In a message dated 4/4/05 12:02:51 AM, Scooter writes:
buying $12 red maples at the hardware store probably isn't what bonsai
masters do.

You're right. In this country and on the Continent, they collect wild trees.
I gather in UK they get their best material from old hedges. In Japan they buy
partly started trees from bonsai nurseries. It is certainly possible to
create bonsai from garden center stock, but you need to know what you are doing.
Evergreens such as junipers are very likely candidates. Also they are cheap
enough for beginners to practice on.

Are there any good books about bonsai that people recommend?

Where do you live? There is only so much you can learn from books. Join the
nearest bonsai club, even if it is miles away. Most of the big bonsai nurseries
sponsor classes and workshops. That's what you need. Attend shows &
conventions.
That said, I would recommend Bonsai by Harry Tomlinson, the Simon & Schuster
book, and Bonsai, its Art, History, & Philosophy by Koreshoff. You will
probably get ten other recommendations. A good book on indoor bonsai has not been
written.
Iris



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Iris - When I go tree hunting at nurseries, I might look at 150 trees before
selecting one - if I'm lucky.
Sometimes I look at 200 trees without selecting any. And sometimes, I spot
a gem right away:
but those events are extremely rare.
Anyway, it's fun looking. The prize is only incidental to the hunt.
----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 9:29 AM
Subject: [IBC] Red Maple





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A good book on indoor bonsai has not been written.


Except for Jerry Meislik's "Ficus: The Exotic Bonsai."
Otherwise you're right. "Best" in my mind is still the handbook
by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Bonsai for Indoors, and it
leaves a lot to be desired and suggests trees indoors that _I_
wouldn't recommend.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - People,
when Columbus discovered this country, it was plum full of nuts
and berries. And I'm right here to tell you (that) the berries
are just about all gone. -- Uncle Dave Macon, musician

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++++Sponsored, in part, by Edmund Castillo++++
************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++