2010 Class & Workshop Schedule

Note: Spaces remaining available for each class are indicated below in yellow type. 

Number of opening indicated was current as of February 18, 2010

Beginner Basics - Bonsai 101 

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fee: $145

This is a one day learning experience designed to equip you with a basic understanding of the art of bonsai and with the skills necessary to get you started. The price of the course includes instruction, a full-color textbook, a container and a bonsai, which you will create during the class. The morning session will consist of lecture/demonstration. After lunch students will be given trees, pots, tools, wire and soil and will create their own bonsai under the guidance of the instructor. At the end of the day you will not only go home with a bonsai which you have created on your own, but more importantly, with enough information and "hands-on" experience to serve as a solid foundation for learning more. It is a Saturday class which begins promptly at 10 a.m. and will continue until about 5 p.m. It is offered five times during the year.

Technique & Design Series  

Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Fee:$275 - 4 openings

This class is a package deal.  All five classes are included for one price.  All classes will be held on a Sunday and enrollment is only open to those individuals who have a basic understanding of bonsai growing and shaping fundamentals.  You will b e working on larger specimen tress in the Center's collection.  You will work hard and you will learn much from this special intensive program which we are offering for the first time this year.  In addition, students may bring their own material to work on.  Participation in this series will improve you technical expertise considerably and give you the understanding and confidence to work with large complex specimen quality bonsai.  

                                                            1. Soils & Transplant Technique - March 21

June 25 - 26 - 27

Chase Rosade of is one of Americas premier bonsai artists. He began his bonsai adventure in the mid l950’s and after studying in Japan opened the doors to the Rosade Bonsai Studio in 1970. He has been teaching the art of bonsai ever since. Over the years Chase has given programs for hundreds of Bonsai clubs on this continent including the American Bonsai Society, Bonsai Clubs International, the MidWest Bonsai Alliance, the International Bonsai Arboretum, the Golden State Bonsai Federation, the California Bonsai Society, the MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies, the Latin American Bonsai Federation, the Toronto Bonsai Society. At 74 years of age, he has traveled the world and been a judge and major guest speaker at World and International Conventions in Europe, Asia, Australia, South and North America, New Zealand and India. We are pleased to have his services available for our students and customers. He will conduct one demonstration only, on Saturday, June 26, beginning at 1 p.m. This demonstration is free and open to the public. In addition, Mr. Rosade will lead two workshops. The first is an all-day event on Friday, June 25 and the second is an open workshop on Sunday, June 27. Workshop details are listed below.

with Bonsai Master Chase Rosade - Needle Juniper Workshop 

Friday, June 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Fee: $325 - 1 openings

This is an all day workshop. If you are going to work with one of America’s best teachers, you should have outstanding material to work on. We’ve got it! The trees are five gallon specimens of Blue Alps juniper (Juniperus chinensis "blue alps"). They were an exceptional find for us and are the closest thing in this country to the much sought after Japanese Needle Juniper (Juniperus rigida). All specimens were hand picked by us specifically for this workshop. They have trunk diameters about the size of a silver dollar and have been pre-trained for bonsai styling. All trees show excellent trunk movement and good branch placement. They are about 22 inches tall and will make an exceptional and unique addition to your bonsai collection. Morning and early afternoon will be spent working on these junipers. The remainder of the day will be structured as an open workshop. You should feel free to bring material of your own choosing. A buffet luncheon will be provided. Registration is limited. Early registration is advised. Sorry, no observers

with Bonsai Master Chase Rosade - Open Workshop 

Sunday, June 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fee: $95 - 6 openings

Open workshops are BYO tree events. Its a pleasant way to spend a Sunday morning with friends and to work out styling and design problems with one of America’s foremost bonsai artists. You bring the trees and your tools and we’ll supply the know-how. Students at all learning levels are welcome.

Transplant Seminar 

Saturday, March 27 , 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fee: $55 - 2 openings

This is like an open workshop, but is specifically focused on assisting you with potting and transplanting tasks. We have scheduled it early in the springtime just as plants are pushing their new growth for the season. It’s an all day event and we invite you to bring as much material as you feel you can work on during the course of the day. As an added bonus our professional grade bonsai soil will be on sale this day at 20 percent off its regular price. Pack up your trees and come get your hands dirty with us.

Open Workshops 

Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fee: $55 - 8 openings

Open workshops are BYO tree events. It’s an excellent way to work out styling problems... or to just spend a pleasant afternoon with friends. You bring the plants and we will supply the technical assistance and advice. Students at all levels are welcome. These workshops are offered three times during the year and may be repeated as often as you wish.

Detail & Refinement Technique 

Saturday, September 18, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fee: $155 - 7 openings

Students continue to tell us this is one of the best classes they have ever taken at the BLC. We will be using Japanese holly (Ilex crenata var. numalaria). This small leaf holly is well branched and produces dark green, lush foliage. It’s fast growth and rapid backbudding make it a natural for bonsai. Taking care of the details can turn even an ordinary bonsai into a prize winning showpiece. Unfortunately, most students never take the time to bring out the best their tree has to offer. This class is about "taking care of business". These hollies are already partially trained and in finished pots. The focus in this class will be on refining the branch structure, trunks and nebari. The tree you go home with will look like a prize winner. We will work on all the details and nobody goes home until the job is done.

Carving Deadwood 

Saturday, July 24 , 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fee: $65 - 7 openings

The creation of areas of dead wood is not something that is right for every bonsai, but in situations where jin, shari and sabamiki are appropriate, they can do much to enhance the illusion of great age in your bonsai. This class will teach you how to go about creating deadwood on your bonsai and carving it to the best effect. The objective, to create the effect of harsh weather and numerous years, is not easily achieved. The class will begin with a demonstration on how various carving techniques, tools and wood preservatives should be utilized. In the second half of the session you will have an opportunity to carve deadwood on a bonsai that you bring with you. Note: This class involves the use of power tools. Eye protection will be provided.

Planting on a Stone Slab 

Saturday, June 19, Noon to 4 p.m. Fee: $125 - 1 openings

Sometimes you don’t need a pot to make a dramatic bonsai. In this class we will show you the techniques required to make an effective planting on a stone slab including how to make and attach tie-down wires to the slab and how to apply muck and moss. We found pre-trained Korean hornbeams for use in this class. They are in one gallon containers and have nice trunk movement. The tree, TWO stone slabs, super muck, soils and adhesive epoxy are included in the price of this workshop.

Japanese Black Pine 

Saturday, June 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fee: $225 - 6 openings

These pines are exceptional mikawa cultivars. They are not as large as last years crop, but they are no less impressive. They have been pre-trained for bonsai and have excellent trunk movement. Trunk calipers are the size of a quarter or larger and are planted in 3 gallon growing containers. Mikawas trunk up quickly and bud back well. We will be discussing general pine care as well as seasonal needle reduction technique. There is a reason black pine is known as the "king of bonsai." Come find out why. This is always a popular class so early registration is advised.

Special Shimpaku Junipers 

Saturday, July 17 , 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fee: $225 - 2 openings

We’ve got something special for you this year! Every now and then we strike gold. These are NOT your everyday shimpaku (Juniperus chinensis "shimpaku"). We had to pay a few extra bucks to obtain these exceptional specimens, but we think you will approve. They are about a foot high with trunk diameters the size of your thumb or better. The best part is that they have been specifically pre-trained for bonsai and have some spectacular trunk movement. All specimens were hand picked by us and we made sure we got the cream of the crop. They will style as informal uprights and should lend themselves to some interesting jin and shari treatments. We kept one for ourselves,... but there are more dynamite trees waiting for you.

This is an all day event. We will be using some recently acquired one gallon tridents along with some trident whips which we have been growing out for the past two seasons. We will do a mid-summer defoliation on the tridents and then combine them with rock, moss and accent plants into a 19-inch ceramic bonsai container. Technically the result will be what the Japanese define as "saikei" or "living landscapes," but the final product will be a fusion of Japanese, Chinese and Western techniques that will feel like a walk in the woods. This has always been a very popular class and early registration is suggested. Trident maples, ceramic container, stones, accent plants and soil are all included in the price of this workshop. (Please bring a little moss if you have it.) Students may purchase additional plants to include in their landscape if they wish or they may bring plants and rocks from home.

Crepe Myrtle 

Saturday,August 21 , Noon to 4 p.m. Fee: $125 - 5 openings

If you love flowering bonsai then Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a natural. They grow particularly well in the North Carolina climate and can be cut back hard to induce backbudding. Crepe myrtles flower in mid summer and if you cut off old flowers stems, they will will continue to produce new flowers well into the fall months. The specimens we have are in one gallon containers and have been pre-train for bonsai. They have multiple trunks and interesting sinuous movement. Tree and a ceramic bonsai container are included in the cost of the class.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR A CLASS

An advance deposit is required for each class you select. Balance is due on the day of the class. Checks should be made payable to: Bonsai Learning Center. You may also charge fees to your VISA or MasterCard. PLEASE NOTE: The selection of trees for any given workshop is based on a "first registered, first choice" system. We reserve the right to cancel classes with fewer than 5 students. It is therefore to your advantage to make your registration as early as possible.  Please note our booking and cancellation policy printed printed below.

BOOKING & CANCELLATION POLICY:  We endeavor to limit class sizes to 8 persons but some classes may contain more. We also reserve the right to cancel classes with fewer than five participants and to refund or credit your deposit. We will NOT refund deposits from participants for cancellations which are received less than two weeks prior to the scheduled class date.

List of Classes & advance deposit amounts required for each class

Bonsai Beginner Basics  Course ( May  July  September  November  January 2011 )     $50 deposit required

Special Technique & Design Series  $50 deposit required

Needle Juniper Workshop - SPECIAL All Day Workshop with Bonsai Master Chase Rosade  (Friday, June 25) $60 deposit required

Special Open Workshop With Bonsai Master Chase Rosade (Sunday, June 27)  $40 deposit required

Transplant Seminar  (March 27) $20 deposit required

Open Workshops  ( April 17   May 29   October 16 )  $20 deposit required

Detail & Refinement Techniques (September 18) $40 deposit required

Deadwood Carving Workshop ( July 24 ) $30 deposit required

Stone Slab Planting Workshop ( June 19 ) $40 deposit required

Japanese Black Pine Workshop (June 5 ) 50 deposit required

Special Shimpaku Juniper Workshop (July 17 ) $50 deposit required 

Trident Maple Forest Workshop (May 22) $50 deposit required

Crepe Myrtle Bonsai Workshop ( August 21) $40 deposit required

You may E-mail us and give us a list of  the classes you wish by clicking on the link below or you may register by regular surface mail or by telephone. Please make sure we have your correct name, mailing address and telephone number.  We would also appreciate knowing your e-mail address.  Our address is: 4416 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216.  Our phone number is: 704-392-9244.  Checks should be made payable to: The Bonsai Learning Center.  You may also charge your fees to your VISA or MasterCard.  Please provide Name on card; card number, expiration date and VIN number from the signature area in the back of the card.  DO NOT send credit card information in an e-mail.  We will call you for that data.  

Please Note: We check our e-mail on a daily basis.  You may make a  "tentative" reservation for a class by E-mail or by telephone (704-392-9244.......... however, if after seven days, payment is not received, the reservation will be dropped.