Here is the schedule of Introduction to Bonsai class topics for the next twelve months. The topics of Styling and Wiring will be offered twice a year. Otherwise, topics are offered once a year. Classes/workshops will be scheduled on the second Saturday after the Club’s monthly meeting except when that date conflicts with another event in the bonsai community. Most classes will include hands-on exercises created by the instructors for the given topic. Instructors of these classes are Michael Greenstein, Lynne O’Dell and Rita Curbow with assistance by Jenn Tan. Other members are welcome to assist with these efforts if interested in doing so.

Schedule:

January: Wiring led by Rita. Offered twice a year; see comments under August
February: Styling along with Repotting at potting parties.
March: Show Prep of club member's trees led by Rita and Lynne
April: No workshop because of annual show
May: Bonsai Garden Tour at Michael’s home. Different styles of trees will be pointed out and questions answered about tools, etc.
June: Pruning led by Rita and Lynne. Various tree types such as junipers, maples, etc., will be discussed. Students should read Pruning chapter in the ABS.
July: Summer Care led by Michael. Tips on dealing with pests, fertilizing, watering, protecting from sun/heat and wind will be covered. Michael will discuss pines as needed.
August: Wiring led by Rita. Will include handouts of drawings used by Mauro Stemburger in his January 2025 Golden Zoom presentation.
September: Styling led by Michael. Offered twice a year so students don’t have to wait an entire year for this.
October: Containers led by Rita. Note the GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous is usually held in October.
November: Soil / Potting / Winter Care, for example: No longer fertilizing all trees; some trees still growing; discuss trees that can be repotted and wired at this time of year.
December: No workshop during the Holiday Season

Time Schedule of Workshop

• 12:30PM - 1:30PM “Intro to Bonsai” Portion of Workshop

  For those new to bonsai or who want to brush up on basis bonsai techniques, special instruction will be offered starting at the beginning of the workshop and running for about an hour. After the special instruction/exercise, attendees will have the option to work on their trees with assistance from more advanced members until 4PM that day. If you don’t have a tree to bring that day, you can learn by observing others working on their trees.

• 1:30PM - 4PM Open to all members of the club

  Starting around 1:30PM, everyone will have the option to work on the trees they brought in that day. Michael, Lynne and Rita will assist members with their trees as needed.

Refreshments at the Workshop
Feel free to bring refreshments to the workshop to share with fellow members. Bring water for your personal use.

Details of the “Intro to Bonsai” Workshop Portion
Members should bring trees that can be worked on in that time of year. Club wire will be provided for beginners as needed. Some club tools will also be available but members will be encouraged to purchase their own set of tools eventually in order to work on their trees at home, etc.

Setup and Cleanup at the Workshop
The club kindly thanks everyone who can help with setup and/or cleanup at the end. Your assistance makes a world of difference for the organizers of these events.

ABS “Intro to Bonsai” Syllabus
If you have not attended an “Intro to Bonsai” workshop in the past and have not received a free copy of the ABS Syllabus being used, please remind Michael Greenstein you need a copy. Note that you must be a Kusamura member to participate in these workshops.

For those curious, ABS Syllabus refers to "Introduction to Bonsai: A Course Syllabus" by Thomas L. Zane of the American Bonsai Society.