San Diego Bonsai Club
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Beginner's Classes

Picture


About Beginning Classes (See Schedule)
3 Classes are offered to club members 3 times per year. Each class consists of 4 sessions. Beginners are encouraged to consider taking multiple classes to familiarize themselves with multiple tree types:
 
  • Class 1 Winter: Sessions are in January, February, March, June
  • Class 2 Spring: Sessions are in April, June, July, November
  • Class 3 Summer: Sessions are in August, September, December.

Session 4 for each class will be 3-4 months after the last  session for each class.  The date is determined by the variety of tree and 
other scheduling. This is an important session to help students with continuing  growth – continuing education as it were.  This is one of the keys to successful Bonsai growing.

What Day?
Classes will occur on the same day as the regular meeting which is generally the 2nd Sunday of the month.  Check the schedule on the home page for the exact date of each month's meeting.

Provided to the Student:
Bonsai Starter stock plant, shears, soil, wire, screen, bonsai pot and instruction.  Instruction for each class is in 3 sessions.  All this for $40; such a deal.  Other goodies may be given at the discretion of the teacher.

 Session One
  • The 5 basic bonsai styles
  • Plant material, variety chosen is generally based on the season and when it 
    will be transplanted.
  • Discuss plant growth and care particularly as it applies to Bonsai.
  • Initial clean-up work, finding the line and the front of the tree, by 
    studying the trunk and roots
  • Find main branches and discuss styling possibilities. Time permitting, do 
    the initial styling and wiring.

Session Two
  • Basic tools and how they are used.  
  • Proper pruning, thinning and pinching techniques.  
  • More on wiring techniques.  Continue wiring and styling the tree.

Session Three
  • Basic soil and proper soil mixes good drainage and soil aeration.
  • Bonsai pots and how they are chosen.
  • Pot up the tree where you are shown proper root preparation, potting techniques and securing the tree in the pot.

Session Four
Information for all aspects of your tree to give you hands-on guidance as it grows.


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, bring your checkbook as your spot is not reserved until payment is received. If there are still open positions after the meeting, 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 beginner's classes are very popular and fill up quickly. Currently no meetings or classes are being scheduled.
Updated: February 10, 2021
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  • Home
  • Activities
    • Next Meeting
    • 2020 Schedule
    • Show
  • Education
    • About SDBC Education
    • Beginner's Classes
    • Beginner's Class Schedule
    • Workshops & Skills Classes
    • Private Lessons
    • Just for Fun
  • Resources
    • Evaluation Card
    • Newsletter
    • 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
    • By-Laws
    • Club Library >
      • Books >
        • Show Books
      • DVDs
      • Periodicals
      • Beginner Recommendations
    • Vendors
    • Safari Park Bonsai Pavilion >
      • Bonsai Pavilion Trees
      • Pavilion Volunteer Workday 2014-11-01
      • Pavilion Volunteer Workday 2014-10-18
      • Pavilion Volunteer Workday 2014-06-07
    • 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
    • Remembering... >
      • Remembering Marty Mann
      • Remembering Ko Tsushima
      • Remembering Harry Hirao
      • Remembering Bob Meyer
      • Remembering Big Dave Rochester
    • Video >
      • 2019-2021 Videos
      • 2015-2018 Videos
      • Video
      • More Video
    • Past Presidents
    • Stolen Bonsai
  • Membership
    • Membership Form
    • Membership Benefits
    • Volunteer
  • Study Groups
    • Shohin Study Group
    • All About Bonsai Study Group
    • Ficus Study Group
    • Oak Study Group
  • About
  • Contact