Events

Saturday, October 17 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Workshop Leader - Bill Valvanis This workshop features Itoigawa Shimpaku Junipers, one of the most popular trees for bonsai enthusiasts of all skill levels. Known for their soft, bright green foliage and flexibility, these trees are easy to maintain and offer many styling possibilities. The trunks and branches have already been wired and shaped, providing a strong foundation for creating your own unique bonsai design. These healthy, container-grown specimens were started from cuttings and are ready for you to style and enjoy. Although a pickup date and time may appear during registration, no pickup is required. Your email receipt serves as your ticket. All registrations are final and nonrefundable. If you have any questions, please call us at (517) 431‑2060.

Saturday, October 17 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Workshop Leaders - Mark and Becky Hanner Using up to two pounds of stoneware clay, participants will create a custom pot for a small bonsai, accent planting, or kusamono. The workshop will focus on adding texture and visual interest using a variety of tools and materials. A demonstration of the unique "texture and stretch" technique will also be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring natural items, such as leaves, seed pods, or bark, to create their own one-of-a-kind textures in the clay. Although a pickup date and time may appear during registration, no pickup is required. Your email receipt serves as your ticket. All registrations are final and nonrefundable. If you have any questions, please call us at (517) 431‑2060.

Saturday, October 17 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM Workshop Leader: Kurt Smith An Introduction to Bonsai Concepts and Design Participants will receive a tropical Tiger Bark Ficus in a 6-inch plastic bonsai pot to work on during the class and take home afterward. This hands-on workshop covers the fundamentals of tropical bonsai care, including soil selection, lighting requirements, watering techniques, and basic training and shaping. All materials needed for the workshop are provided. If you already own bonsai tools, you are welcome to bring them along for use during the class. Although a pickup date and time may appear during registration, no pickup is required. Your email receipt serves as your ticket. All registrations are final and nonrefundable. If you have any questions, please call us at (517) 431‑2060.

Sunday, October 18 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Workshop Leader: Eric Newton Bring the little ones for this fun and family-friendly bonsai workshop! Participants will learn the basics of bonsai design, styling, and care in a hands-on environment. The workshop fee includes a bonsai tree to create and take home. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend and assist their young bonsai enthusiasts. Although a pickup date and time may appear during registration, no pickup is required. Your email receipt serves as your ticket. All registrations are final and nonrefundable. If you have any questions, please call us at (517) 431‑2060.

Sunday, October 18 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Workshop Leader: Steve Jetzer This is a Bring Your Own Tree (BYOT) workshop. Participants should bring bonsai that are suitable for autumn work. Appropriate trees may include conifers, such as Japanese black pines, larch, and junipers, which respond well to late-season wiring and growth-balancing techniques, as well as deciduous species, such as Japanese maples, trident maples, and bald cypress, that can tolerate structural pruning and wiring at this time of year. Please note that repotting will not be performed during this workshop, as fall is not an appropriate season for repotting bonsai. Although a pickup date and time may appear during registration, no pickup is required. Your email receipt serves as your ticket. All registrations are final and nonrefundable. If you have any questions, please call us at (517) 431‑2060.