Peter Chan - Herons Bonsai...

I've decided that I need to go on a bit of a pilgrimage when the weather is fine and the time available. The trip will be my first to a proper Bonsai nursery - Peter Chans in fact! The trip shouldn't be more than an hour or two each way and I have a friend who's teaching at a boarding school not too far away so if I manage to make it before the end of term, will try and catch him for a drink or two.

Herons Bonsai Nursery looks great! Seven and a half acres of Bonsai Goodness... http://www.herons.co.uk/ Will be sure to take plenty of photos! I'm sure most of the trees are going to be stunning!

And Book #3...

The third and final book that was delivered is also by Peter Chan - Bonsai Masterclass. Apologies in advance for the quality of the picture, lighting was terrible when I had the chance to take a photo.

Seems to be a much more in-depth look at bonsai and is my first hardcover book on Bonsai. Haven't opened it yet and will wait to do so, too much to read already and this seems to be a great one for once I've fully grasped the basics... As you can probably tell - a bit of a fan of Peter Chan

Book #2...

The second book that got delivered is another DK publication 101 essential tips...

This is a quick and simple read - basically splitting all the techniques, tree types, etc. into manageble chunks. Something to open and read the first thing you see... Again, full review to follow.

Another Few Books...

Over the last week, though busy with the new job, I've managed to have a quick flick through several new books that were delivered recently. The first one was is Choosing and Growing Bonsai by Peter Chan...

On first glance it appears to be a much more in-depth mini-encyclopedia of Bonsai - split into chapters based on foliage and placement - Outdoor Decidous, Outdoor Coniferous and Indoor. Along with some more information on maintenance and care - something I haven't yet looked at.

An in-depth review of this one will come in a couple of weeks - very easy reading quite like Bonsai Secrets (also by Peter Chan) which I will be reviewing later this week.

New Template...

After a tough end of week, I've decided to get back into attempting daily updates, regardless of how banal they might me... So here's the one to today...

Modified the template to make the blog a bit more... me I guess... Hope you like.

Forgot Where I Found This...

but looking around the web for more inspiration of interesting-looking natural trees, I came across the below picture... Not sure quite what to think - a Bonsai grown to look like this would be... highly unusual to say the least...

Halfway Point...

Roughly half a month has passed since I started the Cold Stratification of most of the seeds that are yet to be planted, and the Common Larch needs a month! I will be away for the weekend after next, but I think the seeds will be fine with another week or so in the fridge... Looking forward to getting more seeds in the ground.

By then the Black Locust Tree seedlings should be ready to be transplanted into larger individual pots so that should free up 6 spots in the seed trays - more than adequate for the seeds to be planted.