Secret Techniques of Bonsai

Nigel Black

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I hope I didn't butcher the title. I had an opportunity to
look through this book at a retail chain type bookstore
(read: Hell) and was somewhat impressed. Admittedly,
it goes over some of the things that have been repeated ad infinitum
but it had plenty of new and interesting ideas I hadn't seen elsewhere.
It also mentioned something I learned quite by accident a few years ago.
That being that plants grown in *pure* granite sand develop PROFUSE
root systems covered in root hairs. The one thing that I had NEVER seen
anywhere else was a brief section on sharpening bonsai tools. I have learned
a new way to sharpen concave cutters that is easier, safer and more effective.
I intend to go back and buy it when I have a few spare bucks.

Apparently it is by the people over at Masakuni tools, not that this matters but it
explains the afore mentioned section and the emphasis laid on tools throughout the book.

worth checking out I think.

Nigel
 

BrianBay9

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Thanks Nigel. One rarely hears of a book that does more than cover the same old things.

Brian
 

Bonsai Nut

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The author of this book is the same guy we are bashing in our other thread about "bad bonsai books" for his earlier title "Bonsai with American Trees" :)
 

Tachigi

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There are two sides to every coin. I guess it depends on your perspective.
 

Nigel Black

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Yes indeed he is. I don't find it difficult to understand how he could have two books, one being a possible 'hit' and the other an apparent 'miss'. Humans being inherently imperfect creates imperfect societies, imperfect organizations which create imperfect prodcts etc. Then there's the subjectivity factor. I'll bet some really like "Bonsai with American Trees."

Silly example - I am a huge fan of the rock band Rush. I have everything they have recorded
except this one CD. I bought and gotten rid of it twice. For some reason it just seems to suck.

Nigel
 
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