The most current, useful information on growing Bonsai. Fresh, practical, definitive, comprehensive reference guide to the finest art of horticulture: growing miniature trees. Common sense bonsai answers separating myth from fact with depth and detail. Appropriate for both bonsai hobbyists and experienced practitioners. Featuring Walter Pall Bonsai. Contents: Foreword, by Walter Pall 7 Acknowledgements 9 Introduction: From the Plant's Point of View 11 Soil and Substrate Questions Out of Sight Is Not Out of Mind 17 Organic and Inorganic Materials 20 Physical Properties 26 Chemical Properties 32 Biological Properties 35 Understanding Fertilizers Essential Elements 38 Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers 40 Fertilize Flawlessly 43 Feeding 101 47 Fast or Slow 49 Liquid or Granular 52 Spring or Fall 54 By the Numbers 55 Fertilizers Are Supplements 62 Can't Always Blame Fertilizers 64 Understanding Biostimulants and Other Such Chemicals 635 Growing Superb Roots The Perfect Tree 73 Growing Superb Roots 73 Sink Your Roots 75 How Roots Respond 81 Root Pruning 86 The Root Collar 90 Getting Back to Roots 92 Keeping Branches Happy Branch Parts 97 Keeping Branches Happy 97 Switching Systems 101 Branch Responses 104 The Form of Trees 106 Branching Out 112 Pruning and Manipulating Stems What Is Pruning? 117 Responses to Branch Pruning 117 Before Making the Cut 119 That Was a Kind Cut 123 Prune Like a Pro 127 Wiring, Major Bending and Minor Tree Surgery 135 Tools of the Trade 139 Treat My Cuts 139 Keeping Foliage Happy Solar Power 144 How Foliage Responds 146 Budding Bonsai 151 Leave Our Leaves 152 They Shrunk My Leaves 157 Leaves a' Blazing 158 Responding to Potting Plants Grow in a Tightly Connected Systems 162 Why and When to Repot 162 Before Potting or Transplanting 166 During Potting 167 After Potting 170 Water, Light, and Temperature Water Wisely 175 Lighten Up 182 This Cold, Cold Pot 185 Extreme Heat 188 Bonsai Challenges Content with Our Natural Beauty 192 Why We Are So Small 192 How We Adapt 194 Looking Good 197 Pestering Pathogens 200 Good and Bad 202 Crawling Critters 203 Time to Recover 204 Walter Pall Gallery 209 Index 335 About the Author: Larry Morton, BS Ornamental Horticulture, is the former owner of Landscape Consultants, Inc, and Preferred Trees Nursery. He provides seasoned, proven, professional advice on how you can care for your miniature trees.