When writing your own review for the Journal use the "bold" headings below to help you organize your information. If you can attach one or more graphics with your review, so much the better for all.
Publishing Data:
Please get the following data from the book/video itself.
Title:Ficus: The Exotic Bonsai
Sub Title (if any):
Author/Editor:
Jerry Meislik
Publisher (usually on back of title page):
Devonshire Gardens Limited
Year of Publication (usually on backof title page):
2004 - a limited printing of only 2000 copies
ISBN Number (usually on backof title page):
ISBN 0-9749524-0-0
Recommendation & Impression:
I recommend this book to bonsaists who are interested in tropical bonsai, as well as those individuals who wish to have detailed, illustrated instructions for trying out various bonsai techniques. Jerry Meislik presents his knowledge of the ficus in a clear and straight forward manner. The book contains ample colour illustrations of trees and techniques that apply not only to this species, but, in many cases, to all bonsai. In that sense this book is of value to all bonsaists, not only those interested in tropical trees.
Content & Summary:
Did you know that over 800 individual species of figs have been identified? I certainly didn't!
The book begins with a general introduction to the fig family, particularly as it is found in nature. He then deals with figs indoors, the aesthetics of the family, techniques for improving and growing figs, and how to prepare one's trees for display in a show such as the one we just recently had.
Commentary:
Each of these areas is dealt with in adequate detail and amply illustrated. The author makes you want to try some of his recommendations on your own trees.
In the section on how to grow figs indoors, the author discusses the importance of light, the types of artificial, indoor lighting available, the need for proper ventilation, and how to acclimatize ones' trees to the outdoors, when moving them there for the summer.
With respect to the general care of these trees, Mr. Meislik discusses, soil, moisture, temperature, humidity and potting. Each section provides adequate detail without becoming tedious.
The section on problems with indoor trees, deals with diseases and pests, as well as first aid treatments for many common problems. Much of the information is relevant to all trees, not just the fig family.
Figs present their own unique characteristics, namely their inclination in tropical climates to develop numerous aerial roots, to sprout on the trunks of other trees, and to "strangle" them. The author explains how these developments occur in nature and illustrates how some of these effects can also be achieved with the trees in our collections.
Styling figs presents some unique challenges. In our Canadian climate the tendency is to train a fig the way we would train any other formal or informal tree. Jerry Meislik devotes a good deal of space to creating designs that are particularly suited to this variety. In his book you can discover how to create a banyan tree, a fused tree, an epiphytic style of fig, or a root over rock design. In each case enough information is presented to allow you to "get started" with one of these styles.
The only shortcoming I found in the book is in the "monographs on selected figs" section. The author identifies a number of varieties that are particularly suitable for bonsai and gives the reader good detail about the pros and cons of that variety. Unfortunately, photographs of each variety are lacking; the assumption seems to be that the reader will know the tree from its scientific name alone. True for some of us, but certainly not all of us. Pictures would have been nice here!
So, once again, I think the book is an excellent addition to our library and will no doubt generate interest in the fig family. As we put our trees to bed in our gardens for the winter, what better time to explore the world of tropical bonsai, particularly that of the fig.