San Diego Bonsai Club
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About SDBC

PictureClick for information about the club logo
The San Diego Bonsai Club is one of the oldest clubs in the state of California. It was founded in 1965 as a non-profit California 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to provide our members with a forum to exchange information, learn, teach, and promote the art of bonsai through lectures, classes, workshops, demonstrations, and field trips. 

Bonsai Collections
As part of our goal of creating bonsai awareness and sharing the beauty of the art, the San Diego Bonsai Club developed and maintains a beautiful Bonsai Pavilion and bonsai collection at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park as well as a bonsai collection at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. A SDBC member is the volunteer curator for each collection.

Club Meetings
Meetings are held at the Casa del Prado building in Balboa Park generally on the second Sunday of each month at 10:30 AM except in May and October.  In May, the club meets at the San Diego Safari Park for a program and picnic, and in October, the club meets fat Lake Poway for a picnic and fundraiser auction.  All meetings are kept brief so the club members can participate in the many varied programs on each month's calendar. Demonstrations by visiting bonsai masters, lectures, critiques, and workshops cover subjects such as the styling of trees, potting, transplanting, wiring, fertilizing, soil composition, insect control, and water management. The SDBC also maintains a monthly sales table at the meetings for the convenience of members which includes tools, books. and bonsai accessories.

Classes
Classes at the beginning and intermediate levels are offered throughout the year and begin prior to club meetings at 8:30AM.  Classes may be scheduled following the meeting.  

The Bonsai Library is maintained in Room 104 at Casa del Prado.  The library includes bonsai material such as videos, books, periodicals, magazines, pamphlets, and articles is owned by SDBC.  Club members may check out material at no cost.  The library is generally open prior to the start of meetings.  

Field Trips are included in each year's calendar for members to view other bonsai collections, participate in bonsai programs, visit forest habitats, and shop for bonsai stock and materials.

Spring & Fall Bonsai Shows are sponsored by the club in April and September, during which members exhibit their bonsai for viewing by the public. Special featured programs are held on both the Saturday and Sunday during the show.  Members also have the opportunity to sell bonsai, bonsai stock, bonsai pots, and other accessories during show hours.  The shows and sales are open to the public.

Grants and Scholarships are offered annually to members through SDBC's Mas Takanashi Education Scholarship Program. Candidates receive one-on-one training with club bonsai teachers to further advance their bonsai knowledge with the goal of expanding the club's cadre of teachers. Under the auspices of the Golden State Bonsai Federation, members are also afforded additional scholarship opportunities.

Associations
The San Diego Bonsai Club is a member of the Golden State Bonsai Federation, the Japanese Friendship Garden, American Bonsai Society, Bonsai Clubs International, and the San Diego Botanical Association. The club has liaison relationships with the San Diego Zoological Association/Safari Park and the Del Mar Fair. Through the Golden State Bonsai Federation, the San Diego Bonsai Club has insurance protection for the organization and its members. The Board officers are covered by liability insurance.


See also: Club History

Updated: March 7, 2023
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All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • Activities
    • Next Meeting
    • 2023 Calendar
    • 2023 Spring Show
    • Bonsai-A-Thon
    • Bonsai Show Maps
  • Education
    • About SDBC Education
    • Beginner's Classes Overview
    • Beginner's Class Schedule
    • Workshops & Skills Classes
    • Study Groups >
      • Shohin Study Group
      • All About Bonsai Study Group
      • Ficus Study Group
    • Private Lessons
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Club Forms
    • Club Library
    • Vendors
    • Photos >
      • 2020 Winter Silhouettes
      • 2018 Fall Show
      • 2018 SD County Fair
      • Spring 2018 Show
      • 2018 Cal Shohin Seminar
      • GSBF Convention #40
      • 2017 Fall Show
      • 2017 Spring Show
      • 2016 Fall Show
      • 2016 Nisei Week Trip
      • 2016 Spring Show
      • 2016 Bonsai-A-Thon
      • 2016 Winter Silhouettes
      • 2015 Fall Show Photos
      • 2015 Nisei Week Trip
      • Bonsai Stolen from San Gabriel Nursery
      • 2015 Spring Show
      • 2015 Bonsai-A-Thon
      • 2014 Fall Show
      • 2014 Nisei Week Trip
      • 2014 July Bus Trip
      • 2014 Spring Show
      • 2014 Bonsai-A-Thon
      • 2014 Winter Silhouettes
      • 2013 Fall Show
      • 2013 Spring Show
    • Articles >
      • Lime Sulfur
      • Bougainvillea Bonsai
      • Soil: It's What Goes in the Pot
      • 'Lyn's Bonsai Soil Mix
      • Back-Budding
      • REBS 2014 Show
      • 2014 Boxwood Dig
      • Club History
      • Club Logo
      • First Show May 1966
    • Video >
      • 2019-2021 Videos
      • 2015-2018 Videos
      • Video
      • More Video
  • Membership
    • Membership Form
    • Membership Benefits
    • Volunteer
  • Safari Park Bonsai Pavilion
    • Overview and History
    • Bonsai Pavilion Trees
    • Stolen Bonsai
  • Looking Back
    • Time Traveler
    • Remembering... >
      • Remembering Big Dave Rochester
      • Remembering Marty Mann
      • Remembering Ko Tsushima
      • Remembering Harry Hirao
      • Remembering Bob Meyer
  • About
    • Overview of Club
    • By-Laws
    • Past Presidents
  • Contact