2023 Monthly Meetings
Monthly Meetings are typically scheduled on the second Tuesday of every month (except as otherwise indicated) from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Bethany Congregational Churc, 556 N Hope Ave, Santa Barbara, CA. Doors open at 7pm ffor social interaction and bonsai questions (feel to bring in trees), announcements prior to the program which begins at 7:30pm.
Schedule is tentative and subject to change please contact bonsaiclubsantabarbara@gmail.com for confirmation.
2023 Schedule
| DATE | PRESENTER | SUBJECT |
|---|---|---|
| January 11 | Jeff Sczechowski | 2021 National Bonsai Show Trip – ZOOM |
| February 8 | Jeff Sczechowski | Container Selection and Attributes – ZOOM |
| March 8 | Kyra Rude, Rincon-Vitova Insectaries | Beneficial Insects and Other Predators – ZOOM |
| April 12 | Ann Erb | Club Show Prep – IN PERSON |
| May 10 | Ann Erb | Tool Care, Cleaning & Sharpening – IN PERSON |
| June 14 | John Bleck | Succulents as Bonsai |
| July 12 | TBA | TBA |
| August 9 | No Meeting | August Potluck, date TBA |
| September 13 | TBA | TBA |
| October 11 | TBA | TBA |
| November 8 | TBA | TBA |
| December 13 | December Potluck TBD | December Potluck TBD |
2023 Saturday Workshops
Workshops are typically scheduled on the third Saturday of the month at Bethany Congregational Church, 556 N Hope Ave, Santa Barbara, CA. Workshops require registration and are open to members only. There will be no charge to attend the bring-your-own-tree club led workshops, but some special future workshops may have a materials or supplies charge.
We Are Indeed Lucky!!!!
The weather is excellent year round and bonsai hobbiest can create their own bonsai under the best teachers Southern California has to offer. We have teachers who were once students of John Naka, Khan Komai, Melba Tucker etc.
The teachers we have selected drive hundreds of miles (from as far away as Costa Mesa & Upland, Ca), for a modest fee because they love teaching bonsai in Santa Barbara.
Hundreds of bonsai hobbyists thru out the US and the world attend workshops at annual conventions just to watch a demonstration and/or attend workshops taught by most of our selected teachers. Take advantage of this opportunity and learn from the best that Southern California has to offer.
Who are the Bonsai Teachers?
If you ever thought about going to a major bonsai convention, picked up literature or read about bonsai conventions, the following names are familiar to most because they headed workshops, helped at the workshops or did the demonstration(s) : Mel Ikeda, Robert Pressler, Kathy Benson, Roy Nagatoshi, Cheryl Manning, Lindsay Shiba, Ted Matson, & Jim Barrett.
Why Attend our Workshops?
Take advantage of this unique opportunity. You don’t have to fly or drive to another city to attend a convention to attend a workshop taught by the teachers we selected. The teachers are coming here!
Styling a plant into a bonsai can be perplexing. The teachers years of experience, will help a great deal in the suggestions and guidance in turning it into a great bonsai.
Other students will be working on material recently purchased, some in training, and some just needing re-grooming an already beautiful well proportioned bonsai. Just seeing the trees others are working on will or may give you a tip on your selection of material and/or the styling of your bonsai in training.
Students range from beginners to perpetual students. Yes, several have been attending our workshops for at least 40 years. Yes, 40 years! So these “antique students” can also give you tips on what materials are good for bonsai in our area. That alone can save you years of heartache. Not all the beautiful bonsai from the various species depicted in bonsai magazines and books are good for our area.
If you have a question on the type of tree to bring relative to the season of work, please reach out to the club email at BCSB.
Student to Teacher Ratio
To assure quality bonsai instruction, the workshops are limited to 6-8 students. The workshops are 3 hours long so you will get a lot of personal attention working on your tree.
First Semester
Outdoor soil preparation and repotting – January
Repotting – February
FREE General tree advice, assistance by Senior Members – March
Mel Ikeda – April
Second Semester
TBA – July
TBA – September
TBA – October
TBA – November
Fee For Instructor-led Workshops
The fee for instructor-led workshops is $50 per 4 hour session (Typically 8 Professional led workshops per year).
Signing Up for Workshop
Second semester is still being finalized along with final price based on number of instructors. Please email BCSB for details and look for updates via the email newsletter. Once finalized, please sign up and mail check to:
Bonsai Club of Santa Barbara
P. O. Box 3703
Santa Barbara, CA 93130
Make check payable to: Bonsai Club of Santa Barbara
2022 Spring -April Workshop Form (PDF)
2022 Fall Workshop Form (PDF)
(Send form and your check to address above or bring form with a check to first workshop)