The best Japanese Garden books: Reddit reviews

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Quick Google search did the trick, the book cover is this exact plant, which I believe belonged to the original author.

The book

Ok, here's an update to the 2nd Japanese Maple. For those seeking more than just watching the tree grow, I've actually done some bonsai techniques on this one.

This started as a chop, and I've grown almost everything on this tree from scratch. This is just the latest step in the process of creating an informal upright. This is about as textbook Peter Adams as I am currently capable.

For those who suggested a grow-out and chop - that would work except I've already got at least 4 years of work into the way it is. I wanted to learn how to grow this style of tree from scratch and I didn't want to wait to thicken it up first. So my goal for now is to get the complete trunk structure in place, and then in a very balanced way, try to thicken the trunk without ruining the scale.

Here you go.

I just found it as I'd like to get this too. I'm a Brit so this is UK Amazon. But it should help you find it wherever you live.

Check out this book

Written by a lady who lives just south of avl in Pisgah Forest. Should have all the info you need and then some.

this book is cool but dont buy it new from amazon

It's run by Corin and Paul Tomlinson. Corin makes their videos on YT - go watch some.

I had MY first lessons (more than 40 years ago) with their father Harry Tomlinson - author of some of the most widely published bonsai books ever written: The complete book of bonsai.

Totally depends on what flavor of moss you want. Some species do just fine in full sun. There’s spectacular book on the subject: the Magical World of Moss Gardening by Annie Martin. Worth a gander, for sure.Mossy Moss Booky Book

Yes, the book :)

Long internodes are common after a hard chop, because there are fewer buds that can receive the tree's energy from the roots. You're many years away from having to worry about ramification with these trees, though.

This is a solid book on maples that covers a lot of topics: https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Japanese-Maples-Peter-Adams/dp/0881928097

They're the biggest and best bonsai nursery in the UK. I know both sons (Corin and Paul) - great guys, their father wrote one of the best selling bonsai books ever. I had lessons from him.

www.bonsai.co.uk

Thanks. Glad it's useful to see one a step or two ahead of where you're at with yours.

And I'm in turn mostly just following the method laid out by Peter Adams in his wonderful Japanese maple book.

I have a few of my own tricks up my sleeve, but the method for chopping is pretty much textbook Adams, at least to the best of my ability to re-create.

I'm pretty happy with the results so far. Now that I've re-grown a decent trunk, I'm looking forward to further refining the major branches and nebari. The next five year cycle should yield a pretty interesting tree.

if you like maples, may I suggest Peter Adams' quintessential work on maples in bonsai. THE best book on working with maples. Couldn't recommend it enough.

http://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Japanese-Maples-Peter-Adams/dp/0881928097

Just bought it on Amazon. Used hardcover. http://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Japanese-Maples-Peter-Adams/dp/0881928097/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425446690&sr=8-1&keywords=bonsai+with+japanese+maples I browsed through the pages and it looks great. I'm actually going to give it to my friend. He has two 4 year old and really good looking Japanese Maples. He's my tree service buddy and basically creates actual size bonsai for a living. I'm pretty much trying to shove him into this hobby...

You honestly don't need a book if you read the links on the sidebar and frequent a bonsai forum or two.

I only have one book, and while I didn't really need it, it was worth getting just for the closeups and great images.