Basics Of Bonsai Library
When you are just starting out in bonsai, you may be looking for information on the internet, but finding accurate and useful bonsai information on the internet can be like searching for the proverbial needle in the haystack! For example, search for “bonsai beginner tips” and you will get back over 3 million hits. It would take several lifetimes to sort through all those to find the very few that are actually going to be helpful. And if you’re new to bonsai, how will you judge what’s worth paying attention to?
To help prevent information over-load, we at Kusamura have gathered some of the best blogs, websites and videos produced by genuine experts in the field of bonsai practice into a knowledge base aimed specifically at those who are just starting their bonsai journey.
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Bonsai has undergone a long evolution since its beginnings in China. This article gives a detailed account of how bonsai has changed over the centuries.
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Finding bonsai material can be one of the most difficult and frustrating aspects of bonsai for beginners. These articles and videos will help you understand what to look for when visiting a nursery or a bonsai show.
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Bonsai have styles? Yes, they do and what all that means can be confusing when you are just starting out in bonsai. This article will introduce you to the basic styles from the Japanese tradition of bonsai. Learning about these styles is a good starting point for understanding what a bonsai style is and what it represents.
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There are many different soil mixtures used to plant bonsai. This article gives a detailed description of the what, why and how of bonsai soil.
This article gives a more condensed explanation of soil
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One of the first things people attending their first bonsai demonstration notice is that we seem to use a LOT of tools.
If you're interested in bonsai as a hobby you might might be concerned about needing to buy a lot of expensive tools - and which tools. People often start a hobby and decide after a while that it's not for them. It's natural to be concerned about getting stuck with a bunch of tools we don't need.
So, let us put your mind at ease. You don't need a lot of tools to begin in bonsai. Here's a guide on how to choose tools.
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Watering is the most important task you do to care for your bonsai. It seems easy - just pour some water on top of the plant or immerse it in a pail of water and you're done, right? Unfortunately it's a bit more complicated, but this article will help you understand the basics.
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There's a lot of opinions about fertilizer. Our goal is to give basic information and guidance that will help your bonsai thrive. This article won't debate whether "organic" is better than "inorganic" or the pros and cons of different brands.
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Repotting is the process of periodically pruning the roots of the bonsai and refreshing the soil. When and how to repot will depend on many factors, but the core procedure is the same. This article will introduce the basic steps.
This article has good tips on the timing of repotting.
This article describes care after repotting
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Most people new to bonsai don't know about Mycorrhiza and the important role they play in a tree's ability to feed itself. Here's a quick introduction.
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Bonsai trees are susceptible to both insects and fungus. This article will help you with both.
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The container that a bonsai lives in is an integral part of both its artistic appeal and its horticultural health. It is the restricted size of the container that keeps the tree small. Here are some links to help you learn about choosing and using bonsai containers.
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Deciduous and broadleaf evergreen bonsai must be repotted at the correct season. Here are some articles with guidelines.