UPCOMING EVENTS
June
June 3 – General Meeting
June 7 – Photography Day
June 14 – Bonsai Concepts (Location Change)
June 24 – Board Meeting (Zoom)
June 28 – Auction
July
July 1 – General Meeting
July 19-20 –Beginner Workshops
July 12 & 13 – Drew Binkley Workshops
July 12 – Bonsai Concepts
July 22 – Board Meeting (Zoom)
View full calendar here >>
You can also get live updates on our events page on Facebook >>
JUNE GENERAL MEETING
Topic: Fertilizer and Pest Management: MBS members will be talking about their method of fertilization, preventative pest control and treatment of diseases.
Experienced members are invited to participate. Please bring some materials to show and tell. Written out descriptions of the products and schedule are much appreciated. Forward written materials to carol.novak@minnesotabonsaisociety.com with anything that needs to be printed out.
We look forward to seeing you there!
No Zoom will be available for June.
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 June)
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 June, July and September 2025. TBD
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.
JUNE 14 Topic:
June is here and our trees are in full growth mode, so now is a good time to prune and wire most of them. If you have Japanese Red or Black Pines that need candle pruning, now is the time for that as well. We may also revisit pest and disease control. Please join us for Bonsai Concepts on Saturday, June 14, from noon to four. This month only we will be meeting at the Augsburg Park Library in Richfield, 7100 Nicollet Ave. As always, send me any specific questions beforehand.
https://www.hclib.org/augsburgpark
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!
DREW BINKLEY CARVING WORKSHOPS
Drew Binkley returns again this year by popular demand. He was videotaped for Bjorn Bjorholm’s “Bonsai U” showing his detailed work on wood carving. Unlike other carvers, his work is unique as it appears so natural you cannot identify it as carved. Drew expertly creates the characteristics of the tree’s older deadwood. He uses power tools when needed, but his extraordinary talent is in his detail hand-finishing.
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, All Levels
Saturday, July 12:
Working position $ 135.00 (including cost of the tree)
Observer position $ 20.00
Sunday, July 13:
Working position $ 135.00 (including cost of the tree)
Observer position $ 20.00
SPRING 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, June 28, 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.