newbie looking for advice

thebadger58

Hi there
have just begun to look at Bonsai and would love to take up the art. I say art as i've seen some pics and they are a work of art! So far i have hunted down related articles on beginning and managed to get some ideas. Then i found this site and thought it the best place to ask for advice. What i'm looking for is this: recommended books and articles on bonsai; infrmation on Bonsai clubs; what trees other folks have had success with as starters; and where is it best to but materials - trees pots etc.
I'd appreciate any help/advice.
many thanks
Badger

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tb2776

Hi, Badger. I'm new to the scene also. I have two recommendations:

Pocket Bonsai by David Prescott and Bonsai by Sunset Publications, Susan Lang, editor.

There are others, but those two should give you a good grounding in the principles.

Suggestions from the other forum members?

bwaynef

Try the Sunset (publishers) Bonsai. It's pretty cheap, available everywhere, and covers a wide range of topics. It also does it pretty well.

Then you'll be told (in the book as well as here) to get to a nursery and start picking material. You'll do best to read the book before you start trying to select material and the book might even save the material that you'd otherwise kill; unlikely though. Good luck and welcome to the hobby/boards.

Wayne F.

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Alasdair

And keep your eyes peeled! Look at trees in nature, they're all around you and it's the best way to learn what a tree looks like. Once you have grasped how a full size tree looks it will be much easier to create a natural looking bonsai. Being in scotland you may have a bit of difficulty finding a club to join, and from spending a lot of time there myself garden centres can be few and far between.

Al

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I can feel another "I wish that was my tree" moment coming on...
Currently studying BSc Plant Biology at the Universty of Wales, Aberystwyth

thebadger58

Just wanted to say a big thank you for those replies. Since i sent in the post i've had a good browse of the site and am staggered at the wealth of advice and articles on it. Also appreciated the advice re looking at nature as i would love to have a Scot's Pine as a Bonsai. They are awesome in their natural habitat and to eventually be able to replicate something of their majesty would be a feat in itself. Once again thanks everyone!
Badger

pootsie

Badger:

Here's a super handy set of links compiled by Will:
All There Is to Know about Bonsai
Don't let the title fool ya'

pootsie

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p.s. My cat is a bonsaiTALK Master.
Columbus Bonsai Society