Morton, L: Modern Bonsai Practice

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