UPCOMING EVENTS
August
Saturday, August 2 – Garden Tour
Tuesday, August 5 – General Meeting
Saturday, August 16 – Bonsai Concepts
Thursday, August 28 – State Fair set up
August 29-30 – State Fair exhibit
August 31 & Sept 1 – Julian Tsai Workshops
September
Sept 2 – General Meeting
Sept 13-14 – Beginner Workshops
September 20 – Concepts
September 27 – Fall Auction
View full calendar here >>
You can also get live updates on our events page on Facebook >>
GENERAL MEETING
September 2 Topic:
Join us for a presentation by Julian Tsai on Tuesday evening. The topic will be early development techniques for creating the best bonsai. See you there!
Zoom will not be available.
We look forward to seeing you there!
The club meets on the first Tuesday of each month (except January) for a presentation. In person events will be held at:
When: First Tuesday of the month (Except January)
Time: 7-9 PM
Location: Wilder Center, 451 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104
Join by Zoom (If Available) >> (No Zoom for September)
Missed a General Meeting? Some are recorded here >>
BONSAI CONCEPTS
Cost: Free for members! No signup required.
When: Saturday, Noon-4pm (See dates in link below)
Topic: Each month will focus on seasonal care
Instructors: Dale & Sue Krueger (dale.n.krueger[at]comcast.net)
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, All Levels
Location: Augsburg Park Library in Richfield, 7100 Nicollet Ave (JUNE ONLY)
Note: Location will be NOT be at the Washington County Fairgrounds for September 2025. Stay tuned for udpates.
All are welcome to come and learn, with or without trees. Each meeting begins with a classroom session followed by our helping you with your trees.
August Topic:
August is here and we are approaching the end of summer, and for many of us the Minnesota State Fair Show. This month we will discuss how you can best prepare your trees for exhibit. The fair isn’t just a judged event; it gives you the opportunity to have your trees evaluated by a trained professional and get their feedback with individualized comments to improve your trees. It is also a great opportunity to volunteer and meet fellow enthusiasts, share your knowledge with fairgoers, and see some of our best trees. Besides, who can say no to a free entry ticket and parking?
Final pruning decisions need to be made in the next week or so for most deciduous trees until fall dormancy. Our discussion will cover making these decisions and then help you complete the work. Most conifers and tropical trees can also be worked on.
Please join us at our regular location on the Washington Co. Fairgrounds on Saturday, August 16, from noon to four. Enter on 40th Street.
See you Saturday!
Dale and Sue
JULIAN TSAI WORKSHOPS
We are fortunate to have Julian lead two full day workshops when he returns this year to judge the State Fair Exhibit. One will include a large, 10 gallon nursery Pinus nigra (Austrian Black Pine). A hearty tree which grows well in our climate, and a great way to start with a more developed trunk, saving years of growing! In the other workshop, participants will be working on their own trees. Bring your tools and wire including heavy gauges (copper preferred with pines). Raphia and rebar may be helpful if you have it. Expect to perform the necessary techniques under Julian’s guidance and supervision. An excellent opportunity to advance your skills and confidence.
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, All Levels
Sunday, August 31: 10AM – 6PM Species specific – Pinus nigra
Working position $ 230 (including cost of the tree)
Observer position $ 30
Monday, September 1: 10AM – 6PM Bring your own material
Working position $ 150
Observer position $ 30
There will only be 6 working and 6 observer positions each day, so sign up early!
FALL AUCTION
Each year MBS sponsors a Spring and Fall Auction. This is a fun and exciting event where members can buy or sell trees, pots and other bonsai-related materials during the live or silent auction.
It’s one of the best ways to obtain new material for your collection, or make room on your benches. A percentage of the sale is retained by the society to help fund other events.
When:
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time: 10am – 2pm (Open to the Public)
9am – Seller Check-in only
10am – Public viewing starts
11am – Bidding starts
Where: Washington County State Fair Grounds, 12300 40th St N, Stillwater, MN 55082
BONSAI GARDEN TOUR
Each year, members get together to tour other members’ bonsai collections and gardens.
The MBS annual bonsai garden tour is on Saturday, Aug 2nd with four gardens open to the membership from 10am to 1pm and a final stop at 2pm at Cheryl Sykora’s garden for discussion and refreshments.
Date: Saturday, Aug 2
Time: 10am-1pm – 3 tour locations
2pm – Picnic at Cheryl Sykora (Hudson, WI) Food TBD
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Are you a newcomer to the world of Bonsai? Or have you been at it a while and are looking to learn more? We have great resources for you, including the Society Website, the Facebook page, and the Basics and Bonsai Concepts classes.
If you feel you would benefit from additional assistance in helping you nurture and grow your trees, please consider joining the MBS Mentorship Program.
Under this program, you will be assigned to a Bonsai Society Mentor based on your location in the Twin Cities, and will work with a Mentor along with other folks like you interested in learning more about how to best manage your bonsai trees.
If interested, please contact Bryan Evarts at bryan.evarts@minnesotabonsaisociety.org
WEBSITE UPDATES – MEMBERSHIP & PAYMENT OPTIONS
As a member of the Minnesota Bonsai society, you will receive a member number. You will need this number to sell at auctions and to confirm your membership for some events.
To find your member number – click login on the top right corner of the website. Once you are successfully logged in, it will display on the top right hand corner. See the orange circle on image in the top right. You can also request a badge at the in-person general meetings that includes your name and member number. Note: If you create a new user name and account, it will generate a new member number for you. So please don’t create a new one if you already have an existing account.
If you are having difficulty with accessing your membership or renewing please contact Celina (celina[at]minnesotabonsaisociety.org).
CLICK TO JOIN OR RENEW HERE >>
VOLUNTEERING
Call for volunteers!
People new to bonsai are welcome for their perspectives on what would help them advance their skill base. If you wish to volunteer for this in 2024, email administrator@minnesotabonsaisociety.org.
It will be a good way for the participants to get to know more professionals and have a say in program content.
We are always looking for volunteers, if you are interested to see what positions are available, or how you can help, please email administrator@minnesotabonsaisociety.org.