Guest Artist: David Knittle and senior members.

Introduction to Bonsai: Art, Science and Practice

We are very pleased that we will once again be offering an introduction to bonsai course for our members!

This two-part course will provide a comprehensive conceptual foundation, so students understand the horticultural needs, techniques, and artistic goals of bonsai. In the first session we’ll cover an introduction to the history and art of bonsai, basic styles and aesthetics, horticulture and care, and mechanical techniques. The second session will be the practical application of the theories and techniques learned in session one where the student will create a bonsai from nursery material with close support from instructors.

This course is appropriate for any new members, or members who consider themselves to be beginners, or even any member who is interested in a comprehensive review and practice of techniques!

The first session will be held the morning of our club meeting on March 15th with the second session the morning of our club meeting on May 17th. Session 1 is a prerequisite for the second session in May.

There will be no charge for the first session but there will be a TBD cost for our session 2 for plant material and supplies. (In the future there will be a single fee for the entire course but we’re still working out the kinks and won’t know an appropriate charge until the second session).

Instructors for this course include David Knittle as well as several senior club members. We do ask that you sign up for session 1 so we will have a count for printing materials/ handouts. Please let me (Doug) gmbs.vermont@gmail.com know if you’ll be attending the morning session in March.

Urban Yamadori 

Yamadori is the Japanese term for collecting plants from the wild that can be used to create bonsai. Urban suggests collecting plants in urban or suburban landscapes. At the March meeting David will discuss and demonstrate collecting and developing plants collected from landscapes.

Cathy and David have collected a number of species of trees, mostly in friends or relatives landscapes. David will bring some of them to the meeting. They are in different stages of development from recently collected to show ready and in between.

We will discuss when and how to collect, first potting, soils, etc. The first year’s recovery process and further development will be the second part of the demonstration. The third part will be repotting one of the trees into its first bonsai pot

Note: Please enter through the retail store. At the rear of the store is a door that leads to a staircase to the second floor meeting space. There is an elevator at the rear of the building. There is plenty of parking. Gardener’s only asks that we do not park directly in front of the store. Generally there will be a member at the front entrance to guide people. Gardener’s Supply is a 100% smoke free property so please make sure you leave Gardener’s property (that includes the parking lot) for a smoke break.