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Bonsai with Tropicals: Some Things I Learned Along the Way

by Mary C. Miller

88 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); illustrated; catalogue #04-1220; ISBN 1-4120-3393-4; US$14.95, C$18.69, EUR12.15, £8.42

This is not another how-to-do bonsai book in the usual sense. The articles, bits and pieces are interesting, fun and even insightful.

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About the Book      About the Author     Excerpts     Catalogue Information

About the Book

Lessons in Learning and Teaching... Growing Aspects... Problems and Pests... and Bonsai Stories are a few of the chapters in this book. Many of the author's suggestions are more practical than traditional. She tells where to find bargain tools and suggests simple objects to substitute for more elaborate ones. Mary also included an exceptional list of her favorite reference books.

Mary Miller's clear and unique style of teaching comes through in her writing. Throughout the book her easy humor compliments her zeal for bonsai.

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About the Author

Bonsai is a passion for Mary Miller. Her familiarity with bonsai (as both hobby and business) has given her many years of hands-on experience. This experience is obvious when she speaks. She has a talent for simplifying explanations of techniques and presents a 'teaching story' which entertains. Many people have asked her to "put it in a book". Bonsai with Tropicals, Some Things I Learned Along the Way is that book.

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Excerpts

They’re My Weeds

If you've had many bonsai, you've had many weeds. Many years ago I was walking through a fellow hobbyists' collection; without a thought I reached to pull a single weed. "No!" he shouted. I was totally embarrassed. He informed me the little weed was a barometer. It told him when to water that particular plant. I got over the embarrassment and now have a few barometers myself. Actually I have quite a few barometers, especially in summer.

Easy Tropicals to Grow Indoors

Ficus spp. have long been used as house plants. They thrive best in high light, however many growers just keep them by a window. The many Ficus species used for bonsai present a wide choice. Ficus nerifolia's small leaves make it a natural choice. Supplemental light will add to their thriving more than surviving. For flowers indoors, the dwarf powder puff (Calliandra emarginata) is a jewel. Joe Samuels came to the conclusion the dwarf powder puff is one of the best indoor subjects. Its only bonsai fault is the trunk rarely attains great diameter. Pithecellobium tortum, Brazilian raintree, is another excellent tree for indoors. Once almost impossible to find, now many bonsai nurseries carry them.

Bonsai People

Not everyone who enjoys bonsai is challenged to create the perfect tree. There are many hobbyists with a few trees (or many) who are happy to grow and experiment with them. It is not their goal to have a masterpiece; simply to take pleasure in shaping and keeping them alive. Others prefer to start everything themselves either from seeds, cuttings or nursery stock. I was in this category for many years, then I realized I was missing out on mature material (even if it was begun by someone else!) Many collectors prefer to buy trees already created by well-known artists (much the same as other art forms). Some personally care for them; others hire experienced bonsai artists to maintain them. Some have no interest in the how, what, when or where... only the beauty.

"Bonsai people" come from all walks of life and bring with them distinct experiences, thoughts, interests and goals. Some may not even own a tree, but simply enjoy the camaraderie of those who do. Others of us are determined to have perfect trees and live lives of never being quite satisfied.

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Catalogue Information

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