Newbie advice on planting and books

[quodlibet_ens]

Hi all,

I've been admiring the art of bonsai for a long time, but have only been practicing the art for a short time, around 6 months or so.

I have some River Sheoak (Casuarina Cunninghamiana) in tube stock and I was wanting to know which is the best approach to starting off. Should I let the tube stock grow for a few years, or is it completely fine to plant in bonsai pots and re-pot as they grow? I have 7 plants and looking to train them as a landscape.

Also, would you have any recommendations for good books on bonsai, something with nice photography as good instructions on the various aspects of the art.

Cheers,
Nathan.

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[NAHamilton]

I found the Robert Stevens books to be very helpful in terms of a broader understanding of design. They have really good gallery pages in them also.

As far as the tube stock goes they will grow much quicker in larger pots than bonsai pots. I'd vote potting one into a bonsai pot so you've had a go and you have something to play with and let the others grow on.

Cheers,
Nigel

[Jason]

Robert Steven's books are great, they can get pretty deep though, but very thought provoking

I'd also suggest Dorothy Koreshoff's books, as they are written for Australian climates and are very easy to follow

[delisea]

For a step by step introduction with great photos I would suggest Peter Warrens book. He did an apprenticeship in Japan, but is based in the UK. He has a small section on Casuarina in the book.
https://penguin.com.au/books/bonsai-9781409344087

For inspiration check out
"Four Seasons of Bonsai" by Kyuzo Murata
My favourite bonsai book.

[quodlibet_ens]

As far as the tube stock goes they will grow much quicker in larger pots than bonsai pots. I'd vote potting one into a bonsai pot so you've had a go and you have something to play with and let the others grow on.

I think I'll give your advice a go!

I have a landscape of (5) Japanese maples that was given to me as a Father's Day present, and an olive tree in a 30cm plastic pot at the moment that I'm training as well. I also have cuttings from my Wollemi Pine, plum, nectarine and peach trees that I will eventually train as bonsai. These coupled with the Sheoak will give me a nice mixture of plants to play with.



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[quodlibet_ens]

For a step by step introduction with great photos I would suggest Peter Warrens book. He did an apprenticeship in Japan, but is based in the UK. He has a small section on Casuarina in the book.
https://penguin.com.au/books/bonsai-9781409344087

For inspiration check out
"Four Seasons of Bonsai" by Kyuzo Murata
My favourite bonsai book.

These are some great suggestions, along with Jason's and Nigel's. I have some money to spend on books thanks to a PhD scholarship, so I might throw them into my next books purchase.

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[because]

Thank you for the info
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