Brevard Bonsai Blog

Did April showers bring May flowers to your bonsai trees? Many gorgeous trees are now in full bloom. For our May 20 BSOB club meeting we are requesting Members bring a colorful tree and/or pot they will allow to be shown in our club tree exhibit during the BSF Convention. We will work together to create a multi-colored bonsai display using foliage, pots, bark, and flowering trees.

Also, to involve more members that may not be at the convention, our meeting on May 20th will also include developing our club project plans for the club night competition.

Kempinski Korner – May

Have you ever heard of BonsAI? That’s where AI (artificial intelligence) is used to help generate designs for the bonsai artform. Rob gave it a try this month. Take a look at the May posting.

BSF Convention Reminders

Also, on Memorial Day weekend the Bonsai Society of Florida is having their Annual Convention at the Florida Hotel in Orlando. Online registration stops on May 19th. Go here to register.

Club Meetings

Our club holds meetings at the Melbourne Public Library on the third Saturday of each month at 1pm.

Propagation is so much fun. Have you ever thought “This specimen shrub or landscape tree in my yard would be ideal for bonsai.” or maybe… “I wish I could have another bonsai of this tree I love so much.”? It is possible. A few easy propagation methods can be used on most trees to gain a “clone” of the exact same tree.

On Saturday, April 15th, the Bonsai Society of Brevard (BSOB) club meeting will cover ways to propagate bonsai material to help build a collection. Club members Jan Barnes and Scot Stewart will lead the program. We encourage members and visitors to bring a bonsai propagated by yourself or a fellow club member (or any bonsai for that matter!) to share with the audience. We especially welcome the new members that took the BSOB bonsai class on April 1, 2023, to bring the trees they started on their bonsai journey. 1 PM at the Melbourne Public Library on Fee Ave.

Everyone is invited to bring a tree that needs a new design, or just a trim, and our experts will show you how to propagate a branch or cutting from that tree. Or, if you just need some advice on your tree, bring it with you. We are here to help.

Also at this April meeting, we will select a club representative tree for the May BSF Convention. Please bring a tree to the meeting to be considered for this honor. The theme of the convention is “Colors of Nature”. The members attending the meeting will vote for a favorite tree to represent our club.

Kempinski Korner – April

While you are preparing for the meeting on Saturday check out the April Kempinski Korner – A provocative discussion of the bonsai of average.

BSF Convention Reminders

Also, on Memorial Day weekend the Bonsai Society of Florida is having their Annual Convention at the Florida Hotel in Orlando. April 15th is the day to submit your trees for consideration in the display. (And then pay your Federal taxes). If you haven’t submitted a photo or finished your taxes, get cranking. At the April meeting we will be getting into and planning the Club Night and Club Display topics that will represent BSOB.

Let’s celebrate Spring’s glorious display!

On Saturday, March 18th, the Bonsai Society of Brevard (BSOB) club meeting will showcase flowering trees. Members and visitors are welcome to bring a flowering tree (or any bonsai for that matter!) to share with the audience.

Our program this month is club member, Alan Gouldthorpe, holding a discussion on Shohin trees. This unique small tree’s maintenance and care will be covered, and Alan will demonstrate styling a Calliandra emarginata, Dwarf Powder Puff tree. The styled tree will be raffled off afterwards.

Also, please bring your own tree (and tools) to work on or get advice from our experts.

The January club meeting will feature a styling competition between club members. This is a fun way to explore your creative abilities while being cheered on by a supportive group of fellow bonsai artists. And yes, there is a time limit!

BSF Scholarship Competition Overview – Local level:

The Local level is the first of three competitions the Bonsai Societies of Florida (BSF) uses to promote the art of bonsai.  

The three levels of styling competition are: Local level, District level, and State level.  The State winner receives an educational grant of $1000. The purpose of the BSOB local club competition in January is to select a club member to participate in the District styling competition Feb 4^th at the Joy of Bonsai competition in Deland.

Styling Competition Rules and Regulations