New to Bonsai?
Don't Panic! It's Not That Hard

O.K. you're new to Bonsai and have the idea that Bonsai is all about miniature trees, but you're clueless about "Shakan - Chokkan - Moyogi"?

Don't panic, you don't need to know the proper names of styles or tree species, such as Bonsai Juniper or Bonsai Japanese Maple. All you need in the beginning is the desire to want to grow a plant and some basic knowledge.

To get started in the fascinating art of bonsai gardening, you will require some basic gardening skills, a few elementary tools and supplies, a healthy dose of common sense and a little artistic flair.

If you have grown a few plants in containers already, and have managed to keep them alive, healthy and looking good, then you possess the necessary skills for bonsai gardening.

Except for the actual techniques for miniaturizing the plant, there really is not that much more to it.

Of course volumes written about those techniques, so much so that they could fill a small library. But they are not all necessary to achieve an enviable result for your bonsai masterpiece.

When you're new to Bonsai, the immediate challenge is just to keep your bonsai tree alive... and still looking like a tree! In this you will probably have mixed success. But take heart, if you unintentionally murder a tree or two, it’s not the end of the world, you won’t be the first and you won’t be the last to have done that.

Over time if you keep at it you will succeed... and you will experience great joy and satisfaction at being the co-creator of such an amazing and beautiful living thing. It can really lift up your heart at times!

Yes! There are things you need to learn. But don't try and learn everything all at once, just start with the basics and take one step at a time.

When you are new to Bonsai, it's best to begin with an easy to grow plant such as a juniper.

Then learn one or two things about bonsai care (watering would be preferable first up) and put those couple of things into practice until you feel comfortable that you know what to do, and then move on to the next one or two skills... and so on.

Before you know it you will be the expert others seek for advice on growing bonsai plants.

Rick Lasslett

I'm not surprised!

When people start creating these trees, a surprise element germinates in their lives, they become captivated in their hobby, are more focused and more relaxed than before.

At first, you may feel overwhelmed in starting this new art form and think you cannot do it on your own.

Fortunately for you, this book should help you in achieving your creation.