Bonsai Northwest Newsletter

Beginning Bonsai Workshop

Oct 25 Learn the basics of bonsai. This workshop will teach you the informal upright style of shaping as well as wiring, re-potting, proper pot placement, use of proper tools, winter care and pest prevention techniques. This workshop costs $75.00 and includes all items needed to complete a finished tree. Limited to 8 students.

Re-Potting Workshop- conifers

Oct 4 Bring in one of your own conifer bonsai for repotting, Be sure your tree is healthy and pruned. Trees should be under 40 inches. You will learn the technique of repotting, including choice of pot, position of tree and soil composition. Soil, screen and tie in wire will be provided. $38.00

Re-Style Workshop- conifers

Sept 13 Bring in one of your conifer Bonsai that has gotten a little wild and wooly. We will focus on Japanese Black and White pines. We will teach you how to get it back into shape and keep it that way. Wiring and pruning of branches and trunk. Tree must be smaller than 36". This workshop is only $35.00. Bring your own tools if you have them, wire will not be provided. There will be no repotting during this class.

Slab planting

Oct 11 In this class students will create a natural miniature landscape on stone slab. Multiple plants are used and the technique of creating a clay muck wall are taught. All materials are provided, trees, ground cover, rocks, muck and moss. Cost: $75.00 1:30 to 4:00 pm Limited to 8 students.

Contact us for questions 206-242-8244

Recommended Reading

There are many good bonsai books out there (and a few not so good ones). This quarter we would like to make sure you are all familiar with a book written by David De Groot. David is the curator of the Weyerhaeuser Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection and has been teaching bonsai for over 25 years. David's book, Basic Bonsai Design, is easy to read and very informative.

David discusses the most important aspects of bonsai. From choosing suitable plant material to artistic principles of design for a tree in training. He covers things to look for in selecting an appropriate pot to visual design elements of a mature tree. Between the use of beautiful photos and excellent drawings, David is able to convey the various and many concepts clearly and thoroughly.

If you are a beginner and would like to learn the concept of design we highly recommend this book. It is available at the shop along with many other good books.

If you are looking for a good bonsai book that will help you with basic care, we recommend Harry Tomlinson's RD Home Handbook: Bonsai. This is a small paperback version of his book and is a concise way to get the basics of general maintenance and care. The center portion of the book lists out the most common trees used and their general conditions needed for health.

Calendar of Events

WORKSHOPS are on Saturdays from 1:30 to 3:30. They are a one day intensive geared to the beginner covering a specific topic. They are a great introduction to bonsai for those with little or no experience.

CLASSES are on either Tuesday or Thursday evening from 7 to 9 once a week for five weeks. Classes are geared towards the beginner who knows they really want to learn the ins and outs of bonsai. Students will receive 10 hours of hands on training covering three different styles of bonsai.

• Saturday September 13th, 2008 Re-Style Workshop- conifers
• Saturday September 27th, 2008 Beginning Bonsai Workshop
• Saturday October 4th, 2008 Re-Potting Workshop- conifers
• Saturday October 11th, 2008 Slab planting
• Saturday October 25th, 2008 Beginning Bonsai Workshop

You may wish to look at the calendar to review all of the planned activities at Bonsai Northwest.

Bonsai Northwest, 5021 S. 144th Street, Tukwila WA, 98168 Phone: 206-242-8244 Open Wed.-Sat. 10:00-5:00, Sunday 11:00-4:00 (Closed Mon. & Tues.)