BONSAI WORKSHOP DETAILS - FOR CURRENT COURSES AND PRICES SEE 'WORKSHOP DATES' PAGE

NOTE: The list below shows details of all bonsai courses run by Mendip Bonsai Studio, in any particular year some courses may not be running.

A great present to give an enthusiast.

*** SPECIAL OFFERS  *** BOOK BEGINNERS STAGES 1, 2 & 3 TOGETHER FOR THE SPECIAL PRICE OF £135.00. PAYABLE AT BOOKING. BOOK 3 OR MORE WORKSHOPS @ £50.00 IN ADVANCE AND RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT, EXCLUDING ABOVE OFFER. DOWNLOAD AN ENROLLMENT FORM - CLICK LINK BELOW  Microsoft Word -  WORD DOCUMENT  Adobe PDF Version - PDF DOCUMENT

UPDATED - 2024

(NEW WORKSHOPS HIGHLIGHTED)

experience levels include: - code (A) beginners. (B) Some experience. (C) Intermediate. (D) Experienced.

PLEASE NOTE WE OFFER REPOTTING DATES TO COVER EARLY BUDBREAKING DECIDUOUS TREES, A MIDWAY DATE AND A LATER DATE FOR EVERGREEN SPECIES

BONSAI FOR BEGINNERS stage 1. (A, B). This workshop is for students with little or no experience of bonsai. we will cover many of the techniques used in outdoor/indoor bonsai cultivation. Included in the fee will be a young tree to get you started in bonsai. A range of more substantial stock will also be available to purchase on the day if required.

BEGINNERS stage 2. BONSAI REFINING. (A, B, C, D). This w/shop is available for students with some experience of bonsai, or who have attended stage 1. I will cover more in depth styling as this workshop may be integrated with more experienced students, with plenty of styling and refining being carried out allows the beginner to get more knowledge. The emphasis will be on the student spending more hands-on practical time and also learning by observation of other more experienced students working on their trees.

BEGINNERS stage 3. BONSAI REFINING. (A, B, C, D). This w/shop is suitable for students with some experience of bonsai, or who have attended stages 1 and 2. Students will be taught more on the aesthetics of bonsai, the more advanced styles will be covered. Students are encouraged to bring along their own trees for some help and advice. This workshop may be integrated with more experienced students giving plenty of learning opportunities.

BROOM STYLING AND AIR LAYERING WORKSHOP. (A, B, C, D). You will be shown how to style suitable species into the Broom or Besom (Hokidachi) style. One method of obtaining suitable material is by air layering as well as other traditional methods. You will be shown how to carry out the process of air layering. You can bring your own material to work on if you wish, styling or even carrying out some air layering.

CASCADE AND SEMI-CASCADE STYLING. (A, B, C, D).  This w/shop will teach you the aspects of these particular bonsai styles. You can choose from many species available on the day if required. Alternatively, if you prefer to work on your own material.

EVERGREEN POTTING/REPOTTING WORKSHOPS. (A, B, C, D). This w/shop is for those who want help in potting or re-potting their evergreen bonsai. A range of potting compost/soils and pots will be available to purchase on the day.

FOREST OR MULTI TREE PLANTING. (A, B, C, D). The theme will be constructing forest or group plantings. You will receive a training tray, compost, and a selection of young trees (aged 2-4 years old). You can choose from Japanese Maples or Japanese Larch which will be available on the day. You can also bring your own materials to work with for a fee of £50.00

JUNIPERS INCLUDING PROCUMBENS AND HORIZONTALIS. (A, B, C, D). This workshop will be themed on the numerous varieties of Juniper. The widely used Chinese and Blaauw, and particularly using procumbens and horizontalis which make great cascade and semi cascade styles. Subject to availability I have some very reasonably priced nursery stock of procumbens and horizontalis (prince of wales) priced at £18.00.

LARCH AND PSEUDOLARIX AMABILIS (false or golden larch). (A, B, C, D). This w/shop is for students who need help refining their own trees, or simply styling a tree on the day. If required you can purchase material on the day from a wide choice of Larch and some large false or golden larch, please call for stock availability.

MAPLE WORKSHOP TO COVER JAPANESE, TRIDENT ETC. (A, B, C, D). This w/shop will give students the chance to work on their own maples or purchase material from a range of Japanese maples, Trident maples and other Acers.

MIXED DECIDUOUS/EVERGREEN STYLING WORKSHOP. (A, B, C, D). This w/shop is for students who need help refining their own trees, or simply style a tree on the day. Learn how to achieve exhibition standards. if required you can purchase material on the day from a wide choice of species, please call for stock availability.

NATIVE SPECIES AS BONSAI & MIXED SPECIES.  (A, B, C, D). This workshop will have a theme of growing native trees as bonsai. For those needing material to work on, a large range of trees will be available on the day to purchase if required. Or bring your own trees to work on. You can also bring along other non-native species.

POTTING/REPOTTING WORKSHOPS. (A, B, C, D). These w/shops are for those who want help in potting or re-potting their bonsai. A range of potting compost/soils and pots will be available to purchase on the day.

PINE STYLING & DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP (A, B, C, D). You have a choice of bringing your own trees along, or alternatively purchasing material on the day, Cultivation, development, styling, back budding and needle reduction techniques that I use will be fully explained. If you require stock, please request which species is required and I will do my best to supply.

PREPARING BONSAI FOR DISPLAY AND EXHIBITION. (A, B, C, D). After requests from attending students I will be offering advice from my vast experience of exhibiting bonsai for over some 30 years. I will be passing on plenty of information. Including the selection, preparation right up to the day of showing or simply improving your own personal display in the garden. I will cover the bonsai, stands and complementary accent plantings etc.

PRUNING, RAMIFICATION AND LEAF REDUCTION IN BONSAI. (A, B, C, D). I will cover the techniques to achieve small leaf and fine ramification within the structure of the tree. Using summer pruning and leaf removal and other methods.

ROOT OVER ROCK/DEADWOOD AND ROCK PLANTING. (A, B, C, D). You will be shown the techniques to grown bonsai over rock or deadwood and in rock. Plants, rock, and bogwood available to purchase on the day. Or you are welcome to bring your own material along.

SATSUKI AZALEAS AND OTHER FLOWERING SPECIES. (A, B, C, D).  A wide choice of trees will be available to purchase on the day. i.e. Crab apple, a wide range of Azalea’s, including a range of 7/8 year old UK grown trees, Crab apple Hawthorn, Quince, Rosemary and many more. We will look at styling, growth development, composts, and other techniques to develop and encourage good flowering and fruiting bonsai. Students are invited to bring along what species they need help with.

SEASONAL TECHNIQUES USED FOR PINES. (A, B, C, D). You have a choice of bringing your own trees along, or alternatively purchasing material on the day, Cultivation, back budding and needle reduction techniques that I use will be fully explained. Cork bark varieties will also be dealt with. If you require stock, please request which species is required and I will do my best to supply.

SPRUCE, CEDAR & CRYPTOMERIA WORKSHOP. (A, B, C, D). Back by popular request, a workshop covering a variety of evergreens which can make very good bonsai.

STYLING OF PINES BY WIRING AND PRUNING. (A, B, C, D).  This workshop in the Autumn will be dedicated to styling various species of pine by wiring and pruning techniques.

SLANTING, LITERATI & WINDSWEPT STYLES. (A, B, C, D).  This w/shop will teach you the aspects of these particular bonsai styles. You can choose from many species available on the day if required. Alternatively, if you prefer to work on your own material you are welcome.

THE IMPOSSIBLE TREE/MIXED SPECIES WORKSHOP. (A, B, C, D).  This w/shop is for students who need help refining their own trees, or simply style a tree on the day. Learn how to achieve exhibition standards. And this workshop also gives you the chance to challenge me to style the tree that you have struggled to make into a good bonsai. If required you can purchase material on the day from a wide choice of species, please call for stock availability.

TRADITIONAL HAND-CARVING IN BONSAI STYLING. (B, C, D). This workshop will be devoted to show you how to incorporate carving techniques on bonsai to create driftwood styles and shari, using traditional hand carving tools. A set of RYUGA CT-A wood carving tools will be available to purchase on the day, see below at bottom of page.