WELCOME

Welcome to the San Diego Bonsai Club. We are a group of people who have developed an appreciation and great enthusiasm for the ancient art of bonsai design and care. Our club is open to anyone who shares this enthusiasm or just wants to try their hand at it. Feel free to explore this site to get a sense of why the art and craft of bonsai continues to attract novices and masters alike.

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​My Favorite Tree

Part of the fun that comes with joining the San Diego Bonsai Club is the chance show your trees to other enthusiastic members. Until we can again start meeting, we are putting your trees in this virtual display. Send in a picture and short story for your tree and we will collect them here. NO PRESSURE. This is not your best tree or your worst tree, necessarily, just your current favorite. Enjoy.

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​The Bonsai Wire

SDBC publishes a monthly newsletter. Use the shortcut to get to the current issue and look under the Resources menu to find earlier issues as well.

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World Bonsai Day

The World Bonsai Friendship Federation established this international day of celebration to pay homage to bonsai Master Saburo Kato's mission to promote peace and friendship through the art of bonsai. The day is celebrated on the second Saturday of May each year, which this year is May 8th!

Check out the latest repotting video:
If you have begun to build a collection of bonsai, then you know that repotting is a fundamental skill that you will need to nurture your trees. Bob Hale takes us through the process in the club's latest video.

Holiday Bonsai Decorating Contest Results:
Thanks to everyone who entered into and supported our Holiday Bonsai Decorating Contest. In addition to the fabulous cash prizes, the club offers our congratulations to the winners and all the contestants.
1st Prize: Bountiful
Cathy Edgar's juniper provides us with a reminder of the classic joy and beauty of the season.
2nd Prize: Stately
Mark Walters' forest trio tricks and delights the eye.
3rd Prize: Show-Off
Keith Carter's ficus tempts us with the season's delights. 

Trees have been transformed

​Holiday Bonsai Decorating Contest

The Bonsai Wire Wins Prize

Our own newsletter, The Bonsai Wire, was awarded second place in the 2020 GSBF Newsletter competition. Congratulations to the editor and all the members who provided the content. What did we win besides fame and glory? Check it out here in their flyer. As always, any Bonsai Wire can be found here.

​August Guest Speaker
Click in speaker box to enter

Guest Speaker: Neil Auwarter
Topic: Japanese Friendship Garden

​This month Neil takes us on a tour of the Bonsai collection in the Japanese Friendship Garden at Balboa Park. This is a collection of trees maintained by the Sand Diego Bonsai Club where Neil serves as curator with his team of volunteers. You may begin his presentation as a tourist, but be prepared to learn a few things as Neil gets into the details of bonsai horticulture and this fine collection of bonsai.

June Guest Speaker
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Guest Speaker: Fred Miyahara
Topic: Japanese Black Pine De-candeling
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This month is our first live recording of a speaker in lieu of the speakers we would normally have at our meetings. Fred Miyahara is a recognized expert on all aspects of Japanese Black Pines including design and maintenance. This month he explains the process of removing the candles. This is one of the techniques for encouraging  growth and promoting horizontal development of your tree. Fred is a lifetime member of the San Diego Bonsai Club and a former curator at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.

Quick Note for Members

Were you aware that one of the perks of being a member of the San Diego Bonsai Club is having access to the knowledge of more senior members? If you are a member, one of the educational benefits is being able to arrange for private one-on-one or small group lessons with a club expert.
Check it out here.

Not a Member?

Interested in becoming a member? There are several benefits to joining the San Diego Bonsai Club.

2020 Virtual Spring Show
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​The pandemic forced our show to go virtual last year. But the ancient art of bonsai teaches patience and perseverance. Through this gate you will find trees that have lived through two world wars and the pandemic of 1918. They are a testament to the resilience of nature and of man. 

Current Activities

  • ​Due to the current conditions, all club meetings are canceled until further notice. 
  • Board meeting are being held via zoom.
  • ​Letter from club president

Great bonsai in SD

Buy bonsai and supplies
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GSBF has converted Golden Statements to a free digital download. They are available on the GSBF web site.
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to San Diego Bonsai Club whenever you shop on AmazonSmile and you designate the club.