Internet Resources Collection
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?
Fortunately, we at Kusamura have gathered some of the best blogs, websites and videos produced by genuine experts in the field of bonsai practice into our Internet Resources Collection. There’s a wealth of information for everyone from absolute beginner to advanced bonsai artist. Expand the titles below for a description of who publishes the site and what its major focus is.
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https://www.youtube.com/@Bonsaify
“Bonsaify” is the YouTube channel of Eric Schrader, a San Francisco based bonsai professional. Eric’s videos cover a variety of topics for both novice bonsai artists as well as those who are more advanced.
Recommended videos:
Bonsaify | Bonsai Inspiration: Take a Walk Among the Wild Junipers
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https://www.youtube.com/@BonsaiMirai
Ryan Neil founded Bonsai Mirai outside Portland Oregon after a seven year apprenticeship in Japan with Masahiko Kimura, one of the world’s most innovative bonsai masters. Bonsai Mirai’s YouTube videos may be somewhat intimidating for someone new to bonsai, but there are several series aimed at beginners.
Recommended videos:
Bonsai Anatomy: Learn the bonsai basics and answers to the question of what is a bonsai?
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Bonsai Tonight is the website, blog, and store of Bay Area bonsai professional Jonas Dupuich. Jonas produces a beautifully illustrated blog with detailed information for everyone interested in bonsai. Included are species-specific information as well as guides on how to perform many commonly used bonsai techniques.
Recommended posts: https://bonsaitonight.com/guides/
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Crataegus Bonsai is the website and blog of Portland, Oregon based bonsai artist, teacher and author Michael Hagedorn. Michael completed a multi-year apprenticeship in Japan with Mr. Sinji Suzuki who has won many top bonsai awards. He wrote about this experience in his first book “Post-Dated” which is worth reading by anyone who wanting a deeper understanding of the meaning of bonsai as an art. His second book, “Bonsai Heresy'“ explores 56 “ideas about bonsai that are commonly held, but may in fact be holding us back.
His blog is always informative as well as being entertaining.
Recommended posts:
https://crataegus.com/so-what-is-this-bonsai-thing-about-anyway/
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https://www.youtube.com @HeronsBonsaiUK
Peter Chan is the founder of the UK’s premier bonsai nursery. He has a charming manner of presenting topics in his extensive library of YouTube videos. His goal is to show that bonsai is accessible to everyone and shouldn’t be surrounded by mystery. Some of his methods may seem unorthodox, but he has been successfully creating bonsai for over 30 years.
His book "The Bonsai Beginner's Bible" is an excellent reference resource about 180 of the most popular species used for bonsai.
Recommended videos:
“Bonsai Made Easy” series is about how to make bonsai from raw nursery stock
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GSBF, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c) (3) educational organization comprised of member and affiliate clubs in California and adjoining states. We promote the art of bonsai.
This website connects you to regional bonsai clubs, GSBF collections, insurance information, educational events,
resources, and supplies.
If you can't find what you need, reach out to us at: gsbonsaifed@gmail.com -
https://www.americanbonsaisociety.org/
The American Bonsai Society is an association of individuals dedicated to promoting an interest in the art of bonsai. Through its publications, symposia and other educational activities, ABS supports the development of bonsai styling and production techniques that reflect the diverse personality of North America and encourages the use of plant species indigenous or best suited for bonsai in the United States, Canada and Mexico.