black-and-white illustrations. Gustafson gives a short history of bonsai, along with advice on pruning, potting, training, creating, and displaying them. There's a glossary and a suggested reading list. But this book should be the only one you need. George Cohen --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

For the beginning to intermediate bonsai enthusiast, outlining in straightforward fashion the essentials of the care, creation, and display of these lovely miniature trees...this book should be the only one you need. -- Booklist

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (June 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806905573
• ISBN-13: 978-0806905570
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 7.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Bonsai Workshop" was thourough and informative., August 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bonsai Workshop (Our Garden Variety) (Paperback)

This is the best book on the art of bonsai that I have ever read. It gives an interesting history of bonsai. The author thouroughly describes the rules, methods, and styles. There are countless examples on how to create, train, and maintain your own bonsai. The book contains several pictrures of excellent exmples of ancient, finished bonsai.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A reference for the experienced...a tutor for the beginner., August 31, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bonsai Workshop (Our Garden Variety) (Paperback)

Bonsai is an art form where one continues learning, year after year and plant after plant. Even the experienced need an occasional refresher. This book can give that reminder. The author wrote the book using his notes from a beginner's class that he taught. When I first read the book, I thought, "How could I have forgotten that?" If I had been a beginner, I would have thought, "How logical!" This book, if nothing else, inspires one to do as the author says and shows. I found myself wanting to go buy or find a suitable tree and pot it, even if it was the wrong season. This is expert advice. This is a book that is understandable. This book makes Bonsai "do-able". For the beginner it takes the "fear" out ofof doing things that may be scarry. Buy this book

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encouraging, January 19, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Mulino, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bonsai Workshop (Our Garden Variety) (Paperback)

Herb Gustafson presents the (often intimidating) art of Bonsai in a simple, straightforward and encouraging manner. Yet he is through. The photos are clear and to the point. I have been working Bonsai for 40 years and came away encouraged and excited, lifted to a feeling of renewal. Well worth the already bargain price. Thanks, Herb, for a job well done.