Class Schedule

With a focus on care and maintenance, learn all the basics of bonsai design. Select a tree, learn how to prune, transplant, landscape with rocks, and discover what the art of bonsai is all about as you create your very own bonsai to take home. This class includes everything you need!

Materials provided
Cost: $75.00

DATES
Bonsai 1 Introduction to Bonsai – February 8, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (10 openings)
Bonsai 1 Introduction to Bonsai – March 7, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)
Bonsai 1 Introduction to Bonsai – April 4, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)
Bonsai 1 Introduction to Bonsai – May 2, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)
Bonsai 1 Introduction to Bonsai – June 6, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (13 openings)
Bonsai 1 Introduction to Bonsai – August 1, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)
Bonsai 1 Introduction to Bonsai – September 5, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)
Bonsai 1 Introduction to Bonsai – October 3, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)

All beautiful bonsai need care and refinement. In fact, one could say that “the Art of Bonsai is simply Pruning, wiring and sculpting trees”. While these techniques on the surface are simple enough to learn, the levels of skill required in becoming a bonsai artist requires regular practice of these very basic techniques. This class will cover maintenance pruning, branch selection, basic wiring, and how to bend branches to create pleasing classical shapes and beautiful bonsai. This class includes a tree and all the material needed for students to create a well designed classically trained bonsai.

Materials provided
Cost: $75.00

DATES
Bonsai 2 Pruning Wiring and Styling – February 9, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)
Bonsai 2 Pruning, Wiring and Styling – March 15, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)
Bonsai 2 Pruning, Wiring and Styling – April 26, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)
Bonsai 2 Pruning, Wiring and Styling – June 14, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (13 openings)
Bonsai 2 Pruning, Wiring and Styling – August 9, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)
Bonsai 2 Pruning, Wiring and Styling – October 18, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (10 openings)

(Prerequisite bonsai 2)
Specimen Bonsai are only cultivated through many hours of work and practice. In this class, we will cover more detailed structural pruning and better branch placement through more advanced wiring techniques. Students will use quality nursery stock and employ careful design assessment to begin study of classical Japanese style and aesthetic. Practice and repetition of the techniques learned in this course will elevate your skills to a greater understanding of the art. All material including a beautiful tree is included in the price of this class.

Materials provided
Cost: $75.00

DATES
Bonsai 3 Refinement and Principles of Design – June 27, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)
Bonsai 3 Refinement and Principles of Design – August 29, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)
Bonsai 3 Refinement and Principles of Design – October 31, 2020 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (14 openings)

Class for two: designed for those who want to discover this great hobby together. Spouses or friends, parents and kids, even grandparents and children have enjoyed this great bonsai experience together.

Each person learns the basics by creating a beautiful tropical bonsai individually, then, each pair collaborates to create one large tree together.

Make a gift to each other by joining forces and making bonsai!

Materials provided.
Make trees part of your relationship. One registration is for two people.
Cost: $185.00 (for two)

DATES
Yours Mine Ours: a class for two – February 15, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (6 openings)
Yours Mine Ours: a class for two – March 21, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (7 openings)
Yours Mine Ours: a class for two – April 25, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (7 openings)
Yours Mine Ours: a class for two – May 23, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (7 openings)
Yours Mine Ours: a class for two – June 20, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (7 openings)
Yours Mine Ours: a class for two – July 18, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (7 openings)
Yours Mine Ours: a class for two – September 19, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (7 openings)
Yours Mine Ours: a class for two – October 17, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (7 openings)

Specifically designed for students who are looking for an in depth beginner course taught from the ground up. Topics will include history, indoor and outdoor care, proper use of tools, transplanting, wiring, pruning, and everything needed to successfully grow in this hobby. We will break for lunch so feel free to bring your own or grab something from a nearby shop.

Everything is included in the cost of this class, and students will create and go home with a beautiful new bonsai tree.

Materials provided
Cost: $160.00

DATES
Fundamentals of Bonsai – March 28, 2020 10:00 am - 4:30 pm (5 openings)
Fundamentals of Bonsai – May 30, 2020 10:00 am - 4:30 pm (5 openings)
Fundamentals of Bonsai – August 22, 2020 10:00 am - 4:30 pm (5 openings)
Fundamentals of Bonsai – October 24, 2020 10:00 am - 4:30 pm (5 openings)

Bring in your bonsai tree and get started on one small project. Learn how to prune or re-pot or wire and style, or just come in to learn the basic seasonal care and maintenance.You decide the projects, learn the basics of bonsai with the tree you already have. Each student will have their own set of goals and each tree will be at a different stage of growth making this a great opportunity to learn from each other. Use of our tools, soil and wire is included in the price of this workshop.

Materials provided
Cost: $45.00

DATES
Beginners Workshop – April 19, 2020 10:30 am - 1:00 pm (10 openings)
Beginners Workshop – June 28, 2020 10:30 am - 1:00 pm (10 openings)
Beginners Workshop – September 20, 2020 10:30 am - 1:00 pm (10 openings)

Bring Your Own Bonsai and learn how to develop it through the seasons and over the years. The Workshop is limited to only 6 students per session. Students learn at their own pace, according to what their bonsai needs. Through personalized instruction and expert guidance, students will climb the next step in making beautiful healthy bonsai.

Materials not provided
Prerequsite of one or more of our Introduction to Bonsai Classes.
Cost: $65.00

DATES
Intermediate Workshop – February 1, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (10 openings)
Intermediate Workshop – May 30, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (10 openings)
Intermediate Workshop – August 15, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (10 openings)

Repotting Workshop (Cold Hardy Bonsai)

BEGINNER

These classes are perfectly timed with the season (January-April) for re-potting conifers and deciduous trees. The class will start with a demonstration and discussion on pruning roots, mixing soils and selecting a pot. Proper root pruning techniques will insure healthy recovery and vigorous new growth. Students will bring their own trees or re-pot trees that are here in winter storage ( two tree maximum per class). The use of our BW soil blend is available and included in the fee, however if students want to purchase custom imported soil mixes such as pumice or akadama, we will have them available for sale separately.

Materials provided
Cost: $45.00

DATES
Repotting Workshop (Cold Hardy Bonsai) – January 19, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (10 openings)
Repotting Workshop (Cold Hardy Bonsai) – February 16, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (10 openings)
Repotting Workshop (Cold Hardy Bonsai) – March 22, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (10 openings)

These classes are perfectly timed with the season ( April-September) for re-potting all Tropical indoor bonsai tees. The class will start with a demonstration and discussion on pruning roots, mixing soils and selecting a pot. Proper root pruning techniques will insure healthy recovery and vigorous new growth. Students will bring their own trees or purchase a new tree from our wide selection. ( two tree maximum per class). The use of our BW soil blend is available and included in the fee, however if students want to purchase custom imported soil mixes such as pumice or akadama, we will have them available for sale separately.

Materials provided
Cost: $45.00

DATES
Repotting Workshop (Indoor Tropical Bonsai) – May 31, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (10 openings)
Repotting Workshop (Indoor Tropical Bonsai) – June 21, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (10 openings)
Repotting Workshop (Indoor Tropical Bonsai) – July 19, 2020 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (10 openings)

The Shimpaku Juniper is one of the highest regarded trees for bonsai in Japan, known for its dark green foliage and small needle size, flexibility and hardiness. I have set aside an excellent group of these trees recently acquired from my winter buying trips. Learning how to grow Shimpaku Juniper is an important starting point to refining, designing and caring for cold hardy out door bonsai. Don’t miss this opportunity. Trees will be wired and styled but not transplanted.

Materials provided
Cost: $160

DATES
Shimpaku Juniper – February 29, 2020 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm (8 openings)

Working with what is possibly the ideal deciduous tree, students in this class will focus on deliberate design and on styling a tree with the future in mind. The trees will be thoroughly analyzed, pruned into a classic informal upright style, and potted to ensure both a healthy tree, and a beautiful one. With their exfoliating bark, tiny leaves, and powerful robust growth habit, no bonsai collection is complete without a Chinese Elm.

Materials provided
Cost: $160

DATES
Chinese Elm – April 18, 2020 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm (10 openings)

One-hour segments.
Come prepared with a challenging project. Students should talk with Michael about detailed goals and restyling projects before class so during the workshop we could maximize productivity. I am happy to work on any species of trees however my specialty is Juniper and Pine. Give me a call and set up a consultation. Looking forward to working with you.

Materials not provided
Challenging projects and transformations
Cost: $125

This class is ongoing. Email (info@bonsaiwest.com) or call us (978-486-3556) to set up a date and time.