Bonsai Northwest Newsletter

Beginning Bonsai Workshop

3/13/2010 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 $85.00 and includes all items needed to create your own first bonsai.

Bonsai 101

April 24. BONSAI 101 Learn the basics of choosing material, pruning, wiring and re potting one of the upright styles. This is a great opportunity to get an overview of this fascinating art form. All materials are included. Cost $85. Limited to 8 students.

CASCADE STYLE

May 1. Cascade style. Using Blue Atlas cedars, we will create the dynamic look of a tree clinging to a mountain side, an upright tree driven downward by the forces of Mother Nature. This bonsai will be potted in a tall narrow container. Wiring, shaping, pruning and potting will be done in class. All materials are included. Limited to 10 students. Cost $85.00

Japanese Soils

Japanese soils, Akadama, med.and small, hard fired, $24.00 per bag, Kanuma, med. and small, $24.00 per bag, Kiryu, $24.00 and Clay King, $28.00 per bag.

Maple Forest

March 20th. Maple Forest. Using trees of various sizes, a unique forest will grow before you eyes. Arranging these trees in a shallow container is a delightful experience. Cost $95. All materials are included. Limited to 10 students.

Raft Style

April 10th. In this class we lay a tree on it's side, the branches on the upward side are wired and become a forest, those on the downward are cut off. The planting is placed in a shallow container. Eventually the root ball is removed and a forest is created. All materials are included. Cost $85.00. Limited to 10 students.

Root over Rock

March 6. Root over rock. One of the most dramatic styles of bonsai. We will create two specimens, one a Japanese Maple and the other a Japanese black pine. All materials included for the two plantings. Limited to 10 students, Cost $65.

Vertical Slab planting

April 17. In this class students will create a natural miniature landscape using a vertical stone slab formation which has already been constructed. Multiple plants are used and the technique of using clay "muck" and moss to hold the composition together is taught. All materials are provided, slabs, trees, ground cover, muck and moss. Cost: $95.00 1:30 to 4:00 pm Limited to 10 students.

Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Collection

News Flash. The Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Collection will be open for one weekend only, May 8&9, Mothers Day Weekend. This is part of the Buds & Blooms Spring Garden Festival in Federal Way. For more information go to www.visitfw.org

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 February 20th, 2010 Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Collection
• Saturday February 20th, 2010 Japanese Soils
• Saturday March 6th, 2010 Root over Rock
• Saturday March 13th, 2010 Beginning Bonsai Workshop
• Saturday March 20th, 2010 Maple Forest
• Saturday April 3rd, 2010 Beginning Bonsai Workshop
• Saturday April 10th, 2010 Raft Style
• Saturday April 17th, 2010 Vertical Slab planting
• Saturday April 24th, 2010 Bonsai 101
• Saturday May 1st, 2010 CASCADE STYLE
• Saturday May 15th, 2010 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.)