Beginner Workshops
Hands-on experience that teaches you the basics of bonsai
INSTRUCTOR
David Weiss
MBS 2nd Vice President and past President
david.weiss@minnesotabonsaisociety.org
If you’re new to bonsai, the $95.00 beginner workshop is a great way to get started. In this workshop you will select a tree and learn how to prune, repot, and wire it into a bonsai and how to take care of it at home. All materials will be provided. Each participant will go home with the bonsai tree that they created. Prior to your hands-on session, an educational online Zoom meeting will be held to help you prepare for the class.
If you would like to work on a juniper, sessions are available in April and September. If you would like to work on a tropical, sessions are available in July and September. If you are not sure which option to select, see “How to Select Your Tree” below.
After successfully completing your Beginner Workshop, you will have a first come first-served chance to sign up for “Beginner 2.0, Followup Care” to ask questions and further develop your tree. There is no extra cost for 2.0. Registration options will be sent from the instructor.
See below for more information.
April 2026
In an April workshop, you will be able to work on a Juniper tree. If you are not sure you want a juniper, see “How to Select Your Tree” below. An online Zoom link to the educational session will be provided from the instructor before the event. Please contact the instructor with any questions.
July 2026
In a July workshop you will be able to select a tropical tree. Species are subject to availability. If you are not sure you want a tropical, see “How to Select Your Tree” below. An online Zoom link to the educational session be provided from the instructor before the event. Please contact the instructor with any questions.
September 2026
In September you can choose either a tropical or a juniper workshop. If you are not sure what to choose, see “How to Select Your Tree” below. An online Zoom link to the educational session be provided from the instructor before the event. Please contact the instructor with any questions.
How to Select your tree guide
TROPICALS
Apartment dwellers might be happiest with a tropical species of tree. Although these trees would enjoy a summer outside if you have a balcony, tropicals can be considered indoor bonsai and should be kept indoors during the winter. The type of tropical provided will vary depending on availability, most often they are Ficus. Note: Tropical trees are only available for July and September workshops, since they can only be re-potted after Spring.
JUNIPERS
If you enjoy conifers, then a juniper is a good choice. These trees need to live outside and go through the change of seasons. They will need some winter protection, such as an unheated garage, and will not survive inside a warm house. Junipers are often thought of as a “classic” Japanese bonsai species and are very common. Note: Junipers are only available for May and September workshops, since they can only be re-potted at certain times of the year.
Beginner 2.0 Followup care
After successfully registering and completing your beginner workshop, you will have an opportunity to sign up for Beginner 2.0 at no extra cost. 2.0 will give you an opportunity to go a little deeper into your bonsai tree knowledge. Participants will have time to talk about and work on pruning, wiring, fertilizing, and winter care among other topics. MBS Beginner 2.0 workshops will be available Sunday afternoon sessions (1-4pm) of the July and September workshop weekends. Since there are only 25 slots available, registration will be on a first come first served basis.