Educational Recommendations
Bonsai Societies
Join your nearest club or society! Even if you can’t attend meetings, even if you can’t attend shows, just join! Bonsai is an ‘independent’ activity, but an individual’s success relies heavily on the community for:
- Sharing of knowledge and experiences
Overcoming obstacles like local weather, disease, fungus, insects, etc. - Discussing aesthetics and design, or simply learning how to wire and prune
Identifying trustworthy sources for material and supplies - Meeting your next mentor, or becoming a mentor
- Finding a friend who can water your trees when you’re away or help repot that heavy tree
A bonsai hobbyist without a society, club, or community learns at a much slower rate, and at a higher cost
Online Courses, Resources, Blogs, & Forums
Bonsai Empire – High quality courses are available from beginner to advanced levels.
Bonsai-U – An education opportunity not to be missed, with video tutorials and invaluable Q&A sessions offered by bonsai professional Bjorn Bjorholm of Eisei-en.
Bonsai Mirai – Ryan Neil's expert teaching and contributions to the bonsai lexicon are critical for the advanced learner. Check out these two free samples:
Spring Fundamentals & Fall Physiology
Bonsai Tonight – A must-follow blog by Jonas Dupuich with regular posts that touch on all topics related to bonsai with clarity and precision.
Crataegus – Michael Hagedorn’s blog is another obligatory read! Learn, discover, but also simply enjoy a moment while traveling through Michael’s mind and thought process.
Japanese Bonsai Pots Blog – This is an excellent place to get acquainted with Japanese Bonsai pottery and learn from Michael Ryan Bell about their history, shapes, colors, and makers!
Facebook – With a quick search, you will likely find a Facebook group associated with your local society, or maybe one for your city or province.
Bonsainut – This is a great place to get familiar with the language of bonsai and explore, ask questions, or just think out loud about all of the various topics and sub-topics that make up the multifaceted and all-encompassing world of bonsai.
Books & Magazines
Overview of Bonsai
- The Little Book of Bonsai – Jonas Dupuich
- The Essential Bonsai Book - Jonas Dupuich
- Bonsai Heresy – Michael Hagedorn
- Principles of Bonsai Design – David De Groot
- International Bonsai Magazine – William Valavanis
- The Ultimate Bonsai Handbook - Yukio Hirose
Books that address species, varieties, or types
- Bonsai with Maples – Peter Adams
- Bonsai Maples – Andrea Meriggioli (read Adams’ Bonsai With Maples first)
- The Art of Flowering Bonsai – Peter Adams
- Bonsai Today Master Series: Junipers
- Bonsai Today Master Series: Pines
Propagation
- The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation – Dirr and Heuser
Youtube
- Bonsai Empire
- Bonsai Mirai – Ryan Neil
- Eisei-En – Bjorn Bjorholm
- Rakuyo - Andrew Robson
- Saruyama Bonsai – Peter Warren
- Bonsai-Q
- Wabi Channel
- Gak Bonsai
- Bonsai Club Tokyo
- Bonsai Channel
Podcasts
- Bonsai Mirai: Asymmetry – Ryan Neil
- Bonsai Wire – Jonas Dupuich, Michael Hagedorn, Andrew Robson
- Black Pondo - Jeremiah Lee
- Bonsai Builders Podcast - Addison Galambos
- Little Things for Bonsai People - Evan Pardue, Mike Lane, Carmen Leskoviansky
- Bonsai Time Podcast - Ryan Huston, Kevin Faris