Brevard Bonsai Blog

EPCOT 2025 Bonsai Application Reminder

Posted on by Scot

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, 2024.

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 – November 2024

Posted on by Scot

November 16, 2024 – Photo Workshop

Join us for the BSOB monthly meeting on November 16th, where we’ll delve into the art of tree photography and explore techniques you can try at home. Rob Kempinski will guide the session, equipped with a camera, lights, and a backdrop to create a studio setup for capturing stunning tree photos. Feel free to bring your own tree if you’d like a professional-quality photo. This is a fantastic chance to get a great shot for your 2025 EPCOT submission! (link here)

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 – October 2024

Posted on by Scot

October 19 – Trip to Agresta Gardens

Please note the club will not formally meet during the month of October 2024. Instead, BSOB will visit Agresta Gardens in east Orlando. Ben Agresta is a gracious host who encourages visitors (especially bonsai clubs) to see his collection. It’s truely one of the best collections east of the Mississippi. Ben’s facebook page is here.

We plan to arrive at the gardens at 10am. The BSOB facebook page will have details. Hope to see you there.

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 – 2024

Posted on by Scot

Announcement – New Date January 25, 2025

  • We have rescheduled the 2024 Auction for January 25, 2025 and plan to hold another Auction in October 2025.
  • Save these dates!  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 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:

  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).

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 – Report Out

Posted on by Scot

A HUGE SUCCESS!

A big thanks to the Brevard Zoo for hosting the annual 2-day cooperative event with the Bonsai Society of Brevard (BSOB) on Aug 17-18, 2024. It was quite a weekend with 1439 guest walking through the bonsai exhibit and vendor area.

This year the Zoo hosted many other organizations who discussed topics from bees to plants to orchids, to the lagoon (and many more). The Zoo continues to grow this event and now calls it the Bonsai and Botanical weekend. Congratulations to them for expanding their outreach to important local causes and their organizations.

The zoo website has more details HERE.

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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.

Bonsai in Brevard – September 2024

Posted on by Scot

Sept 21st – Exposed Root Workshop

Join us at the September BSOB Meeting for a workshop on the Exposed Root style of bonsai.

At the workshop each member will start a bonsai tree on its journey as an exposed root style.  Trees and material will be provided. All you need to do is bring tools and a willingness to have some fun.  For planning purposes please place your order by September 8 if you intend to take the workshop.  The meeting is September 21, 2024 at the Melbourne public library at 1 PM.  Cost per workshop attendee will be $30. To reserve your spot, place your order here. Spots will be first come first served, so sign up early.

See this Kempinski Korner post (Exposed) for an overview of the techniques to be used in this workshop.

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 – August 2024

Posted on by Scot

August 17 to 18 – Bonsai at the zoo!

Please note the club will not formally meet during the month of August 2024. Instead, BSOB and the Brevard Zoo will host a Bonsai at the Zoo event on August 17 and 18. See this post for more details.

Also note there will be a joint beginner and intermediate class held on Aug 18th. See this post for information.

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 – July 2024

Posted on by Scot

July 20 – Companion Plant Workshop

Build your own Shitakusa at this workshop. Cost is $25. You will get plants, pot, and soil to create your own companion plant to take home. There are only 10 spots available. To reserve your spot, place your order here.

The term Shitakusa in Japanese is “under grass”. Shitakusa are meant to be viewed as a complimentary accompaniment with a bonsai. In preparation for our upcoming Bonsai at the Zoo event, our program for July 20th features a “hands on” activity for participants to create a unique Shitakusa accent for their bonsai display. Plants, a pot and soil is included in the cost of the workshop. If desired, participants are welcome to bring their own plants or a special pot for creating their unique shitakusa accent.

You do not need to be a club member to attend this workshop.

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 at the Zoo – 2024

Posted on by Scot

Aug 17-18: 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 17-18, 2024. 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.

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 11th.

Classes will be offered on August 18, 2023 (10:30am to 2:30pm with a 30 min break at noon). See this post for more details.

Please see the zoo show flyer for more details.

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.

Bonsai in Brevard – Bonsai Classes

Posted on by Scot

Beginner and Intermediate – Aug 18, 2024!

The BSOB club is hosting a joint beginner and intermediate class during this year’s Brevard Zoo event. These bonsai classes will be part of the annual 2-day cooperative event between Brevard Zoo and the Bonsai Society of Brevard (BSOB).  The classes will be held concurrently allowing beginners and intermediates to participate together.

The class will be held in the Brevard Zoo during the Bonsai at the Zoo event on August 17-18, 2024. The class fee includes entrance to the zoo during the weekend event.

The Beginner Class will introduce students to the basics of bonsai. Participants will use a pre-bonsai Dwarf Jade (Portulacaria afra) to learn tree styling, wiring, potting, and care. The students take home a finished bonsai with tree, pot, soil and care instructions.
Beginner class costs:
$40 member and $60 non-member (includes membership to BSOB).

The Intermediate Class is reserved for club members who want to expand their bonsai repertoire.  We will use a Hollywood Juniper to give intermediate students instruction on creating a conifer style planting.  The class will focus heavily on shaping and wiring.  This class includes the tree and wire.  The student will need to bring their own tools. There will be no re-potting, soil, or pots for this class because replanting is recommended in winter.
Class costs:
Medium tree: $40 member
Large tree: $50 member

Where: Brevard Zoo – Nyami Nyami River Lodge
When: August 18, 2024
Time: 10:30am to 2:30pm (30 min break at noon)

Go to the shopping area to signup and pay for the class.

Questions? Please contact Scot at: treasurer@bonsaisocietyofbrevard.com.

Dwarf Jade
Example Dwarf Jade (Portulacaria afra) for the beginner class
Hollywood Juniper
Large and Medium Hollywood Junipers planned for the Intermediate Class

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