Part art, part horticulture, a properly shaped, trained, and potted bonsai becomes more beautiful with age. Covering every key technique and style, plus cultivation, maintenance, and display, these right-from-the-beginning basics go from root to leaf to bud—the entire lifecycle of a tree. In large, close-up photos, see how they grow, and how to buy and propagate them from seed or cutting. Trim, shape with wire, repot, root prune, and do summer pinching. Most spectacular are the displays, shown in detailed pictures, with information on preparing them, including choosing a pot. Successfully nurture a micro-forest on a slab; a simple, but wonderfully effective raft planting; a dramatic tree with its roots wrapped around a rock; and other breathtaking bonsai.
