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MENDIP BONSAI STUDIO

A LEADING UK BONSAI LEARNING STUDIO

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.

mbsvoucherA 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

WORKSHOP DETAILS FOR 2026

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

PLEASE NOTE
WE OFFER REPOTTING DATES TO COVER EARLY BUD-BREAKING DECIDUOUS TREES, A MIDWAY DATE AND A LATER DATE FOR EVERGREEN SPECIES
AIR LAYERING WORKSHOP AND DEMONSTRATIONS. (A, B, C, D).

You will be shown how to obtain suitable species for bonsai using this method of propagation by air layering, plus we will discuss other methods.
You will be shown how to carry out the process of air layering by tuition and observation of demonstrations.
You can bring your own material to work on if you wish styling or even carrying out some air layering.

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.

BRING ALONG YOUR BONSAI FOR CRITIQUE AND WORKSHOP. (A, B, C, D). Participants are invited to bring along any bonsai or pre-bonsai for critiquing followed by workshop afterwards.

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 stock which may be available on the day if required. Alternatively, you may prefer to work on your own material.

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.

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/RE-POTTING. (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).Due to numerous requests re-potting of group planting can be undertaken which requires slightly different techniques. 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 or to repot for a fee of £50.00

GROUP OR FOREST STYLE & FURTHER DEVELOPMENT. (A, B, C, D). The workshop will be looking at work to be carried out on the seasons growth so far. Thinning out/repositioning growth areas. You can bring your own forests to work on or watch demonstrations on forests at the nursery.

JUNIPERS /CYPRESS WORKSHOP. (A, B, C, D). This workshop will be themed on the numerous varieties of Juniper. The widely used Chinese and blauuw varieties which make great cascade and semi cascade styles as well as informal. Subject to availability I have some very reasonably priced nursery/bonsai stock to purchase on the day including Itoigawa and Shimpaku.

JAPANESE MAPLE AND TRIDENT SEASONAL TECHNIQUES. (A, B, C, D). These w/shops 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.

LARCH AND HAWTHORN (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 hawthorn subject to availability.

LITERATI STYLING WITH DECIDUOUS AND FLOWERING SPECIES. (A, B, C, D).  Using crab apple, Hawthorn, Quince, Apricot, Acers, 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.

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, VARIOUS DATES TO COVER EARLY DECIDUOUS AND LATER FOR EVERGREEENS. (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.

PINE & JUNIPER 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.

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.

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. This later workshop will be looking at preparing the trees for next years growth etc.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.

SHITO, MAME, SHOHIN & KOMONO BONSAI DEVELOPMENT W/SHOP. (A, B, C, D). This w/shop will teach you the aspect and development of these particular smaller sized bonsai styles. You can choose from many species which are suitable. Stock is normally available on the day if require purchasing any to work on. Alternatively if you prefer to work on your own material you are welcome.

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.

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.

END OF SEASON 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.

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.