About SDBC
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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
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