Brevard Bonsai Blog

Bonsai in Brevard – March 2026

Visiting Artist – German Arellano

Germán Arellano will be performing the demonstration at the March BSOB Club meeting on Mar 21st at 1pm. He is a Colombian bonsai artist known for blending the early training he received from his mother with the advanced techniques he later studied under respected teachers, including Chase Rosade and several leading Latin American masters. His work today centers on teaching, demonstrating, and developing trees at his nursery in Cali, where he’s built a reputation for skill, clarity, and a warm, approachable teaching style that resonates with students and enthusiasts alike.

He will also do a demonstration at the Central Florida Bonsai Club on Mar 22nd.

German Arellano styles a Juniper Bonsai at BWB

He will be available for private lessons while in the area. Contact Rob if you are interested in reserving a spot.

Note: This month, we will meet at the Melbourne Public Library, 540 E. Fee Blvd (at 1pm.)

Please read about our club meetings and reasons why to join a club.

The Bonsai Society of Brevard is one of the many clubs within the Bonsai Society of Florida.

Bonsai in Brevard – February 2026

Feb 21st – Hackberry Demo by Adam Lavigne

Adam Lavigne will be styling a very nice Hackberry that the club has owned for many years. It’s the perfect time to style this species and one lucky BSOB club member will get the tree after the demo. Adam will be demonstrating air layering and other techniques on this tree.

Come a before 1pm to setup.

Note: This month, we will meet at the Melbourne Public Library, 540 E. Fee Blvd (at 1pm.)

Please read about our club meetings and reasons why to join a club.

The Bonsai Society of Brevard is one of the many clubs within the Bonsai Society of Florida.

Bonsai in Brevard – January 2026

Jan 17th – Dueling Bald Cypress

This meeting is going to be a blast! We’ve received two beautiful Bald Cypress trees from Ray M.’s estate (big thanks!). We’ll split into two teams for a fun styling competition, and in the end, the trees will be raffled off to two lucky BSOB 2026 members. The photo shown isn’t of the actual trees, but it gives an idea of a typical pre-bonsai ready for its first styling.

Come a before 1pm to setup.

Note: This month, we will meet at the Melbourne Public Library, 540 E. Fee Blvd (at 1pm.)

Please read about our club meetings and reasons why to join a club.

The Bonsai Society of Brevard is one of the many clubs within the Bonsai Society of Florida.

Bonsai in Brevard – December 2025

Dec 20th – Pot Luck and Forest Planting

The December club meeting is packed with fun events. First, we will hold our yearly holiday pot-luck meal. The club provides the meat, drinks, and all table settings.  You bring your favorite dish to share. 

We will also hold the BSOB club-level styling competition. See this post BSOB Styling Competition for 2026 for details.  It’s a fun event to watch, even if you don’t participate.

The December event will also feature a club initiative to create a multi-tree planting. This unique planting will be raffled off to one lucky active member.

Come a before 1pm to setup.

Note: This month, we will meet at the Melbourne Public Library, 540 E. Fee Blvd (at 1pm.)

Please read about our club meetings and reasons why to join a club.

The Bonsai Society of Brevard is one of the many clubs within the Bonsai Society of Florida.

BSOB Styling Competition for 2026

Overview and rules for styling competition

  • The Bonsai Societies of Florida (BSF) uses the styling competition to promote the art of bonsai.  
  • The three levels of styling competition are: Local level, District level, and State level.
    • BSOB Local level: 20 Dec 2025 at December BSOB club meeting (1pm)
    • District 6 level: 21 Feb 2026 at Central Florida Bonsai Club (10am)
    • State level: BSF Convention (Memorial Day weekend 2026)
  • The winner and second place are announced at the BSF convention. The State winner receives an educational grant of $1000.  The second-place winner gets $500.  Grants are to be used for bonsai educational purposes.

BSOB Eligibility:

  1. Must be at least 18 years of age
  2. Must be a club member in good standing for 2025 and 2026
  3. Must never have won first place in a previous BSF Scholarship Competition – State level.
  4. Must be able to compete at the District level competition 

BSOB Local Rules:

  1. Materials will be of the same species and of similar quality. 
    Juniper is usually the planned species and will be distributed by lottery.
  2. The BSOB contest is usually 2 to 2.5 hrs long.
  3. Wiring is permitted.  Club wire will be available for contestants.
  4. Tools and supplies will be the responsibility of the contestant. 
    Borrowing tools prior to the contest is permitted. 
  5. Once the contest starts there is no participation or interaction between contestants and others in the audience.
  6. Plant needs to be in the pot for judging.  Pot can be cut back, root ball worked on, but plant needs to be placed back in the pot for judging. 
  7. Judging at the local level is to be done by the club president (or designee) and the district trustee (or designee).  All designee(s) will be decided at the club meeting prior to the start of the competition.
  8. Judging will be based on bonsai techniques and design appropriate to the tree while maintaining the health of the tree.
  9. Rules can be changed by past board members who attend the club meeting prior to the start of the competition.
The start of a juniper cascade bonsai

The Bonsai Society of Brevard is one of the many clubs within the Bonsai Societies of Florida.

Bonsai in Brevard – November 2025

Nov 15th – Forest Planting

This month’s club meeting is all about forest plantings. Bring your own forest for show and tell. Then afterward, Rob will lead the club in a group planting. He’s going to surprise us with the species.

Note: This month, we will meet at the Melbourne Public Library, 540 E. Fee Blvd (at 1pm.)

Please read about our club meetings and reasons why to join a club.

The Bonsai Society of Brevard is one of the many clubs within the Bonsai Society of Florida.

EPCOT 2026 Bonsai Application Reminder

Disney display signup by December 31

  • Since the inception of the Flower and Garden Festival in 1997, the Bonsai Societies of Florida (BSF) has collaborated with Walt Disney World (WDW) to showcase Bonsai at Epcot. This display is far from ordinary and involves a process unlike any typical exhibit creation. To Disney ticket holders, what may appear as just another display amidst countless plants and flowers represents months of meticulous planning to present the trees on their stands.
  • This year Disney will exhibit bonsai in both the Japanize and China pavillions.
    • Japan will host classic Japanize bonsai styles
    • China will host styles that lean toward Chineze traditions, often referred to as Penjing

Details and Applications:

Please go to this link to read more about the event, process, and application. Applications need to be submitted by December 31, 2025.

Epcot Bonsai Show Overview

Entry Application

The Bonsai Society of Brevard is one of the many clubs within the Bonsai Societies of Florida.

Bonsai in Brevard – September 2025

Sept 20th – Jaboticaba

This month’s club meeting will feature TJ Snyman who will perform a demonstration of a large Jaboticaba. A drawing for the tree will be held after the demo.

The Jaboticaba tree (Plinia cauliflora) is native to eastern and southeastern Brazil, with its range extending into Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. It’s especially associated with the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Goiás, and São Paulo in Brazil. This tropical species thrives in warm, humid climates and is celebrated for its unique cauliflorous fruiting—where the grape-like fruits grow directly on the trunk. It features fine foliage, creamy flowers, and thrives in warm, humid conditions—ideal for informal upright styles.

Note: This month, we will meet at the Melbourne Public Library, 540 E. Fee Blvd (at 1pm.)

Please read about our club meetings and reasons why to join a club.

The Bonsai Society of Brevard is one of the many clubs within the Bonsai Society of Florida.

Bonsai Club Auction and Picnic – 2025

October 18th, 2025: Multi-Club Auction & Picnic

  • Save that date!  Several clubs (CFBC, TCBS, HUKYU, KAWA, Shofu and others) are expected to attend this year’s auction and picnic.  Flyer is here
  • Last year we had another record auction with more items sold than ever. We expect the trend to continue with even more participation this year. To simplify your payments, we will be accepting credit/debit cards.
  • We’ve transitioned to on-line signups, so if you plan to sell items in either the live or silent auction, we encourage you to pre-register and sign-up in advance here. This will speed up the check-in process and shorten the payment cycle for you.

Please Note: There are changes to this year’s auction. Notably in BOLD:

  1. Live auction starts at noon
  2. All auctions end at 3pm
  3. Live auction limit of 5 items per person
  4. Silent auction limit of 20 items per person
  5. 15% seller paid commission
  6. Seller must be a member of BSF (or incur a $20 fee).
  7. Sellers who do not pre-register will be charged $5 fee.
  8. Plants will be held in a secure area until after payment receipt

Don’t forget to signup here.

Multi-Club Auction and Picnic showing an example silent auction table.

Please read about our club meetings and reasons why you want to join a club.

The Bonsai Society of Brevard is one of the many clubs within the Bonsai Societies of Florida.

Bonsai at the Zoo – 2025

Aug 16-17: Bonsai at the Zoo

The annual 2-day cooperative event between Brevard Zoo and the Bonsai Society of Brevard (BSOB) will be held on Aug 16-17, 2025. Club members will display their trees amidst the beauty and adventure of the Zoo atmosphere. See multiple bonsai trees on display and watch bonsai demonstrations by local bonsai artists. See this post for 2024 Bonsai at the Zoo pics.

Entrance fee to bonsai areas is included in the zoo admission.

If you are interested in showing a tree at this event, please fill in this online FORM by Aug 8th.

Build your own tree workshops will be available to anyone who wants a bonsai tree. Perfect for beginners, these hands-on sessions cover bonsai design basics, tree trimming, wiring, and potting. Led by experienced instructors, you’ll create your own bonsai to take home. This event blends education and creativity, offering a new hobby with a tranquil touch of nature. Everything is provided (tree, soil, pot, wire). First come, first served, with a nominal fee to cover materials.

You leave with:
Care sheet for your new tree
Basic understanding of bonsai artform
Bonsai composition (tree, soil, pot, wire)

The zoo website has more details HERE.


Please read about our club meetings and reasons why to join a club.

The Bonsai Society of Brevard is one of the many clubs within the Bonsai Societies of Florida.