Category: Club Meetings

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.

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 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.

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.)

Rock bonsai plantings are distinctive and fascinating artistic expressions. A bonsai tree planted in a rock has the appearance of a tough existence in a rugged environment.

Sean Tyson will demonstrate how to create a unique bonsai pot from rough rock materials. His tested technique may be used for you to make, on your own, a one of a kind creation for your own special bonsai. During the program, a tree will be planted in a pre-constructed rock bonsai pot and raffled.

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

The Dwarf Jade raft tree shown here is being displayed at Epcot and by our very own Anthony Castillo. Our club has 5 other members who have trees at Epcot this year and we are ready to help you with

BYOT is a great way to get specific input on your trees. Club experts will help you with styling decisions, pruning, wiring, and give horticultural advice. Spring is a great time to work on many tropical species.

Bring tree(s) and tools. Wire to be provided by club.

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

The club’s president, Rob Kempinski, will give an overview presentation and demonstration of Chinese Lingnam Style. This artform can be compared to the Impressionistic art movement in Europe.

The Chinese Lingnan penjing style has vigorous, elegant and unrestrained parts placed in a harmonious composition not always related to staid nature.  It uses extensive clip and grow and breaks many of the norms we have learned from Japanese influenced bonsai.  The program will delve into this style and encourage BSOB members to try something different.  

Note that the demo tree will not be raffled, though we will raffle two tiger bark ficus to club members.

Don’t forget to bring your dollar raffle table items.

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

Adam Lavigne, an artist based in Orlando, Florida, specializes in deadwood carving and tours throughout Florida to teach about tropical bonsai. He will perform a bonsai demonstration featuring a large Silverberry Elaeagnus tree. During the demonstration, attendees will have the opportunity to witness the transformation of pre-bonsai material into a refined bonsai. A drawing will be held after the demonstration. He is a “cunning linguist” per his own admission, so watch out for the paronomasia. Adam’s bonsai blog is located here. AskAdamWhy.com

Don’t forget to bring your dollar raffle table items.

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

Back by popular demand, we are once again organizing a captivating event featuring a rotating trees. Here’s how it works:

1. Group Styling: We’ll establish 2 or 3 groups, each comprising approximately 6 people. Every group will take charge of styling a tree handed to them.
2. Timed Handoff: When the timer goes off, the trees will be passed to another group for their styling opportunity. This rotation continues until the overarching time limit is reached, or groups all agree that styling is complete.
3. Lucky Draw: At the end of the event, we’ll hold a drawing to determine the lucky winners who get to take home these magical junipers.

This fun event gets everyone to participate in a fast paced styling adventure. We have three Hollywood junipers for this program. Bring your favorite tools. Club will supply wire. Let the styling magic begin! 🌳🌿✨

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

Welcome to 2024! It’s going to be an exciting year as we continue to see bonsai grow throughout the Brevard area.

Bonsai is a fascinating art form that attracts more and more people every day. If you are one of them, you will love our club’s activities for this year. We have some amazing club meetings lined up, so mark your calendars for the third Saturday of each month. You won’t want to miss them! And if you want to dive deeper into the art of bonsai, join our study group on the first Saturday of each month. You will learn a lot from other bonsai enthusiasts and share your own insights.

Bring your own tree session

This month will be special…. Dave Cutchin will host a Bring Your Own Tree (BYOT) event for club members. Dave Cutchin is a highly skilled and experienced bonsai professional who specializes in native species of the Southeastern United States. He is also a student of Ryan Neil, the founder of Bonsai Mirai. He teaches bonsai cultivation and design through his nursery and online platforms (Home – D & L Bonsai Nursery (dlnursery.com).

To join the BYOT session with Dave Cutchin, you will need to be a standing member of BSOB. You can pay for club membership in advance (here), or pay the Treasurer at the club meeting. You will also need to prepare your bonsai tree and bring it to the session. Make sure your tree is healthy, clean, and free of pests and diseases. You may also want to have some basic tools and supplies with you, such as scissors, wire, soil, etc.

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