Class Schedule > Bonsai West

Level: Beginner / Intermediate

Introduction to Bonsai

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!

Includes all materials needed to participate.
Cost: $95

DATES
Introduction to Bonsai - Juniper – September 30, 2023 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (0 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Juniper – September 30, 2023 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (0 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Juniper – October 7, 2023 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (0 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Tropical – October 14, 2023 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (4 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Juniper – October 14, 2023 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (0 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Juniper – October 21, 2023 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (9 openings)

Introduction to Bonsai 2

Expanding upon what was taught in Intro to Bonsai 1, this class will delve deeper into maintenance pruning, basic wiring, and how to bend branches to create pleasing classical shapes and beautiful bonsai.

Includes all materials.
Cost: $150
Introduction to Bonsai 2: Pruning & Wiring – October 1, 2023 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (4 openings)

If there are no available openings for your preferred class date, please call us during normal business hours or email us to get on a waiting list.

Beginner Workshop

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. In order to maximize the focus of the class, sessions are separated by project: choose between Pruning & Styling or Repotting.

Use of our tools, soil and wire is included in the price of this workshop.
Cost: $85

DATES
Beginner Workshop - Pruning & Styling – October 8, 2023 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (0 openings)

If there are no available openings for your preferred class date, please call us during normal business hours or email us to get on a waiting list.

Yours, Mine, Ours: A Class for Two

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: $250.00 (for two)

DATES
No events at this time.

Intermediate Workshop

Prerequisite: Introduction to Bonsai Class or equivalent.

Bring your own bonsai and learn how to develop it through the seasons and years with Zuma! The Intermediate Workshop is for students who wish to reach that next level in the art of bonsai. Every student participating in workshops are at different places in their bonsai journey. This enables you to learn not just from our instructor, but from other students as well!

Use of soil and tools are provided, but students are encouraged to purchase their own.
Cost: $135

DATES
Intermediate Workshop – October 13, 2023 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (5 openings)

If there are no available openings for your preferred class date, please call us during normal business hours or email us to get on a waiting list.

Koji and Gerald visit Bonsai West

We are honored to welcome esteemed bonsai artists Gerald and Koji for a weekend at Bonsai West! Please join us for expert perspectives on growing and cultivating Shimpaku Juniper and Japanese Black Pine with interactive lectures and advanced level workshops. Light refreshments will be served during our Evening with Koji. Click here for more information on the artists.

DATES
No events at this time.

If there are no available openings for your preferred class date, please call us during normal business hours or email us to get on a waiting list.

Private Lessons with Bonsai West Staff

If you are not able to attend any of our scheduled classes, we also offer private 1-on-1 lessons. Assignment of your instructor is dependent on the complexity of the project, which will be determined during scheduling with one of our associates. You may bring material that you have been growing at home, or purchase new material from our inventory. We are happy to work with you on any species of tree, as long as the timing is appropriate for the project in mind.

Plants, pots, soil and other materials are not included in price of class. Private lessons are limited to one participant.

BEGINNER (1-on-1)

A perfect option for those who want professional guidance with a simple project like repotting, basic/refined pruning, or basic wiring (1-2 branches). Questions on general care or other trees may be addressed during this time. Lesson time may vary; here are some approximations for planning the length of your lesson:

INSTRUCTORS
Joe Thomas
Jo Kapusansky

INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED (1-on-1)

This level will be catered to more complex projects on developed trees or yamadori (collected material). Some examples of challenging tasks might include: refinement wiring, deadwood carving, and grove composition.

Length of your lesson will be discussed when reviewing your material. You may divide your lesson time over multiple sessions.

INSTRUCTORS
Michael Levin
Zuma Fleischmann

PRIVATE CLASS (2 or more)

If you missed the registration for one of our regularly scheduled classes, we now also offer our Introduction to Bonsai I class for groups of 2-8. In this two-hour class, each participant will receive a season-appropriate tree to learn the basics of pruning and repotting. General aftercare and growing tips are reviewed before you take your new bonsai home!

The price of this class includes 1 tree, 1 pot, soil and use of workshop materials for each participant. Options to upgrade material are available for an additional fee.

INSTRUCTORS
Bonsai West staff

Private lessons are offered year round, with the exception of our busiest seasons. Please call us during our normal business hours or email us to coordinate scheduling.