Bonsai: The art of not killing your first tree

Want to start your own bonsai garden? Like me, maybe you're wondering how a tiny tree so perfectly replicates a wild tree growing in nature? How can someone take such meticulous care of a living being that—due to its size—must be so delicate and sensitive? Or how can a living tree survive in such a shallow pot? Also, perhaps you're drawn to bonsai trees for their aesthetics, or to create a living legacy to pass down to the next generation, or even to broaden an existing horticultural skillset. My intention with writing this book is to save you from going down the Google rabbit hole. With this book, you can go from a complete beginner to a knowledgeable bonsai grower in an easy-to-understand and logical order of steps. All you need to do is follow this book from chapter to chapter as presented to you. This includes all the facts, info, procedures, and how-to’s that you need to cultivate your first bonsai tree and beyond! Most importantly, by following the advice in this book, you can sidestep the most common disappointments that most beginner bonsai growers face—killing their first tree (or, more often, their first, second, and third trees!). This book covers every aspect; from the benefits of growing bonsai and its cultural and historical significance to the various types of bonsai trees, how to get started, where to obtain your first trees, the tools, and equipment that you'll need (as well as how much you should expect to pay). Plus, you’ll learn all the practical skills you'll need to prevent your bonsai from dying, including planting, soiling, fertilizing, watering, styling, shaping, and pruning, repotting, and creating deadwood.