The Bonsai Society of Portland, Oregon, promotes the art of bonsai through education. The Society meets monthly, presents guest speakers, shares bonsai knowledge, holds public exhibits, maintains a library of books, videos, maintains a mentorship program and holds social events.

Join the Bonsai Society of Portland and participate in an educational and pleasurable learning environment dedicated to the art of bonsai.

Monday
Apr082013

Bonsai Society Spring Exhibition at the Portland Japanese Garden

Bonsai Society of Portland members present their annual display of bonsai at the Portland Japanese Garden. Watch as members demonstate techniques and discuss design decisions. View a display of dozens of bonsai from their personal collections including conifer, deciduous, fruiting, and flowering species.
See a wide variety of specimens ranging from three-feet-tall to small enough to hold in the palm of one’s hand.


Saturday & Sunday, April 20-21

9 a.m.—6 p.m.
Portland Japanese Garden
Pavilion Gallery

Admission included with Garden entry fee

Tuesday
Feb192013

February Program Features Ryan Neil and Scott Elser

On February 28th we'll have Ryan Neil of International Bonsai Mirai and BSOP's very own Scott Elser, a critically acclaimed U.S. bonsai amateur. The duo will present a multi-part demonstration.

They're both going to do initial styling on some native material and revisit it with us after the growing season in October, then hopefully again twice next year. This is a rare opportunity to watch the progression of bonsai as part of a demo. Ryan will doubtless have something to say about the Artisan's Cup, which is shaping up to be one of the most noteworthy bonsai shows in the West. See you on the 28th!

Tuesday
Jan292013

Portland Japanese Garden Celebrates 50 years

The 50th anniversary of the Portland Japanese Garden will include 10 days of activities at the Garden. The events will recognize the role of the many groups in the community that helped shape the Garden’s history. Portland Bonsai Society will participate in the celebraton with a full day of presentations, demonstrations and information on the art of bonsai.

You are invited to participate in the celebration. Stop by for a cup of tea and linger in the warmth of the Pavilion. The Pavilion will also feature a display of historical photographs and information commemorating the Garden’s first 50 years.

The full schedule includes:

February 1 - Ikebana International Day
February 2 - Garden History Day, Board members Lynn Connor and Ed McVicker
February 3 - Sunday Lecture, Sadafumi Uchiyama: Portland Japanese Garden History, Design and Construction
February 4  Niwanobikai Day, Professor Andy Bernstein
February 5 - Tea Ceremony Day, Kashintei Kai
February 6 - Bonsai Day, Bonsai Society of Portland
February 7 - Japanese Carpentry Day, Dale Brotherton
February 8 - Professor Tono Day, Ted Sieckman
February 9 - Garden History Day, Board member Lynn Connor
February 10 - Sunday Lecture, Kenneth Brown: Japanese Gardens in North America

The Garden is open daily 10 a.m.–3 p.m.  Pavilion hours are 1– 3 p.m.  Lectures and presentations are included with Garden admission.  More info.

Thursday
Jan032013

Mentorship Meeting: Soil Mixing

The December rains have finally stopped (at least for now) and we have experienced some freezing temperatures. Our trees are dormant, and in winter storage and we should be planning out Spring replanting, pruning and development for the next growing season. Ordinarily that would mean that our January Mentorship class would be dedicated to Soil Mixing, but these are not ordinary times.

If you have been looking for components for mixing what we in BSOP refer to as BOON soil,

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Monday
Oct082012

Mentorship Meeting: Make Your Own Bonsai Pots

Our September Whack and Chat was well attended with 9 new and old members participating. It was good to see some old friends again and have the opportunity to meet and encourage some new members as well.

Our October meeting will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at St. Phillip Neri Church from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Our topic will be Making your own Bonsai Pots. BSOP member Rocky Lawton will be presenting his technique for making Faux Rock and Bonsai Trays.

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