Beginner's Classes Overview
Beginning Classes (See Schedule)
The club offers Beginning Classes 3 times per year. Each class consists of 3 sessions that take place over 3 months.
- Winter Class: Sessions are in January, February, March
- Spring Class: Sessions are in April, June, July
- Summer Class: Sessions are in August, September, November
What Day and Time?
Beginning classes occur on the same day as the regular meeting (unless otherwise noted), which is generally the 2nd Sunday of the month. Check the schedule on the Calendar for the exact date of each month's meeting. Classes typically start at 8:30 am in room 104 at Casa del Prado in Balboa Park.
Provided to the Student:
Each student is given their own bonsai starter stock plant, shears, soil, wire, screen, bonsai pot, and "Bonsai Pocket Guide" by Jason Chan, owner of Eastern Leaf. Other goodies may be given at the discretion of the instructor.
The class is led by a qualified bonsai instructor along with several bonsai experts who provide additional hands-on help. Everyone in the class gets individual attention. Each student will finish the class after three sessions with a potted bonsai.
Session One
- Students select a tree from the stock offered for the class. The variety is generally based on the season and when it will be transplanted.
- Basic tools and how they are used
- Discussion of the 5 basic bonsai styles
- Discussion of plant growth and care, particularly as it applies to Bonsai, including watering
- Initial clean-up work of bonsai material, finding the line and the front of the tree, by
studying the trunk and roots - Finding main branches and discussing styling possibilities.
Session Two
- Proper pruning, thinning and pinching techniques.
- Styling the tree with wiring techniques
- Best time of year to wire and when to remove wire
Session Three
- Basic soil and proper soil mixes, good drainage and soil aeration
- Bonsai pots and how they are chosen.
- Repot the tree where you will be shown proper root preparation, potting techniques and securing the tree in the pot
How to Enroll
You must be club member and have annual dues up-to-date to enroll in classes. You can join online or at club meetings.
Two months before the start of the first session for that class, enrollment will open during the monthly meeting. At this meeting, members may sign up for the class. If enrolling in person, you will need to pay for the class with either a check or credit card. Your spot is not reserved until payment is received.
If there are still open positions after the meeting, members will be able to enroll through the SDBC website. A button will appear on the beginner's class schedule page which will allow you to enroll and make payment via PayPal.
Once the class enrollment is full, the enrollment button for the class will be removed from the website and you will need to wait until enrollment opens for the next class.
Sign up early as Beginning Classes are very popular and fill up quickly.
You must be club member and have annual dues up-to-date to enroll in classes. You can join online or at club meetings.
Two months before the start of the first session for that class, enrollment will open during the monthly meeting. At this meeting, members may sign up for the class. If enrolling in person, you will need to pay for the class with either a check or credit card. Your spot is not reserved until payment is received.
If there are still open positions after the meeting, members will be able to enroll through the SDBC website. A button will appear on the beginner's class schedule page which will allow you to enroll and make payment via PayPal.
Once the class enrollment is full, the enrollment button for the class will be removed from the website and you will need to wait until enrollment opens for the next class.
Sign up early as Beginning Classes are very popular and fill up quickly.