Bonsai in Brevard – May 2023

May 20, 2023: Convention Preparation

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.

Bougainvillea glabra in full bloom on display at Epcot May 2023

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

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

Bonsai in Brevard – April 2023

April 15, 2023: Proper Propagation

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.


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

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

Bonsai in Brevard – March 2023

March 18, 2023: FLOWERS, FLOWERS, FLOWERS

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.

Powerpuff in bloom

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

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

Bonsai in Brevard – January 2023

January 21st, 2023: Styling Competition

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 4th at the Joy of Bonsai competition in Deland.

Styling Competition Rules and Regulations

Juniper Pre-Bonsai

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 – December 2022

Dec 17th – Bonsai Club: Forest Planting

We will hold our annual holiday party at the December meeting. This is a fun time with lots of food and festive discussion. As a club project, we will do a juniper forest planting after the festivities.

club attendees sitting with bonsai trees displayed on tables

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 – November 2022

November 19 – Rob Kempinski – Podocarpus Demo

At the November meeting, Rob will style a Podocarpus which is a genus of conifers. Other common names are “yellowwood” and “Buddhist Pine”. This month’s Kempenski’s Korner gives a nice overview of this species and gives some tips on its care.

Hope to see you at the meeting!

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

An amazing Buddhist Pine bonsai in Taiwan
An amazing Buddhist Pine bonsai in Taiwan

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 2022

October 15 – Bonsai Club: Bring Your Own Tree

It’s time for our second BYOT meeting of the year. This 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. Pick some trees to work on during the meeting. Sorry no repotting.

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

Root pruning image

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 – September 2022

September 17 – Bonsai Club: Mike Lane – Podocarpus

Mike Lane will lead this month’s club demonstration. Mike will work on a pre-bonsai podocarpus purchased for this event.

Mike is an accomplished bonsai artist who was one of the headliners at the 2022 BSF convention. Mike has a nice summary of his bonsai history and accomplishments at his site here. In 2010 he won 1st place at the BSF convention and has dedicated himself to bonsai ever since.

Mary Smith has a nice summary of Podocarpus bonsai here. At one time the wood was used in furniture making. It will be interesting to see what Mike does with this material.

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

Podocarpus Bonsai

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 – June 2022

June 18 – Bonsai Club: Dr. Reggie Purdue Cedar Elm

Dr. Reggie Purdue will lead this month’s club demonstration. Reggie is an avid bonsai artist and enthusiast with more than 25 years of native Florida bonsai experience. He will work on a cedar elm root clump owned by Rob Kempinski.

Zach Smith gives an excellent overview of the Cedar Elm on his website (www.bonsai-south.com). Per Zach, “The Cedar Elm is among my chosen five of the best bonsai trees for beginners. Cedar elm, Ulmus Crassifolia, is a member of the Elm family, Ulmaceae. Its natural range is East Texas into Northern Louisiana and Southern Arkansas. It’s a primary species, growing to heights of 80’.” His website gives a good overview of the species and other bonsai information.

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

Bonsa Cedar Elm in Florida winter (Dec 2018) - Zach Smith
Cedar Elm showing leave color in winter (Zach Smith).

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 – May 2022

May 21 – Bonsai Club: Mike Rogers

Mike Rogers will be the headliner for the May club meeting. He will do a demonstration on the jaboticaba which is native to Brazil. The plant is a slow- growing evergreen that prefers moist, rich, lightly acidic soil.

Mike Rogers started doing Bonsai in 1968, at the age of 18. After a couple of years in the Marine Corps, he resumed the hobby and by the late 1970’s was teaching Bonsai and selling trees, on a limited scale. 

Originally from Fort Lauderdale, he has extensive experience with tropical trees, and pioneered the growing of Azaleas in South Florida.

In 1991, he moved his family and nursery to North Central Florida, so he would be able to grow Japanese Maples, and Trident Maples. He grows a wide variety of trees, from tropical trees to deciduous and pines.

He now instructs and belongs to two local Bonsai Clubs, as well being on the Bonsai Societies of Florida Speakers Bureau. Mike Rogers Website.

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

Mike Roger Azalea bonsai
One of Mike Roger’s Azalea bonsai

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.